Chapter 162: Announcement

"Sheharzaad?" Alizey's mother asked her with a voice full of surprise.

"Yes, mommy," Alizey responded.

"The caller talks with her?" Her mother asked again.

"Yes, mommy. And I -"

"Why do you think that, Alizey?" It was Shehryaar who interfered and asked Alizey with a

frown and it was then, Sheharzaad began to feel lightheaded when she recalled the last call

she had. She had made sure no one was looking.

Shehryaar noticed Sheharzaad going stiff as soon as he asked Alizeh. His peripheral vision

wotnessed her face getting paled and her hands shaking.

"She was talking with that person naa. I was playing hide and seek with Haseeb, when the

phone rung and Sheharzaad baji attended it and she talked too. I thought she may knew," As

soon as Alizeh uttered these words, Sheharzaad's fear skyrocketed. She looked left and

right, as if finding someone who could help her to escape this predicament. Particularly

Shehryaar. Who still hasn't looked up at her.

Sheharzaad held the glass of water, placed near her. And everyone noticed how bad her

hand shook.

She was terrified.

"Who were you talking to?" Asma asked Sheharzaad. She looked at her, her chest heaving up

and down. She so wanted to run away from there.

"N-no one. It was actually," she glanced at Shehryaar who was staring at her too as if waiting

for her explanation. And that had her loose her shit. Tears of terror already filling up her

eyes. Her throat constricting. She found herself helpless. As if someone has her by the wall,

taking her life, and she had no route out of that predicament.

"How and when did you give our house's phone number to someone?"

"N-no... I-I w-was," Sheharzaad stuttered, and a tear escaped her eye. She sniffled, and

looked down at the table.

"You were what?" Asma pressed when Shehryaar rose his hand, indicating his aunt to stop.

"She is only answerable to me, Aunt," he told, "you're no one to question her," His tone was

crisp as he turned towards Sheharzaad, made her look up and clean her tears.

"I... I.. did not... did.. not," She whispered for only his ears to hear. His eyes were on the tears

that had streaked her cheeks as his thumb cleaned them. He then looked directly in her

teary, helpless eyes.

"We'll see, Sheharzaad," And she found her breath hitching. She was not off the hook.

Shehryaar then turn towardshis family, "Everyone continue their lunch. I will look into this

matter," he announced and they all continued with their meals.

When everyone was done with the dinner, their eyes moved towards their grandfather for

the announcement he had to make and for which he had asked for everyone.

"I want you all to listen to my next words with great attention." he said, getting their

attention.

"Shehryaar is going to make the announcement today which you all had been anticipating,"

he told and Shehryaar looked over to them as now all the expectant eyes moved towards

him.

"I'm now not talking you as a member of this family but as the head of this haveli and as the

leader of the mafia. My statement would be a direct order and I don't want any hue or cry or

any disobedience by your side after listening to my statement," he said, his words oozing

authority and power.

Now everyone was sure even if they won't like what he's going to stay they'd still have to

accept it.

"On the mutual understanding of Irtaza and my grandfather, we have reached to a decision.

As the head, I'm announcing the wedding of Haseeb and Dua,"

The word, 'what!' was on the tip of their tongues but they couldn't utter it.

"Bhai," Dua began and Shehryaar passed him a look that instantly shut her up. That look

shut everyone up.

"I won't have anyone questioning my decision," he said, looking at everyone with his lethal

eyes.

"And mine's and Sheharzaad's Nikkah and Rukhsati (marriage) is going to be a week later,"

he announced.

She, who stood beside her, had her eyes bulged out at this announcement. She choked on

her breath.

Her wedding was just a week away.

The dreaded wedding.

And she was coming to know about this now.

Shehryaar stood up, not before claeaning his mouth with the handkerchief.

"I hope I have made myself clear to everyone," he said and then forwarded his hand.

Sheharzaad who was not out of the shock of the announcement saw Shehryaar's hand in her

vision. She knew he was asking her to take his hand. She immediately placed her small hand

in his large ones and stood up, next to her.

Giving them a last look, he led her to his office.

As soon as they reached there, he got her inside and closed the door. Before encaging her

between the door and him.

His arm next to her head.

Sheharzaad found herself crying already. As tears after tears left her eyes and flowed down

her cheeks. Her eyes held pure helplessness and he read it.

She wanted to say something but she waited for his permission.

"Say," he whispered, his gaze going down to her plump lips.

"I did... not.... not.... I did not... I did... did not... I am... innocent... I'm... I am.. innocent-" she was

a blubbering mess when Shehryaar placed his thumb on her lips, indicating her to stop.

"That's my decision to make," And Sheharzaad felt the ground slipping beneath her feet. He

wasn't trusting a word she was saying.

She gave a small nod to him.

His eyes remained on hers for a while before looking down at her lips. He slightly tilted his

head and moved near her. She wished she could step back but the door had restricted her

movements.

She knew she couldn't deny his advancemenets so neother did hs eturn her face away. She

just moved her head down, not matching his gaze.

He tilted her head upwards and placed a chaste kiss on her forehead.