Expression of Love
"Let me go! Where are you taking me?"
Her eyes were blindfolded. They were taking her with great respect and care.
"Yaar, at least you should've taped her mouth too!" one of them said, making a face.
"Quiet! She’s going to be our sister-in-law. Show some respect!"
Hearing this, Aniya’s brain lit up like fireworks.
Sister-in-law?
"Untie my hands and remove the blindfold. Right now!" she screamed in anger.
Both of them instantly covered their ears.
"We’re here, we’ve arrived! Let’s go inside!"
"All the arrangements for the nikkah are complete. The groom is here, just the bride was missing."
"Come in, Bhabhi. Here she is, everyone, Bhabhi has arrived!"
Suddenly, Azlan turned around when he heard his younger brother’s voice.
What he saw left him utterly stunned.
He had come here at Ishal’s insistence, exhausted and unaware of the surprise waiting for him.
But this surprise? He had never imagined.
Ali and Zawi were his younger twin brothers, four years younger than him.
They adored him like crazy.
When they found out that their brother Azlan had fallen for Dr. Aniya,
they wasted no time gathering all the details and were planning to take a marriage proposal for her.
But by the time they learned the full truth — it was too late.
Today was Dr. Aniya’s wedding day.
And they had no other option.
So they decided to kidnap Dr. Aniya, just for their brother’s sake.
To pull this off, they also brought Ishal along — their cousin (daughter of their maternal uncle).
This was the first time they had not included someone in their mission —
Azlan's beloved little sister, Dure Adan.
She was always part of their schemes.
But this time, they kept her away, because she always spilled the beans to Azlan beforehand to save herself —
which would always land the boys in trouble.
So this time, they kept everything under wraps.
"What is this, Zawi, Ali?"
Azlan’s voice was low, confused and intense as he looked at Dr. Aniya standing right in front of him.
"Brother, she’s your soon-to-be wife!" Zawi explained, all proud.
"We kidnapped her from her wedding, just for you. Risked our lives for it!"
Zawi tried to act innocent.
“I was in on it too!” Ali added with a smile.
"Shut up, both of you!" Azlan snapped.
They instantly went quiet.
"What kind of behavior is this? You kidnapped someone’s daughter, someone’s sister like this?"
He was furious.
"Whoever you are, untie me now!" Aniya yelled through clenched teeth.
"Untie her. Now," Azlan ordered.
"Didn’t you hear what bhai said? Untie her!" Zawi told Ali.
"You do it!" Ali tried to dodge.
"You two—" Azlan gritted his teeth and stepped toward them.
Both of them quickly stepped back, keeping a seven-foot distance.
Azlan gently removed the blindfold from Aniya’s eyes,
and for a moment, her vision blurred.
When her sight cleared, she instantly recognized him.
Hearing everything that had been said, she now stared at Azlan and the others with narrowed eyes.
Azlan untied her wrists, and she began rubbing them, glaring at him.
“Assalamualaikum… whose nikkah are we performing today?”
The sudden arrival of the maulvi sahab startled everyone.
"Bring them down and come here!"
Azlan barked at Zawi and Ali, his anger boiling.
"Brother, this was all his idea!"
"No, no, it was his!"
Both started blaming each other.
"Aren’t you two ashamed? You’re not little kids anymore!"
He was scolding them harshly.
"Mr. Azlan Shah… I’m deeply disappointed."
"Your brothers kidnapped me on my wedding day."
"Great job raising them," Aniya said bitterly, sarcastically.
Azlan gritted his teeth and looked back at the two clowns,
who never thought before acting.
Aniya’s words struck a nerve in Azlan’s heart.
Today was her nikkah… and he didn’t even know.
How had he become so careless?
He had fallen in love with her — so why the delay in making her a part of his life
Azlan:
Dr. Anya, I apologize on their behalf.
Anya (restraining her anger):
Mr. Azlan Shahid, do you really think everything will be solved with just one apology?
Azlan (softly, with regret):
I know... making amends might be impossible.
But for these two, thinking before doing something for me is like a sin.
That’s why... I’m sorry.
Anya (with biting sarcasm):
Sorry? Do you even realize what they’ve done because of you?
Wow... my wedding got cancelled, Mr. Azlan Shahid!
The wedding procession was about to arrive at my house, and instead, here I am — standing among you clowns, looking like one myself!
(At her words, Ali and Zavi burst into helpless laughter)
Azlaan's intense gaze made her quickly lower her eyes.
"Bhabhi (sister-in-law) even knows better jokes than us, it'll be fun spending time with her," Aali whispered softly.
"Better be thankful now, just think what Azlaan bhai will do to us both," she added with a warning.
"You come with me, I’ll drop you home," Azlaan said seriously.
"Wow! ‘Drop you home’ — how formal!" Aniya clapped her hands in mock appreciation at his words.
Azlaan rubbed his forehead in frustration.
"Now what do you want? What should I do? Whatever has been done, those responsible will face the consequences — but you tell me, what do you want?"
He was clearly frustrated.
"Don’t you worry, my brother is Sikandar Khan — when he finds out, he’ll set all of you straight, and as for those weirdos, I’ll punish them myself!" she said, furrowing her brows.
"Bhabhi, please don’t
talk like that..."
"We both are innocent at heart, pleading for your mercy..."
"Shut your nonsense!" Azlaan snapped, "After this mess after everything you've done —still, you have no shame? And now you’re standing here spouting rubbish?"
There was such severity in his voice that even Aniya froze. She silently stared at him — it was the first time she had ever seen someone as polite as Azlaan lose his temper like this.
"Brother! Whatever we did, we did for you. If we hadn’t brought her, the wedding would’ve happened for sure!"
He said this with a pain that only he truly understood.
"And who are you two to drag her here like that? What kind of relationship is built on force?"
He was still hissing in anger.
"This is your so-called love, brother?"
"Shut up, Zavi, or I won’t be able to control my hand!" he shouted, burning with rage.
Ali and Zavi both looked at him with pain in their eyes and lowered their heads.
"Dr. Anya..." he called out suddenly in a softer tone, which startled her into silence.
