Malik mansion

Soon, the cars halted in front of Malik Mansion. One by one, everyone began stepping out.

Zarian quickly made his way to Ayeda’s side, opening the car door for her. With a quiet gesture of warmth, he extended his hand and she placed hers gently into it.

As they walked together towards the grand entrance, firecrackers burst in the night sky, scattering colors across the darkness.

The sudden crackle made Ayeda flinch slightly, but when she saw Maliha and Daniyal cheering with bright smiles, shouting, “Welcome, bhabhi!” a soft smile found its way to her lips too.

Her gaze lifted to the sky, glowing in celebration.

The mansion before her glistened like a bride itself. Draped in lights and flowers, no one could have guessed this was a sudden marriage.

Ayeda’s heart, however, wrestled with confusion.

And yet, the only reason her feet still held steady was because of the man beside her—Zarian Malik.
Her silent protector.
Her Mr. Malik.
Now, her husband.

Noticing the puzzled flicker in her eyes, Zarian leaned a little closer and whispered reassuringly,

“It’s all done by my siblings. Believe me, I’m just as surprised as you are.”

Ayeda glanced at him, her expression softening. She gave a small nod, the corners of her lips lifting.

A voice came, “Hi, bhabhi!” It was Daniyal.

Before Ayeda could respond, a slap landed on his head. It was Zayran.

“Assalamualaikum, bhabhi. I’m Zayran, your husband’s brother,” he introduced himself.

The word husband echoed in Ayeda’s mind, giving her sudden goosebumps. Clearing her throat, she softly whispered,

“Walaikum assalam, Zayran bhai.”

“You can just call me Zayran after all, you’re my bhabhi,” he smiled.

“But still, you’re elder,” Ayeda replied politely.

“Assalamualaikum, bhabhi. I’m Maliha, your one and only sister-in-law,” Maliha said with a bright smile.

“Walaikum assalam, Maliha,” Ayeda smiled back.

“Assalamualaikum, bhabhi! I’m the youngest one and also the most entertaining. If you ever feel bored or want to prank anyone, I’m your partner in crime,” Daniyal announced with full energy.

Ayeda chuckled, “Walaikum assalam, partner in crime… but I’d like to know your name too.”

Everyone burst out laughing, while Daniyal awkwardly scratched the back of his neck.

“Hehe… Daniyal. Naam toh suna hi hoga,” he grinned.

Ayeda laughed along.

From the doorway, Iqra, Zayran’s mother, spoke up,

“Bas, will you keep talking at the door, or take bhabhi inside too?”

They all laughed and finally went inside, settling together on the sofa in the hall.

Then Zarian slowly said to Ayeda, glancing at his parents,

“I know you already know, but still… they are my parents, my Ammi and Abbu.”

Ayeda nodded and greeted them with a soft, “Assalamualaikum, Ammi, Abbu.”

Hearing her, Zarian’s face bloomed with the brightest smile. He hadn’t expected her to call them that at least not this soon. It may be strange for her, he knew, but still she said it.

Iqra and Zubair smiled too, equally surprised and touched.

With warmth, they replied, “Walaikumassalam, beta.”

“If anyone troubles you, just come to me,” Zubair said firmly. “We both will punish them together.”

Ayeda smiled and nodded.

“Do you want to eat something, Ayeda? I noticed you didn’t eat much,” Iqra asked with concern.

Ayeda looked at her and a smile formed, her heart heavy. She noticed… just like my Ammi or Tayi Ammi would have. The thought made her eyes turn moist, and she quickly looked down.

Sensing her emotions, Iqra walked over. Zarian immediately stood and offered his seat. She sat beside Ayeda, gently placed her hand on her head, and asked softly,

“What happened, beta? Missing your Ammi?”

At her words, Ayeda hugged her tightly and whispered, “Haan… and Tayi Ammi too.”

Iqra stroked her hair and said warmly, “Now I’m here, na? You called me Ammi… we can even call them if you want.”

Ayeda shook her head, tears glistening.

“No… they’ll only worry if they see me cry.”

Then suddenly, in front of Ayeda, a plate of cookies and brownies was placed. She looked up and there he was, Zarian, standing with a tray in his hand. On it were four cups of tea, one black coffee, and three regular coffees.

