Chapter 8

• Mahnoor's POV:
• I know hiding my face with my dupatta won't help me get away from him, but I wasn't a fan of attention. Walking briskly, I turned in the nearest alley not caring where it led, it was then when my phone rang.
• "Hello," I answered, knowing very well who it was on the other end.
• "Stay where you are." I heard Moosa's voice, frowning at his command and cursing myself for coming to college today.
• His black Prado stopped on the roadside. The door was opened by one of his men, who stood stiffly while clutching the door handle. Moosa came out in his black fitted T-shirt and jeans. He was not wearing his holster which relaxed me a bit. He stopped in front of me and I had to crane my neck to look up at him.
• "Assalam o Alaikum Noor. How is your foot now?" His voice was soft.
• "Better." I answer, hoping he will get the message and leave.
• "Great, now come. I'll drop you home." I sighed before answering, "I am thankful for your offer but it's okay. I am capable of going home on my own."
• "I wasn't asking, Noor." He stated.
• I could see the frown forming on his forehead. I closed my eyes for a nanosecond to gather all of my courage to say my next words.
• "I am sorry. It goes against my morals... earlier that day at the food court, I went with you because I don't like to be the centre of attention. But I cannot do that again. Kindly understand that going with an unknown man is not right for a girl." I said with all the modesty I could muster at the moment.
• A moment of utter silence passed. I raised my head to look at him, finding a satisfied smile on his face. He turned and left without saying another word. Without wasting another second I turned started running toward my house.
• ~*~
• "And he left just like that?" I was currently talking to Laiba on my cell phone, after revealing today's events. She was left stunned just as I was were before. Apparently, Moosa Khan leaving like that was a big shock.
• "Yes." I replied for the umpteenth time, annoyance crystal clear in my voice.
• "You got lucky, Mano."
• I sighed before replying, "Yep, I offered Nafil to thank Allah. Who knows what could have happened.." I pause, thinking of all types of gruesome scenarios, "I was alone with that beast there." I shivered remembering it.
• "Hmm.. Oye listen. You should tell your family now. At least let your mother knows." I know she was right.
• "Yes yar, I will tell her tonight." I decided but I feared my mother's reaction.
• "Good. I got to go now. Don't forget to tell Auntie okay?"
• "Okay boss."
• "Allah Hafiz." Came her rushed reply and with that, I ended the call. My phone's screen was warm because of sticking to my face for so long. During my observation, I noticed another incoming call.
• "Assalam o Alaikum Bhai."
• "Walaikum Assalam Mano, where are you?" My brother asked
• "In my room. Why?" I replied back, not sure of where this conversation was going.
• "Okay, listen carefully and don't panic." My heart went frenzy hearing that.
• "Bhai, what happened?" I frowned.
• "Papa is in the hospital. He had a car accident." My vision blurred, my eyes widened. I could hear my own heartbeat.
• "Don't worry, he is fine Alhamdulillah but the doctor said it would be better if he'd have a proper check-up. It will take some time so we will be late. Don't tell Ami. We will tell her tonight when we get home." I didn't believe him for a second.
• "Bhai, can I talk to Papa?" My voice was almost a whisper
• "Ary! I told you I am bringing him home tonight so what's the problem?" His irritation and nonchalant behaviour put me to great ease. I finally released the breath I was holding.
• "Fine. Allah Hafiz." I hung up without waiting, angry that he didn't let me hear my father's voice.
• I just wanted to hear Papa's voice. I huffed, no matter how good brothers can be, it's always hard to understand their psyche and what's with their mood swings?
• Idiot Pakistani brothers...
• ~*~
• Sitting on the other side of the bed I watched Papa worriedly as he ate the dinner. Bhai was right, it wasn't anything serious and I am really thankful to God for it. 
• "Mahnoor, come here for a minute."  Papa called me after finishing his meal, patting the place beside him. As I sat beside him, he held my hand gently. I looked at Ami who was sitting on the other side of the bed.
• "You know what Mahnoor, ... when the other car hit my car, there was a brief moment when I thought I might die." I clutched his hand immediately. Frowning at him for having such thoughts. He chuckled and continued. "At that time, your smiling face came to my mind, not your mother's, not your brother's. It was you who I was thinking about." I smiled and kissed his hand, unable to express my feelings form words.
• "Since that moment, I have this urge to see you in a bridal dress before  passed away."
• "Papa." I frowned at him.
• He smiled and looked at my mother before continuing, "Therefore your mother and I were thinking, what if we set your Nikah the day after tomorrow?" 
• What?
• I stiffened and looked at Ami for help but she was lost in her own thoughts.
• "The date we set was at the end of this month. So it won't make a big difference, but we still want your opinion."
• "I- I don't know. Ami?" This time she looked at me but remain silent.
• "She has no issue with it." Said Papa.
• "...As you all wish."
• "Love you, beta." He kissed my forehead smiling at me with adoration in his eyes.
• After that, I couldn't stay there. It was quite embarrassing to sit and discuss your marriage with your parents. I sighed and glanced at my phone longingly. I wish Kanwal would contact me. I wanted to tell her so much.
• ~*~
• My bright red dress had golden embroidery all over it. My hands and feet were covered beautifully by Hena, gold jewellery and makeup made me look older than my actual age. I looked at myself in the mirror and smile. The girl in the was extremely pretty. Her hair was set perfectly at one side, with light curls, her dupatta covering half her head. The smell of fresh flower Kangan (bangles) was wafting all over the house.
• My idiot friends were giggling behind me, but I was too busy looking at myself and admiring my makeup. For the first time in my life, I dressed up for a special someone, for my soon to be husband, for Kamil.
• A smile appeared on my face and faded away when Bushra elbowed me from the side.
• "Stop grinning like an idiot. We know you are happy and cannot wait for Nikah. But you should remember that today is not your Rukhsati and you cannot be with him like you are imagining..." she winked at me, wiggling her eyebrows.
• "Oh, my! Is that what you were imagining?" Laiba gasped dramatically. 
• Curse you idiots...
• I couldn't voice my thoughts as I heard mother's voice.
• "Girls, take aside. Qazi Shahab is here." My body stiffened.
• I am about to say the three words, I will remember all my life. After a few minutes, I become Mrs. Mahnoor Kamil from Miss Mahnoor Asif.
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