THE SEVENTH HEAVEN

⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆

How forgiving can a human be? Can love make you forsake everything else for the pure rapture and the idea of living off blissfully? But the heart, how many times before it gives up? Tired from the breaking and fixing, like any fragile thing it would expire, would it not? Yes...it would....just like hers did.

When your heart breaks for the first time, that tiny line of shattering heals over time but when you're in the long, desperate exile of separation...the crack intensifies until there's nothing left of you. Loneliness rots away the precious seconds of your life while you yearn for the impossible.

He'd married her, made her his. Abandoned her. Betrayed her.

Dilrubah belonged to an orthodox middle class family, people happy with what they had and respected family values to their best. Dilrubah's elder brother owned a small superstore and their monthly income was more than enough. Her parents passed away when they were both little, their aunts and uncle's had not taken their responsibility.So instead they had lived in their own house, welcoming relatives as guests only. Shahzad worked night and day to provide to her the best, he was seven years older than her but it might as well be thirty years because he was like a father figure.

He'd praise her on good cooking and she'd make different cuisines every day to please him, she'd go to him when she felt lonely and sad. Her brother spoiled her like a princess but he also taught her values which she cherished and treasured to this day.

Her life had been peaceful and calm but the storms are not predicted, they come and go as they like. Sikandar Ali was just that.

He'd seen her at the local school where she taught Montessori classes, the salary was not impressive but she did it more to get rid of boredom than the money. She adored the little children with rosy cheeks and bubbly laughs, they made her life seem so much brighter.

He'd been a chief guest, he sat there watching those kids perform; in his white ensemble and that black waist coat he had looked like a man who owned the ground he walked upon, his raybans were tucked away in his pocket. An educated feudal lord but still a monster...such a monster. His eyes had sharpened with keen interest when the little kids flocked around an angel, showering her with their hugs and kisses. The golden beauty had captured him....soul and body. Both.

Like a man deprived of water he'd watched her dress clinging to her bosom and flowering down to where it hugged her tiny waist. Enticing, beautiful and breathtaking....

From their onwards it'd been a whirlwind of events, Dilrubah had not liked the man at all but when he'd arrived on their doorstep, she got so frightened that she hid, thinking foolishly that she had unknowingly done something to displease him.

But it'd been something worse; she'd done the opposite, unfortunately.

Her brother reluctantly rejected the man's offer knowing he was at least ten or more years older than her, Dilrubah was too innocent and beguiling.

Sikandar had looked at him for a few seonds in disbelief before his lips thinned in anger, "You're wrong, I am thirty-five not just a couple of years but a century even." He mocked her brother, his manner superior and insulting. His demeanor yelled wrathful but they'd been taken aback, caught unawares. It was too late to detect it.

After Sikander had left fuming, Dilrubah had emerged from the shadows, blindly reaching for her brother and sobbing into his arms. Absorbing the security he emanated like a sunflower, under the sun. "I don't like him, I don't like him....I don't want to go with him, bhai." She'd rambled on, scared witless. Shahzad had soothed her, calmed her down, ensuring her of their future.

But no one was safe.

She'd always remember that night for the rest of her days. Her brother's screams and her muffled cries, she'd been snatched from her only safe haven so brutally that even the skies cried for her.

She'd become his in a forced mockery, a ceremony that went against religion and morals. But she'd said yes. Yes, yes, yes.

An eternal damnation.

"Do you know how much I've hungered for you?" he skimmed his fingers down her shoulders, she shuddered with revulsion staring at his chest but no sound came. It was as if she was mute...

The cigarette he was smoking polluted the air making her more suffocated than she already was. Her feet and hands were numb, so cold that upon being touched she'd not feel the warmth of another. Disconnected.....withdrawn and in denial. Her cries trapped in her throat.

Her wild eyes transfixed ahead of her, her lush lips dry and parted....her neglected body needed nourishment and her parched lips needed moisture but her mind, her heart....they needed home. Two fat tears dropped down her flushed cheeks. A meek sound of protest left her mouth and her petite frame jerked in response to his cruel, bold and unwanted ministrations. She hated his caressing but he was like a man that'd found untouched treasure.

His fingers made contact with her waist and that was when she began fighting in earnest, crying loudly as she pushed him back. Shaking her head vehemently, her rejection in kick-force. But it was a battle against a superior being, a phantom who was so real. He subdued her quick enough, his hurtful hands leaving bruises on her delicate skin. "Enough." He seethed in rage, throwing her down harshly.

He'd been patient and loving, which had not gotten through to her because his coaxing was a game, a fraud and a mask to conceal his monstrosity. He was fuming now, like a provoked dragon; ready to wreak havoc. A shiver shot up her spine as the coursing blood stopped from where his large hands cupped her forearms. Coarse, brute force.

"Don't fight me. Don't fight me." The soothing litany of his voice washed over her like honeycomb.

"Home...home....I want my bhai." Her desperate plea made his face red with anger but he restrained himself. She was glass, he reminded himself, his porcelain doll and she was needed to be treated with delicasy. He watched her with eyes filled with unfulfilled desires and powerful need.

"You will be at my side from now onwards, Dilrubah." I'm your master, you're my pet? Was that how it was supposed to be?

