Desi Short Stories

An Age-Gap Arranged Romance.

Character Description:

Anaya Ammar:

An 18 year old quiet girl. Having an introverted nature made it harder for her to make friends so she found solace in books to escape reality.

Shahnawaz Ali:

A 39 year old businessman whose sole reason of living is to work. Being a son of an abusive mother he avoids the female gender like a plague.

***********

Anaya POV:

Today is the day when i am finally graduating college. Despite having no friends college was the best time of my life. It give me some time away from home. I'm not well liked at home so college is a temporary escape for me.

i went down the stairs and collided with my bhabhi (sister-in-law). She was carrying a glass of milk. All of it was now on my shirt.

Instead of apologizing, She screamed, "Andhi ho kia" (Are you blind). I immediate apologized not wanting to create a scene. She huffed and went back to the kitchen to take another glass of milk.

I too went back to my room to change my shirt. Looking at the clock i realized i have got only 5 minutes before the bus leave. I hurriedly picked up the first shirt that came into view and ran towards the bus station.

Reaching the bus station, i saw bus has already left. I mentally curshed my bhabhi, if not for her I would have reached the station on time.

I began walking on foot because i have no money for taxi. Although my family owns a car but I'm not allowed to use it. My father doesn't even acknowledge my presence. His behavior with my brother and me are different. I never understood the reason for this biasness.

I was so lost in my thoughts that i didn't even realize i reached my college gate. As today is the last day of college our teachers gave us day off. There is a farewell party after school. Although i rarely talk to my classfellows they invited me out of courtesy.

I was still deciding whether i should go or not when a phone call came from house. It was my mother.

"Anaya when are you coming home"

"The time i usually come"

"Don't tell me you forgot"

"What did i forget"

"Today is your cousin valima (reception)"

"Alright i will come back Early"

After an hour, I decided to head back home. On the way i passed our neighbor and family friend Shahnawaz Ali. Out of basic human decency i gave him a smile which he flat out ignored. Rude. I don't know what's wrong with him. He is 39 and still single. He lives on his own.

Shrugging my shoulder, I went inside my house. I saw that everyone was already dressed. i immediately went inside my room and got dressed.

When i came outside, i saw that everyone has left. i called my mother to find out where is everyone and all she said that they accidentally forgot about me and i should come to the reception by a taxi and cut the call.

Frustrated, I started crying. Why do they always do this? How could they forgot about me? They treat me like a burden.

After cleaning my face i realized that i had no money. All of my pocket money went towards my college textbooks. I didn't ask for more because i knew my father will just deny me.

I was Infront of my house gate when i saw Shahnawaz coming out of his house. I immediately went towards him.

"Can you please take me to my cousin reception"

"No" He flat out refused and walked away.

i ran after him and grabbed his arm.

He Yanked my hand and said

"Don't ever touch me again"

He went and sat in his car. After sometime he honked. Thinking it was someone else I ignored. He honked again i turned to saw that it was Shahnawaz.

I went towards his car he rolled down the window and said

"Sit"

"But you said"

"Don't make me repeat myself and sit"

I was about to open the backdoor of the car when he said

"I'm not your driver come and sit at the front"

I hurriedly sat on the passenger seat Don't want to anger him more.

During the ride, he stayed silent as expected. It's not like i was expecting him to make a conversation. I noticed that he was quite good-looking If you ignore his sour attitude.

I was lost in thoughts when the car stopped.

"Get out" He said

"What"

"We have reached"

I immediately got out and was about thank him but he drove off.

I went inside the wedding hall . Spotting my mother i went towards her. She didn't even acknowledge me . I would be lying if i said it didn't hurt. But this is the way it always has been I'm used to being a ghost in my own family.

Anaya POV:

We came back to the house after we were finished with reception.

I was going to the room when my mother called me.

"Ji" (Yes)

"The maid didn't come today so you have to wash the dishes"

"Can i atleast change my clothes?"

"No first wash the dishes then you can do whatever you want"

I know it's useless arguing with her so i silently start washing the dishes. I was so exhausted by the time i was done. I passed out as soon as my head hit the pillow.

Now that i am finished with my college all that i have left is my final exams. I'm not a Grade A student but i am not a bad student either.

I was immersed in my study when someone knocked at my door. I went to open my door it was my Bhabhi(sister-in-law)

"Ji"

"Come and make tea some guests came"

"But I'm preparing for my exams"

"Don't make excuses and go to the kitchen I'm going shopping"

Mentally cursing her i went to the kitchen. I made tea and served the guests.

10 Days Later:

Finally I'm done with my exams I just want to sleep I'm so exhausted but I can't. I have to attend a family function again. This time I got ready before everyone so that they won't leave me at home.

At the reception i saw Shahnawaz guess he is invited too. Waiter passing by me slipped and spilled juice on my clothes.

"Ya Allah"

"I'm so so so sorry mam''

"It's fine just show me the way to the restroom "

"Mam It's the right door down the hall"

"Thank you"

I was focused on cleaning my dress that i entered the wrong room. It was so dark when i tried to open the door it got locked.

"Can someone open the door i am locked" I shouted

But there was no reply.

I left my phone at home.

"Please someone open the door" I banged the door.

I saw a flashlight coming from the other side of room.

"Is anybody there? Hello!!"

