Author's POV

Hana was sitting on the floor beside the bed, hugging her knees, weeping continuously. Rumaan was sleeping peacefully on the bed.

She looked up at him and broke into another wave of sobs, covering her mouth with both hands to muffle her cries. She couldn’t believe what had happened just an hour ago. How Rumaan had lost control and forced her. He wasn’t even that drunk, and Hana knew that—but still, he did this. Gathering herself, she stood up, wiping her tears.

She walked to Rumaan’s side and covered his shirtless body with the duvet. She looked at him in disbelief—was this really her Maan, the man she had loved her whole life? The same Maan who had done this horrible thing to her? She turned around and ran to her room.

As soon as she entered her room, she went straight to the bathroom. After a long shower, she changed into comfortable clothes and looked at herself in the mirror. There were hickeys on her neck, shoulders, and collarbone, and visible handprints on her wrists. She sat on the bed, lost in thoughts of what had happened an hour ago.

Flashback

Rumaan pushed her onto the bed, and before she could react, he was on top of her. She was stunned at first, but when she saw him leaning in toward her face, she turned away and started struggling.

“Maan, what are you doing?” she asked, trying to push him off.

“What do you think?” he whispered, beginning to kiss the side of her face.

“Maan… Let go of me… You’re drunk,” she kept struggling, but Rumaan didn’t stop.

“No… I’m not drunk. I know exactly what I’m doing,” he replied, kissing her jawline. Then he buried his face in her neck, making Hana shiver.

Rumaan knew what he was doing, but he didn’t want to stop. He didn’t understand why he felt so desperate for Hana, but all he knew was that he wanted her—her beauty, her innocence, her mad love for him. Even now, she could scream for help, but she wasn’t doing it. She knew it would affect Rumaan’s image, and that drove him crazier.

“Maan… Please don’t do this,” she pleaded, pushing him away. That only angered him. He pinned both her hands above her head and looked down at her before crashing his lips onto hers, kissing her roughly. Hana’s tears began to fall.

He left her lips and moved to her throat. Hana bit her lips to hold back a scream. When he bit her neck, a whimper escaped her.

“Hana… You’re driving me insane,” he whispered in her neck and bit her again. He slid her dress off her shoulders and kissed her all over.

“Maan… Please… Don’t… do this,” she sobbed. Her cries triggered his temper.

“Hana, stop this damn crying! Didn’t you say I have every right? I’m your husband—then it’s your duty to fulfill your husband’s needs and desires!” he shouted in her face, making Hana gulp in fear.

“You do have every right, Maan… but this isn’t right… not before rukhsati (official send-off), it’s not—”

“Oh shut up! I don’t care! I want you, and that’s it! You’re in my nikah (marriage contract), and that’s enough. We’re doing nothing wrong,” he growled, burying his face in her neck again, inhaling her scent. Hana stopped struggling and tried to convince herself with his words, but she couldn’t.

When he noticed she had stopped resisting, he let go of her hands and started roaming his hands over her body.

Hana loved him too much to feel disgusted by his touch—it wasn’t about disgust. She just wasn’t ready for this. And if Rumaan succeeded in what he was trying to do, despite her lack of consent, she would never be able to forgive him.

He continued kissing and touching her. As he started unbuttoning his shirt, Hana looked at him with wide, tearful eyes. He threw his shirt on the floor and looked down at her, noticing the tears falling from her eyes.

“Relax, Hana… It’s not wrong. You know that. We’re married… So stop crying,” he said softly, wiping her tears. Hana looked at him with pleading eyes and tried one last time to stop him.

“Maan… I know it’s not wrong… And believe me, I love you way too much to ever deny you. It’s just that I’m not ready for this. And I know you’re not drunk, but you’re not stable either… I want this moment to be about love, not just lust. Please understand, Maan… I love you… Don’t do this…” Her voice cracked as she covered her face and began sobbing loudly.

Rumaan looked at her, suddenly uneasy. He removed her hands from her face, cupped her cheeks, and wiped her tears. Then he leaned down and kissed her softly for a while before getting up and lying beside her, closing his eyes. Hana was shocked for a few moments. She turned to look at him asleep and let out a sigh of relief with a soft gasp before sitting up.

She stared at him while slowly standing, but her knees buckled. She slid down to the floor, crying silently.

