Chapter 68: Chapter 68

I'll take you again upon reaching home,'

The words were playing like a music in her ears, a tone of which she couldn't get rid off of from her mind. The sick feeling in her heart was increasing by leaps and bounds almost making her nauseatic. Her mind was playing games with her as she was not able to recognize the reason which was instigating the memories of that night from some corner of her brain. The memories which she had dumped in her mind long ago.

Those moments became non-existent for her once she had stepped out of that room where they did the deed.

Yet repeatedly, those scenes were coming infront her eyes, the voices were running in her mind. She could hear her whimpers and moans from that night. She was able to experience the same terror as she had experienced in that night.

Her heart was shivering. Shivering bad.

Whenever she would close her eyes, she was able to see that bedroom walls increasing her anxiousness making her short of breath.

And she didn't realize when they reached haveli. The car has come to a halt long ago but she was too busy within her mind that she didn't register it. Only when she felt someone was staring at her, she rose her head up and found home infront her. The silent haveli.

Home.

It was now her home.

Her new home.

Her head moved to her right and she found Shehryaar staring at her.

She gazed down.

No one was there to welcome them. She remembered his grandmother insisting to welcome the bride at her new abode but he denied, saying they can continue with their festivities the next morning. The haveli was quite. She assumed everybody must have slept because he took the longest route to haveli. A one and a half hour drive and also when he had told her not to wait for them, they must have went to their rooms and slept because of the tiring and energy draining event.

The silence depicted as if it wasn't a wedding house though the decoration lights were still glimmering.

A new chapter of her life has started.

Her palms were getting clammy.

He got off of the car and then crossed over, coming to her side. He opened the door for her and gave her, his hand.

Her eyes lingered at his hand for a moment before she silently took it. He helped her in getting off of the vehicle and once she was off, with joined hands they both together moved towards the glimmering yet silent house.

Flamboyant yet quite abode.

Just like her life.

She could find herself in trouble walking because of the small yet rough session they had in the car. As he was one or two steps ahead of her but she was slightly tripping in the middle of her steps.

Shehryaar stopped in his tracks before turning around.

As soon as their gazes met again, she was quick to avert her eyes down, staring at the ground.

He closed in on her and she felt the atmosphere tightening around her throat. Suddenly, she realized she was in air as he held her bridal style with little to no effort.

A surprised gasp escaped her lips as she circled her arm around his neck and held his shirt for her dear life.

And their gazes connected again.

Again, she looked down, biting her lips as his intense gaze was shaking her core.

She was in his arms, fitting in his well built frame perfectly. As if made for him In the silent hallway, the boot steps collided with the floor as he walked forward towards his room.

Rather, their room.

He could see her small ragged breaths given the way her chest would uplift and fall.

She was clearly nervous.

Her hands at his neck were going cold yet sweat beads were formed on her forehead.

This Sheharzaad.... she was really changed.

He changed her...

Nervous, little, introvert girl.

Totally opposite to what she was.

He still remembered how she slapped him.

That was the moment, he became more and more serious about her. More and more invested in her.

She shouldn't have challenged him.

She shouldn't have done that.

She tarnished his ego.

And a man's ego is like a sleeping snake, if woken up will gnaw up its waker, mercilessly.

Her small breaths were falling on his neck and jawline as he carried her. A small smile made its way on his lips because of her unnerved breathing.

He knew what she was upset about.

His previous assertion of taking her again upon reaching home. She had been rocking with tremors since then. Yet tried her best to look normal on her exterior.

As he reached their room, he put her onto her feet and opened the door for her as she entered inside and he followed behind.

Sheharzaad's eyes connected with the interior decoration of the room. The king sized bed decorated with flowers. The lights were dim yellow creating a warm and romantic outlook. The atmosphere was cozy and welcoming. But observing the room was the last thing on her plate as her brain was pre-occupied of the occurings that were about to happen.

The options available to her running in her mind as it was busy in calculating of delaying the inevitable.

She couldn't straightly deny him.

First, she didn't have the courage.

Second, now he had a right on her.

In the car, he didn't even give her a chance and she did as ask by him. Her mind was boggled and jammed that she couldn't decipher what was exactly happening. He was fast. Really fast with his ministrations.

He was so fast that he didn't even let them reach home.