"Come with me. I will make them pay for their stupidity myself. Until I return, both of you better not move from here. There’s no one worse than me when I’m angry."
Just then, the ringtone from his mobile startled Azlan.
When he saw the unknown number, he picked up the call.
"Yes, Azlan speaking?"
He was taken aback by a man’s voice from the other end.
"Sikandar Khan," the man introduced himself, and Azlan’s nerves tightened.
"Mr. Sikandar Khan? Your sister—"
"First listen to me, Azlan Khan. Your sister is with me right now. If you want her safe, quietly return my sister and take yours back."
Azlan’s mind spun violently at those words.
"How dare you, Sikandar Khan! If anything happens to my sister—"
His grip on the phone tightened.
Hearing his words, both Ali and Zavi were shaken. Their hearts began to pound.
"You should’ve thought before kidnapping my sister. Do you have any idea what kind of question mark it places on a man’s honor when his sister or daughter is abducted?"
"You have just one hour."
With that, the call was disconnected.
Azlan’s breathing grew heavy. She was innocent—his little sister—naïve and fearful. Yet Sikandar Khan had her kidnapped.
"What happened, brother? Where is Eden?" they asked anxiously.
As they moved closer, Azlan pushed them away.
"Stay away! Whatever is happening today, it’s all because of you two!"
If anything happens to Dreden, you two will be held responsible — remember that!"
(He points a finger at both of them, giving a warning, then turns toward Dr. Anya.)
"My brothers kidnapped you, and you questioned their upbringing.
But what kind of example of being from a respectable family did your brother set by kidnapping my younger sister?"
He was mocking while starting to confront Dr. Anya. 'Will you go on your own, or should I drag you?'
He stood close to her, with a frown on his forehead, and said, 'Walk to the gate yourself.'
Dr. Anya looked at all of them once, then followed Azlan Shah. 'How dare he kidnap our sister? I will take Sikandar Azam’s life!' Zavi shouted.
"That thought didn’t come to you when you kidnapped their sister."
Just then, Isha'al spoke for the first time:
"Are you on our side or his?"
Aali clenched her jaw and said through gritted teeth...
"I’m not on anyone’s side — but admit one thing, both of you were wrong.
Who knows what state Aadan is in right now?"
"Tell me, whose nikah am I supposed to perform? Because after that, I might have to lead a funeral prayer too."
The three of them glared sharply at the cleric for what he had said. The house, once full of guests, had slowly emptied.
The wedding procession had also returned.
The news that the bride had been kidnapped had spread everywhere, and Sikandar absolutely did not want anyone from her in-laws to taunt his sister for being kidnapped.
Even if it meant he would have to keep Aniya with him for the rest of her life like a burden.
"Uncle, I'm thirsty," Adan suddenly called out to him, and he looked at her with a frown.
She was barely seventeen or eighteen, but then again, he himself wasn’t that old either —
"And she kept calling him uncle — Sikandar Khan.
As soon as Sikandar found out that Anya had been kidnapped, he watched the CCTV footage and saw Alyan and Zavian.
He immediately got all their information pulled up. And kidnapped their sister who was a complete disaster — and to Sikandar, she felt like a disaster herself."
For the past one hour, she had been driving him crazy."
"Sometimes demanding one thing, sometimes asking for another — it felt like she hadn’t been kidnapped, but had come for a picnic instead."
"You just had juice — and now you're thirsty again ?" Sikandar asked through gritted teeth.
"It's been a full five minutes since i had it — it's probably digested by now too! Please get me a Coke, my throat is drying up!"
Putting on an innocent face, she said sweetly, "You're not getting any Coke or whatever."
"Nothing from Israel enters our home!" he said angrily.
"Uncle, please lower your voice," she whispered nervously. "Don’t scare me… Just give me Gourme cola or at least a Next Cola instead!" "I’ll be patient with just that," she said, making the most dramatic innocent face ever.
Sikandar felt like giving her two tight slaps right across the ears, but controlling himself, he signaled the maid standing at a distance to bring the bottle.
The maid immediately turned and hurried inside.
"Okay, tell me one thing, Sikandar uncle..."
"I’m no uncle-bunkle!" he cut her off sharply. "My name is Sikandar Khan."
He sat down on one side of the sofa, clearly irritated.
She, unfazed, leaned forward slightly with curiosity sparkling in her eyes.
"Alright, Sikandar Khan... wasn’t your sister’s wedding today?" she asked eagerly.
He shot her a cold glare and replied, leaning slightly toward her:
"It was — but it got postponed... because of your brothers."
"This must’ve all been Alyan bhai and Zavian bhai’s planning," she said with a smug pout.
"Good thing they got caught... and thankfully, they didn’t involve me in it at all."
She sipped her words with a soft sigh, as if she were the innocent victim in a great conspiracy.
Just then, the maid returned with the bottle in hand with some lays .
Her tongue itched to say more, but she swallowed the words just in time.
"You get Pak Nimko, right? It’s really tasty! Pure Pakistani Nimko — bring that.
And yes, bring some cake too… it'll double the fun!"
She ordered like a royal guest, as if the kidnapping was actually a five-star treat.
For the past one hour, she had been constantly eating — snacks as well as Sikandar’s brain.
Sikandar, finally fed up, snapped,
"Don’t you ever get tired of eating?"
She shot back instantly, with fake innocence wrapped in sass:
"And don’t you ever get tired of being angry?"
Sikandar clenched his teeth. He was already sick of this girl — in just two hours, she had completely wrecked his peace of mind.
His eyes kept drifting toward the door.
He was desperately waiting for Azlan to return with his sister… and to take this little storm back with him as well.
By the way, your house is nice too… but not as nice as ours," she said with innocent honesty — though her words carried a playful hint of criticism."Just sit quietly — I didn’t ask for your opinion!"
If someone is giving good advice, one should at least listen," she said as she walked over and sat beside him on the sofa.
Without hesitation, she placed her index finger and thumb gently on his forehead, trying to smooth out the frown lines.
