"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 anyway.
"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 for 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 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 it.
They won't believe it if we disagree with the news. Moreover, it's about Dad's image. It's already damaged after my engagement 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 are 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.