She slightly tilted her head towards him as he had turned around and was closing the door.

The 'tick' of the lock made her flinch, making her weak in her knees.

The reality was seeping in now.

And then he turned around and as soon as she noticed it through her peripheral vision, she quickly tilted her head straight and infront her eyes came the mirror.

In the mirror, she saw him leaning against the door and staring at her through the mirror. Their eyes colliding.

His orbs were so intense.

That stare which she was being subjected too, was so acute that it was making her knees buckle, increasing the uneasiness within her.

His eyes weren't even blinking, as his one hand was in his pocket while back leaning against the door.

The tension her mind was going through was evident through her face.

Her chest lifted up and down visibly as she held her hands together and her fingers played with each other out of nervousness. She didn't realize she was breathing heavily that the silent room just reverberated with her heavy breaths.

Slowly, she flashed her eyes towards the floor. She couldn't sustain those ardent orbs on her.

And as she felt a movement by his side, her eyes moved up and reached the mirror again as he straightened up and loosened his tie.

Terror coming over her especially due to the look in his eyes. Her shoulders hunched impulsively as she clenched her lehnga.

She felt like standing in lion's den as he took a step towards her, taking off the tie and threw it on the bed. Striking his eyes with hers and capturing them, he took off his coat, folded it in half and placed it on the sofa followed by the waist coat.

He walked towards her. His every step widening her eyes. And as he was moving past her, he out of nowhere snaked his arm against her waist and pulled her closer to him. She looked at his neck instead of his eyes.

He flushed her body towards him and that had him gain her attention as she looked up again.

"Sheh...shehryaar," she uttered nervously. Her breath strucking in her throat. Tears stinging at her eyes.

Overwhelmed.

She felt so overwhelmed and nervous.

His thumb moved and held her chin, tugging her head up as the pad of his thumb played with her chin.

"I liked it when you called me sherry," he whispered in a low husky manner.

His ear had liked the way her lips were moaning out his short name when he took her. Took her by surprise rather.

She blinked, looking up at him.

"Sherry?" she uttered in a questioning tone and he smiled in affirmation, giving her a nod.

"Sherry it is... for you," he told and kissed her little chin that had her gulp lightly.

Her toes curled inwards.

She hoped, prayed, things won't escalate.

But what she feared more was accidentally and unintentionally of her backing away from him, out of her instincts. It would send him a wrong message and she couldn't bear going on his bad side.

She didn't want to end up in that cell again.

He retreated a step back, before holding her hand and leading her to the dressing table. Pulling the seat back, he made her sit on the chair as they both faced the mirror.

She stared at herself in the mirror.

Dressed as a beautiful bride.

She was looking so different from the other days.

Few hours ago when she was looking at the same girl in the mirror, her name wasn't associated to someone.

But now it was.

She wasn't someone's wife.

But now she was.

A wife...

It froze her mind for a second on the fact that how fast life changes.

With these new changes, she would have new responsibilities and new expectations associated with her.

This man was now the epicenter of her life.

The only family she had in this world.

She was suppose to love him, respect him and fulfil her duty towards him.

But... one question bothered her since she had accepted this marriage proposal.

What about his duties?

What about her rights?

Would he give her freedom?

Or would he still resort to his old ways?

Would she be the epicenter of his life?

Would his life revolve around just her?

What about his responsibilities towards her?

He did not have the duty of just providing for her. Her emotional needs was also one of his many duties.

Would he respect her?

Would he....would he love her?

Her thoughts were broken when his fingers slowly began to take the pins off of her hair which bounded the veil on her head. Slowly, the veil was off and he placed it away before proceeding to take off the pins off her hair, loosing her curled strands.

It was a source of relief for her as there was a certain area in her head which was hurting. And removing the pins made instant blood gush through that area, relieving her pain.

Next, he slowly removed her jewellery. Her necklace, earrings, bracelet and rings but not the engagement ring.

Sheharzaad was watching it intently and with fear while he was removing her rings on her fingers. Praying, he won't remove the engagement ring. Because she remembered the last time he took it away and she didn't want the repeat of the consequences that followed behind.

She was able to take the sigh of relief when he didn't.

He made her stand and stood behind her before wrapping his arms around her and nuzzling his face in her neck. He closed his eyes, feeling utter tranquility and peace.

