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"Aisi ziyadti kiun ki Sikander?" Why this injustice?His father queried, broken and defeated. Sikander felt no remorse, another wife was his right.

"It's very simple. Pariwash was your choice; Dilrubah is mine." he ended it at that, shrugging and relaxing back into the sofa with one of his arms hanging down the side of it. He was the picture of masculinity in its finest form.

His father's eyes assessed him for a second before her turned his back on him, "I will not accept her." The final verdict.

Sikander's hands fisted while blood rushed through his veins, his lips thinned and his eyes turned red. He closed his them and tilted his head backwards in a futile attempt to calm his surging rage.

"Alright, if you want to be stubborn about this, I'll let you, Pariwash will stay barren and unhappy, I have nothing to lose in this situation." His ruthless threat had his father whirling around to face him. His dark gaze challenged his sire.

"Pariwash...she can have children?" he was aghast, in a state of shock. This was unbelievable.

"No, but if she'd compromise, if God's kind and blesses me with a child, she can partake in it's upbringing." His face was still a mask of passive cruelty. He had no offered his child completely to her because he knew he couldn't do that to Dilrubah.

There was no more exchanging of words, Sikandar exited and his father was left staring at a picture on his desk....Sikandar, his wife, their daughters and him, their family...perfect family. But now these kids were grown up, the reins of their fates locked firmly in their hands and their heart. It was a movie he could watch in the audience but he wasn't authorised to alter or edit the scripts.

It was a train with a long journey ahead.

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Saniya had helped Pariwash change her clothes and settle into the warmth of her bed, she popped a few xanax so she would feel better but her dry eyes and forlorn look was worrying Saniya. Saniya didn't want to hate her brother but she knew he'd been against the arranged marriage, they'd married seven years ago when Pari was twenty-three and Sikandar in his late twenties. The match had been satisfactory for the family and Sikandar both but for Pariwash it was as if the heavens smiled upon her. Her love, her obsession, her passion and her desire had fallen into her lap. She'd loved Sikander limitlessy, for a while Sikander had reciprocated in earnest. Not loved her back but enjoyed her charms, her passionate nature and the care she bestowed upon him so what had happened that he married someone else right under their noses? Saniya's head throbbed from over-thinking.

A small noise from behind startled her, she did a turn about to only come face to face with Sikander. "Bhai!" she breathed, not sure what to say. Sikander's eyes were transfixed on the figure laying on the bed, "Sani, leave." His command brooked no arguments, Saniya didn't object.

Sikander strode up to where Pariwash lay, there was brief eye contact before her crazy eyes lit and she shot up straight, throwing herself into his arms.

"Sikander aap usko kahin door bhej dain, please. I'll forgive you for one indiscretion but we love eachother and she can't separate us." Please, send her away Sikander....She was smiling like a lunatic, showering his face with kisses. Sikander wanted to shake her and tell her he never loved her, Dilrubah was no omission or an error in judgement. She was his choice, she had the ability to haywire the strings of his heart, she made his passion alive and she made him want to live.

"She's not going anywhere, Pariwash." His statement had such conviction that Pariwash was dazed, but Sikandar cared naught for her disconcert. "I am warning you against further drama, I have given none of you any option but her acceptance, she's a part of my life now and can not be eradicated." His black gaze found hers, it was intensely hypnotising. Pariwash was taken back into the past where she saw him for the first time at their chachu's wedding. He'd stood out from all other men with the dint of sheer preternatural stillness, tall and broad and brooding. The incredible forcefield of charisma and magnetism had made her bold enough to approach him, she was helpless like all other girls who fawned over him.

She'd stroked those slightly unruly hair and that light beard, she'd kissed his massive chest in moments of deep intimacy...she'd traced her fingers down that strong back, those muscular arms had enveloped her in their security and warmth so many times...

Sikander left her bereft, walking away with an innate grace that was impossible for a man so big but he was graceful, oozing with self - containment.

"You can't love her, you can't...Sikander, I'll di--"

He admitted with clear irritation, "Pariwash, there was no love between us. Don't try to threaten me, it's a waste of time for both of us." His mouth twisted in recrimination.

Her eyes turned wild, she clutched his arm, shaking her head vehemently..."No, I won't let you go to that slut, you can spend your lust....but take her to some other place, not our home, she will dirty everything....she's filt-" There was a loud crack in the air, any hint of tenderness or understanding vanished from Sikander's visage. His heavy hand imprinted her cheek with enough force to make her fall backwards.

