Possession by Laila Ali (young adult books to read .txt) 📗

"How do you know?!" he half screamed.

"We and Haya saw you dating her in the cafe. How you were looking at her with full love and affection. We both clicked a picture of that beautiful scene." she opened her gallery and showed the picture to him.

"I think so I should WhatsApp it to chacha jaan (Uncle). He will be really happy to see his future daughter-in-law." All color drained from his face.

"What do you want?" he asked.

"Take back your words."

"Ok, I am sorry."

"Sorry for what?" she feigned ignorance.

"Your nose is the most perfect in the world. Now happy. Delete that picture."

"Nah nah nah I'm not gonna do that."

And that's when the pillow fight started. The whole room filled with laughs and screams. They jumped on the bed, sofa, floor everywhere. There was cotton and cotton everywhere. Haya after following the source of the screams also joined at them while Zahra kept sitting there watching them, laughing heartily. She forgot about everything for a moment and enjoyed the little happy moment. Soon, the fight was over and all four of them sat and talked for hours. They also gave their condolences to Zahra. While telling her father's stories, Tears welled up in Zahra's eyes. Dua and Haya consoled her and Haseeb sprinkled his stupid jokes to make the thick atmosphere light. They kept on talking and playing for hours. Zahra was happy that her cousins were nothing like Nayab. She already felt attached to them. She enjoyed her time with all of them and neither did she feel insecure with Haseeb.

She came to know about the whole family structure. Irtaza's mother died when he was seven. He has one younger brother, Shehryaar, and one sister, Dua, and Haseeb had one elder brother, Saif, and two sisters, Haya and Alizey. Alizey was only 6 years old. Haya was 19 and Dua was of the same age as Zahra, 22. It was a quite big family for her nonetheless, her cousins were really good.

It was evening time when all of them were called for dinner. Everyone took their respective seats. Irtaza was already sitting there and that made Zahra uncomfortable. After knowing that he kills people like insects she got more scared of him. She did not want to face him alone. Neither did she want to be near to him.

All the while Zahra could feel his intense gaze on her and lost her appetite with nervousness. The dinner was over soon and before anyone could retire to the rooms Irtaza announced that he was convinced for the marriage. The dining room bloomed with waves of laughter and screams of joy that came from Dua and Haya. All of them were happy. Their grandfather announced that engagement will be held now and nikkah would be done after the 40th of Mujtaba.

All the family moved to the TV lounge and their grandmother ordered a maid to bring the engagement rings from her room. All of them were seated on the sofa. Ammara next to Zahra and Zahra next to Irtaza. Zahra's heart was beating in her ears and she was trying her best to smile but her face was pale yellow. Her hands were slightly shivering and she curled her toes to stop her legs from shaking. Her hands and feet were cold and sweaty. She was feeling nervous.

Irtaza placed his warm hand on her cold one and squeezed them gently to calm her. Zahra's senses got more out of control when he placed his hand on hers. Dua, Haya , Saif, and Haseeb all were photo shooting the couple. Soon, the maid came and gave the rings to Zahra and Irtaza. With shivering hands and a tight-lipped smile, Zahra abruptly slipped the ring on his ring finger.

Now it was his turn and she noticed Irtaza softly holding her small shivering hand and smoothly slipped the ring on her slender finger.

Everyone began to clap and hoot and captured the scene in the cameras.

Irtaza neared her ear and softly inhaled her scent making her heart go wild.

"You are mine, Zahra. Only mine. I'll do everything in my authority to make you sure just that. And I promise I'll never let you go. Even if you beg to let you go I'll never do that." he whispered and gave a soft chaste kiss on her earlobe. He pulled away and gave her a smile indicating her to smile back which she hesitantly did.

"Aww, you guys are too cute." Dua, Irtaza's sister, exclaimed.

Zahra's face paled more after listening to what he said. She wanted to run away. She would run away at the first opportunity she gets. She can't cage herself with him all her life. She determined it in her heart that she will run away.

But how wrong she was.

Everyone gave their best wishes to both of them. Haseeb's mother, Aunt Asma, came and congratulated Zahra on the engagement. Ammara hugged her daughter after the engagement and kissed her forehead. Everyone was happy except the bride herself.

After the small engagement with a big photoshoot was over everyone went back to their rooms with a happy heart.

Zahra was sitting alone in the room. She kept staring at the engagement ring which he made her wear. Her heart was wrenching painfully and slowly tears made their way down her. She was meant to wear the ring of Daniyal's name, not Irtaza. He forced this ring, this marriage everything on her and at last made her accept that she acknowledged this marriage without any pressure.

She was feeling so angry and helpless at the moment. In a fit of fury, she forcefully took out the ring from her finger and threw it on the door. She wanted to smash it on Irtaza's face but she had not enough courage to face him after the morning episode.

The door of her room opened and he walked in. Her eyes widened and she immediately draped the dupatta on her chest. Her gaze lingered to her ring which was on the floor just a step away from his sleek black boots. She instantly hid her hands behind her back not wanting him to show that her ring was not there where he placed it.