The night sky was dark, no stars were shining, no moon was visible but there was a hope of bright morning after a few hours same as Madiha's heart. 

Tonight she was the point of attraction for everyone, clad in cherry red and golden lehnga she sitting on the stage with lower gaze. Her face was still free from any kind of smile or happiness because she wasn't happy. Was there any reason of happiness? She was already trying to figure out what she got on the name of marriage. 

A man who was fifteen years older than her.

The responsibility of the mother for two girls, one was already older than her and the other was the same as her age.

A non fairytale like wedding and copses of her dreamland. 

After spending only one day and one night she understood that her life was not going to be easy with this man. Only twenty four hours of togetherness give her idea about his dominant and aggressive nature. 

"Koi pareshani hai kya?" A whisper near her ear jumped her at her place, controlling her heart she turned her head to other side and looked at the tall man in white sherwani sitting beside her. "Nahi. (No)" She shook her head.

(Any problem?)

"To itni khoyi khoyi kyu lag rahi ho?" Danish asked and Madiha tried to smile a bit. "Nahi bas… sab kuch itna achanak hua ki yaqeen bhi nahi aa raha." She muttered and again lower her gaze, and that forced smile was lost after few seconds. The photographer who was taking Humera's pics suddenly appeared in front of Danish and Madiha. it was Danish's wish to had a photo with his wife.

(So why are you looking so lost?)

(Nothing like that... Actually everything happened in a hurry that it seems so unreal.)

The photographer told them to stand up and Danish did so while looking at his wife whose face was still bowed down. "Madiha, stand up." The instruction was simple but she closed her eyes for a moment. Her feet were paining due to 5 inches heel. Before she could decide to stand up a hand offered her support, she looked up and the tall figure stood straight in front of her. Grabbing his hand she took a step near him but without looking at him. On photographer's demand she placed her hands on his chest and he held her

waist.

"Ma'am, look towards sir." She lifted her eyes towards Danish, he was already smiling at her which unknowingly gave her hope of a bright future. 

"Bhai, wo caterer se aap baat kar lijiye usne mujhe bohot mushkil mein daal diya, meri to koi baat sun hi nhi raha hai wo. Humera baji ke susral wale bethe huye hain aur khane mein deyr kar rahe hain ye log." Saad came with long steps and Danish immediately stood away from his wife, he glanced at the wrist watch then at guests. He was the only brother so he had to handle everything alone. 

(Bhai, you talk to that caterer, I'm tired but he is not listening to me at all. Humera bhaji's in-laws are already waiting but they people are taking so much time.)

"Wese maanne wali baat hai Saad, tu kisi kaam ka nhi hai." Danish glared at Saad and walked down the stage. Madiha sat back and saw the empty seat beside her. She never imagined a wedding like this, just like all other girls she had dreams. She smiled sadly and her heart again asked the same question, what did I get from this marriage? And this time she got an answer too A home, a home full of apnapan and love. That was enough for her to feel okay. 

(I have to Admit Saad, you're good for nothing.)

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"Humera achhi lag rahi hai na?" Asked a lady to other and she hummed but her eyes were fixed on the other stage which was quite bigger than the one on which Humera was sitting, decorated with yellow and orange floral jewellery. 

(Humera is looking good, isn't she?)

"Main to Danish ki Dulhan ko dekh rahi hu, ladki to bohot khubsurat hai aur umar mein Danish se bohot kam hai." Said the other lady and the first lady nodded. 

(I am seeing Danish's bride, the girl is so beautiful and seems too younger than Danish.)

"Haan, padhi likhi bhi hai. Danish uske sath khada hua achha bhi nhi lag raha." The lady rolled her eyes while lifting a piece of pineapple from the plate she was holding in her left hand.

(Yeah... She's well educated too. Danish doesn't even look good beside her.)

"Danish ko Ye rishta Mila kese? Ladki ke ghar walo ne kya soch ke Danish se shadi kar di?"

(How did Danish get this match? What did the girl's family consider before marrying her off to Danish?)

"Ladki bechari yateem miskeen hai, mamu ke ghar mein rehti thi. Danish ne jahez ke naam par ek phuti koodi bhi nhi li, bas do jodi kapde mein buda kar ke le aaya, ye jahez na dene ke lalach mein Mamu ne kar di hogi shadi, bechari bachhi kuch bol bhi nhi paayi hogi." The lady explained and the other one shut her eyes for a moment. 

(This poor girl is an orphan, she used to live with her uncle. And Danish didn't take a single penny in the name of dowry. Maybe that's why her uncle married her off.)