She shook her head in rebuttal, the wild look in her eyes enhancing to bewilderment. "Apko samjh kiun n-nahi arahi? Mjhay jana hay...mjhay abhi issi waqt jana hay!" Why don't you understand? I want to go back home, right now! Her agonised cry did nothing to faze him, the storms in his eyes didn't calm either.

"Jaou g tum tab jab main ijazat dun." You'll only leave when I allow it. Sikandar's cold voice resonated with conviction that saddened Dilrubah to the core for it gave refuge to helplessness in her heart and she didn't want to give up.

"You are a monster. I hate you." She spat at him with hatred, her hands itching to scratch his face. Sikander stared at her in one moment of incredulity before his lips swooped down to capture hers. His masterful lips against her shy ones, she protested with all her might but in the end all she could do was to suffer it.

"Hate me, tonight, hate me all you want, little flower, for in the morning you'll know you've been loved."

⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆

She gazed out the window as trees were flitting by and the cold winter air had wrapped everything in a veil of fog. She wrapped the shawl closer around her body, shivering despite the heating system of the confinement.

What was her destination and what was his aim? A few weeks or months pleasure then the expected discarding? Or a battle of toxic masculinity which would never free her off him? What would it be?

As the car entered the gates of what one would call a gigantic haveli which was barred by a humongous door which had intricate carvings that gave the vibe of royalty and luxury, Dilrubah's heartbeat escalated. No, no....the seed of suspicion rooted in her head and discord ensued. His home, he was taking her to his home....the wishful thinking about leaving him buried itself in barren ground.

The black car turned into a garage which was already occupied with several more cars, the ignition turned off and Sikander's hands on the steering wheel stilled.Where she stared at her clammy ones, she was perspiring uncontrollably and her hands trembled softly. The black attire she wore made her flushed pink skin stand out, Sikander's hawklike eyes noticed her pink tongue dart out to wet her lush lips. His hands clenched, his heart raced. What was he doing? The doom and gloom ahead was looming over his head like a sword.

Pariwash's reaction was not of utmost importance but her supporters who just happened to be his whole family would point fingers at him, ready to defend his wife no matter what it cost. They'd side with her and make him out to a villian. Wasn't he one, though? All he wanted was to take her upstairs, sit her on his bed and look at her face till dawn's dusk. He wasn't scared of anyone, didn't care about anyone's opinion but unnecessary drama agigated him.

He took Dilrubah's hand and rubbed his thumb over her palm, it was so cold. He guided her outside, towering over her slight petite frame. She took timid steps behind him, the vast lush lawns were endless. It took them awhile to reach the main entrance from where people started emerging. Some adults, some babies and teenagers all alike, they were like a crowd. Dilrubah swayed, what was she being faced with? His family was huge by God's blessing but the only family she had ever been concerned with was her brother.

Dilrubah faltered, her feet refused to move, slight shivers raced up her body. Her unsteady posture had her stumbling into Sikander's back, who placed a hand on her back to support her. She leaned against him even when she did not want to but he was her pillar. At least for now.

The blatant display of intimacy had his family bewildered, there were looks of astonishment and confusion among them. A tall silhouette emerged from behind, her steps very confident and her smile very serene. But she teetered as her eyes took in the scenario before, her eyebrows scrunched and the corners of her mouth turned down.

"Sikander, whose she?" An older man, Sikander's father, stepped forward to greet his son as they reached the threshold of his house. His home for it was true he was it's sole owner.

Sikander was quiet, his large frame hulking over even his own father. His presence was so strong that it effected every one who was awaiting his response. Sikander's hand was firmly placed on the small of her back. For a moment he did not answer, his head was never down...Sikander Ali had never bowed and this day was no different. He was unabashed, he owned upto what he did wether it be the sign on an important business deal or a decision he makes about his family. His word was superior, he was superior.

"Barray Abu, ye Dilrubah hay...apki bahu." Father, this is your daughter in law. His deep voice carried around the hushed silence, there was screaming but it was so quieten.

Pariwash gasped, her step wobbling...for a few breathless moments she did not move but when she did she launched herself at him, gripping him by the collar. Her wild, scared deer like hazel brown eyes large with apprehension.

"Sikander aap kiya bol rahay hain? Please aisa mazaq nahi karain meray sath, main marjaoun g...Sikander!" What are you on about Sikander? Please don't heat with me in this manner. I'll die! She gasped, shaking him but he did not bulge. His teeth clenched and his eyes took a hostile turn, he detached himself from Pari's grasp. Dilrubah was confounded at first but as things started making sense to her, her legs gave away from beneath. Dark spots danced behind her eyes and it felt as if life itself refused to support her.

She fell to the ground in a heap of shattered hopes and wishes, Sikander was swift and bundled her into his arms, carefully adjusting her small head into the crook of his arm. The fury had vanished and instead a tender, soft look came into his eyes as he checked her wrists. The reassurance of her normal breathing made him sigh with relief.

Pariwash saw it all with eyes that had turned dead, tears streamed down her face as she saw the look of worried concern on her husband's face.

For another woman.

Her heart was beating furiously but why did it feel as if she was dying? Her mother in-law came upto her and started apologising, she begged for forgiveness.

"Aunty, no...it's not your fault." She closed her hands around her wrinkled ones but her voice was dead pan, her beautiful face no longer blossoming and serene. Her peace disrupted.

She'd lost the only thing that she loved. Her world, her life, her everything....

⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