Aaliyah's POV

"Aaliyah! What are you doing here?" Bhabijaan's surprise expression was very much visible but so was her warm smile as I called her from behind.

"I heard you are fulfilling your first responsibility as a queen. So I came." I returned her smile.

She got closer to me so all other people wouldn't hear us. I furrowed my brows in confusion.

"Um...so what exactly am I supposed to do?Because I...uh well I am not sure what I need to do." She asked hesitantly.

So bhaijaan was accurate. She really did need help. I did bluntly know about her accident and about her losing certain memories or maybe all of it. It was not something I would wish for anyone let alone her. But what makes me happy is Bhaijaan is at least taking care of her. I don't know why but I decided to tease her a little.

"You don't know?" I made a surprised face.

"I-uh well...the thing is..." she stuttered. Her reactions are way too cute to not tease her

I couldn't control my emotions seeing her adorable face so I ended up laughing.

"Should I tell you something honestly? I didn't come here by myself. Bhaijaan has sent me here. He said this is your first responsibility after becoming his wife so I should be with you, guide you. You don't have to do anything by yourself. Everything will be done by them, you just have to over watch them. Just this."

I could see the blush forming on her cheeks. Of course she was blushing. I would like it too if my husband did something for me like this. Bhaijaan has been such a caring husband throughout these one month that he has made me wish to have a husband just like him.

Deewan Saheb stays with him all the time. Won't the two of them have similar personalities?

"Let's go bhabijaan?"

She nodded her head as we proceeded to guide the attendee's with their work. The already knew what to do. After all they were very familiar with my chachajaan's peculiar nature. They won't ever show it of course but I know they are equally annoyed about their arrival.

But one thing I am excited about is the arrival of my favorite Bisma baji. She is the most mature one among them I swear. The rest of them only know how to be annoying and tiresome.

Specially that one son of Chachajaan.

"Why even bother choosing an outfit baji? All your outfits are different shades of pink anyway!" Humayra brought some gorgeous outfit keeping them on my bed as I returned to my chamber.

She is not wrong though. All the clothes I own are different shade of pink. I don't remember the last time I wore any other color. Maybe white sometimes but even that was rare.

"What is your favorite color Deewan Saheb ji?" I asked curiously as I placed my hands on the both side of my waist.

"Favorite color? Uh-It's-umm...pink! My favorite color is pink." He answered as if trying to weigh his answer.

Right away my ten year old self threw away all other colors that I owned. I only ever wore pink. Any other color never attracted me. And in the hope that wearing his favorite color will make me attractive in his eyes, I started wearing all shades of pink.

"I like pink. Only pink suits me so why bother wearing any other color." I looked at the dress she brought.

Even though all of them were beautiful there was something missing in them. I didn't like them enough to wear them tonight.

"I don't like these. All of these seem....dull.Bring something else out."

"Something else?" Humayra furrowed her brows.

"Quickly Humayra.I don't have time for this." I said sternly.

She brought some new ones and finally I found one. A beautiful mauve anarkali with silver embroidery and few dark pink roses here and there. I knew the moment I saw a glimpse of it that I am going to wear this tonight. It's beautiful enough to turn heads. I hope I turn that one head though.

"This one Humayra." I raked my fingers in the dress.

"Ji Baji."

"Will he like this one?" I whispered.

"Who will like what?" Humayra asked from behind.

I flinched from the realization that my voice was louder than I anticipated it to be.

"I actually-" I tried to say but stopped immediately.

I was dying to share with someone that I had a man I loved. But every time I tried I felt scared. Scared of being judged, of being misunderstood. It isn't exactly a princess likely thing to fall for the advisor of the sultanate who is also your brother's best friend.

"Nothing. Just prepare my outfit and jewelry." I turned away so my nervous face wasn't visible to her.

I am never going to say this to anyone. Hell, I haven't confessed to the person I like because of the fear of being judged and rejected let alone other people.

I don't even know if he sees me in that kind of way, in a way a man would see a woman. To him I am just his best friend's little sister and a princess. And that's why so desperately, I try to do everything in power to make him notice me in a different way.

I wore the beautiful dress and sat in front of the mirror while Humayra helped me with my jewelry. I put deep kohl around my eyes as Humayra smiled looking at me.

"MashaAllah Baji! You look so beautiful I will have to make sure no one puts evil eye on you."

"Don't exaggerate!" I blushed.

It wasn't unknown to me that I am beautiful. Probably way above the average or that's what people have been saying to me since my childhood. Even though I know it was flattery, I know it somewhat was true too.

