Haya's family impatiently sat in the Shah living room as they watched her climb downstairs. Their eyes held envy as they observed how massive her in-law's house was. They were cheap like that.
"What took you so long?" asked Muskan, the cunning aunt who made Haya's life hell. Haya was so glad to be finally away from her. She wasn't that cruel but plotted every mean thing that has turned her own sister against her.
"Assalamualaikum, Hassan uncle." Haya royally ignored her aunt, as she greeted her lawyer who smiled at her, "Walaikum Assalam, beta."
"Are the papers ready?" she asked to which Hassan nodded his head and opened his briefcase to take out a folder and handed it over to Haya.
"I'm giving just the house uncle, nothing else. You remember that right?" Haya asked as she started going through the papers line by line.
As soon as the family heard Haya, their eyes burned with rage and they passed looks of disbelief.
"How can you do that to me? I'm legally your sister and I get equal rights in the money too." Sanam, her so-called sister shot furiously, listening to which Haya began to burst out laughing. The family looked at her as though she has gone mad from getting married.
"I'm legally your sister." Haya mimicked Sanam as she continued to read the papers.
"Oh my God, look at her attitude," Muskan complained to her husband Amir furiously. He was too clueless about anything as he watched the drama unfold.
"Listen carefully Sanam Khan. Our father has transferred all his money in my name. So, I get to decide what to do with this money and I'm not giving you a single penny out of this." Haya said with an emotionless face as she opened the pen lid to sign the papers. Sanam clenched her fists angrily and her husband Ahil, who's also their cousin shot Haya another furious glare but nothing seemed to affect Haya today. It never did.
The family had no idea why Ali and his wife wrote the will on only Haya's name when they also had a younger daughter, but they took it to their advantage as they brainwashed Sanam by saying that Haya was their parent's favourite and all the rubbish like that. Sanam being a naive child, fell into their trap and started to hate her own sister. That caused the rift between the two sisters and Haya tried her best to make her sister understand but Sanam never listened to her.
"You're playing this dirty, Haya," Ahil said venomously. Haya just chuckled at him in return.
"Trust me it's not as dirty as your game, doesn't equal your blackmailing of divorcing my sister if I don't get married." Sanam's eyes widened in shock as she looked at her husband and then at her sister, "what is she saying?" she asked.
"Shut up, Sanam." Muskan shushed her daughter in law and gawked at Haya angrily.
"I am only giving the house and nothing else. Do whatever you want." Haya finally signed all the pages and handed them over to the lawyer.
As per the will, Haya would get the right to use her money only when she's married and twenty years or older.
Muskan and their family came here to visit her older brother where they met Abrar's bi Jaan, and when she asked for Haya's hand in marriage, they took it as a good chance to get her married only because they could finally use the money which they have always dreamt of. They were going to get her married to someone anyway. Bi Jaan was just quick in asking.
And for that, they used Haya's weakness, her sister Sanam against her to blackmail Haya into getting her married to Abrar.
That's how she got ended up with Abrar Shah, the last person Haya would have ever married.
What the family had no idea was, Haya is smarter than them. And she's not going to satisfy them by giving everything to her so-called sister. Even if that was the only reason why Ahil got married to Sanam.
"I will file a case." Ahil spat angrily.
"Do whatever you want." Haya smiled evilly as she handed over the papers to the lawyer, who took it with a small smile. He seems to enjoy the miseries of the Khan family.
"Beta, your husband's sign is also required," Hassan said as he looked at her signatures.
Abrar who was sitting opposite Haya watched all of these dramas curiously. Now he understood why a girl like her has agreed to marry a guy like him.
Haya's eyes met Abrar's the same moment he looked into hers. There was an awkward silence. Abrar asked for the papers from the lawyer and signed them not before reading each and every line. And Haya looked at him slightly impressed.
"Now that you've got my house, you all can go," Haya said as she got up from the sofa. Abrar too left from there unable to stand the drama anymore. He kind of felt bad for Haya. But did not think much about that.
"I'll see you in the court," Ahil added venomously as he dragged his wife along with him, who was still finding it hard to digest that her husband, the love of her life has threatened to divorce her. Soon enough her family left the Shah Haveli. Haya then took a big sigh of relief.
Although she was really worried about her little sister, she's sure that they can't kick her out or something because she wrote the house in Sanam's name. Haya hoped her sister to be smart and brave for she's not going to be there with her anymore.
•••
Changes can be hard. At least for Abrar Shah, it was hard.
Abrar noticed the change in his bedroom, it was as though someone else has occupied his precious territory. No one has ever dared to even step into his room except for cleaning but now he had to share his closet, dresser, bed and so many other things which he has never done before.
