Chapter 14

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Safiya walked into the quiet room where Nauman was resting. Her father, Wajahat, and mother, Rabiya, sat on the couch beside his bed, their expressions somber and unreadable. The air felt heavier than usual, as if the silence itself was bracing for what was to come.

She frowned slightly, confused at the shift in atmosphere.

Her steps slowed when Rabiya had called only her inside.

she found it quite strange but didn't say anything. And then, as if confirming her unease, Riffat passed her wordlessly, offering a gentle touch on her shoulder before disappearing to go to Zaviyar’s vanity room.

The touch was tender, but it carried weight… as if it were a silent goodbye, or an apology.

Safiya turned to Nauman and smiled, comforted by the sight of him sitting upright against the pillow. But before she could ask how he was feeling, her father’s voice broke the silence.

“Beta, we have to a-ask you something important,” Wajahat spoke with a slight tremor in his voice, uncertainty evident in his voice. He didn't meet her gaze, his head remained slitly bowed as he stared at the white tiled floor.

That’s when Rabiya stood up slowly and walked toward her daughter. Her hands reached out and clasped Safiya’s tightly. Her grip was firm, but her eyes were soft. Yet Safiya couldn't help but notice something intense with emotion and fear burning in them.

“Safiya… You always told me that you trust us, right?” she asked gently. Safiya nodded, sensing the gravity behind the words.

“So... will you do something today, if I and your father ask you to?” Rabiya’s voice was gentle but filled with an urgency which Safiya couldn’t quite decipher. She nodded again, but this time more hesitantly, her brows furrowed in confusion.

“Zaviyar se nikah karlo…”

(Get married to Zaviyar.)

Safiya’s eyes flew wide open. The blood drained from her face as it lost all colour. Her entire body stiffened as if struck by lightning. She instantly pulled her hands away from her mother’s grasp, her eyes burning with disbelief.

“Have you lost your mind, mom? There's no way— no... Never...” she shrieked with shock.

She staggered back a step, her gaze travelling from Rabiya to Wajahat, then to Nauman searching for some sign that this was a terrible joke. But all she was met with was the reality that slapped her right across her face.

“Beta, listen to me—” Rabiya began, stepping forward.

“NO- are you out of your mind? You want me to marry him? No... Not in a million years!” Safiya shouted, her hands trembling. The room felt too small, too suffocating. She wanted to get out of here as fast as possible.

“Please... consider my words,” Rabiya pleaded, her eyes glistening.

“This is not a joke, mom. I will not step in to sacrifice myself. Sorry, Nauman uncle, but I just can’t—”

“Why?”, Rabiya's voice was barely a whisper.

“Why are you refusing to do this, Safiya?”, Rabiya placed her hands on her daughters shoulders, turning her to face her.

“ Because I'm a completely same person. This was supposed to be a short visit to check up on Nauman uncle but suddenly it turned into a long vacation till Zaviyar got married. And now... You want me to get married? Are you serious?” she asked, her voice cracking with anger and frustration.

“That’s not how things work. This is not a star plus daily soap , mom. It’s my life we’re talking about. I did not come here to become a scapegoat, mom...”, she said, her voice cold and distant. She couldn't believe her mother was pushing her to do this.

“But what’s the problem in marrying Zaviyar?”, rabiya asked giving her shoulder a little jerk.

“EVERYTHING…”, Safiya’s voice broke, her fists clenched as she tried to gather her spiralling thoughts.

“It’s weird... We are practically family...”, sge tried to reason seeing her mother still adamant on her words.

“You seem to forget that your dad is adopted. You have no blood relation with him, beta,” Rabiya reminded her gently.

“That doesn’t make this any less weird...”, she spat sarcastically looking at her mom horrified with disgust.

“Why don’t you understand it’s for your best...”, Rabiya was cut off by Safiya's defiant retort.

“No, mom. It’s for your best... ”, she said.

“ What’s wrong with you...”, she turned to Wajahat who was still looking down as if the floor was the most beautiful thing he had seen in a while. “ dad, say something...”

The silence from Wajahat was deafening.

“So you would rather marry someone like Adeel but not Zaviyar?”, This made Safiya snap her head at her mom.

“You were ready to marry Adeel even though you didn’t love him. But you seem to have a problem with Zaviyar.”, rabiya asked with a raised brow.

“Adeel was never our choice... He was not even your choice. And you told me that both of you were getting married because it mutually benefitted both of you. And as parents we agreed because he was a good man... Till he showed his true colours.”, she said.

