Tied For Eternity

Chapter 4; The Walima.

Maleeha's POV.

I skeptically watched the doors in front of me, hoping that somehow, just somehow, they would vanish. I was sitted in a sleek black extremely expensive car, with my husband, waiting for the driver to cut the ignition so we alight from the car.

I had tried making a number of my top-best excuses to stay back in the house and hide from the outside world, but it seemed that everyone was hell-bent on my death.

I snapped myself out of my thoughts to find Shehzaan standing next to the open car door, his hand extended towards me and a heart warming smile on his canvas of a face.

I put my small hand on his, smiling in gratitude to him. We walked side by side to the door and he rang the door bell.

The door was jerked opened by my mother and I tried so hard to look happy, but I bet my degree in french literacy that I looked more constipated than happy. The scowl on my mother's face caught me off-guard.

Oh...well!!

She put on a fake smile, just like all the fake love she's been spewing towards me when dad was home.

She behaved funny for a minute, looking angry, anxious and every other emotion that she could actually portray. Then, she feigned a tight lipped smile, that might have looked happy to others but I knew better. Unconsciously, I shifted closer to Shehzaan. I didn't trust my mother and I wasn't about to start at that moment.

It was easier for me to get into the house by the way. My mother stepped aside, letting Shehzaan and I come in, and hugged the both of us. She then began hugging my Mother-in-law and Aminah, then proceeded to usher us into the living room. I was not going to be spared tonight and I wasn't going to try to get any closer to Satan than I already was.

I hugged my father for a longer time than necessary. This being the fact that I had never been away from him for a long period. Never more than three consecutive days. He made me sit next to him and began animatedly chatting with my in-laws.

I was sitted between the two most important men in my life. My father and my husband, that if he is my husband. My mother-in-law and my mother were busy talking about new jewellery designs in the market when my mother asked for me to serve tea to everyone.

Well, I guess I have to get up?

But my limbs didn't move. My steely legs decided to give up just the moment I was trying not to create a scene. I saw my mother's eyes fill with anger and finally got the energy to stand, walking all the way to the kitchen. As I made tea, I smiled ruefully at my reality. Look at me, a newly wed bride, whose husband doesn't even desire her and has been cruelly modified into a lady. I was like a robot when I was in my teens. My mother ordered and I fulfilled. That's how it worked. It's not like I didn't try resisting but it just didn't work.

She punished me everytime I backlashed. I had bore the scars with pride, but now that I think of this, I shouldn't have let her. I sometimes wonder if assuming Shehzaan was in love with me and he saw my scars, would he be disgusted? Would he scowl or frown if he realised what a coward I'd been?

I watched as the tea boiled and lowered the flame. That's when my mother came in.

Shehzaan's POV.

I was bored between the elders, and with siblings-in-law that I didn't want to have any boredom talk with, I decided to go wife-hunting. I decided to go look for Maleeha. Now that I wonder, what is taking her so long?

I stood up and walked to the kitchen all the way reminiscing our childhood memories. How I used to chase Maleeha and Shaheena in the corridor. Or how I'd wear the zombie mask just to scare the wits out of them.

Ah, the kitchen.

"You b***h! How dare you! I give you an order and you dont obey? The ant's gotten wings huh? Now that you're married to a rich guy you're gonna show off and demean me? You want me to remind you what I can and cannot do? Huh?"

That sounds like Maleeha's mother. Standing outside the kitchen, a good distance so that I can see and hear what's going on, I realised Maleeha's mum had a scowl on her face, Maleeha's hair in a fist and the other tightly clutched over Maleeha's wrist.

"No ma! I really don't know what came over me. I'm sorry I didn't obey please ma. Please. I won't repeat this ever. Please."

"I wonder what Shehzaan would think about a burnt wife? Imagine he would flinch or wince whenever he saw your face. You're lucky I can't bruise your face, but your hands? They make the perfect replacement." Maleeha's mom said with a sickly evil smile.

I saw her pick the pot with tea in it and decided I'd watched enough.

"Maleeha! Maleeha! How long is it taking you?" I fake yelled.

I saw Maleeha's mom let go and pretend to pour the tea into cups as Maleeha set her hair and wiped her tears. I walked in and found her smiling.

What is wrong with this girl? She was a second away from pain and she is smiling? I pretended to talk sweetly like I hadn't know what had gone on. We went back to the living room and I watched her mother with extra attention. How could she hate her own daughter? And this much? Why didn't Maleeha speak up? She didn't even scream when her mother was about to burn her.

Once we had lunch in that house, we bid goodbye and got into the cars. I drove back to the house in fury. At a higher speed than normal. However I took the longer route home, I needed to calm down.