I was considered beautiful and it was known to the people around the kingdom. Several requests to form alliances were received from various Sultanate. And I was quite lucky to be very honest that Bhaijaan hasn't accepted even one.

But how long? I am already at the prime age of eighteen and more than eligible to marry even bear kids! One day he will accept one and fix my marriage with some unknown man. What will I do then? How can I even fight for a man whose feelings are unknown to me.

A sour feeling spreads in my stomach at the thought of marrying someone else other than Deewan Sahab or even carrying their offspring. The lunch I had earlier pools in my throat threatening to come out any minute now.

"Shehzadi Aaliyah,Sultan aaye hain aapse milne." An attendee said from behind drawing me out of my trance.

(Princess Aaliyah,Sultan is here to meet you.)

"Bhaijaan?" I furrowed my brows standing up from my chair.

I placed the veil on my head walking towards the entrance of my chamber.

"Bhaijaan! Assalamualaikum." I went ahead and hugged him. And as always he caressed my hand softly.

"Are you ready my baby?"

"I am!" I nodded.

"Then do me a favor?"

"A favor? You know you don't have to ask just say bhaijaan even though you have a lot of them to ask recently." I smirked.

"Taakhliya!" All the girls around me started backing up slowly.

"Is it something so serious?" I asked now in tension.

"Your bhabijaan is really angry with me. I need to talk to her alone before all these function but we won't get time. When you are all ready can you bring her to the abandoned chamber in the east and leave afterwards?"

My tension flew away in a moment replacing with a teasing smile.

"Why did you do something to anger her in the first place bhabijaan? Very rude of you!"

"You know I have prepared some beautiful jewelry specially anklets for you.Forget it if you don't want t-"

"Your work will be done with utmost care Bhaijaan." My face became all serious.

"So nice of you Aaliyah." He smiled playfully making me smile too.

"Let me leave now. I will be waiting in the chamber so hurry up okay?" He left after I gave him a nod. So eager!

"Humayra!"

"Ji baji?"

"Looks like you have to make some space for my new jewelry." I smiled mischievously.

"Oh, I will do it."

After doing what I was supposed to do which was delivering bhabijaan to her destination as per bhaijaan's instructions I made my way to inner part the Deewan-E-khas.

God forbid if Chachajaan sees not even one of us in there he is going to create drama to seek attention.

But for the second time in the day my eyes sprinkled as a my lips widened on its own accord seeing him in the way. But this time I wasn't the only own who acknowledged his presence, he acknowledged mine too. And he greeted me first too!!!!

"Assalamualaikum Shehzadi Sahiba."

I was literally clutching onto my clothes to not smile like a fool in front of him but who was I kidding. I was already a fool in love. My whole heart jumped in excitement trying to not show how excited I was to finally gain some acknowledgement from him.

"Walaikum Assalam Deewan Saheb. I-"

"Do you know where Sultan is? He isn't here yet and they have already arrived at the gates of the palace."

I let go of my clothes immediately. I was a fool indeed. He wasn't greeting me because he was interested in me. He greeted me because he wanted to know about my brother.

The smile left my face a long time ago anyways as soon as it came.

"Yes. He is with bhabijaan and ordered not anyone to disturb him."

"But th-"

"I will handle it don't worry. Also Saad bhai. Where is he?" I looked around.

"He is at the front to receive them."

"Then he will do half of the job. I will do the rest."  I smiled.

I stole a short moment to admire the man I loved. Black hair, amber eyes, sharp jaw with fine beard, muscular body. Hairs so soft and black dark as night that I wanted to play with them with the tip of my fingers for crying out loud. He had what every woman would admire in man.

But he was more than that. He was the 'I am here' to the moments of tears where no one else even noticed. He was the 'Are you hurt?' to even the slightest injury I would get. And he is the 'Don't worry, I will protect you' to even the smallest danger I ever encountered with even if it was just Saad bhai's teasing.

He might have said those words mindlessly since I was just a little kid to him. But I never forget those words. Those words saved me from my darkest days. When no one else saw past through my smile, he probably did. And even if he didn't, he gave me the attention I craved. Since my brothers were busy with their training and my mother was busy with my brother, the little girl in me always craved affection from someone. And he was busy too yet somehow effortlessly I always found him by my side when I needed someone.

"Then I will let you handle it Shehzadi Sahiba." He gave a curt nod leaving me alone.

