The hall was filled with guests, all dressed in their finest attire. The air was thick with the scent of expensive perfumes and the aroma of traditional food. Laiba sat in the middle of the room, surrounded by women who were all talking and laughing. She felt like an outsider, a spectator in her own wedding.
She looked at the door, hoping to see her father walk in, but he never did. She felt a lump in her throat and tried to swallow it down. She had to be strong, for herself and for Haider Ahmed.
The ceremony began and Laiba felt like she was in a dream. She heard the words being spoken, but they didn’t seem real. She felt the weight of the gold jewellery on her neck and the heavy fabric of her dress. She felt the eyes of the guests on her, judging her, questioning her.
She looked at Shehbaz, who was sitting across from her. He looked handsome in his traditional suit, but there was something about him that made her uneasy. He had a smirk on his face, as if he knew something she didn’t.
The ceremony ended and Laiba was officially married. She felt a sense of relief, but also a sense of dread. She was now a part of the Hamadi family, a family she barely knew.
She was led to a car and driven to the Hamadi mansion. The mansion was even more grand than the Ahmed mansion, with high ceilings and marble floors. She was led to her room, which was decorated with flowers and candles.
She sat on the bed and looked around the room. It was beautiful, but it didn’t feel like home. She felt alone, even though she was now married.
She heard a knock on the door and Shehbaz walked in. He looked at her and smiled, but it wasn’t a kind smile. It was a smile of triumph.
“Welcome home, Laiba,” he said, his voice cold and calculating.
Laiba felt a shiver run down her spine. She knew then that her life was about to change, and not for the better.