Once we reached, I got off and went to Maleeha's side. I pulled her out of the car and into the house.

Once in, I flung her towards Ammi.

"What the f**k is wrong with you?!" I let out.

"Shehzaan!"

"Ammi don't lecture me right now. If anyone is in dire need of it, then it's your darling daughter-in-law. I don't even know what she's made of!"

"But bhai, what happened?"

Maleeha's POV.

Shehzaan was really angry right now. Like, too angry. I don't know what caused this, but I suspected Shaheena and bhai, or maybe ma.

"I'll tell you what happened. I was getting bored so I decided to go looking for Maleeha. Guess what I see? Maleeha's mum cruelly handling her own daughter."

My eyes widened. He saw all of it. He can't tell them. I'll be in trouble.

"Shehzaan please. Kuch mat kahiyega, please." I begged. (Don't say anything)

"Why not? Tum darti ho apni maa se? Huh? Ab to me bolke rahunga. Tum dekhti jao." He retorted in a cold voice. (Are you scared of your mother? Now I'm gonna reveal it. Watch me.)

I broke into sobs as he explained what happened in the kitchen. I was full on bawling by the time he was done.

"Oh Allah! Who would do something so cruel to someone as sweet as her? Maleeha, why didn't you shout or something when she was mistreating you? How long has this been going on for?" My Mother-in-law asked.

"Ever since I was young. Shaheena and bhai were always her favourite so I had most of papa's attention. I think That's what fuelled her anger cause she's always crumpled me under her feet since I was seven." I mumbled.

Silence followed in the living room for a while before Zubeir, Shehzaan's younger brother began making light conversation. Ammi had shortly asked me to follow her to her room where she'd asked for me not to keep anything hidden in my heart and that feelings were best shared to lessen the overwhelming emotions and tears that followed.

For dinner, we had most of baba jaan and Aminah's favourites since they shared a lot in common. In between, Ammi had told us about the walima, which is the reception in western words. It was the next day and I had no outfits that I deemed fit.

"Maleeha, dear, don't worry. Your outfit and Shehzaan's suit has been taken care of. All you two need to do is get dressed and not run away. So, don't panic." Baba jaan explained animatedly.

Shehzaan's POV.

The next day was hectic. I wasn't even allowed in my own room because the girls were busy dressing Maleeha up apparently. So, I spent the day in Zubeir's room. Mostly because I had no choice.

Zubeir is my younger brother by 2 years and elder to Amina by 3 years. Not much of a difference so we are always arguing. And I mean always.

Once it was five-ish, Ammi entered the room and handed me the suit.



It wasn't the kind of simple suits I usually wore. But I wore it anyway. Because when a mum glares at anyone, it's scary. As usual, however, Ammi helped with my tie. I cannot tie a tie to save my life. That's how bad it is.

The men drove to the venue first. You know, women need time, lots of time.

I was sitted in the car for over half an hour and it was getting annoying. Somehow, I was anxious and alert. I didn't know what Maleeha's mother would try, but she better not trust her luck too much. I had vowed to be Maleeha's husband in every way and I wouldn't hesitate in the least bit. My BMW stopped in the next parking lot, so I got down from the car.

I opened the backdoor, and put my hand out for my wife.

Wife,

That sure sounds good.

Maleeha's POV.

I was so nervous. It was my first time wearing a saree and I sure hoped Shehzaan would like it. I mean, what's the use of the wife dressing up when the husband doesn't even like the look. Right?

Huff!!

Why is it so difficult to keep calm? I glanced at myself in the mirror.



Well I do look pretty, so fingers crossed.

Aminah and Khirad were to be my emergency make-up artists once we entered the venue. In case of any mishap or running mascara, they're to come to the rescue!

Yup, nerves not calming.

"Relax bhabhi, bhai-jaan will love the way you look. If you don't be so nervous." Aminah assured.

"Yeah, who knows, he might even steal a kiss or three before walking down the aisle with you." Khirad commented, smirking.

I blushed furiously as they awed at me. We got into Zaan's BMW and drove off to the venue.

Once we reached, I tried to calm my nerves, again, when the door was opened and a hand was put out for me. I placed my hand in his and carefully alighted. Shehzaan stared at me with a certain shine in his eyes and that made me blush.

We walked down in and to the stage hand in hand and accepted gifts together.

Our first dance, was perfect. We had our eyes locked and he told me I was mesmerising. He even mentioned that he wanted to give this marriage a chance.

I wonder what brought that chance up. Well, whatever it was, I sure hope it stays that way.