But not for long. I consoled myself.

He has be to mine. If his name isn't entangled with mine then I shall never entangle any other man's name with mine.

Never.

I smiled as I looked down anticipating the day he finally becomes mine but a sharp clutch on my arms stopped me making me hiss in pain.

"Who th-" I turned around but my the inside of my mouth immediately turned sour.

"Shehzadi Aaliyah. Please accept my sincere greetings."

Arham. The one man whom I couldn't even stand a sight of. My cousin brother and the youngest son of my Chachajaan.

If I were called a spoiled brat then he should be called something worse.Because he was worse. Ungrateful, bratty, disgusting and clingy. Towards me. Delusional too, because he thought he could marry me.

"Let go of my hand!" I jerked my hands off.

"Areh begum jaan aap toh naraz ho gayi! Aapni hone wale shauhar ka khush aamdeed nehi karengi?"

(You got angry! Won't you welcome your future husband?)

"Sirf aur sirf bhaijaan ke liye chup hain. Unhe aur mushkil nehi dalna nehi chahte aapke aisi harket ke bare mein ittila kar ke. Par humare khamoshi ka fayda na uthaye. Isi khamoshi aap par ek din bhari padhegi." I glared.

(I am silent only because of bhaijaan. I don't want to add more to his trouble by telling about your stupid deeds. But don't take advantage of my silence because this will be your end one day.)

"Kitni pyaari lagti hain ese jab humse narazgi dikhati hain begum jaan." He tried to inch closer.

(You look so adorable when you show your anger like this.)

"Isi zaaban ek din kat dalenge hum.Humare sabr ka imtehaan na le toh hi appke liye behtar hoga. Hum aapke begum jaan nehi hain aur kabhi bhi nehi honge."

( I will cut this tongue of yours one day. It is better for you to not test my patience. I am not your wife and I never will be.)

I straightened my veil before sparring a glare at his way.

Men thought they had their way with women. But they didn't know at the end of the day they will roam around the same woman just for a yes.

"Chachajaan!" I put my fakest adorable smile once seeing him as I marched towards him. Saad bhai already standing there with them with an equal fake smile.

My smile subsided a little as I saw Arham bhai joining beside his father with a big smile. But I quickly recovered from it as Chachajaan began speaking.

"You are here too. But your Bhaijaan didn't had the conscience to come and greet us? What utter nonsense is this? Does he think he has become that big of a man now?"

I took a deep breath to handle whatever is coming ahead.

"There's a saying that the important people should always arrive late. Isn't that right Chachajaan?"

My sudden imprudence totally caught him off guard.

"Don't take it so seriously Chachajaan! Bhaijaan is just arriving. There was a sudden matter he had to take care of. Be comfortable and he will be just here." I put on my fake smile yet once again.

He huffed but eventually proceeded to sit down. He might a little grumpy but he is not a bad person after all. He just likes to be prioritized.

Not too long after sitting behind the curtain Bhaijaan and Bhabijaan arrived.I ushered bhabijaan inside secretly so no one would be suspicious of anything. She sat with her maid muttering something while I sat with Bisma baji.

"You have grown a lot haven't you?" She teased me.

"Oh? Have I now? I am turning eighteen this year baji!" I smiled.

"Oh, what a perfect age to get married. I should ask Rashid bhaijaan to marry you off now." She nudged me.

I know she was only teasing me but whatever she said made me scared.Again that is going to happen one day and Allah forbids if I don't do anything to prevent that my life will be hell.

"What about you then?You are older than me and still not married.How are even managing Chachajaan?!"

"What can I say? I am just that intelligent. By the way is that your bhabijaan?" She pointed at bhabijaan with her eyes.

"Oh yes.Do you want me introduce you to her?I-"

"No. I will do that by myself." She gave one of her mischievous smiles.

"Baji!Don't do anything you are planning to do! She is a very nice person, don't mess with her."

"Oh come on! A little fun never hurts anyone plus we should see what kind of begum our bhaijaan got after all." She stood up walking up to bhaijaan while I slapped my forehead with my palm. She and mischiefs never ends.

She said something which made bhaijaan flare in anger but I couldn't really hear them from the distance we had. Ya Allah Bisma baji is looking for trouble isn't she! If bhaijaan knows about this mischief she is going to get a good scold from him! As bhabijaan left with a raging speed from her side, I soon followed where they stood.

"What did you say to her to make her this angry?" I nudged her arms.

"Just the fact that how my delusional father wanted Rashid bhai to marry me."

