Chapter 3
Zoya’s point of view
As soon as he heard those words he instantly looked panicked.
I don’t know why I felt comfortable enough to drag a stranger to my house but he saved me and to be honest I was quite scared to go home alone.
“Why would a child like you be getting engaged? Although I still find it questionable you decided to run away with your boyfriend” Anas said, his voice laced with a little hint of disapproval.
My jaw clenched, “I’m twenty six” I snapped at him.
I get told a lot that I looked like a child but I was a very mature woman who was able to make her own decisions. I was not a kid, I hated it when people called me. Child or treated me like one.
Anas had a stunned look on his face with his mouth slightly open like he could not believe my age.
“Oh,” he said, “but sorry to ask how old is your boyfriend?” He asked, looking curious.
“He is 24 years old” I replied “And he is no longer my boyfriend he is a coward” I snapped.
Anas has broken my trust and he no longer meant anything to me. I was naive but not any longer. I will not allow anybody to play with my emotions anymore.
“Okay, then I have done my job I am sure you can go home now. Just explain to them and tell them you are sorry I am sure they will quickly accept you” he said.
“Come with me,” I said. I had no idea why I said that but I knew I could not go in alone I needed someone as anchor and now A ear was my only option.
“What?” He asked a little bit baffled.
“Have you forgotten, you promised to follow me and talk to my parents”
“But that was because I thought you were a kid,” he responded.
I was a little bit stunned by his reply but I couldn’t blame him. “Does that mean you are going against your word?”
“Come with me please “, I pleaded, batting my lashes at him hoping to get his approval.
He stared at my house once again like he was contemplating. “I don’t think that is a good idea, ” he said, looking unsure.
” I’m scared. Please save me from my parents. They are going to kill me” ” she spat most of the children used this phrase to explain how strict their parents are.
I suddenly grabbed his arm, not giving him any time to think about it. His indecisiveness was annoying me.
I rang the bell hoping all the wedding guests were gone. I was gone for a long time so I am sure the engagement ceremony has been canceled. I can just imagine how angry my father was.
My parents thought I was many things but most of all they thought I was immature, childish, and a spoiled girl who behaves as she wants without considering anybody’s feelings they raised me like this locking me away from the world they should expect that a day would come when I would want to break free.
The gate opened and Faruq the gateman opened the gate and as soon as she saw me his eyes widened in shock but there was also a hint of relief on his face.
“Ma’am,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
It was shocking to see Faruq say something so quietly when he is usually very loud.
The decorations for the engagement were still very much there. The guests had reduced but I was surprised to see paparazzi inside my compound the moment they saw us they ran towards my direction taking pictures, the light from the camera almost blinding me while they asked me questions about who I was.
“MISS ZOYA ALI, is it true that you have gotten married against your parent’s choice?”
A reporter spat.
“Why have you rejected one of the most successful businessmen, Danish?” Another said.
“In your earlier interviews, you said you were single. Was it a lie?” Another reporter asked, staring at Abrar who was beside me.
I wasn’t ready for this situation at all it was all overwhelming.
Guards quickly came around and cleared the way dragging them away.
I linked my palm with Abrar who was beside me with a look of shock as well as discomfort.
I walked with a determined expression on my face towards my father to see him standing beside my mum with the commissioner of police beside him.
My mom’s face was covered with tears and as soon as she saw me she ran towards me and engulfed me in a warm hug, shocking me. I unlinked my palm from Abrar’s and hugged my mum with all my might.
I was scared of being scolded by her, I was totally not expecting her to be so calm with her welcome at all.
“Oh! Where have you been?” She asked, her voice laced with worry as she stared at me from top to bottom assessing my body to check for any injury.
“I am fine Mum” I replied.
“Sir “, Abrar mumbled beside me as he stared at my dad.
My father also looked shocked to see Abrar beside me. I could not help but wonder how they knew each other.Content is property © NôvelDrama.Org.
“You?” My father said, pointing at Abrar not even towards my direction.
“Do you guys know each other?” I asked as my gazed love from my father to Abrar curiously. I hated being in the dark.
“You, I will deal with you later,” he said pointing at Abrar with an angry expression on his face.
Abrar trembled beside me, he looked nervous but most of all he looked scared.
“Do you know him?” I asked Abrar.
“Yes, this is my boss,” Abrar said referring to my dad.
Well, seems like the situation is more complicated out of everyone who could possibly know my father it had to be Abrar.
“Zoya, where were you? Why are you walking into my house hand in hand with another man? What is all this?” My father yelled angrily at me.
The police commissioner beside him tried to calm him down but he was not listening in any way.
“Did I not tell you that you will be marrying Danish?”, He spat.
“Dad, I…” I tried to say something but my dad did not let me speak, I could only now my head scared for my life.
“Shut up”, he yelled. “See what you have done to my reputation, you useless girl. You are such a shame to the family”.
I knew that my actions should have repercussions but for a moment and thought maybe I should be selfish I never knew it would backfire against me. I had always put my family first and always tried to please my family as best as I could.
“I am sorry father” I apologized.
“How will I face Danish’s parents? How am I supposed to walk around in the community? See what you have reduced my reputation to” he scolded me.
I could not say anything, I regretted my decision but it was already done there was no going back. I looked over at Abrar who looked uncomfortable with the conversation going on. Maybe it would have been better if I left him outside the gate and not invited him to witness this drama.
“You just left; leaving a crap note that you are getting married?”
“Calm down. Let her speak “, My mother said, holding her husband’s shoulder, trying to calm him down.
“You keep quiet “, My dad shunned her.