Her sudden closeness made Sikandar Khan falter for a moment — his heart skipped a beat.
"You look better like this," she said with a smile.
But as soon as he regained himself, he muttered,
"Sit a bit farther away."
And with that, she quietly shifted, and he too leaned back, creating the distance himself.
Hahaha! You got scared of a little girl like me? Well, you should be scared — even my three brothers ask me for protection! 😄 But it's also true that they love me a lot.
You love your sister too, don't you? That’s why you kidnapped me, right?
She placed her hand under her chin and asked with great flair, ‘This is kidnapping? You call this kidnapping?’"
"You’ve been driving me crazy for the past two hours. You know, real kidnappers don’t act this picky!"
Sikandar Khan said with a bit of irritation and sarcasm:
"You're actually a great kidnapper! You've made history.
You're the first kidnapper who not only kidnapped a girl but didn’t harm her—instead, you treated her to a Pakistani cold drink and some nimko (savory snacks)!"
"Now I feel like having ice cream, please ask him to bring me some."
(Then, looking toward the maid standing at a distance with a gesture, she said gently)
"I'm saying it with permission… stop it, girl, you'll tire yourself out!"
“You’ve eaten so much that even your digestion is complaining now?”
She said, pointing at her stomach with a playful smile, raising one eyebrow.
Just then, a servant asked for permission to enter.
The entire way, both of them remained silent.
Anya stole a glance at Azlan from the corner of her eye—he looked unusually serious.
Her gaze fell on his pale hand, where greenish veins stood out prominently.
Then her eyes shifted to his neck, where a small lump appeared briefly and then faded away.
Tell me your address," he asked, eyes fixed on the main screen.
Anya softly began reciting the address.
"Do you love me?"
At her question, Azlan glanced at her, but remained silent for a few moments.
"There's no point in talking about these things now," he finally said.
Anya shook her head in denial.
"If you loved me, you should’ve told me."
"Why? What difference would it make?" he replied.
"Is that even love, if it needs words to be expressed?"
Azlan had his own philosophy — one Anya could only feel sorrow over.
"Love is that silence which doesn’t need words. It becomes meaningful only when it’s conveyed through the eyes."
These were his verses. Anya just kept staring at him.
"If love reaches the lips, what is left to hide? Does one only understand love when it’s spoken?"
She responded with a couplet of her own.
For a moment, Azlaan Shah kept staring at her.
"When did you become my love?"
At his question, Anya simply looked out of the window.
"I just recited a verse randomly, don’t read too much into it,"
she said softly.
"Alright..."
He fell silent too.
The car was entering Khan Villa. Azlaan introduced him, but as soon as the gatekeeper saw Anya, he immediately opened the gate.
Azlaan parked the car and stepped out. Anya got down as well.
Seeing her in bridal attire stirred emotions in his heart again,
but he held himself together firmly.
He led her inside —
at that moment, all he wanted was his sister back.
The message had already been delivered inside.
As soon as they entered, they saw Dour-e-Adhan sitting on the sofa, casually enjoying an ice cream.
Azi Bhaiya paused for a momen.She brightened up at the sight of Azlaan, as if the entire world’s happiness had returned.
Her life seemed to stir again in his presence.
Meanwhile, Anya gazed silently at Sikandar, her eyes filled with both questions and a haunting stillness.
Sikandar watched her advancing steps, though he himself was weakened by the pain.
"Are you okay?"
This was the faint whisper that slipped from sikander lips
Anya merely nodded, his neck giving the only answer he could muster.
Seeing his sister in such a fragile state crushed him from within, yet he couldn’t speak a word.
At that moment, Azlaan gently held Eden to his chest and asked tenderly,
"Is my baby okay?"
"Absolutely top-notch — Uncle, oops I mean Mr. Sikandar Khan, really took great care of me, brother! And gave me so much to eat — felt like a feast! One minute, one minute… while talking, her eyes landed on Aniya — mashallah, brother, you’ve got excellent taste!"
(She touches her index finger to her thumb, raises her eyebrows, and gives a playful gesture of approval.)
At the mention of Daur-e-Adan, Azlan had a coughing fit. As he tried to regain his breath, Sikandar and Aniya both turned sharply and stared at the source of the calamity — all siblings looked alike.
Pushing Aniya aside, Sikandar stepped forward toward Aslan.
"You did very wrong!" he growled in anger. "You had my sister kidnapped on the day of her wedding!"
Daur-e-Adan didn’t hold back either.
"You already took your revenge. So why are you still angry? It was just a reaction!"
Then, with bitterness in his voice, he added,
"But who’s responsible for my sister’s broken marriage? The wedding procession went back today — just because of you!"
Sikandar didn’t respond right away. Daur-e-Adan continued,
"Then it’s simple, isn’t it? Give us your sister. Dear brother, we’ll bring a wedding procession for her — and marry her to our brother said Daur-e-Adan!"
"Keep your mouth shut!"
Azlan spoke harshly for the first time, not caring if Moonsod got offended.
"Whatever my brothers did, I can only apologize. As soon as I found out, I came to return your sister.
Even if you hadn’t called and threatened me, I was already bringing her back. She’s right here — you can ask her yourself."
Aslan’s detailed explanation did calm Sikandar’s anger a little, but his mood was still off.
"Then fix it,"
Please accept my brother’s marriage proposal.
We will make your sister our sister-in-law.
Simple. So, when should we bring the wedding procession (baraat)?”
"She suddenly interrupted,Azlan rubbed his forehead.he didn’t get regular siblings, he got Platos instead. Please excuse us."
Azlaan grabbed Adan’s hand angrily and glared at her,
'Please excuse us — she just blurts out nonsense for no reason.'"
Azlan grabbed Doreeden’s hand and glared at her angrily.
"Yes, in these two hours, I’ve understood quite a lot."
Sikandar also glared at the retreating Adan, while Aslaan was now forcefully dragging him outside.
"Wait a minute, my ice cream!" Adan protested
I’ll feed you myself, now come quietly!"
He forcefully brought her outside.
"What, Azi Bhaiya? Everything was going so well, and you ruined it!"