"Tsk tsk… bohot dukh hua jaan kar. Jab hi to main kahu ki ladki ke chehre par khushi kyu nhi hai. Humera ko dekho kitni khush hai." 

(So sad to hear, Now I understand why this girl is looking so sad. Just look at Humera, how happy she is!)

"Haan, ladki ko pasand ka shohor milega to wo khush hi hogi. Khud se 10-15 saal bada shohor wo bhi dikhne mein kuch khaas nahi ho to bechari ladki kya kre?" The lady explained and the other one hummed. 

(Of course, a girl would surely be happy to get a desirable husband, who can be happy after getting a husband who is 10-15 years older than her)

"Mujhe sach mein is bachhi ke liye dukh ho raha hai, Maa baap hote to ladki ke liye koi achha rishta dhundhte, koi aesa jo iske sath achha lagta, koi iski umar ka. Iske bhi to kuch armaan honge, Danish iske layaq nhi hai."

(I'm honestly feeling sad for this girl, if her parents were alive they would definitely find a better match for her... Someone who would look nice with her, someone according to her age. She must have some wishes regarding her life partner too, Danish is not worthy to have her.)

"Haa behen… theek keh rahi ho…" the lady said and suddenly stopped when she noticed someone on the other side, "Arey Danish, shadi bohot mubarak ho beta." 

(Yeah, you're right.)

(Oh Danish, congratulations to you for getting married.)

"Shukriya chachi. Aaiye main Madiha se milwata hu aapko." Danish said in his overbearing voice but the lady looked at the plate of fruit salad in her hand.

(Thank you aunty. Let me introduce you to Madiha.)

"Main abhi thodi der me aaungi, lekin Dulhan bohot pyaari mili hai tumhe." 

(I will come in a while, well you have found a pretty bride.)

"Bas aapki duaye hain." Danish smiled and looked at Madiha who was sitting like a shy bride, her eyes were still fixed on the floor and smile was nowhere. 

(It's all your blessings.)

"Aap log khana khaa lijiyega, main zara intezaam dekh lu." Danish took steps away with this statement and the lady sighed while looking at the other lady who was her gossip partner.

(Be comfortable and have dinner, I'm going to see the arrangements.)

"Usne kuch suna to nhi na?"

(He didn't hear anything, did he?)

"Nhi nhi… agar kuch suna hota to itni acchi tarha se baat nahi karta. Usne kuch nhi suna." The lady gave assurance to other without knowing the reality.

(If he had heard something, he would not have spoken so well. Don't worry he didn't hear anything.)

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After Two Days

It was mehndi night, Humera was laughing and enjoying her big days. Two girls were decorating her hands and some more girls were decorating hands of other girls and women present there, but Madiha was sitting silently in the corner of the room. Danish knock on the door before getting permission to entered in. 

"Kisi cheez ki zarurat to nhi hai?" He asked to his both sisters and they shook their head then his gaze went to his wife. "Madiha."

(Do you need something?)

"Ji?" She looked up, "kuch chahiye?" He asked and Madiha kept watching him for a few moments, she wanted to nod her head but felt hesitate to made a demand. 

(Do you need something?)

"No." She again bowed her head down and Danish sighed. 

"Bhai," Umera, the other sister of Danish looked at him and he hummed. "Hmm?"

"Bhabi ko kahi le jaiye, 3 din ho gye shadi ko bechari ghar me bethi hain." Suggested Umera and Madiha looked at Danish. She was really bored so wanted to go somewhere. Danish glanced at his wristwatch then at his wife. His gaze was so strong that shivered Madiha from inside. "Chalna hai kahi?" He asked in his overbearing voice which forced Madiha to gulp and immediately her head move left and right, she again bowed her head down and Danish rolled his eyes while stepping towards the exit of room but a voice stopped him. 

(Take bhabi somewhere, it's been 3 days since your marriage, but she is just sitting at home.)

(Wanna go somewhere?)

"Suniye…" it was Madiha, everyone looked at her then Danish. "Hmm… bolo (say)." 

"Your mobile was ringing." Madiha muttered and Danish furrowed. "Who?" 

"I don't know, it was an unknown number." She replied in a hushed tone and Danish kind of glared at her.

"Why didn't you receive? I told you while leaving the mobile in the room to take the call if any." Danish roared at Madiha which increased her heartbeat, she kept watching him for a few moments then lowered her eyes to hide the shine of tears present in her eyes. She didn't receive the call because she was in the bathroom and when she went to the room the call had already ended. She didn't know his password so she couldn't call back. 