The sight made Ayeda’s mouth water, and forgetting everything else, she dived straight into the brownies, lost in her little eating world. Everyone else picked up their tea and coffee.

After finishing, Ayeda glanced at the tray and noticed something odd: one cup of tea and one cup of coffee were still left. But everyone already had a cup in their hand. Confused, she looked at Zarian and asked,

“Which one of these two is mine?”

“I didn’t know whether you’d prefer coffee or tea, so I made both for you,” he replied.

“Oh, okay. I like tea more,” she said, reaching for the teacup.

But suddenly she froze, turned back to him, and narrowed her eyes.

“Wait a minute, what do you mean you made it?”

“It means I made it,” Zarian said casually.

Ayeda blinked in disbelief and looked around. Everyone nodded, confirming it.

Slowly, she picked up the cup and took a sip. The taste hit her tongue, and she closed her eyes.

When she opened them, she found everyone staring at her, waiting. Raising one eyebrow, she looked at them, teasing.

“How is it?” they all asked in unison.

Ayeda took another dramatic sip, tapped her chin thoughtfully, then looked straight at Iqra and Zubair with a mischievous smile.

“Apka beta chai bohot achhi banata hai… humein yeh rishta qubool hai.”

The room erupted in laughter, while Zarian turned as red as a tomato.

After finishing their little snack time, Iqra said to Maliha,

“Take Ayeda to the room, she must be tired.”

Soon Ayeda and Maliha were gone.

Now Iqra turned to Zarian, held his hand, and said with a smile,

“I know I don’t need to say this, but still… you’ll never bring up her past life in your discussions, nor will you ever make her feel as if you married her out of sympathy.”

Zarian understood what his Ammi was trying to say. With a respectful nod, he replied,

“Ji Ammi, I will never make her feel like that. I promise.”

Then his father added firmly,

“If I ever see tears in her eyes because of you, I’ll throw you out the next second.”

Zarian nodded, “Ji Abbu.”

Iqra then handed him a box.

“Lelo apni amanat.”

He smiled, took the box, and said,

“Shukriya, Ammi.”

As he moved towards the room, he noticed Daniyal and Maliha standing there.

Zarian looked at them, confused.

“What happened? Why are you both here?”

Just then, Zayran came from behind, placed his hand on Zarian’s shoulder, and said,

“They’ve come to blackmail you.”

Zarian frowned. “Blackmail?”

Daniyal immediately jumped in,

“You think I can blackmail you? Look at my innocent face, do I look like someone who would do such a thing?”

“Haan,” Zayran replied instantly.

Maliha interrupted,

“Bhai, give us some money and we’ll let you go inside.”

Zarian stared at them for a few seconds before Daniyal added cheekily,

“Bhabhi is waiting, Bhai. Don’t keep her waiting.”

“How much?” Zarian asked.

“You have a card with no limit, right? Then why talk about amount?” both Maliha and Daniyal said together.

Shaking his head, Zarian pulled out his wallet and handed them his card.

On other side

As Maliha left Ayeda in Zarian's room, she glanced around. The place was spotless, everything neatly in its place.

The walls were painted white, and at the center stood a large bed. A little further, there was a dressing table, and to the left she noticed two doors—probably the wardrobe and bathroom, she guessed.

But what really caught her attention was the right corner of the room. A small prayer space had been set up there: prayer mats neatly resting on the floor, and a shelf in front stacked with the Qur’an and other Islamic books.

A soft smile touched Ayeda’s lips as she looked around, but then a thought crossed her mind.

“He keeps everything so neat and clean… lagta hi nahi koi rehta hai. And my room…”

She pictured her own messy room, with clothes tossed here and there, and books scattered everywhere. The comparison made her gulp.

Just then, the sound of a door opening pulled her out of her thoughts. She turned back and there was Zarian. He stepped inside, closed the door, and locked it.

They stood in silence, the air between them heavy yet soft like both had countless words but none strong enough to break out.

Then Zarian finally spoke, his voice low but steady.

“Aap do rak‘at nafil namaz aada karengi mere saath?”

He just wanted to bow before his Rabb, the One who had fulfilled the deepest wish of his heart and thank Him with all that he had.

Ayeda looked at him, a faint smile touching her lips, and nodded gently.

“Okay then… go and change into something comfortable,” he said softly.