She leaned against the car with an attitude, speaking sharply.
"Adan? Adan, did he say anything to you? Anything harsh?"
He was helping his sister into the car, asking with concern.
"Oh Azi Bhaiya, there's not even any money involved — why would someone treat Adan harshly?"
She proudly got into the car, making sure to say it.
"By the way, Bhaiya, Bhabhi is really sweet."
But her tone got stuck at that point again.
That's when Azlan gave her a stern look.
He was planning to go home and deal with those two clowns as well.
Yes, it was Aniya who gave them the title of 'specimen'."
Anya, my child, are you okay?
Go ahead and change, I'll get the food served.Sikandar said lovingly."
Lala, the wedding procession has gone back. "She was asking in a gentle tone."
"No, I sent her back because I didn’t want anyone to accuse my sister of kidnapping in the future and ruin her married life.
That’s why I made this decision. Anya already had an arranged marriage — when her brother agreed, she quietly accepted it. When she returned to her room, she seemed lost... completely dazed."
As soon as Anya closed her eyes, all the conversations she had with Azlan started to replay in her mind, and she also remembered her very first meeting with him.
"Mr. You, I’ll only know how deep the wound is if you let me check it!"
Dr. Aniya was irritated by the man's tantrums.
A knife was stabbed near his heart and the bleeding was severe, but the man showed courage and kept his senses intact — he was adamant about one thing: he would only be treated by a male doctor.
When at that moment, in the emergency room, only Dr. Aniya was present, she asked you once to send the male doctor, as he was lying on the stretcher... Then Aniya lost control and, in anger, tore his shirt.
For a moment, seeing his muscular broad chest and six-pack abs, her heart pounded intensely — such a perfect body...
She quickly placed her hand on the wound and began cleaning it with cotton.
He turned his face away with a pout and sat quietly.
Anya was now silently focused on her work.
Azlan could feel the touch of her delicate hands deep in his heart — it was making his heart race.
She was carrying out her task with a professional attitude, but Azlan was really enjoying how she stood so close to him, leaned over him with such concern, and tended to his wound with care and tenderness.
"You’ll need stitches, so please don’t disturb me… otherwise, I’ll have to make you unconscious," she said while looking at him sternly.
"No, don’t make me unconscious… I want to watch the wound being stitched myself," he replied, his reasoning bizarre.
Dr. Aniya gave him a local anesthesia injection. That part of his body went numb.
Now, Dr. Aniya was skillfully stitching the wound — and Azlan kept staring at her face.
Her deep brown eyes, her slightly flushed pink cheeks… her sharply defined rosy lips, with a deadly beauty mark on them… God, was she a girl or a calamity? For a moment, he became oblivious to the entire world.
His constant staring was making Dr. Aniya uncomfortable.
"Can you please… stop staring at me?" she said.
She said bitterly, “I’m getting stitches right now… so can’t I at least ease my pain a little by looking at you?”
At her words, Dr. Aniya gave him a stern glare.
She had already gotten the stitches, and now she was bandaging it. Azlan's eyes were constantly roaming over her. Aniya, almost involuntarily, placed her palm over his eyes... That moment left both of them frozen.
Azlan's heart was racing at 120 km/h, while Aniya, embarrassed by her own action, quickly withdrew her hand.
"If someone is with you, ask them to bring you a shirt," she said while removing her gloves and turning her face away.
Meanwhile, Azlan sat up and started examining his wound. Seeing him sit up like that, Aniya once again got flustered — his body shape was very attractive.
She was looking at a man like that for the first time… then turned her face away and started looking in the other direction.
"You didn’t do right by tearing my shirt... you should’ve brought me a new one," he said softly, observing the way she looked at him and then turned away.
"Mr…? Was that really necessary? You were injured, and you were more concerned about your shirt than your wounds? Uff, what kind of thinking is this?" she scolded him.
Just then, Dr. Suhail entered the room.
"Hello, Mr. Azlan? What’s all this? How did this happen?" he asked with concern.
"It’s nothing… just got slightly injured in a scuffle on the way," Azlan replied with a smile, now shamelessly showing off his body despite the discomfort.
"Sir, outside—Zavi and Aali are insisting non-stop to meet the patient…"
Azlan was deep in thought… But I had clearly told him not to inform them…
"Sir, they’re asking permission to come inside."
"Permission..? As-salamu Alaikum… they don’t usually ask for permission — that means it must be someone else."
Just then, a ten-year-old boy and a woman appeared, entering the room. The woman looked exhausted. She folded her hands in front of Azlan.
Azlan shook his head gently, "Please, put your hands down."
Now, standing shirtless in front of them felt a little awkward for him. At that moment, someone handed him a brand-new branded shirt. With some effort, he put it on and turned his attention toward the woman and the child.
"This all happened because of us. Please forgive us, sir…"
"This isn’t your fault at all. Please don’t think like that. And if that man tries to bother you again, file a police complaint. In fact, I’ll arrange security for you myself. Go home peacefully."
He was calmly buttoning up his shirt as he spoke.
"That scoundrel caused you trouble."
"No... this was already written in my fate. And I’m glad I could help someone."
He was still speaking with calm composure.
"You have a big heart, man," said Dr. Suhail, giving Azlan a look of admiration after the woman and child had left.
"It didn’t hurt, did it?" he asked further.
"No... your hands have healing in them," Azlan replied, turning and giving Dr. Aniya a deep look, smiling softly.
She looked away quickly, flustered.
That moment had passed… maybe it had been three or four months since that accidental meeting.
And Dr. Aniya couldn't forget him for many days... But they never met again, nor was there a chance to. He didn’t even come to get his bandage redone, even though Aniya had started waiting for him with a firm intention. But that wait remained in vain. He got busy in his life... There were no parents, and her brother had fixed her match in a good family. And she, out of respect for her brother, had accepted that proposal.
But then suddenly, all this...? The kidnapping... and a meeting with Azlan once again... Does that mean after all this time, he hadn’t forgotten me either? I was still in his memories... and even his brother said the same thing — that he loves me. So then...?