Your father isn't the only delusional man in your family is what I wanted to say but the words stuck at my throat.

"Ya Allah baji! Why do you always seek trouble! Bhabijaan was already angry about something and now you made it worse!"

"Don't sound so worried Aaliyah! Your bhabijaan is one of a kind. Rashid bhai chose a deserving begum for him after all." She giggled as if doing that brought her so much fun. It probably did. But I couldn't control myself and soon joined in her giggles. After a short while the dinner was served and we both chatted and laughed while talking.

I know I have Humayra and now Bhabijaan but I missed having such company for so long. To talk to a woman who is as spiteful as me or even more.

After catching up with Bisma baji for a while it was time for Bhaijaan to announce the end of the dinner and for us to retire to our chamber or so I thought. Ugh please I might come to killing if I see a person between me and my bed.

"Should I talk to Rashid bhaijaan about our wedding Aaliyah." He leaned again the pillar a few feet away from my bedchamber. It wasn't even a question.

Found the perfect person to kill.

I almost emptied my entire dinner because eww he is my freaking brother! Also the person who should talk to my brother about our marriage is doing nothing!

I cursed myself mentally for letting go of my maids and guards because I got so busy with chatting with Baji. Kill me.

"How about I talk to him about murdering you? I think I would prefer that more." I gave him a subtle smirk. My words seemed to turn his mood off as he straightened up his posture and approached me with steady step. My instinct told me to back away but I couldn't let him see the tiniest bit of timidness.

Men like him always like to prey on women because they think we are weaker than them.

"Do you know what I think? I think you will end up marrying me only. I am anticipating the day when I have you within my hold, in my palace,in my chamber. You will carry my heirs and give me as many as I want." He whispered painfully close to my skin. His breath hit the shell of ear as my whole body awakened in fear.

Someone. Anyone. Please.

"I-I will never do that. No. I will never let that happen. The one thing you can keep doing is,dreaming." I whispered. If it wasn't my own voice I don't think I would have known I even spoke.

My breath started racing as the unknown feeling that I pressed down so hard from my past started blurring my vision. The same kind of feeling, the same amount of anxiety started building up once again. And once again I am alone in front of my hunter and there's no one to save me. There never was.

The fear of loneliness itched in my skin and my skin suddenly began to feel cold. As if I was laid out on an ice, bare. If feels so cold, it burns!

No! Not right now!

"Shehzadi Sahiba?" A familiar voice, a voice whose I would recognize any day, any time. Like a warm blanket over my cold naked body his voice made me feel alive again. I snuck in a breath not realizing for how long how I wasn't breathing.

"Deewan Saheb." I breathed forcing a smile into my face. That's what I do. When I don't know what to do I just force a smile on my face. Fake it till you make it right? As long as no one knows what storm goes through your mind and heart you just need to keep pretending.

"Is everything okay?" For the first time in many years the tone of worry returned in his voice. Despite feeling scared just a moment before I couldn't help but feel a little content because I got what I craved all these times.

He spared a look at Arham bhai before turning his gaze to me once again. For once they didn't seem cold to me in again many years as the slightest bit of warmth returned in them for me. But I will take it. In fact I will take whatever he will give me. Even if it's his coldness.

"Of course! We are just talking and catching up you know?And we would like the privacy when we do. So why don't you-" Arham bhai's hands tried to grasp my waist to pull me by his side but I took a step forward to ignore it just in time.

I wasn't going to let a man I wasn't married to touch me. In fact I won't let anyone but Deewan Saheb to touch me. And I definitely wasn't going to let stupid Arham bhai touch me.

"We are done with whatever catching up we had to. I would like to retire to my bedchamber now. Deewan Saheb would you be kind enough to escort me?" I took another step forward as he  seemed to weigh the request.

That's how he is. That's how my man is. Calculative and decisive. He always knows what he is doing even if it's as simple as escorting me to my room. And while I did ask him because I couldn't risk that stupid following me behind, I also couldn't miss this short yet golden opportunity.

"Of course. Please lead the way." I smiled as I walked ahead without sparring that stupid a second glance .Soon we left him behind and it was just us and the solace of silence lingering around us.

Us. I love that word when it includes me and Deewan Saheb only.

I needed to say something! Anything. Please. I can't let this chance slip away from my fingers just like this.

"I have been planning on sharping my skills in calculations. I was hoping you would help." Stupid! Dumb! Idiot! I hate that damn thing. The hell is wrong with me!