“But… my clothes?” she asked hesitantly.

“Ammi and Maliha must have kept some for you in the wardrobe.”

She gave a small nod and walked to the wardrobe. Just as he said, neatly folded clothes were placed there for her. Gathering them, she stepped into the bathroom. She changed, washed her face, performed her wudu, and when she returned, she saw him already waiting in a plain white kurta, his calm presence filling the room.

Without a word, Zarian walked to the prayer corner and spread two prayer mats side by side. Ayeda adjusted her dupatta, already wrapped in the bathroom, and joined him. Together, they stood shoulder to shoulder, hearts trembling, and bowed down in prayer.

When the salah ended, both raised their hands—two souls with tearful eyes, two hearts heavy with gratitude.

Ayeda’s lips trembled as her heart poured out:

“Ya Allah… mujhe nahi pata mere naseeb mein kya likha hai, lekin jo bhi likha hoga woh behtareen hoga, InshaAllah. Mujhe quwwat dena ke main iss nikkah ko poori imaandaari aur sachai se nibha saku. Jo insaan aapne meri hifazat ke liye bheja hai, main unki izzat aur hifazat kar saku. Ab woh mere mehram hain, toh mujhe taufeeq dena ke main unhe woh har haq de saku jo ek shohar ka haq hota hai apni biwi par.”

(“O Allah… I don’t know what is written in my destiny, but whatever it is, it will surely be the best, InshaAllah. Grant me the strength to fulfill this nikah with complete sincerity and truth. The person You have sent for my protection. I pray I can honor and protect him in return. Now that he is my mahram, grant me the ability to give him every right that a husband deserves from his wife.”)

She didn’t realize when her eyes grew moist, tears spilling silently. Wiping them quickly, she looked toward Zarian. He was still in sujood, unmoving, his shoulders trembling.

Her breath caught. He wasn’t just praying—he was weeping.

Zarian couldn’t lift his head. Words choked in his throat, so his heart cried louder than his tongue:

“Ya Rab… main puri zindagi bhi agar shukr mein guzar doon toh bhi kam hai. Aapne mujhe meri duaon se badh kar ata kiya hai. Usse meri naseeb mein likh kar mujhe woh barkat de di jo main kabhi kaabil bhi nahi tha. Ab mujhe itni hidayat dena ke main hamesha unki izzat aur hifazat karun. Kabhi bhi apni mohabbat, apne farz, apni wafa mein kami na karun. Mujhe aisa shohar bana dena ke woh har din is nikkah par fakhr kare, na ke pachtaye."

(“O Lord… even if I spend my entire life in gratitude, it would still fall short. You have blessed me with more than I ever prayed for. By writing her in my destiny, You granted me a blessing I was never worthy of. Now, grant me the guidance to always honor and protect her. Let there never be a shortcoming in my love, my duty, or my loyalty. Make me such a husband that every day she feels pride in this nikah, never regret.”)

His tears dripped onto the prayer mat. He stayed in sujood, sobbing quietly, unable to stop.

Ayeda tilted her head, watching him in confusion,  “Why is he crying so much? she muttered under her breath.

Then with a nervous laugh whispered, “Itni buri bhi nahi hoon main ke yeh shaadi karke rone lage…"

(I'm not that bad, that he started crying after marrying me)

At last, Zarian lifted his head, slowly wiping his face with his palms. He inhaled deeply, still trembling, and turned to look at her. 

Looking at her, Zarian’s face lit up with a smile so full and unguarded that it felt like the first bloom of spring.

Seeing him smile like that, Ayeda’s lips curved naturally, as if her heart responded before her mind. She rose, gently folded her prayer mat, and placed it aside.

When she sat on the bed, Zarian walked over with something in his hand a small box. He offered it to her with a soft glow in his eyes.

Ayeda tilted her head, confused yet curious. “What’s this?”

Zarian’s voice carried warmth as he replied, “Apka tohfa kahun… ya apki amanat… ya phir apki moo dikhayi?”

Her brows knitted in surprise. “But… how do you have this? I mean... it’s all so sudden, this marriage and everything. Then how did you even arrange this?”

A tender smile played on his lips as he answered,
“This wasn’t bought today. I’ve had it with me for a few months now. I really liked it… and back then I had decided that I would gift it to my wife on our wedding day. That’s why this is your amanat.”