Aniya’s heart started beating fast. If that was true, then why didn’t he ever try to meet her? And even now, after meeting, he didn’t say anything... What a strange person he is. If you love someone, then express it too! If you don’t even talk to the other person or meet them, how will they ever know what you feel for them?
She removed her jewelry and put it aside, lost in thought.
Anyway, her siblings — all three — are a piece of work. All three seem a bit unhinged. She touched her ears in frustration and thought, Uff, when will all this end?
At that moment, Aali and Zavi were standing under a tree at 2 AM, one leg raised, holding heavy stones in their hands. This was Azlan's "sabza" (punishment) for them. They had been standing there for about 4 hours now, but their punishment wasn’t being forgiven. Azlan himself kept coming to the balcony every once in a while, looking at them and then going back in, while both of them kept staring at him with pleading eyes.
“How did our brother become so cruel? Even our innocent faces aren’t melting his heart. We pulled off such an important mission, and instead of appreciating us and giving us a reward, we got this punishment,” they were sharing their thoughts.
“And look at that Adan, how happy she was at our punishment!” Aali felt bad.
“Man, that Sikander Khan didn’t do the right thing by kidnapping Adan,” Zavi said regretfully.
“It’s not like we took their sister on a picnic,” Aali said, grinding his teeth.
“Well, Adan was saying she did come back after enjoying a picnic,” Zavi said happily, “So technically, I was right!”
"Whose sister is she after all?" — both of them laughed at their own comment. Seeing their faces, Azlan smiled too. Unknowingly, they had done something that Azlan had only thought about but never acted on.
Dr. Aniya was on her rounds when she was informed of Azlan’s arrival. Her heart skipped a beat, but with an expressionless face, she headed towards her cabin where Azlan was waiting. Seeing her enter, he stood up.
"Asalam o Alaikum, how are you?"
"Walaikum Salam… I was fine until now, can’t say about what's next," she replied, taking a deep breath.
Azlan quietly observed her — her features had the sharpness of a Pashtun, and her fair complexion had a fresh glow to it at that moment.
"My two brothers would like to apologize to you. If you allow, they’d like to come in... Zavi? Aali?"
The two who had been eavesdropping at the door immediately rushed inside. Azlan gave them a stern look, calm yet sharp. They were almost 22 years old now, but their behavior was still childish.
"We are sorry, bhabhi (sister-in-law)... please forgive us. We won’t make such a mistake again," they both said in unison.
"Bhabhi...?" — she was stunned by the word. Azlan rubbed his forehead again, frustrated.
"These two will be the death of me one day… Zavi, Aali — behave yourselves!" he scolded them. The two scratched their heads sheepishly and sat near Aniya’s feet. Startled, she pulled her chair back. Azlan also stood up from his place.
"Please forgive us... we’ve made a huge mistake," they said, making innocent faces.
"Alright, move back... I forgive you," she said hesitantly, flustered.
The moment she said that, both of them jumped up and shouted in joy. Truly, they belonged to a family of absolute characters.
Aniya had already addressed them firmly. “Now while we're at it, why don’t you go ahead and accept our brother’s proposal too… our brother is one in a million. And he has already given you his heart. Have a little mercy—by becoming part of his life, make your own life more beautiful as well…”
“Uff... Bhai, please you both go outside,” she said angrily.
Azlan immediately gestured for them to leave, so they unwillingly went out.
"Mr. Azlan, is this how one brings a marriage proposal? This is my office, not a home!”
“We’re ready to come to your house too... you just need to give us one chance,” Zavi added from the doorway, poking his head inside.
Azlan clenched his jaw in frustration.
“I apologize on their behalf… they're crazy,” Azlan said softly.
“If they're crazy, admit them to an asylum, not here...!”
“I’m sorry, Dr. Aniya. From today onward, they won’t bother you anymore.” This time, he spoke with a little bitterness and got up to leave.
Just then, Aniya’s phone rang. It was a call from Sikander.
“Aniya Guriya, come home early today. Some people are coming with a marriage proposal for you.”
Listening to her brother’s words, she became visibly upset and cut the call. She looked at Azlan, walked toward him, and stared into his eyes.
“If you love someone, then say it... before it’s too late. You left your wallet at our house that day...”
Looking into his eyes, she spoke with a heavy heart. Azlan took the wallet from her hand and silently walked out, taking long steps. Two tears slipped from Aniya’s eyes.
Once again, Aniya sat dressed as a bride. But this time, her heart felt heavy... feelings for Azlan had started growing inside her. Yet she was deeply upset that he never confessed his love or sent a formal proposal. If he had spoken to her brother Sikander, would they have refused...?
She was crying quietly in her bridal attire when suddenly the door opened and...?
Sikander Khan, fixing his shawl and spraying perfume, turned around at the sound of the door opening and closing behind him.
His eyes widened in shock. That small girl, wearing a maroon and gold lehenga, adjusting the dupatta entangled in her earrings, slightly lifted her dress in both hands and walked quickly toward Sikander.
“What kind of brother are you?! Does anyone do this to their own sister?”
That tiny girl stood in his room, scolding him while he silently stared at her face.
She was young—but incredibly beautiful—and fully aware of her beauty.
“Are you listening to me, Mr. Sikander Khan? Or are you just planning to cast an evil eye on me by staring like that?”
“Who invited you to my sister’s wedding?”
Her question made Dure Adan’s temper flare up.
“Marry your sister off peacefully to my brother, or else...”
“Or else what...?” he stepped forward in anger. Dure Adan stepped forward too—only an inch remained between them.
“Or else... First Aali and Zaviyan Bhaiya eloped with Bhabhi, and now I’ll do the same…”
She whispered near his ear, her lips brushing against his earlobe. That electric touch made him jerk back.
“Stay away! Don’t talk to me like that!” he snapped, flustered.
“You can’t scold me like this. Otherwise, I’ll complain to my brothers. I’m the only sister of three very protective brothers,” she said, tears welling up in her eyes.
“What is your problem?! Why are you even here? And who let you in?”