“Even in the future... We cannot guarantee that the man we choose for you will be perfect... But Zaviyar, you know he won’t leave you... Ever...”, Safiya tried to brush off Rabiya's hands off her shoulders.

“His family loves you...”, rabiya said softly.

“Mom, that’s not what I mean. I’m not saying he’s bad but you don’t understand.

You are expecting me to leave my life back in Almora and live in Azamgarh for the rest of my life.

.. What about my job? He might have all the money in the world but I am not leaving it.

.. leaving my job means I sign away my independence and life. ..”

“No…”, Nauman's quivering voice reached Safiya and Rabiya making them turn to him.

“Safiya beta... Almora is 2 hours from here. Even your mansion was an hour away from the court. You have to reach the court by 11 am every day... Even if you set out at 9 in the morning you have plenty of time. The court gets over by 5... We will appoint you a driver. Nothing’s changed.

It’s just... you change mansions.”, He said each word firmly and slowly.

“But—”

“We didn’t tell you at first but we were planning to move to Azamgarh...”, Wajahat said abruptly getting up from the sofa as he walked towards Safiya and Rabiya.

“What?”, she asked in disbelief.

“Yes... By the end of this year.”, Rabiya said.in a whisper.

“The mansion I bought a few weeks ago... I bought it so we could move here.”, Wajahat said making Safiya shake her head in utter bewilderment.

“That’s what you wanted didn’t you, Safiya? To stay near your mom and me. This way you can be near us. With us! ”, wajahat said placing his hand on her head with affection.

“The people are already pointing fingers at you... Even if we get a good man for you, how can we guarantee that he will treat you right and not taunt you for this?”, Safiya scoffed hearing her words.

“So you mean to say... That I should compromise myself just because of some rumors and people who just love to gossip. I’m out of here...”

“Why don’t you try to understand— I’ve been there...”, Rabiya cried out. Hot, angry tears of anguish falling from her eyes. “They humiliated me... Tried to molest me... Called me a loose girl—”, she choked on her own tears.

Safiya gently wiped the tears from Rabiya's eyes before saying, “Here’s the difference between us mom... you didn’t stand up for yourself but I will.”,

“For how long... One incident and my past is brought up. What makes you think this will be any easier for you?”, Rabiya asked.

“Why are you behaving like this? You are supposed to understand me...”, Safiya said desperately.

“Becaus3 I don’t want to see you becoming the subject of people’s ridicule...”, Rabiya's words are cut off yet again by her daughter.

“Or you just want to save your reputation...”, she said with a shrug before turning around. She was done with this place, ready to leave at once.

“No— You don’t get it. Please... Just listen to me this once. Only this once....”, Rabiya cried out in helplessness, holding her arm.

“Safiya... I won’t pressurize you to agree to this, beta. I’ll just tell you that if you agree to this marriage, there will be no change in your life.”, Nauman finally said making her snap at him.

“It will be the same... Like it used to be.”, he said with a small smile.

“We need your answer, my child. And even if the answer is no, we will hold no grievance in our hearts. Our God teaches us to love our daughters— unconditionally.”, he says softly.

“Main tumhare har faisla ko qubool karunga, chahe woh ikraar ho ya inkaar.”, Safiya looked away feeling a little bad for speaking so rudely in front of him.

(I will accept Safiya’s every decision—whether it’s a yes or a no.)

“We don’t wish to pressure you. But in the days to come, we don’t want to carry even a shadow of regret in our hearts.”, Nauman said before closing his eyes.

Wajahat seeing Safiya contemplating quickly said, “Nauman bhai please give us some time...”, before pulling Safiya out with him gently.

“Safiya se nikah karlo…”, Zaviyar blinked at his mother, the words reverberating in the air like background noise. He stared at Riffat blankly for a moment, then leaned forward and placed the back of his hand against her forehead.

“Are you okay, Mom? Should I call the doctors to check on you?” he asked, genuinely concerned pointing towards the door

“I’m absolutely fine,” Riffat replied sharply, shoving his hand away. “And I’m asking you to marry Safiya.”

Zaviyar straightened, still stunned. “Let me just call them real quick... ” he muttered, pulling out his phone.

“Stop it, Zaviyar! ” His mother snatched the phone from his hand and cut the call. Her voice hardened.

“Marry Safiya. Today.”

He flinched as if slapped. He wiped his face with his hand in frustration before turning to her.