He was very angry, it was rare to see my father this angry but I couldn’t blame him as it was my fault.
“And you,” he said pointing at Abrar who had a look of surprise at the sudden change of attention.
“Didn’t you get anyone else? Why my daughter?”, my father asked.
Abrar stared at me, looking confused from the look of things it looked like my father thought Abrar was the guy I intended to elope with.
This was not good.
“Sir… I”, Abrar said as he tried to explain himself,
“How can you do this to me while working in my company?”
I kept quiet as I did not know how to approach or diffuse the matter, I was expecting the scolding but everything that was unfolding at the money was far from what I expected.
“Sir, she didn’t elope with me”, Abrar said, trying to defend himself.
“I know. You can’t do it. She must have forced you”, he spat at me, looking at me with a disappointed expression.
It was no new thing to see my father looking disappointed, I always seems to disappoint him.
“You are a decent guy Abrar. I know you can never influence anyone”, he smiled at Abrar with a warm expression.
I was confused with the whole situation as to why my father’s anger suddenly reduced.
“Zoya please say something”, Abrar whispered as he threw me a helpless look.
“Daughter of the renowned businessman Mr Rehmat Ali and the to be the owner of his empire Zoya Ali has gotten married to their employee Abrar Zafar,” a reporter said as she stared at the camera before her.
I looked over at Abrar and he looked completely lost. The situation was quickly getting out of control.
“At least you have some sense left to choose a good person. You should’ve told me who the guy is. I had never refused if I knew it was Abrar” my father said., surprising me.
“Now I forgive you and forget everything. I accept this marriage”, he smiled at both of us.
Marriage?
“Marriage?” Abrar said in disbelief, as he stared at me.
I wanted to scream and clarify but the cameras from the paparazzi were solely focused on us. This was not a good situation.
Abrar looked pissed, for the first time since I saw him he looked angry
I was about to say something, but the paparazzi surrounded us again with questions.
“How did your love story start?” One asked.
“Did you know that you were dating your boss’s daughter?” Another asked, focusing the bright light and camera to Abrar’s face who was squinting his eyes as he could barely see.
“Where did you meet first?”
The questions kept coming, never-ending.
“Being the daughter of a billionaire, how did you gather the guts to marry a common man?”
I was pissed, I hated all this.
“Faruq, get this people off the property” I ordered, and soon the security guards escorted the group of paparazzi out of the compound.
“We need to talk” Abrar whispered beside me. He dragged me to a corner after grabbing my arm.
“What the heck is going on Zoya?” He asked with a friend’s expression.
I do not know why but to be honest everything felt so overwhelming. I thought I was going to be sent out of my father’s house but to see my father being so accepting of Abrar being my voice made me rethink my decision. If I came clean about everything he could become disappointed.
”
“Will you answer me?” Abrar spat at my face, demanding answers.
“I’m sorry”, I said, lowering my eyes.
“It’s ok. But now go and clean this mess” he told me.
“You have helped me a lot. But I have one last request”, I mumbled.
“What?” He asked.
I had no idea why I said it but I knew it was the only best idea I could think of at the moment. I have disappointed my father enough, if this was the drastic step I had to take then so be it.
“Pretend to be my husband”, I said.
Abrar stared at me like I was crazy.
“What?”
He yelled out, surprised by my sudden proposal.
“I know I am asking for something stupid. But it’s a huge mess now. These reporters have already taken our pictures and telecasted them.
They won’t believe it if we disagree with the news. Moreover, it’s about Dad’s image. It’s already damaged after I engage with Danish. Now again this, He won’t tolerate “, I explained.
I knew what I was asking for was selfish but I had no other choice.
“I’ve hurt him because of Anas. I don’t want that again. If he is happy to see me with you, then I think he will not think too much about scolding me”
“Won’t hurt him when he will get to know the truth? It’s a stupid idea” Abrar said, with a disapproving expression on his face. “This is immoral. I do not support this,” he snapped.
“Please don’t say that. How will I manage the situation? There is a bunch of paparazzi, our guests, relatives, and business partners “, I said nervously.
“You should’ve thought about it before running away “, he replied rudely.
Well, that did sting, my past actions have placed me in a very difficult situation.
“I didn’t know that Anas is going to ditch me ” I replied as I shamefully bowed my head. Anas’s betrayal still hurts.
“I thought if we get married and come to Dad, he would accept us and I wouldn’t have any problem then. But now there is everyone ”
“Then you shouldn’t bring me here, Miss Zoya Ali, for Christ’s sake this is my boss Mr. Ali we are talking about. Didn’t you know today was your engagement? Didn’t you know there will be reporters and relatives in your residence? Didn’t you know it would be a risk if you came here with me? After knowing everything you brought me here. Does it make any sense?”, he yelled at me angrily.
“Will you help me or not?” I asked him rudely. I was going with my patience we certainly did not have all day.
“It’s a stupid idea and I am not going to help you with this crap. That’s about your image and your reputation. You should handle it. It’s not my business “, he replied, refusing to look into my eyes.
“That’s definitely your business Abrar Zafar ” I said. He looked at me completely shocked by my change of tone.
I was trying to be reasonable with him but it seems like I have to use brutal force to make him agree.
“What do you mean?”, he asked., looking surprised by my sudden change in character.
“Soon I will be the owner of my dad’s massive empire and you will be thrown out of my company if you don’t do what I said” I threatened.
“What?”, he muttered, by my sudden threat to fire him.
“You have ten seconds to decide. You want your job or not?” I asked staring at him and waiting for his reply.