The original plan was that Dua would marry Maaz, the eldest born in the Khan family. She fell in love with Haaris and broke her engagement with Maaz.

When Edah learnt that she was unsure whom to blame; Haaris or herself. For Dua would have to bear the brunt of their actions. The dull bride with the equally unsmiling groom made one of the most unhappy couples, and that was obvious to everyone.

The fact that Haaris didn’t attend the ceremony and almost everyone in the Khan family was either distracted or quiet made the guests whisper. Edah was not introduced and she was very thankful for that.

She didn’t have in her to give a smile when the world around her was both melancholic and catastrophic. She had just once tried to look at Dua, and then gave up. Dua mirrored her past image on the day she signed Nikahnama with Haaris.

She glanced at her palms. Her henna was still dark, chipping off but dark as if the man whose name was carved in the designs somewhere still thought of her… still loved her. She fisted her palms and sniffled softly, hiding her face in her knees.

“Why! Why me, Allah Miyan! What was my fault? Huh?” She complained, looking up at the sky and hiccuped woefully. “Why did you punish me? Of all people, why only me?”

She knew she wouldn’t get answers but it felt good. It felt so good to believe that someone would listen to her. Life had never been a cakewalk for her, but she hardly complained. She remained faithful. She accepted everything, but how long was she going to be tested?

Didn’t she deserve happiness? Didn’t she deserve love?

When Zayn came into her life, she found a friend in him more than a companion. It was luck that he also fell in love with her. Maybe her faith wasn’t strong. Maybe she wasn’t good for him, that's why Allah pulled him away.

“Edah?” Someone tapped on the door and she stood up, looking away from the window. “Ji?”

An older woman came in, who Edah recognised as Haaris’s elder aunt. “I brought you dinner.”

“I… thank you,” Edah wanted to say that she wasn’t hungry but she thought it could be perceived wrong. After all, she was unwanted there. Anything could be concluded as arrogance.

Last thing she wanted on her plate was to squabble with the women in the household.

Shahema frowned at the dark room, stepping in. “Why have you kept the lights off?”

“Um, that…” Edah fiddled with her dupatta and came forward to take the plate from her, “I will switch on the lights.”

“Let it be!” She paused at Shahema’s curt tone, thankful that the older lady didn’t see her face dropping in the dark. So she was going to struggle with the women.

Her gaze dropped to the floor. The lady put food on the side table and spoke. “I don’t know what is true or what is not, but… what happened today… shouldn’t have happened.”

Edah didn’t answer.

Shahema turned to her and sighed. “I don’t want to blame you. Maybe you’re right. But… Haaris can’t do something like that.”

“Which means I am wrong!” Edah bit her tongue but it was too late. Words were out of her mouth before she could stop.

“You know better!” Shahema didn’t lose her composure. “I just want to warn you that the future will not be easy for any of you, so I really hope you are not lying.”

Edah swallowed a thick breath and nodded.

“Good.” Shahema moved to the door and flickered the light on from the switch board. “Staying in darkness will not change anything. Get some sleep. Tomorrow is gonna be a tiring day for you.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Khan.” Edah spoke slowly but the door was already closed. She slumped on the bed and stared at the food on the table. She wished it was poisoned.

Killing yourself is a crime, but being murdered isn’t.

Her train of thoughts came to a halt when her phone buzzed. It was her mother. She took a long breath before picking up the call, “Hello? How are you, Amma?”

“I am good, Alhamdulillah. How are you, Edah? Are they good to you? Did his family mistreat you? Are you…” Saleema bombarded her with the questions and Edah pressed a hand on her mouth, squeezing her eyes shut.

How badly she wanted to rush to her mother and tell her everything! How badly she wanted to cry her heart out on her shoulder! How she wanted to hide in Saleema's arms!

“Hello? Edah? Why are you not saying anything? Mera dil baitha ja raha hai, meri bachchi. Kuch to bol.” Saleema panicked on the other side and Edah inhaled sharply, composing herself. “I will speak when you will give me a chance to speak, Amma. You asked me so many questions at once.”

“Oh! I'm so sorry,” Saleema sounded relieved and asked. “Tell me. Are you fine?”

“Yes. I am fine!” Edah lied smoothly, “Just a little tired. Haaris’s cousin got married today. There was a ceremony planned for her Walima.”

“That is… good. I wish them all happiness.” Saleema said and Edah hummed, distracted by her henna once again. “Amma… can I ask you something?”

“Anything.”

“Did… Did Zayn call you?” There was morbid silence on the other side, making Edah realize how wrong her question was. She was a married woman. Asking about another man was a sin.

“No.” Saleema finally replied. “And I want you to stop thinking about him right now. Zayn was your past, Edah. Haaris is your present. Focus on him.”

Edah stayed quiet.

“The sooner you throw Zayn away from your mind, the better it is for you.” Saleema preached, “I know your marriage isn’t ideal. However, it is upon you to make it perfect. Allah has chosen you for a difficult task, Edah. You can’t fail. Do you understand me?”

“Yes, Amma.” She robotically replied. Saleema took the answer on its face value. “Good. No more questions about him. Tomorrow, I will send some gifts for your family. Haaris didn’t take anything, but we have to do the right thing.”

Edah knew what her mother was doing. She was trying to distract her from Zayn, knowing less that Edah had already made up her mind. She was going to work on her marriage and leave behind her past.

If Zayn had loved her, he might have contacted her. At least, tried to ask Saleema about her. It meant that she had lost her position in his eyes. She became just another girl. It was time to accept the reality.

And her reality was Haaris – with all his cruelty, hatred and anger.