“You’ve really gone mad, Mom. What are you even saying?” he snapped, unable to hold back his frustration.

“I said what I meant.” Riffat’s voice didn’t waver this time.

Zaviyar closed his eyes, his temper simmering. “No. Absolutely not. You- do you even hear yourself?” he said, shaking his head with disbelief.

“She’ll never agree to this. You’re just wasting your time,” he added dismissively, already stepping back.

“Give me a reason then. Or agree to it. It’s for the best,” Riffat said, moving in front of him and holding his shoulders, forcing him to face her.

“That’s enough! I don’t need a reason. I just can’t do this,” he barked, his voice laced with anger and exhaustion.

A single day and too many things had happened. The girl he was supposed to marry ran away, he was accused of having a promiscuous relationship with another girl and now he's supposed to marry her? Like hell he would!

Riffat entered quietly, placing herself between him and the door. “Why not? You agreed to marry Zulekha…”

“So now you’re substituting Zulekha with Safiya?” he scoffed, looking at her.

“And what then? When Safiya leaves too, will you just hand me off to someone else?”

“She’s the right choice, Zaviyar. She always was... even before she came back here, you knew it too.” Riffat’s voice cracked, desperate yet resolute.

Zaviyar raised his hand mid-air, cutting her off with a stern glare. “I don’t care. I am not marrying her.”

He turned away, but froze in his tracks when Riffat softly said, “Even if that was what your grandfather wanted?”

“…What?”

Before he could process her words, the door opened. Agastya stepped in, holding it open as an attendant wheeled in Nauman, frail and silent, followed by another who pushed a drip stand beside him.

After settling Nauman in the room, the staff and Agastya quietly exited.

Nauman’s eyes found Zaviyar immediately.

“Z-Zaviyar...” he called out in a weak voice.

Zaviyar rushed to his side, kneeling. “Dad? You shouldn’t have come here. You need rest.”

Nauman shook his head slowly. “Your mother’s telling the truth. This... this was your grandfather’s wish. That you marry Safiya.”

Zaviyar closed his eyes in frustration, dragging a hand through his hair. “It doesn’t matter. If I had married Zulekha today, none of this would even be relevant. Just because she ran away doesn’t mean you both get to throw another girl into the fire to fix everything.”

“She’s not just another girl, Zaviyar,” Riffat said firmly. “She’s the girl. The one who can bring stability to this home and... to you.”

“She’s a storm, not stability!” he snapped. “And she despises me, in case you forgot.”

“Only because you keep pushing her away,” Riffat chimed in quietly.

“Because you’re afraid of the fact that she’s your equal.”

Zaviyar glared at her. He didn't fear anyone.

“This is not about fear. This is about logic. I’m not marrying someone who thinks I’m a selfish, arrogant prick. She will never understand our family... How do you expect her to understand me? ”,

“She sees through you, that’s why you’re scared,” Riffat said calmly, taking a step forward. “And deep down, you know she’s always challenged you.”

Nauman suddenly broke into a fit of coughs. Zaviyar immediately steadied him, rubbing his back and trying to offer him water.

“Dad- don’t do this now. Please take the medicine,” Zaviyar pleaded, trying to place a tablet in his hand. Nauman turned his face away, refusing it.

“Say yes, Zaviyar…” he wheezed.

“Please…”

“I can’t,” Zaviyar muttered, shaking his head. “Please, Dad, don’t do this. Drink the water.”

“Say yes first—” Nauman gasped, coughing harder.

“Okay! Okay! Fine!” Zaviyar blurted out in defeat, grabbing the medicine and pressing it into Nauman’s hand. The elder finally took it, swallowing with a faint nod.

A heavy silence filled the room.

“She’ll never agree to this,” Zaviyar said suddenly, his voice quieter. “She hates me. You know she does.”

Nauman gave him a small, knowing smile, reaching out to place a frail hand on his son’s head.

“She will… I know she will.”, Zaviyar looked away, clenching his fists in anger as he tried not to snap at them.

“I’ll agree to this,” he said tightly, “but only if she says yes. On her own. No pressure. No manipulation.”

And with that, he turned and stormed out of the room, his heart pounding.

In the back of his mind, he knew exactly what would happen. Safiya would say no. She would never say yes to marrying him.

And maybe… that would be for the best. His parents would give up trying to get him married for atleast a year or two. And the Shah's will be out of his life and his family forever.

Just like he always wanted!

