He Is The One For Me.

The decision-part 2

~Fahad~

We made our way towards the kitchen, where aunty and ummi were standing. Hadiyah had broken down into tears, she ran into her mother's arms. I had already met aunty, I didn't recognise her at first, she isn't the strong willed woman I remember, her words proved my fears to be true.

"Hadiyah please do as he says I can't bear to part with you."

"Moma he is an Aziz, I'm sure he will be a brute as well."

"Hush bachay! Wasn't your father an Aziz too? He was the best man on Earth."

"Moma if he's Bakhtawar khalu's(uncle's) son, then I fear he will be no where near like my daddy."

"Aunty I agree with her, we need to call nanno(grand ma) and nana(grand pa) right now." I said.

We turned towards Arfa and ummi. They visited our village regularly.

"He's worse than a br-brute Fahad bhai. Dilawar already has two wives." Arfa said.

Hadiyah held onto the kitchen counter to keep herself from falling, she had turned very pale.

"Momaa!"

She exclaimed with pain as Arfa spread her arms around Hadiyah's delicate form. She hugged her back, hiding her face into Arfa's neck, Ummi squeezed her shoulder. I turned towards aunty, looking at her face I saw fear, worry and guilt. Uncle Omer's death had taken away all her strength to fight for her rights.

"Dilawar and his father are coming over right now."

She informed. All heads jerked towards her, even ummi looked shocked. I remember the last time Bakhtawar khalu had come over. The whole household had gotten tense. Uncle Hamid looks less formidable in contrast to his older brother.

I remember his encounter with my father, he hates my father a lot. Father and he would have fought had uncle Omar not interfered. He was stronger than his brothers. Things were very different now, uncle Omar can no longer protect his family and my father is miles away.

That doesn't mean that I will stop from protecting the family of the man who I owe a lot to. How can men be such brutes, the Aziz family has lost it's good reputation. Ummi told me that her father and father-in-law were fine, conscentious men. Very unlike this generation of our family. My father's side of the family are modern Italian people way past such prejudices.

The bell rang and the kitchen became painfully quiet.

"I'm here ummi..aunty. You don't need to be so scared."

I tried to reassure them, but three burly men with their line of bodyguards against me. As much as I'd love to say I'd be able to kick their ***es it just isn't humanly possible, despite all the muscles I have developed.

"Stay, I will go check the situation."

I made my way to the door. A tall, broad shouldered man entered. He had a clean-shaven, strong face. His eyes reminded me of a previous gang mate. He looked at me and extended his hand.

"Assalamualaikum! You must be Fahad."

"Yes and you are?"

"I'm Ismael, Dilawar's younger brother. They're already in uncle's room."

He answered my unasked question. I nodded and we made our way to the room as well. I said my Salaam, ignoring the way the four men looked at me. It was as if they were barely sitting in their seats. They sat on the edges, hands secured on their guns ready to fire at me at a single signal from Bakhtawar khalu. I didn't regret having come here alone, it is a flaw in their personality-nothing I need to be worried about.

We got seated on the cushions. I looked at Dilawar, Ismael had pointed him out for me. He was a well-built man of roughly twenty-eight years. He had the characteristic Aziz family bushy brows and thick, long eyelashes.  He stood up and I noticed he stood at almost six feet tall, two inches shorter than myself.

I didn't like the look in his eyes, he radiated an arrogant air. His pistol, he kept in it's holder. It was displayed to ward off enemies. It was a heavy Walther pistol. An excellent gun, made to kill, as we used to joke around in the gang meetings. I would have never accepted him as a husband to my sister, my Arfa. I was guilty of feeling relieved that it was Hadiyah and not my Arfa as a potential wife for him. I shrugged off the relief, I had to protect Hadiyah too I owed it to uncle Omar.

He was looking at me too, once or twice he had pointed his gun at me, smirking and looking extremely amused with himself. I stared back at him, his kind don't scare me. I have met many of them to feel any fear. I answered his staring with a fixed gaze of my own. Even in the gaze battle we refused to back down, each challenging the other to look away. We looked away together, but continued to throw challenging glances, our hands hungry for a fight.

Bakhtawar khalu looks even stronger now. What's with the Aziz family men and staying fit? I don't remember Ismael at all. We didn't mingle much with Bakhtawar khalu's family, but he looks like a good man. The men had been talking in hushed voices, due to my presence. They safeguard their family secrets like serpents, Bakhtawar khalu spoke out.

"Safia will tell Omar's wife about our decision. Fahad, father wants you in the village."

"Jee khalu(okay, uncle) "

I said. I didn't comment on 'the decision' part, I am sure nanno n nana will be able to solve this problem. I will do all I can to stop this 'forceful' marriage proposal. I felt a reassuring presence around me, not the spiritual kind-but physical. I hope father kept his promise and didn't make my bodyguard protect me by hiding somewhere close by.

I am so sending the dutiful person back if I happen to spot the being-too late I can smell the too familiar scent already, it's the usual cologne. How naive to be using the scent I'd be able to spot and identity anywhere, or is it intentional-how bothersome.

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