Her lips parted to take breaths which would reach deep within her lungs as she slowly removed her hair from her neck and turned her locks to a side, giving him full access.

He placed a kiss near the base of her neck before turned her around in a flash making her face him.

Her head was bowed down so his hand snaked to her as he wrung his fingers around her neck. And his lips drifted towards hers the next second.

It was then she knew her fear was coming true.

And this kiss was just the start of the end of this night.

Her breathing became harsh as he captured her lips in an ardent kiss, pulling her closer to him as he walked to the bed while nibbling against her lips. Now her back was towards the bed and with one sudden push, she landed on the mattress and he above her.

Her brain ceased its function.

Yet her heart was beating wildly.

Anxiety jumping up to her throat.

She suddenly experienced a situation similar to a sleep paralysis.

Where she was struggling to move her hand to push herself away but the teaching inculcated in her mind in that cell didn't let her.

All her brain could picture was that night.

Where he took her for the first time.

The memories hitting her hard.

Gurgling up tears in her throat. But she couldn't move a muscle.

When suddenly those tears formed a sob in her throat which was atlast propelled out of her mouth. Her body jerking with her first sob.

This got his attention as he suddenly stopped with realization. Pulling back, he stared at her with a frown.

Silent tears were flowing down her eyes and disappearing in her locks.

As soon as she was a frown marred on his brows, she became startled and immediately sat up and pulled herself away from him, wrapping her arms around her knees. Her body raking with silent sobs and tremors as her cheeks were drenched with her tears. Her small sniffles and sobs were heard in the room.

He stood up from the bed, crossing over to go the other side of bed where she was settled. And Sheharzaad stood up as well. As he approached her, she began to take a step away from him.

One after another.

"Stop," he uttered and took a step towards her. But she didn't until her back hit the wall.

As now she was shaking.

"Sheharzaad," he said.

'Sheharzaad,'

His voice from that night ringed in her ears.

She shivered. A fog invading her mind.

Anxiousness was radiating off of her in waves as she found her bottom lips shivering. She could feel his heated gaze on her. Her tongue has gone dry, throat parched and more so when she felt him nearing her.

"Sir... shehryaar... sir... don't do this... no... I need money... don't do this," she began to utter gibberish when she saw him coming towards her. He came and stood near her as she tried to hide in the wall. He held her arms.

"No... sir... sir... not this... I'm a pious girl... never touched by anyone... no sir," she was crying her eyes out while trying to set herself free from him.

"Sheharzaad!" he shook her body but she was shaking her head, reiterating those sentences and crying.

"Sheharzaad!" he suddenly shouted making her body shiver profusely.

Her vision began to blurry.

He screamed at me... he is displeased with me... he will send me to the cell again?

She thought.

And shook her head to herself while looking at him.

"Not... that cell.. chains... no...no...pl-ple-" her voice began to drawl and then suddenly, her eyes weren't able to make up his face and closed automatically as next moment everything went blank.

...........

Her eyes opened as they came in contact with the ceiling. She was drenching in sweat with the nightmare she just had. It was pulling her back to her past.

The room was brightened through the light coming off of the window and she could feel a cool breeze as the glass door to the balcony was opened.

She sat up, looking around, not familiar with the new area. She was still in her bridal dress. It took her more than a minute to recall everything that happened last night and her eyes widened. She placed her hand on her mouth as a thought began to worry her so much.

'I didn't fulfil my duty... I denied him.. oh god!'

Worriedly, she placed her hand on her forehead as her eyes jutted out and mouth hung open.

What has she done?

How would she face him?

Will he punish her?

Her face was turning pale.

She shouldn't have reacted that way.

God knows what he would do as she removed her hand from her forehead and looked up to the wall while forming a fist of her hand and biting her knuckles.

Suddenly, the door to the walk in closet opened and he entered the room making her heart skip a beat. She suddenly straightened up and removed her knuckles from her mouth looking at him with her wide, worried eyes.

What he would do?

She began to think, looking at him.

His gaze cursorily matched her, and her heart skipped a beat. As he turned towards the dressing table and brushed his hair. He was dressed up for the day, wearing white shalwar kameez.

Sheharzaad's heart abruptly staggered towards her throat as she began to think that as if he glared her and it was a warning glare. It was enough to freeze her. She was thinking that he was angry with her because of what she did last night.