"That's the last time you'll utter such filth!" He seethed, his nostrils flared and red webs appeared on his eyes. His existence might be hedonistic but it was not that innocent's fault, he wouldn't let her be sullied. She wouldn't be tarnished.

He left a sobbing mess on the bed, she kept crying out for him but he was out of reach. Now and forever.

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A cozy warmth seeped into her tired bones, her lashes fluttered upon to reveal green orbs, her sleep ruffled hair and deliciously plump features were oddly arousing. His long fingers skimmed down her cheek to follow the trail of her sides, he stopped when his hand curved around her tiny waist.

Dilrubah could only remember remnants of what took place, why had she collapsed?

"Don't stress your mind." His husky whisper made her eyes collide with his, electricity sizzled as their chemistry intensified.

"I..." Her eyes rounded before tears swam in them, she remembered now...."Your wife, your wife, you...you monster!" She beat her fists against his chest and he didn't so much as flinch, just kept staring at her features with eyes that spoke a thousand emotions.

"How could you ruin so many lives..."

"I wanted you..."

"You can't get whatever you want, you had a wife you loved you. You didn't need me." She rasped out, jerking away from him. Dilrubah wrapped her arms around her body, hoping to shield herself from his advances. She thought of the two nights spent in his embrace and the suffering she'd been through. Her skin crawled at the mere thought of his touch.

"Don't be my teacher, you're not here for that." He gritted out, tired from her rejection and constant despair.

"Oh, but I am here for you to use me like an object when your lust and desire demands it? Couldn't you pick a prostitute for that? Or am I one?" She cried in dismay, wiping the streaks of tears streaming down her face. Her hiccups echoed around the room.

"Shut up!" Sikander lost his temper, he hauled her back against him, gripping her forearms in a relentless grasp which had her whimpering. "I won't let you misbehave with me, learn to respect me, that's in your best interests." He cajoled her, strict yet kind. He'd backhanded Pariwash for misbehaving with him but he couldn't do the same to her. His life was nestled in her heart.

"I don't fit into this world, I have no place....here...please let me go, back to my brother, I swear I won't ever disturb your life...." She looked at him with such yearning in her eyes, begging for the life she had lost.

Sikander felt immense pity and it was obvious, "You have the most important places of them all, flower...you have a place in my heart. " His declaration of love had her flabbergasted but the crying wouldn't stop. He moved her into the halo of his arms, pulling her head against his neck where his heart throbbed.

"Your family doesn't like me, do you realise how much gunnah will I get everyday when your wife sees me? I have taken her rightful place, she shouldn't need to share you with anything much less another being...but I-" He didn't let her finish, he put a finger on her lips.

"Shhh. What matters is you and I, not those and them."

On the cusp on insanity, she balked at his abhorrent suggestion. "No, what matters is her feelings to which you are so oblivious. I will not be a part of this charade." She vowed, staring into his deep electric eyes with a firm resolve.

Sikander's hands flexed, his temper sloshing against the brim of restraint. "You'll learn, you'll learn very soon." Dilrubah went white when she felt his hands slither around her, she moaned in anguish but he was determined. To show her what she was to him.

Surrender or War?

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Sometime in the middle of the night, she felt sharp pains shooting up her legs and her knees throbbed mercilessly, tears came unbidden. She opened her groggy eyes which were still swollen from the tears she'd shed in hopes of concession but he'd not heard her frantic pleas. She knew the air conditioner in the room was the reason for her pains, her eyes fell on the person beside her, under the blankets they shared body heat in the mist primitive way but it was a natural procedure...a give and take. His lashes lay aligned perfectly on the sensitive places under his eyes, his plump lips with that ruthless mouth harsh even in his sleep. Her heart beat furiously as she slowly extracted herself from his arms.

The fleece blanket on the otherside of the huge room lay in a bedding basket, she grabbed the one on the top and made her way to the small lounge that was attatched to the room, she turned the fan off in that area whereas the air conditioner was already turned off, it wasn't much better than where she'd been laying on the bed but dense warmth started seeping into her bones. Her hair clung to her nape in clustered waves, she'd have to brush them to get them all shiny and straight but her arms felt weak. They had done much protesting today...all in vain.