Safiya stood quietly in the room her father had taken her to, her arms folded tightly across her chest. She felt cornered, ambushed by emotions and expectations she hadn’t signed up for. The walls around her suddenly felt like they were pressing in, suffocating her.

“Why did you bring me here, Dad?” she asked, her voice low but tinged with irritation.

Wajahat looked at her, his eyes soft but shadowed by something deeper.

“I need you to listen to me very carefully, Safiya,” he said, walking closer. His tone was steady, but every word carried weight, like it had taken him years to find the courage to speak them.

“Remember the first time I asked you about your marriage after Adeel... after he did that...”

Safiya’s lips parted slightly, her breath catching at the mention of that name. She turned her face away, blinking fast. Her parents didn't question her decisions when she told them that Adeel cheated on her.

They were there to hold her, comfort her and guide her to what's right without any accusations or judgements. Thats how her parents had always been.

Thats why a sudden request seemed too absurd to her.

“Remember what you told me, when I asked you about the kind of boy you wanted as your partner?”, He asked her softly.

“ I'll agree... No matter who you choose for me if I don't have any major reason to not like them. ” she whispered, almost reluctantly.

Wajahat nodded slowly, as if her words vindicated a decision he’d made long ago.

“Zaviyar is that guy... The one I would choose for you if his marriage wouldn’t already have been fixed with Zulekha.”

“But Dad, he—” she started to protest, but he gently cut her off.

“Tell me why you are doing this? You have no complaints against this marriage. He is not the problem. Something else is bothering you.”

Safiya’s chest heaved as she tried to rein in her spiraling thoughts. Her voice cracked when she finally spoke.

“ He is the PROBLEM. He hates my guts, my existence. Also, you all bring me here for a vacation and now that his bride ran away, suddenly everybody expects me to be the kind, merciful angel who will act like the spineless female lead in a serial and agree to all this.” She scoffed bitterly and shook her head.

“I don’t owe anyone anything. Why should I even agree to this? I feel as bad as they feel, but that doesn’t mean I just sit in her place.”, She looked up at her father, eyes glassy with restrained anger and confusion.

“All this is too sudden... and you all expect me to make a decision which could break or make my life within an hour? And I do have a problem with him. He hates me... he's always telling me rules like a hostel warden. ”, Her voice dropped as her shoulders slumped.

“It feels like I’m signing away my freedom... like I’m sacrificing myself...”

“ That's because he was always taught to follow rules. And knowing that he spent 12 years of his life with his grandfather. It's a surprise he's like this. Believe me, your grandfather..”, Wajahat paused. “ Let's just say, you wouldn't really be a fan of him. ”, Wajahat sighed and stepped forward.

“ Well pardon me, but he's dead. I don't care what he was like. It's about my life right now, Dad. ”, she said sarcastically.

“ What if Zaviyar starts controlling my life some prick- I'll break his face. Worse, I'll murder him dad. ”, she said with gritted teeth.

“ Why do you think he'll do that? He was the one who supported Khwaish's education. He is also very educated... you know that.”, There was no judgment in his eyes, only a deep-rooted empathy and pain that came from lived experience.

“ I'm not exactly the type of girl- they would want as their daughter in law, dad. ”, Safiya said pointing at herself. She needed as many reasons as she could to refuse this.

“I understand your reasons, my child. But trust me... They all treat you like a queen already. Imagine how much they will love you if you become their daughter-in-law.”, He placed a hand on her shoulder, gently grounding her.

“You could stay near your mom and me. You could still do your job and get all the support in the world. No one would question you for your past or ever raise a finger at your character...”, He paused, his voice thick with emotion.

“I’m being really selfish when I tell you all this but...” He exhaled deeply, gathering himself.

“I really want you to agree to this marriage because…”, He paused again, and this time, when he spoke, his voice dropped lower as his mind played memories of him with his family.

“Everything we lost twenty-five years ago... we can finally reclaim it. The land, the house, the respect — all of it. Everything I had to leave behind, it’s all within reach again.”

Safiya looked up, stunned, trying to process what he was saying. Her father’s face was etched with decades of silent struggle, the weight of unspoken sacrifices that he and her mother made to be where they are now.

“You know the truth… then why do you think your mother and I spent all those years in isolation? Away from here?”, His voice cracked slightly as the dam of years threatened to burst.

“This marriage isn’t just about uniting two people. It’s the key to opening doors that were slammed shut on us long ago. To get back what was once ours. Everything I lost… everything I deserved.”