She denied him.

And she was not supposed to do that.

His displeasure with her was chilling her to the bone marrow as now she began to think of how she should fix this crime.

Her hands tightly clutching the sheets.

He placed the brush back on the table  and proceeded to roll the sleeves of his shirt, revealing his arms. Veins protruding at places. His eyes focused on the task as he wasn't looking at her but she was staring at him.

Her breath suddenly hitched and she jumped in her place when he suddenly turned around and looked at her. Tilting his head up as he gave her, his undivided attention. His eyes connected with hers and her eyes drifted to the sheets.

Her heart pounded in her chest, lurching to her throat.

Folding his arms, he stared at her and she struggled to keep the tears of terror in her eyes.

He must be so displeased with her...

And she was aware, he did have the power to punish her, bad. Rather, so bad. That it would chill her to her core.

The time she spent in the cell was an evidence to that.

He snapped his fingers, making her immediately look up.

She bit her lips out of nervousness.

Being subjected to Shehryaar Haider Syed's gaze wasn't an easy task, especially when you're his culprit or his victim.

"Wo...mei," she whimpered.

(I...actually)

"Sheharzaad,"

"Jeeh?" Her voice was quiet and hushed.

(Yes?)

"Go, freshen up," he said and she felt as if his voice was awfully quiet raising goosebumps all along her spine. She was this scared to his anger.

She quickly nodded, got up and slowly strolled towards the washroom. Her heart beating a mile a minute with every step she was taking because his eyes were on her and she realized it through her peripheral vision. When she was passing infront of him, the beating increased by leaps and bounds followed by small fretful instinctive whimpers. She was about to take a breath of relief when suddenly her arm was taken in his grasp making her take a sharp breath and the next second he tugged her against the dressing table.

She began to whimper profusely but kept her eyes on his chest, not looking up. Her chin wobbled. He closed in on her and that was when those tears of fear that were threatening to escape, atlast escaped from her eye. Her chin wobbled, lower lip shook involuntarily that she had to bit it to stop the tremble. The tears dropping from her eyes like water drops dripping down the surface of a leaf after a heavy rain.

"Kia huwa hai?" he asked, holding both her arms, gently.

(What happened?)

She shook her head and said nothing.

"Kia meinay kuch kaha hai?" He rose his brow. She looked up at him with those red teary eyes and shook her head, letting out a shaky breath.

(Did I say something?)

"Kia meinay daanta hai?" She could hear a tenderness, a softness in his voice.

(Did I scold you?)

She shook her head as a response again, while sniffling.

"Tw rou kiun rhi hou?" he asked as if talking to a child while raising both his brows and looked directly in her eyes, pulling her face up.

(So why are you crying?)

"Ainda nhi... nahi roun gi,"

(I won't cry again)

"Ab meinay yeh kab kaha,"

(Now when did I say that?)

"Nhi... roun gi ainda,"

(I won't cry again)

He looked away, closing his eyes momentarily.

"Theek hai. Ab saza mileh gi agar ab meri nazar pari aur apki aankh mei zra sa b aansu huwa."

(Alright. Now I will punish you if I ever saw even a little tear in your eyes)

She shook her head in horror, "saza?" Barely letting the word leave her mouth.

(Punishment?)

"Hn saza," he reiterated and he could see the colors on her face changing rapidly. The hands resting on his chest, began to shiver.

(Yes, punishment)

He shook his head, and cleaned her tears with the pad of his thumb and back of his fingers, "acha nhi milti saza," he whispered against her lips, held her face and suddenly kissed her forehead.

(Okay. I won't punish you)

The door to her room was knocked was when he disengaged.

"Hmm?" he asked, turning his head slightly towards the door.

"Sir, may I come in?"

"Come in," he gave the permission and placed his hands one either side of her legs from her face.

The maid entered the room, "sir, everyone is waiting for you at the table,"

"Tell them we are coming," he said, while his eyes were on Sheharzaad and her eyes were on the maid, who was looking down.

The maid left as the door closed again.

"Go, freshen up. Dada (Grandfather) must be waiting," he said and stepped back, giving her space and she scurried away to the washroom. Closing the door, she placed her hand on her heart only to find it beating rapidly.