Dilrubah did not let herself think about the man she was to obey and cherish, possibly nuture the children of and stay the rest of her life with. A tiny part of her heart wished he'd get rid if her, be done with her so he could send her away...was it right?

Lost in her thoughts, she didn't see him stir in his sleep and reach for her...she was in too much pain to notice, she body trembled under the onslaught of mother nature. She needed necessary toiletries for this problem and the bathroom was void of them. The sharp stabs in her lower sromach made her wince out loud, she held back a choked sob...it has always been a severe problem for her. She'd went to the physician more often than not, without pain killers she'd start vomiting and pass out.

She was wiping tears with the back of her hand when a large warm hand settled onto her shoulder, Dil jumped startled but as soon as her eyes caught his sleep induced ones, she averted her gaze.

"Tum ye rona peetna kab band karo g?" When will you stop this crybaby drama? The underlying frustration and vexation was easy to catch. She wanted to retort that she'd never stop crying but held herself in check, so far he had not used violence but he could, she did not know him or his temper. He was a....stranger.

"Meri tabiyat khrab hay." I don't feel well.Her arms were around her legs and she turned her head sideways to avoid him.

"Kis marz main mubtala hou? The Crybaby Syndrome?" What disease is this? he mocked harshly, a infuriating smile on his devilishly handsome face.

"Aap...aap jayein yahan say leave me alone, I don't want to engage in a conversation with you." Please go away from here. She muttered with a choked voice, a lump of tears in her throat.

He was in front of her in a instance, tilting her chin upwards. Staring into those eyes was impossible, she couldn't muster the courage. She saw things there which made her contemplate possibilities that she wanted to be impossible.

"Crying will make you ill, I don't know why you persist in harrowing yourself. Beemar pr jaou g. Idher dekho." You'll fall sick, look at me. His voice was tender and so unlike the man from a few hours before. He filled her small face in his long fingers and vast palm, bringing it close to his so their noses touched. "Why don't you trust me?" Closed eyes, relaxed mouth. She stared.

"How can I after everything you did? Give me one reason at the least." The softest whisper. The lightest touch.

Sikander's hand found hers, he laid it atop his beating heart. Holding it there, captured in his own. "I want you to feel me, baqi sab kuch bhool kar sirf aik ehsas ko mehsoos karo." Forget everything and feel what's between us. His lips found the corner of her mouth, Dilrubah tried to flee but he held her strongly.

"I don't feel well, please aap jayein..." Please go. The tingling in her hand from where it was pressed against his heart was making her feel things she had taken a vow not to, so it was time to put a stop to this. Sikander sighed regretfully and sadly before softly kissing her cheek. "You'll be the very death of me."

No, he'll be her death. Quiet literally.

"Get up, this lounger is uncomfortable, you aren't sleeping here." He got up and was looking down at her, waiting for her to obey him.

"Nahi, main theek hun, you go ahead. I don't really like the cooling system, I-I feel nauseous and I get pains in my body." No, I'm alright.

She explained, for an moment he stared at her in incredulity as if he didnt believe her, then he hauled her up against him, the sudden movement caused her much pain so she cried out. "Check the top drawer of the dressing, you'll find whatever you need there." Her cheeks burned at his dawning understanding. But he was right, she found whatever she needed and freshened up quickly.

He was holding her by the waist as soon as she emerged from the door, helping her on to the bed, he turned off the conditioning then he dissappeared in his dressing for a while. He returned with a heating pad, nearing her. "Move over, this will make you feel better." She did as asked, the soft pad covered her whole back and she instantly felt soothed. Sikander covered her with a quilt and resigned to his side of the bed as Dilrubah stared into distance, thinking about this hot and cold man who hated and loved both with a passion or pattern she didn't get.

When his arm settled on her waist, she unintentionally glanced sideways where his eyes were transfixed on her face. She remembered how he'd looked down at her a few hours ago, when he'd wiped the tears he'd caused, kissed them away as if it was not his fault. She hated his hypocrisy.

"I don't like hurting you, it would be better if you accepted this situation and surrendered." The warning come suggestion was delivered as he drew circles atop her belly. She just gazed at him in silence then sleep took over because he was caressing her hair and that always made her drowsy. She moved closer on her own accord, giving him better access to her head. He smiled as she cooed like a kitten before she fell asleep.

He was...mesmerised again...

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