Flashback Ends

Hana stared at the ceiling for a while, her eyes heavy with sleep, and eventually drifted off.

**********

Rumaan’s POV

I opened my eyes, groaning as sunlight hit my face, and shut them again. My head was pounding, so I lay still for a few minutes before trying to sit up. I held my head, wondering why I was in pain. Then it all came back—I had been with friends last night and ended up drinking. I tried to avoid it but gave in.

I removed the duvet and stood up to head to the bathroom but froze when I saw my shirt on the floor. I tried to recall how I got here, and as last night’s events with Hana flashed in my mind, my eyes widened, and I collapsed onto the nearby couch.

Maan… please… don’t… do this—I could hear Hana’s pleading voice.

Everything replayed clearly in my head. I wasn’t even that drunk—I remembered everything. I had lost control.

Shit! I tried to force myself on her. How could I do that?

I cursed under my breath. I couldn’t believe what I’d done. I wasn’t the kind of man who would force a girl. How had I ended up trying to force Hana?

This girl made me feel things I never felt before. First, that kiss… and now this desperation.

I shook my head and sighed—but as I recalled her beneath me on the bed, a small smile played on my lips.

Uggh! Rumaan! Stop these disgusting thoughts and think about how to apologize to her! I scolded myself and walked toward the washroom.

Hana’s POV

I woke up to the sound of my alarm. My head hurt from the lack of sleep, but I ignored it. I needed to go to college. I got out of bed, picked up my clothes, and went to the washroom. After getting dressed, I stood in front of the mirror. As I dried my hair, my eyes landed on the marks on my neck. A small gasp escaped my lips.

Oh Allah! These marks are so visible. What if someone sees them?!

I began to panic and searched for a solution. An idea struck me. I tied my hair up and wrapped my dupatta (scarf) around my neck—it was the only way to hide the marks. I knew people would still give me weird looks, but I had no choice.

I sighed and stepped out of my room, heading to the dining area. No one was there, so I sat down. I knew Mama was in the kitchen making breakfast. Normally, I would help her, but I didn’t feel like it today.

Sitting there, my mind drifted again to last night. What if Maan hadn’t stopped? Would I be able to face him again? Or forgive him? I loved him so much… I didn’t want anything to ruin our relationship. My thoughts spiraled until I suddenly heard a voice behind me.

“Good morning,” came a whisper.

Maan’s whisper.

I froze. My heart started racing—fear and a blush rushed over me. My cheeks heated as I remembered how he kissed and touched me. I looked down, avoiding eye contact.

“Angry?” he asked again, this time slightly louder.

When I didn’t respond, he sighed and sat beside me. I still didn’t look at him.

“Hana…” he began, but I cut him off.

“I... I should... he-help... Ma-Ma...” I stammered, standing up to leave.

“Okay, after breakfast... we need to talk, Hana,” I heard him say.

“After that... I’m going to... col...college...” I stammered again in a low voice and turned to leave, but he held my wrist and pulled me into his lap. My eyes widened in shock.

“What are you doing?! Let me go! Someone will see us,” I whispered, panicking, trying to wiggle away, but he held my waist tightly.

“I don’t care… First, promise me you won’t go anywhere until you hear what I have to say,” he demanded, eyeing my dupatta with a frown.

“Maan… Please let me go… It’ll be embarrassing if someone sees… Please,” I begged, but he shook his head. He reached for my dupatta, and I quickly stopped him with my hand.

I gave him a questioning look.

“I don’t like this. Please take it off,” he pouted, and I nearly smiled but held it back.

“Then don’t do it again,” I replied, looking at him. He looked confused.

“What?”

“Yeh aapki meherbani hai,” I said sarcastically, rolling my eyes. (This is your kindness.)

“I…” Before he could reply, we heard footsteps approaching. I panicked.

“Maan, let me go!” I tried to push him away, but he held me even tighter.

“Only if you promise to come to my room after breakfast,” he said firmly.

“Maan, I can’t—”

“Fine,” he said stubbornly and pulled me closer. I panicked at the nearing footsteps.

“Okay, okay… I promise! Now let me go!” I said hurriedly. He smiled victoriously and released me. I quickly stood up.

“Now sit here,” he instructed. I sighed and sat back in my seat.