“Don’t tell me you came alone... surely those lunatics must be with you too. I swear if you people mess anything up today... you’ll see a side of Khan you’ve never seen before!”
“Really? You have another side too? I want to see it!” she said with teasing curiosity.
“This whole family is crazy...” he muttered and started to leave the room.
She blocked his path.
“First agree to my brother and Aniya Bhabhi’s marriage, then you can go outside!”
She spoke proudly.
“Absolutely not! Today is Aniya’s wedding, and you people only ever come to stop weddings.”
“So if a proposal had come before, would you have accepted it?” she asked boldly.
“Grumpy Khan…?” she said in the same tone as him.
“Who are you calling grumpy?” he asked, brushing hair off his forehead.
Dure Adan looked around, then back at Sikander.
“Well, there’s no one else here, so obviously you.”
“You... you little troublemaker! I’m Dure Adan!” she grinned.
“Now end this grumpiness and accept my brother’s proposal. And if I don’t?”
He held his arm against his chest and said, “Will you separate two people who love each other?”
She made an innocent face and replied, “What rubbish? Aniya doesn’t love anyone! You could’ve at least asked your sister once...? She’ll quietly say yes to wherever you, a grumpy man, decide to get her married.”
“You’re crossing the line now… get out of the room,” he said as he stepped toward the door and opened it, asking her to leave.
But when she didn’t budge, Sikander held her wrist to take her out.
“Please… Sikander Khan, please listen to me,” she said softly, clinging to his feet.
“Alright… what if I say I have one condition for getting these two married?”
“I accept every condition of yours,” she responded passionately, as if she had just won the biggest battle.
“First, hear it out… you’ll have to marry me,” he said, stressing every word.
“That’s it? Just this small thing? Fine, I’ll do it… what’s so big about it?” she laughed.
“I thought you were going to place a huge condition…”
“Think carefully… won’t back out later, will you?” Sikander asked, narrowing his eyes at her.
“I’m a Rajput. I can die, but I can’t go back on my word,” she said confidently.
“Let’s call bhaiya now and tell him. He also deserves a surprise. Uff, this will be so much fun!” she said excitedly, so much that even Sikander couldn’t help but smile.
“Crazy…” he muttered under his breath with a smile as he walked toward Aniya’s room.
She was still getting ready when he entered.
“Aniya, if you want, I’ll cancel this wedding. I feel like your consent isn’t in this.”
“Why are you thinking that, Lala? I accept every decision of yours,” she said, holding his hand.
He smiled and gently placed a caring hand on her head.
“Stay happy… and I hope you’ll always be happy with my decision.”
“Should I love you? And love you so much that until the end of time, I wait only for you… Should I love you?”
The car sped into Khan Villa, where wedding music echoed all around.
Once again, he was late… once again, he was about to lose his love without ever truly having her.
What a painful moment it was...
The thought that today she might truly become someone else’s… brought tears to his eyes. He couldn’t go inside. He couldn’t bear to see her become someone else's in front of his eyes. With a heavy heart, he turned away, when suddenly a call from Adan flashed on his phone. He quickly answered it.
“Bhaiya, will you really leave from here, taking bhabhi with you, without even getting married?”
At her words, Azlan turned around—and saw all three of her cousins standing right there. Sikander Khan was with them too, ready to welcome him.
In the end, he called off the other wedding and gave his sister the silent happiness she deserved.
“Azlan Shah, son of Mukarram Shah, your marriage has been arranged with Aniya Khan, daughter of Azmat Khan, with a mahr (dower) of 10 million rupees. Do you accept this nikah?”
To be able to have his love like this… felt like a blessing only the most fortunate receive. And for him, it was nothing short of a miracle.
Everyone raised their hands in prayer for him. The room echoed with congratulatory voices. Every face glowed with inner joy.
Finally, Aniya Khan had become the daughter-in-law of the Shah family.
Sikander looked over at Adan in the distance, and she immediately startled and nodded, making her way to her brother.
“Bhaiya… I want to marry him,” she said to Azlan as if she’d spotted something she liked at a market and simply had to have it.
“Adan! What kind of behavior is this?” Azlan scolded her.
“Bhaiya, please don’t say no. He wants to marry me too. Tell them, Sikander Khan...?”
The girls who were walking out with Aniya stopped in their tracks upon hearing this conversation.
At the time of Azlan Shah’s nikah, when she heard his name being recited, her heart had instinctively whispered a prayer of gratitude to her Lord.
Allah had listened to her prayers. But now, seeing the situation here, she was upset...
Sikander Khan..? Are you..? Are you also interested in Dure Adan..?"
Azlan asked in surprise. Sikander Khan rubbed his forehead.
"Yes, I want to marry your sister... and she has agreed too."
Wrinkles formed on Azlan’s forehead.
"Fine, let’s go brother… let’s start preparing for the wedding,"
Dure Adan said with great enthusiasm.
"Dure Adan is still very young, and you..?"
"She’s 18 now – of legal age. Don’t you trust me?"
Sikander cut in, asking firmly.
She was caught in a state of confusion.
"And don’t worry, for now it’s just the nikah (marriage contract) — the rukhsati (departure) will happen whenever you decide."
He said, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
And in the very next moment, another nikah was taking place — the only difference was, where earlier Aali and Zaviyan were dancing joyfully, now the boys were hiding their faces and crying like girls.
When Sikander Khan announced the mehr (mandatory marriage gift) as 20 million rupees, Azlan looked at him briefly.
"Even this feels too little to earn the right to call this trouble mine,"
Sikander thought silently while glancing at Dure Adan.
Once the nikah was completed, everyone embraced one another, offering congratulations. Dure Adan also lifted her veil, and the way Sikander Khan looked at her changed — she was radiantly happy.
The music began to play:
"You're so beautiful, I’m enchanted by your sight..."
It felt as though these lyrics were echoing the emotions in Sikander Khan’s heart.
The entire Shah family had gathered at Sikander Khan’s house. Aaliya, Zaviyan, and Dure Adan were playfully teasing Aniya and Azlan as they sat together. Watching the love between the three siblings, Sikander whispered "MashaAllah" in his heart and turned his gaze away.