"I am"

"Who are you"

"Shahnawaz"

What is he doing here in the dark.

"Can you help me please"

"I was talking to someone on the call and light went out"

Oh he actually replied me i said to myself.

Suddenly the light came again. I came face to face with Shahnawaz. When did he get here? I was about to move away when someone opened the door. It was my brother.

"What are you doing here alone with him?" He shouted

"Bhai(brother) Listen"

"No there is nothing to listen i have seen everything with my own eyes"

Due to his shouting, Everyone including my father came.

"What's happening here?"

I was about to say something when my brother cut me off.

"Baba she was here alone with him. She has disgraced us"

My Bhabhi(sister-in-law) also cut in the conversation

"Dad it's true i saw her coming out of his car at valima reception some days ago"

My father turned towards me and asked

"Is that true"

"Baba"

"Tell me is that true or not for god's sake"

"Yes but"

I was about to say something else when i felt a sharp sting on my cheek took me some time to realize that my father has slapped me. I was dumbfounded. I can't believe he just slapped me. Even though my whole life he ignored me he never once raised his hands on me.

"You have ruined our name brought shame to us" He screamed at me

Everyone was quiet when my brother suddenly said.

"Noone is going to marry her now it's better we get her married to Shahnawaz"

"What !!!" Me and Shahnawaz both said at the same time.

"I can't marry her" Shahnawaz said to my brother.

"Why not? You were fine flirting with her You have no marry her now"

"Stop with the allegations i did no such thing"

My brother lunged to grab Shahnawaz's collar when suddenly someone else held my brother.

"Ali relax" It was Shahnawaz's friend Umer.

"Just give me 10 minutes to talk to Shahnawaz" Umer said and took Shahnawaz out of the room.

Shahnawaz POV:

"You know I can't marry her. She is just a kid. She is 21 years younger than me" I said to Umer

"I know I know but sometimes you have to take decisions you don't want to"

"It wasn't even a big deal we accidentally got locked in the room. Her brother screamed and gathered people"

"I know man i believe you but you and I both know noone else is going to. For society she is now nothing but damaged goods."

"I don't give a fuck about society "

"You don't but think about her. Her own family refuses to believe her. They will torture her for this for the rest of life. It's upto you whether you want to save her from all the humiliation or not "

"So what are you suggesting i should do"

"You should marry her "

"Ok but i will never ever consider her my wife"

"Time will tell Shahnawaz Time will tell"

I went back to the room and said to the girl's father.

"I'm ready "

Anaya POV:

When i heard him i thought i heard something wrong He must have said something else but i saw my father hugging him i knew it was

true.

"Nikkah and Ruskshti is going to be done now as Qari sahb is Already here" announced my brother

I was dumbfounded. How could they do this to their own blood? They didn't even ask whether i want to marry him or not. They just made a decision own their own. My whole life they have treated me like an outsider. But still i thought one day it will get better. I dealt with everything with patience. They have given me this in return.

I was so lost in my thoughts that i didn't even realized my mother was taking me to another room. She was giving me a lecture about how should i consider Shahnawaz's house as my own. How i should die before leaving him.

I was so numb when my brother put some papers which i am assuming are nikkah papers i signed it without putting up a fight. I didn't cry. I just signed it silently. Everything was a blur to me.

It was time for my rukhswti (farewell). Only my mother came to hug me. My father didn't even spare me a glance. i was settled in Shahnawaz's car. I glanced at my now husband. His jaw was clenched which clearly shows he is angry.

"Husband" when i came in this wedding i didn't realize i was going to leave with someone else. Get married in a span of just few hours.

We reached Shahnawaz's house or i should say my house. He directly went to the house. I followed after him. He is going to his room when i called after him.

"Listen"

"What "

"Where should i sleep?"

"Mere sar par (On my head)"

I stayed quiet at his remark. After a while he spoke

"I will show you the guest room"

Silently i walked after him. He left me in my room and went to his own room.

The room is pretty neat. White walls with white furnished just how i liked it. I couldn't choose my husband atleast my room is according to my liking. Despite everything I don't hate Shahnawaz. He is as much victim in this as me. He kinda saved me to be honest. With these thoughts circling my mind i feel asleep.

I'm an early riser so i woke up. I had originally planned to stay in my bed but my stomach deceived me. I have realized i haven't eaten anything since yesterday.

I thanked God when i found the kitchen. I opened the refrigerator and there was only eggs and bread. Doesn't this guy do groceries? His kitchen is nearly empty. He lives alone so i guess that explains it.

Shahnawaz still haven't woken up yet so i am assuming he isn't an early riser. Shrugging i made breakfast for myself but also for him.

I was done eating when Shahnawaz woke up. He was about to pass by me when i said.

"I made breakfast for you"

Thinking he didn't hear me i repeat myself

"I heard you for the first time and why did you make it?"

"I just thought..."

"Let me make myself clear you are my wife only on paper. You are something which is forced upon me. So stop trying to be a wife" Saying that he picked up the plate and threw all the content in the dustbin and went out.

I heard his car that's when i lost it I started crying loudly. Why God why did you do this to me? I never said anything to anyone. Still why does everyone hate me?

I calmed myself down. I take care of myself because i know noone else is going to do it.

I began thinking about my family. They haven't came to check-up on me. Although Shahnawaz's house is literally minutes away from them.