Everyone came and we had breakfast with light chit-chat, though Fathima Aapi kept giving me and Maan mischievous looks and smirks. Maan ignored her, but my cheeks were burning red the whole time.

After breakfast, everyone got up, but I remained seated, debating whether to go to his room or not.

Then someone coughed beside me. I looked up—it was Maan.

“I’m waiting,” he whispered into my ear before heading to his room.

My heartbeat went wild. The fear still lingered. I waited a few minutes before standing up.

Mama, Fathima Aapi, and Riya Aapi were still at the table chatting. As I turned to go, Fathima Aapi stopped me.

“Where are you going?” she asked. I looked at her, suddenly nervous.

“Um… I’m… going to college?” I replied, my voice sounding more like a question.

Fathima Aapi smirked.

“But the front door is on the left, not the right,” she said, giggling.

“Stop it, Fathima. You know she’s going to call Rumaan to drop her, right Hana?” Mama asked. I immediately nodded and ran off.

I knocked on his door, and within a second, Maan opened it and pulled me inside by the wrist, closing the door behind us.

We stood silently for a moment. Maan stared at me from head to toe. I felt nervous and afraid again. He stepped closer, and I panicked, stepping back until I hit the door.

Tears welled up as last night’s memories flooded back.

“Hey… Hana… Don’t be scared. I’m not going to do anything. Please listen to me,” he said gently. His voice calmed me, and I nodded.

He raised his hand to my face—I flinched but didn’t move. He wiped my tears, then took my wrist and led me to the bed, seating me gently beside him.

********

Author's POV

He was sitting there, silently watching Hana. He could sense that she was still a little scared because of what had happened last night. So, he had to be gentle with her. He knew he had done something wrong and needed to apologize. But along with that, he also wanted Hana to understand his feelings—or rather, his desire and lust for her. Because after last night, he couldn’t shake those feelings off without making Hana his completely. He was going to use Hana's innocent love to satisfy his desire.

He knew Hana couldn’t resist him for long. She was only scared for now, but her love for him was still intact—just like yesterday. Nothing had changed. If anything had changed, she would have looked at him with hatred or disgust. But instead, she had blushed when he said good morning and sat beside her at the dining table. That was his green signal, and he had acted on it.

“Hana, what happened last night... I want to apologize for that. I really didn’t mean to hurt you… I just lost control. I’m sorry,” he said, bowing his head. That foolishly naive Hana immediately felt bad seeing him like that. She instantly cupped his face and lifted his chin, making him look at her.

“No, Maan… you don’t have to bow your head in front of me. I don’t like it,” she said, tears welling up in her eyes. A small smile curved on Rumaan's lips unknowingly. He really liked it when Hana behaved this innocently—like he was the most important person in her entire world. That only fueled his desire for her even more. Her innocence was doing sinful things to Rumaan.

“You’re not angry?” he asked. Hana shook her head with a soft smile.

“No… I’m not. I’m just a little scared,” she said, looking down with trembling lips. Tears rolled down her cheeks.

“Oh Hana… I’m so sorry. Please don’t be scared of me. It hurts me,” he said, pulling her into a hug. He chose his words carefully, knowing exactly what would touch Hana’s heart—and they did. When Hana heard that he felt hurt because she was afraid of him, she instantly hugged him back.

“No, Maan… I’m not scared of you. I’m just scared of alcohol. I know you would have never done this if you hadn’t drunk,” she whispered, and he let out a relieved breath.

“Hana… I want to be honest with you,” he began, softly trying to express his desires. Hana didn’t say anything and simply lay on his chest, closing her eyes. She felt comforted as he gently rubbed her back.

“What I did last night... I regret it. I’m angry at myself for losing control and trying to force you…” he paused, his voice sincere for the first time.

“...But that doesn’t mean I don’t want it,” he continued.

A frown appeared on Hana’s face. She was confused for a few seconds, but when she realized what he meant, her eyes snapped open and she pulled away from him.

Rumaan looked at her, waiting for her to respond, but no words escaped her lips. He moved closer and gently cupped her face.

“Hana, I want you,” he declared, his desire clear in his voice and burning in his eyes. He wanted her to see it—feel it.

Hana’s eyes widened when she saw the raw intensity of lust and longing in his gaze. And in that moment, only one thought echoed in her mind:

I am stuck....

★★★★