But Adan noticed him turning away — she immediately stood and went to him, standing in front of him, raising her eyebrows and staring.
"You come too… become part of our family."
She took his strong wrist gently in her delicate fingers and walked toward her brothers and sister-in-law.
That 28-year-old handsome man followed the 18-year-old girl like a magnet drawn to her.
"Let my love be complete, give me just a little love...
Let the skies fall at my feet, give me those beautiful moments...
Let me soak in the rain with you...
Let me live each moment with you...
You’re so beautiful, I’m enchanted by your sight..."
Her publicly holding Sikander Khan’s hand didn’t go unnoticed. The three brothers knew their sister was extremely innocent — and besides them, there was no place in her life for anyone else. But now the man who had entered her life had done so as a rightful mehram.
Soon, it was time for Aniya’s rukhsati (departure).
"I hope you’ll never let tears come to her eyes,"
Sikander said. Azlan took his hand and replied:
"With trust in Allah, I’m taking Aniya as mine. With Allah as my witness, I’m accepting her with all my heart."
I will never let any harm come to you," Sikander had said when he sent Aniya off for her rukhsati (bridal departure). Aniya was welcomed at Shah House with great grandeur. Aali and Zavi had left no stone unturned. In such little time, both of them had beautifully decorated Shah Villa with flowers—flowers everywhere, creating a dreamy atmosphere.
"Such lovely decorations...?" Adan asked in pleasant surprise.
"We had it all arranged on order. Bhabhi, do you like it?" Zavi asked eagerly.
"Everything is so beautiful," Aniya said sincerely. Hearing her soft voice stirred something in Azlan's heart. She was slowly making her way into his heart.
Aali had even arranged for a huge cake. Seeing such a big cake, both Aniya and Azlan were amazed.
"Welcome home, Bhabhi," was written on it. Tears welled up in Aniya’s eyes. She had never imagined she’d get such a loving in-laws' house.
The cake was cut, and pictures were being taken. In every picture, Adan was right up front. Then, using Azlan’s phone, she sent all the pictures to Sikander while mentioning his name. That man, who had been keeping his feelings hidden, suddenly began to feel something stir in his heart.
The empty house had started to suffocate him. One after another, pictures kept coming from an unknown number. Sitting up straight, a smile touched his lips.
"How did you like the pictures, Sikander Khan?"
Reading the message, he bit his lower lip. He knew it was Dure Adan.
"Send me a picture of just you."
Reading that message, a smile touched Dure Adan’s lips. Without any hesitation or shyness, she took a selfie and sent it to Sikander Khan.
But her boldness stirred a storm inside Sikander Khan. He longed to meet her… to hold her. After all, they were already married, but she had practically run away. He hadn’t even had a chance to touch her.
"Miss you..."
That’s the message he was about to send her, but just reading her message made his heart restless. He was a young man with strong emotions, and she—young, beautiful, and now his lawful wife. The distance was now becoming unbearable.
He put his phone aside and went to take a cold shower. But again and again, Sikander’s charming face crept into his thoughts and began to bother him... Uff... how was he supposed to stay patient? That cruel man... In helplessness, he punched the cracked glass beneath the shower.
"No, no! First bring the cash, only then you’ll enter the room!"
The three of them—Zavian, Aali, and Adan—stood blocking Azlan’s way. Zavian and Aali were standing behind Adan, like his bodyguards, while Adan held out her palm in front.
"What does my little doll want?"
"One, two, three—us three, and one Ishal. That makes four. Five lakhs each," she counted playfully and said with a grin.
Azlan placed his ATM card on her palm. "Take out as much as you want."
At his generosity, Aali and Zavian cheered excitedly. Azlan looked at his two brothers with love and pulled them into a hug—these were the ones who, despite every difficulty and danger, had united him with his beloved Aniya.
"Bhaiya, what about me? You didn’t hug me?" Adan pouted, proudly faking some tears. "And I played the most important role! I convinced Sikander Khan for your and bhabhi’s marriage."
Azlan raised an eyebrow at her. "What do you mean? What did you talk about with Sikander Khan?"
"Just asked him to unite you and Aniya bhabhi... and..." she paused.
Azlan, sensing something was wrong, asked seriously, "And... what else?"
She hesitated, but then spilled everything in her innocent charm. "And that... he should let us get married too. He agreed to one thing, I agreed to one."
Azlan’s expression grew dangerously serious. As soon as he entered the room, he saw Aniya sitting shyly on the bed, with everything beautifully set for their wedding night.
All of Azlan's emotions froze... upon realizing that Sikander Khan had distracted his sister with sweet talk—and in the meantime, got her married to him.
Azlan took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and turned toward her. Wrapping his arm around her waist, he pulled her close to his chest. Aniya’s heart skipped a beat… she hadn’t expected him to suddenly pull her so close. Silence fell for a moment. As she felt the soft, warm touch of Azlan’s lips on her neck, Aniya shivered to her core… Without saying a word, he kept showering her in his silent love. Aniya too surrendered herself to his tenderness.
Both of them loved each other in silence, and today, they expressed it without words—only through their actions. Even today, they couldn’t bring themselves to say it out loud.
As the wedding reception came to an end, Sikander returned home only to find out he had to travel to Dubai for an important project. He spent a few days there. Meanwhile, Aniya rejoined the hospital and quickly bonded well with everyone—except Azlan. Though both were deeply in love, the lack of verbal expression created a slight awkward distance between them.
“Bhabhi… bhaiya’s birthday is tomorrow! Every year, we surprise him—what should we do this time?” Adan chirped excitedly.
“Really? He likes surprises?” Aniya asked with growing interest.
“He does, but he never says it openly. He’s always terrible at expressing,” Aali added while scrolling on his phone.
Aniya silently admired how well his siblings understood him.
“Look at this, Adan doll… how’s this for bhai?” Aali said, showing his phone.
“Wow! This is beautiful… Perfect for him!” Adan exclaimed.