“You go through with this marriage and we rise again. Our family, our name, our place in this family… we’ll have it all back, my child. And now I want it all back. ”, His voice softened with the last line, almost like a prayer.

“ Tell me, Safiya. Will you marry Zaviyar? ”, he asked her with determination in his eyes.

Safiya's heart screamed in refusal, telling her to choose herself. But her brain that had calculated everything made her nod, slowly. Yet the movement was hesitant.

She was feeling a wrenching pain coursing through her body, suddenly her throat felt too dry for her to deliver any words. It felt like she was making the worst decision of her life.

When she had decided to be in a relationship with Adeel, she knew she could leave him without even giving it a second thought the moment things started getting weird. They both had mutually agreed upon it. But this... It felt like she was making a commitment she could never back out of.

But it was better than all those proposals that came after Adeel. Some expected her to leave her job, some people were too picky and expected her to do all the house chores, some just wanted her parents money. Some even had the audacity to ask Wajahat to give their son the entire business....

But in this marriage she knew how much his parents liked her. She had good support and her parents would always be with her like she wanted.

This was perfect... Too perfect!

She contemplated before letting out a sigh in defeat.

“ I will dad. ”, she said. Her voice barely a whisper, but Wajahat heard her and pulled her into a bone crushing hug.

"Fine. I’ll marry him— if that’s what it takes to get everything back. Your family. Your legacy. Everything you’ve ever wanted.", she said..

“We will have everything back... My family, my brother, the time I didn’t get to spend with my family... Everything.” His voice broke as tears welled up in his eyes, slipping silently down the edge of his face not from pain this time, but from hope.

“Everything!”

“Not yet, Dad. ”, she slowly pulled away from his embrace. “One year!”, Wajahat frowned, his confusion etched across his face.

“I’ll give this marriage a year,” Safiya said, her tone calm but firm. “If, after that, I decide it’s not for me... if I feel no reason to stay. I’ll walk away. And you won’t stop me.”

“That’s not what—”, Safiya raised her hand, silencing him.

“I’ve already agreed, haven’t I?” she said folding her arms across her chest. “But you still need to accept the terms. This marriage won’t be a trap. I’m walking into it with my eyes wide open. Either accept that... or I’m out.”

Wajahat hesitated before nodding slowly. “Okay. One year. If you don’t want to stay after that... you’re free to leave.”

He swallowed hard, silently praying that his daughter would not follow through her plan. She was quite resolute with all her decisions.

Safiya gave a single nod before turning away, her back straight and her resolve unshaken.

She wasn’t some na?ve girl clinging to fairytales or hoping to be saved.

She was protecting her future. If this marriage offered something worth holding on to, she would stay.

But if it didn't, she would leave, unapologetically.

Afterall, she never planned to marry out of love. Marriage was always a compliance to her, something she would have to agree with. She already promised herself that she would only proceed with any alliance if it met up to her expectations and the things she wanted.

This way, she wasn’t surrendering her life. She was choosing it!

Zaviyar brushes his hand through his already tousled hair before storming out of the room. He was going to the balcony to get a smoke, release some pent up frustration and draw his mind off everything only for his steps to halt when he heard the voice from one of the vanity rooms.

“I really want you to agree to this marriage because…”, his steps paused when he heard Wajahat's words.

“Everything we lost twenty-five years ago... we can finally reclaim it. The land, the house, the respect all of it. Everything I had to leave behind, it’s all within reach again.”, his eyes widened in shock as he registered his words.

His heart skipped a beat. Reclaim? There was a bitterness to those words..He took another step closer.

“You know the truth… then why do you think your mother and I spent all those years in isolation? Away from here?”, Zaviyar’s breath hitched. His jaw clenched, teeth grinding with a force he hadn’t even noticed. He could feel the fury bubbling just beneath the surface of his skin.

So that was it, huh? The truth spilled out, not in confessions, but calculations. Wajahat Shah, the one who had gone against the people who provided him with a home was back to destroy everything once again and this time by pushing his daughter into their family.

“This marriage isn’t just about uniting two people. It’s the key to opening doors that were slammed shut on us long ago. To get back what was once ours. Everything I lost… everything I deserved.”, Zaviyar closed his eyes in anger as his grandfather's words echoed in his mind.

His grandfather had told him that the worst thing he had ever done was adopting Wajahat and how he was meant to taint their blood. He couldn't agree more.

“You go through with this marriage and we rise again. Our family, our name, our place in this family… we’ll have it all back, my child. And now I want it all back. ”, he listened carefully curious of what she would say.