"Kya ho gya hai bhai? Aese kon danta hai apki biwi ko wo bhi itni chhoti si baat par?" Umera showed her disappointment and Danish left after throwing a glance at his wife who was sitting with down head and softly touching the corner of her eyes with her finger tips. She was trying to wipe the tiny tears present there but everyone noticed it. 

(What wrong bhai? Who scolds his wife like this, that too on such a small matter?)

"Bhabi aapne subah se kuch nahi khaya… khana garam karwadu aapke liye?" Asked Humera when noticed the newly married girl crying and Madiha look at the soon to be bride. 

(Bhabi you haven't had your dinner, wanna have something?)

"No I'm not hungry." She lied and forced a smile on her face.

"You both haven't eaten anything either. Aren't you hungry?" Madiha asked her sister-in-laws and they nodded their heads but shrugged while gesturing towards her hands which were being filled with Henna. How could they eat with mehndi filled hands? 

Madiha nodded and left the room. "Bhai shouldn't scold her like this." Humera muttered and Umera nod her head. It's been only ten minutes when Madiha re-enter the room with some snacks and juice packets. 

"Come, have it." Sitting in front of Umera, Madiha lifted a sandwich for her and she bites it. "Bhabi, Bhai bure nhi hain bas short tempered hain." Humera explained but Madiha smiled a bit then gave her another bite. 

(Bhabi, bhai is not bad, just short tempered.)

Did I want this type of behavior on the name of marriage? She asked herself but didn't get an answer. She wanted a soft natured man who, if not do anything big then only smile at her. 

"Bhabi aap bhi khaa lijiye." Umera mumbled but Madiha shook her head and offered sandwich to Humera.

(Bhabi, you too have something.)

"Madihaaaa…" a loud call shivered Madiha, she literally jumped at place and left the sandwich which Humera was biting. "J…Ji… aa rhi hu." Her face lost its colour and everyone noticed it. Without bothering to look at anyone she almost ran towards her bedroom with shivering legs and madly beating heart.

(Ye- yeah, coming.)

"Hadd kar di hai Danish ne, 2-3 din ki Dulhan ko koi itna gussa dikhata hai?" Someone from the ladies present in the hall commented and his sisters exchange their looks. 

(It's enough of Danish. Who shows so much anger to his newly married wife?)

On the other hand Madiha stepped in the room where her husband was sitting on the bed. "Ji?" She muttered and pressed her lower lip in between her teeth. 

"Kya kar rhi thi?" putting the mobile on the nightstand he asked in his overbearing voice.

(What were you doing?)

"K.. kuch nhi," She muttered. "Idhar aao, yaha betho." 

(No... nothing.)

(Sit here.)

She gulped and sat down on the edge of the bed with dangling legs, her eyes again fixed on the floor. 

"Khush ho tum?" She looked up on this question, for a moment she was silent but then nod her head.

"Sach keh rahi ho?" He grabbed her hand and she nodded again without looking at him. Was it difficult for him to understand the reality? 

(Are you happy?)

(Really?)

"Kuch khaogi? Bahar se order kar du?" He asked in hushed tone but Madiha looked up but shook her head. "Aap araam kar lijiye, thak gye honge." Saying that she pulled her hand from his grip and walked towards the bathroom. She was from those who takes a long time to forget bitter harsh memories, but Danish was from those who gets angry very soon and forget his anger even sooner. 

(Wanna have something? Should I order something?)

(Take rest, you must be tired. )

After some five minutes Madiha came to bed, she set the pillow and blanket, placed the bottle of water on the nightstand and looked at her husband who was still sitting on the same spot. "Kuch chahiye aapko?" She asked without looking at him as she was busy in applying lotion on her hands, he stay silent and she didn't bother to ask anything again. Facing opposite to him she lied down on the bed and switch off the light. 

(Do you need something?)

No one of them were sleeping but there was no room for talking. Madiha was trying to get rid of those wishes which almost every girl has regarding marriage and Danish was recalling the conversation of ladies he listened to on the day of reception party. 

Did Madiha really want a young aged man with good looks? 

Isn't she happy with me? 

He looked at her back,

Does she want a better life partner than me?

"Madiha." Knowing very well that she was not sleeping he called her but she didn't respond. "Madiha soo rhi ho?" He asked again and she acted like sleeping because she didn't want to talk to this man.

(Madiha, are you sleeping?)

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