Those changes are nothing compared to the big change that is; his own life, which has taken a big turn just because he got married.
Funnily Abrar could see Haya in every corner of his room. Even the bathroom has started smelling like lavender and his bedroom was smelling weirdly good. He was sure that it was her perfume.
Every corner of his room is now screaming her name. And it was starting to annoy him very much.
Ironically, it's only the day one of his married life and so much has changed already.
Abrar closed his eyes as he laid on his bed, the last night had been pretty uncomfortable as he slept on the sofa. He was in no way going to sleep beside her. Sure, she's his wife but he still needed time to digest everything. It all happened so quickly that Abrar didn't realize how much his life has changed now. Also, his back ached from sleeping on the sofa.
Abrar loves tea. He drinks a lot of cups for a normal person. And right now, he craved for a tea very badly. With a groan he got down from the bed and walked to the kitchen, hoping to see any servants on his way. Just like his wish has been granted, a servant walked in front of him.
"Listen... Get me a cup of tea," he ordered her and the poor servant flinched at the sight of him. He just had that intimidating effect which kind of scared everyone.
"Forgive me, Chote nawab but Choti Begam Sahiba has ordered us that all your works should be done by Haya Begam only. We are strictly prohibited from doing anything for you." the lady trembled as she finished her sentence
Abrar's already spoiled mood has become worse now. Can't a man have a cup of tea peacefully in this house now?
"Now where is my Begam Sahiba?" Abrar asked trying his level best not to get angry. But his eyes are so expressive that it shows the other person what exactly he feels every single time.
"She's in bi jaan's bedroom." the servant stuttered in fear.
Abrar did not wait anymore second as he walked towards bi jaan's bedroom and barged into it as he always does, bi Jaan never seemed to mind him but it looked like today she did.
"Shush... Quietly. My daughter in law is sleeping." bi Jaan whisper yelled at Abrar, as she stroked Haya's long soft hair gently.
"What is she doing here, bi jaan?" Abrar asked her in bewilderment, as he watched Haya sleeping peacefully on bi jaan's lap. His eyes still couldn't believe what it was seeing.
"She asked me if could sleep on my lap. And I agreed." bi jaan smiled lovingly as she watched Haya, who looked just like a baby in her sleep.
"I always wanted a daughter just like her." bi jaan smiled gleefully, Abrar looked at her in disbelief.
"You've had Meruza for all these years," he said dumbly.
"But she never wanted to sleep on my lap." bi jaan chuckled as she continued," it's not that I love Meruza any less now. It's just that Haya has gone through so much from such a small age and all she requires is love. She's a very good girl, Abrar."
"And you're very lucky to have her." bi jaan smiled at him teasingly, before Abrar could whine about it, Haya suddenly woke up with a jerk.
"What happened Haya, are you alright?" bi jaan asked her slightly worried, Haya shook her head with a small smile, still looking a bit sleepy.
"I just heard voices and couldn't sleep anymore." Haya smiled sheepishly as she sets her hair.
"Good. Because I want a tea. Go and make it for me." Abrar cut them in between with his rude request making both of the ladies look at him weirdly.
"Excuse me? I'm not going to prepare any tea. And what's with that way of asking? I'm your wife, not a servant." Haya snapped at him, furiously.
"Bi jaan, first of all, my head is aching severely and Chachi has ordered all the servants not to do any of my works because it's now my wife's responsibility it seems. Ask her to make me a tea." Abrar complained to bi jaan angrily.
"But beta, you could have asked her nicely too." bi jaan gave him a look of disbelief and turned to Haya as she continued, "Haya beta... The Shah daughter in law's first responsibility is their husbands, since you're my Abrar's bride it's now your duty to fulfil your husband's needs and wants. Go and make him some tea."
"Definitely bi jaan, but not until he asks that to me politely." Haya was adamant, which made Abrar glare at her.
"I'm not making any tea unless you ask me that politely," she repeated again.
Bi jaan was finding it very difficult to fight away that smile on her face. These two are so perfect for each other and she was very proud of her choice.
"Begam Sahiba, can I get a cup of tea... Please." Abrar rolled his eyes as he said the word, please.
"Sure," Haya smirked at him as she got down from the bed and adjusted her Saree.
"She looks just like an angel in that Saree." bi jaan smiled as she watched Haya walk out of the bedroom.
But Abrar really doubted the angel part.
***
Glossary:
Assalamualaikum= may peace be upon you.
Walaikum assalam= peace be upon you too.
Beta= son.
Chote nawab= young master.
Choti begham sahiba= young mistress.