Zaviyar stepped back from the door, shadows curling around him like silent spectators to his rage. He felt the familiar urge to scream, to tear something apart but his silence was colder, more dangerous.

“ Tell me, Safiya. Will you marry Zaviyar? ”, wajahat asked.

“ I will dad.. I’ll marry him if that’s what it takes to get everything back. Your family. Your legacy. Everything you’ve ever wanted. ”

This marriage wasn't a proposal to close their bonds. It was to regain everything they had lost and now wanted back.

Zaviyar turned on his heel, his heartbeat hammering in his ears as he walked away in fury. He didnt want to listen to them anymore.

Whatever sympathy he had, whatever curiosity he nurtured about the woman behind the fierce stare and sharp words. It withered in that moment. All of them were bloody leeches who were loyal only to their own gains.

And him? Just the sacrifice offered at the altar of their ambition.

Zaviyar entered one of the closest vanity rooms and slammed the door shut with a loud, echoing thud. The fury in his chest burned, clouding his vision with crimson rage.

His breath was ragged, his fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white. Without a second thought, he grabbed a ceramic vase from the side table and hurled it at the wall with a furious roar.

The vase shattered into a hundred jagged pieces, the crash deafening. The shattered pieces were a reflection of the chaos roaring inside him.

“I thought you were different, but you turned out to be just as deceitful and disloyal as your father. What else did I expect... after all, the blood is the same.” he spat through gritted teeth, his jaw clenched with loathing.

He paced the length of the narrow room like a lion trapped in a cage, his steps sharp and restless. A shadow passed over his face as he recalled his grandfather's words , a warning that now rang true with haunting clarity.

“Grandfather was absolutely right. Those who disgrace the name of their family have no right to stay alive.” he muttered coldly, his voice devoid of mercy, his expression twisted into something cruel and unreadable.

A bitter scoff escaped his lips as he halted in front of the mirror.

The man staring back at him looked nothing like the composed heir of the Khan Empire.

his face was flushed with fury, hair disheveled, veins visibly pulsing under his skin.

His eyes, dark and stormy, as it suppressed the weight of betrayal.

“ Aur jo bagawat par utar aayein, unhein apni aakhri saans tak musalsal aag mein jalna chahiye.” he hissed, his tone venomous.

(And the ones who rebel… they deserve to burn in the flames of their own choices until their final breath.)

“If it's a marriage you want, then that's what you will get.” he said darkly, the words slicing through the air like a blade. He crouched down on his one knee.

His fingers brushed the edge of the broken vase shards, picking up one. Blood oozed from a fresh cut, but he didn’t flinch. The sharp pain, the sting made him smile.

“ Lekin yeh nikah tumhare liye ek khaufnaak khwab banega, Safiya Shah.”, he whispered, the softness in his voice more terrifying than a scream.

(But this marriage will become a nightmare for you, Safiya Shah.)

His reflection seemed to smirk back at him now, feeding off the malice pulsing through his veins.

“Yeh nikah tumhare liye ek aisi saza banega, Safiya Shah, jiska har lamha tumhe tumhare faisla ka ehsaas dilata rahega.”

(This marriage will be a punishment, Safiya Shah, one that reminds you of your decision with every passing moment.)

The room suddenly felt colder, as if the walls themselves witnessed from the hatred simmering in his voice.

“Yeh rishta tumhare liye ek aisi qaid banega jahan har saans tumhare liye khata ki gawahi degi, Safiya Shah.”, He ran a hand through his hair again.

(This bond will become a prison for you, where every breath you take will testify to your mistake, Safiya Shah.)

And then finally he dropped the ceramic piece, crushing it under his shoe as he darkly said with a smirk.

“Yeh bas shuruaat hai, Safiya. Tumhare liye main ne ek jahannum tayar kiya hai. aur iska har darwaza sirf tumhare liye khula hai.”

(This is just the beginning, Safiya. I have crafted a personal hell for you— and here every door opens only for you.)

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Omg, their nikah is so near. ??????

My babies are getting married. Also, did y'all notice he took her name for the first time. Like not in his head but spelled it out...

Also, whatever Safiya and Zaviyar's parents are doing is clear manipulation and blackmail and yes, I don't support this ?? just because parents birth children doesn't mean they impose their decisions on kids.

Tell me which is your favourite part in this chapter?

Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

Follow me on ig for spoilers and some cute cute reels.

70 votes on this chapter and I'll post the next chapter. ??

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