Ayeda’s heart skipped. Her fingers trembled slightly as she opened the box.

Inside lay a ring—so breathtaking it drew the breath from her chest. A delicate band, braided with shimmering diamonds, each stone catching light like stardust scattered across the night sky. At its heart sat a flawless solitaire, held within a crown of petals, glowing with a brilliance that whispered of eternity, of devotion, of promises unspoken yet eternal.

Zarian’s voice broke her trance. “Did you like it?”

Her gaze lingered between him and the ring, her eyes glistening. “It’s… it’s so beautiful. I loved it,” she whispered, her voice soft but full of sincerity.

She carefully closed the box, placing it gently on the side table as though it was something sacred. Then, with a smile that held both shyness and comfort, she said, “I’ll start wearing it from tomorrow… abhi ke liye, let’s sleep. Hmm?”

Zarian nodded softly and said, “Thank you… for accepting my family.”

Ayeda looked at him with steady eyes. “Why are you thanking me for this, Mr. Malik?
I’m a very practical person Mr.malik...  I know our marriage happened under unusual circumstances, but it’s done now. As much as it’s new for me, it’s also new for you all. So, let’s just… accept each other.”

Her words brought a gentle smile to Zarian’s face.

He quietly picked up his pillow and walked toward the sofa. Ayeda frowned, watching him settle down. When he finally looked up to say “Good night,” he froze.. because she was glaring.

He sat up immediately.
“W-what happened?”

“What do you think you’re doing?” Ayeda asked, arms crossed.

“Sleeping…” Zarian answered cautiously.

“Oh, really? And here I thought beds were invented for that.” She shot back sarcastically.

“I just… I don’t want to make you uncomfortable,” he explained.

“And for how many days do you plan to keep sleeping like this?” she asked.

Zarian opened his mouth but had no answer.

Ayeda sighed. “Come on, Mr. Malik, this isn’t a movie, and we’re not kids. We’re husband and wife now. By sleeping on the sofa, you’re not making me comfortable—you’re making me awkward.”

Her tone left no space for argument.

Zarian immediately picked up his pillow and returned to the bed, lying on his side. “Sorry,” he whispered.

Taking a deep breath, Ayeda looked at him. “I’m sorry too… I shouldn’t have snapped like that. But, now that we’re married, let’s just… talk to each other. Communicate. And try to make each other comfortable. We’re in this together, for life. Hmm?”

He nodded gently.
“Jaisa aap chahe.”
(As you say)

Ayeda chuckled softly,
“Main itna bolti hoon aur aap itna kaam bolte hai.”

(I talk so much and you talk too less)

Zarian smiled, eyes steady on her.
“Toh aap kahiye na… mujhe aapko sunna accha lagta hai.”

(Then you speak... I like listening to you)

She shook her head with a tiny grin. “Aap har cheez itni sambhaal kar rakhte hain… aur main har cheez bikhera deti hoon.”
(You take care of everything so perfectly… and I end up scattering everything.)

Zarian leaned a little closer, voice gentle yet firm.
“Toh aap bikheriye na har cheez… main hoon na sambhalne ke liye.”

(Then you scatter everything… I’m here to gather it all for you.)

It was as if the words flowed straight from his heart before he could even think.

Ayeda went silent. Because she has no words and for the first time she was feeling shy.

She shyly turned her back towards him hiding her blushing cheeks and smile, leaving him restless.

Zarian’s brows knit slightly. Kya maine kuch ghalat keh diya? His heart pounded as his throat tightened.

Before he could stop himself, the words slipped out.

“Kya aapko lagta hai… main aapke liye sahi nahi hoon?”

(Do you think.. I'm not right for you?)

He swallowed hard, his palms turning clammy.

Ayeda turned slowly, her face glowing with a shy smile, cheeks flushed pink. Locking her gaze with his, she said softly,

“Rab ne aapko mere liye chuna hai… aur Rab ke faisle kabhi ghalat nahi hote, Mr. Malik.”

(God has chosen you for me… and God’s decisions are never wrong, Mr. Malik.)

Zarian’s heart skipped a beat. Relief washed over him, and a smile curved on his lips the kind that came straight from the soul.

She moved with ease and he with love—let’s see where it leads.

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