Aali showed everyone a luxury self-winding watch spinning on the screen, its design simple yet timeless—just like Azlan. Below it were tiny words: “For the man who says less but means the world to us.”
Everyone loved it. They secretly placed the order for the expensive luxury watch. Aniya and Adan started baking the cake together. Aali took charge of the decorations, and Zavi handled all the food arrangements. Everything was ready well before midnight.
They were all acting so normal at the dinner table that Azlan got a little confused. “Is something going on?”
“No. Why would there be?” Aali quickly replied.
“It’s only been a month since the wedding, can’t expect things to change so fast,” Zavi added casually.
Aniya choked on her food hearing that. She coughed violently, and Azlan, worried, gave her water and gently patted her back. Her face turned red with embarrassment.
Azlan scolded them mildly, “You all should learn to control your tongues.”
“Sorry,” Zavi immediately apologized, lowering his head.
It was ten minutes to midnight. As Aniya got up from bed to leave, Azlan held her tightly in his arms.
“Where are you going?” he murmured sleepily.
“I’m just thirsty… my throat’s dry,” she whispered.
“Water?” he asked softly. But the next moment, his lips met hers, inhaling her breath as if to quench a thirst of his own. His grip tightened around her.
“Still thirsty?” he teased as he rubbed his nose against hers and gently touched her lips with his thumb.
Aniya shyly shook her head no. As he leaned in again, she placed her palm on his lips. “My thirst is gone, Azlan…”
The weight in her voice stirred something deep within him. As he slid the dupatta from her neck, he leaned over her protectively.
“Now, who will quench my thirst?” he whispered.
Flustered, Aniya glanced at the clock. Only one minute remained until midnight—and they were about to be ambushed.
“Azlan, please… stop,” she pleaded and gently pushed him back.
“What do you mean?” he asked, his tone sharp. “You can stop me from coming close?”
“No! I didn’t mean it like that…”
“Enough,” he warned, raising a finger at her.
For the first time, Aniya had resisted his intimate touch, and it felt like a thousand needles had pierced through him. He was never one to force anything. He got off the bed, visibly upset.
Aniya quickly got up and blocked his way. “Please, listen to me… why are you so angry?”
He harshly pulled his hand away from hers. She looked at him with hurt eyes. He was furious.
At that exact moment, the door burst open.
“Happy birthday to you… happy birthday, bhai!”
Azlan looked up, stunned to see them all in his room.
“Bhabhi… that’s not fair. We were waiting outside for so long. You weren’t coming out—we had no choice but to come in!”
They stood before him with the cake.
“How’s the surprise?” Zavi asked.
A smile finally touched Azlan’s face. “It’s beautiful.”
They all celebrated his birthday, cutting the cake and handing him the gift. Azlan tugged their ears playfully in return. Laughter filled the room.
After they left, Aniya quietly began cleaning up. Azlan helped her. She remained very quiet.
When he held her hand, she looked up with tears in her eyes—but didn’t pull her hand back. She knew how painful it was when a hand that once held you lovingly is now pushed away.
“I’m sorry,” Azlan said as he wiped her tears and softly kissed her lips. But she kept crying silently.
“Please, forgive me… I thought you…?”
“Azlan Shah, those who love might leave the world… but not their beloved.”
She turned to leave, but he pulled her back into his arms.
“I love you,” he whispered, closing the distance between them with his confession. And Aniya needed that love today—more than ever.
Azlan had proven his love not only through actions today—but also through words.
“What is this?” Sikander asked, shocked, looking at the papers. He had just returned from Dubai.
“Divorce papers,” Azlan replied seriously.
Frowning, Sikander looked confused. So did Adan—her face turned pale.
“You made a deal using my sister? And I don’t accept it. If I had known earlier, I would never have let things come to this—my sister staking herself for me!”
Everyone was stunned by Azlan’s words. Aniya stood frozen.
Sikander looked at Adan, then walked up to her. “If you want this relationship to end… you can say it.”
He said it so simply. His words echoed in her breath.
Tears streaming down, Dure Adan looked at him with disbelief. His face was unreadable. Suddenly, she threw herself into his chest—and began hitting him like a child.
Everyone was shocked by her reaction. Sikander silently let her hit him.
Finally, she broke down completely in his arms.
Aali and Zavi stood with their mouths open. Azlan too was equally stunned. Their only little sister had just given her heart to someone else.
Sikander looked at Azlan and nodded confidently. “I believe you’ve got your answer now?”
He tightened his embrace around Dure Adan and said, “She’s mine now.”
Azlan took a deep breath, then ripped the divorce papers and walked back to his room. Aali and Zavi disappeared quietly, giving them privacy. Aniya too left.
“Princess…?” Sikander wiped her tears. “If you cry like this, I’ll take you with me tonight.”
She looked down shyly, playing with his jacket.
“I want your smile… not these tears,” he said.
Dure Adan looked at him intently, and he sealed his love with a kiss on her forehead. A wave of calm washed over her.
“I want to come with you—to Khan Haveli,” she whispered.
“Why? What will you do there?”
“I’ll drink cold drinks, eat nimko and ice cream—all Pakistani—but only if made by your hands!” she giggled through her tears.
Sikander sighed, rubbing his forehead—and gave her a soft, daring kiss.
“Sikander Khan!” she gasped.
“Shhh! Don’t shout. It’s our secret.”
“This? A secret?” she asked.
“i will fullfil all your wishes,” he said, gently biting her chubby cheek.
“Ow! Don’t bite, or I’ll bite back!” she teased.
Sikander immediately controlled himself—his three brothers could show up from anywhere!
But Dure Adan wasn’t far behind—she gave his cheek a playful bite in return.
“You…?” he started.
Were you trying to separate my brother from Dure Adan? Aniya’s sudden entrance startled him.
“No! I could never even think of that…” he said, pulling her into a hug.
“And the divorce papers?”
“That was a misunderstanding…” he whispered against her neck.
“Gone now?” she asked.
“Or do you want an injection to cure you?” she said through gritted teeth.
“Only if it’s a love injection,” he replied seductively and took her into his arms once more…
The End.
