Life was never so easy; for years, I had been living solely for the sake of my family. I loved them deeply, but as time went on, the softness within me began to fade. The harsh realities of life forced me to mature early, burdening my shoulders with responsibilities that shaped me into the person I am today: Khan Murtasim Khan.

However, everything changed on that fateful day when I encountered her. She was engaged in a wrestling match with a man who was trying to snatch her bag. At first glance, I dismissed her as a foolish and childish girl. Her way of speaking and perceiving the world seemed like something out of a fairytale. Her eyes were filled with innocence, breathing life into inanimate objects with her unique perspective. Just as she did with me, her words effortlessly evoked laughter from within me.

What I admired most about her was her unwavering loyalty. On the day we arrived here, she openly expressed her thoughts to me, causing something deep within my heart to melt. She was not only beautiful but also an enigma. Like the moon in a starry night, her struggles were laid bare before me. I never imagined that such a cheerful girl had endured such hardship. She never revealed her own sadness or anger. I vividly remember the day her father, Waqas Ahmed, asked her to come live with us. She seemed broken, but Mahjabeen never concerned herself with her own well-being. She was selfless, incapable of witnessing tears in anyone's eyes. She harbored no grudges and possessed no malicious intentions-she was nothing short of an angel.

I was captivated by her, and a part of me overflowed with joy when my mother announced our marriage. However, when I discovered the true reason behind this arrangement, my anger surged forth. They intended to control her as if she were a mere puppet, and worst of all, they wanted to force her into this marriage. I knew Mahjabeen was afraid of me; I could see the fear in her eyes whenever my anger surfaced. It pained me to witness her recoil whenever I erupted. I despised the vulnerability etched on her face.

I couldn't bear to watch her being coerced into a marriage she never desired. That day, when she stealthily entered my room, I made the decision to help her. I don't know when I fell for her, perhaps it was that very moment. As she entered my room, her face hidden beneath a black shawl, I mistook her as a Malik. But when I lit the lighter, her brown eyes came into view. They were breathtakingly beautiful, with honey-colored pupils that caught my attention. Her enchanting eyes had captured me, conveying a myriad of emotions. There was a sense of desperation, yet her spirit burned fiercely as she resisted the forced union. In some ways, her spirit outshone my own, and I grew fond of her. But I couldn't force her into a union she didn't desire.

She yearned to speak with that man, Rohail. The mere mention of his name infuriated me, but I had no choice. It was a matter of adhering to my principles or choosing her. For the first time, I chose her. The excitement in her eyes as she bid me farewell broke my heart. Although her hands bore my name, her heart yearned for another. I could have stayed and met him, but I didn't want to meet the man whom Mahjabeen regarded as perfect. That night, as I fervently prayed, her name echoed in my supplications.

I obtained her, but not in the way I had ever wanted. I wasn't the kind of person to readily reveal my innermost thoughts, but I did so-I confessed my true feelings. I had grown quite fond of her, and for the first time, I allowed myself to be vulnerable, opening up to her in a way I had never done before.

Mahjabeen wasn't the first girl to capture my heart. There had been another girl before her, someone I genuinely liked, but I chose not to pursue her.

I fell for Mahjabeen, the night before our walimah. I cherished the way she shared her emotions with me. Her heart was pure, and for the first time, I saw admiration gleaming in her eyes. I glimpsed a hint of love in her gaze that night, as she expressed her desire to gaze into my eyes for eternity. When she looked into my eyes, it felt as if she were peering into the depths of my soul-a soul that was once vulnerable. Her eyes spoke volumes, surpassing even her spoken words. I adored her eyes the most, for they unveiled her every emotion.

I respected her as an individual, especially when she confided in me on our first night together, expressing her discomfort in the presence of Hasan. I had misconstrued her words, believing she feared him. Consequently, I distanced myself, hoping to bridge the emotional gap between us. I yearned for her to fall in love with me, even though she shared her emotions openly. I wanted to delve deeper into her mind, understanding the thoughts she couldn't vocalize-the ones her mind could only whisper.

I can't pinpoint the exact moment when I fell for her, but the process never ceased. It felt as though my love for her deepened with each passing day.

When news of her pregnancy reached me, I was attending a panchayat. However, I couldn't stay there any longer. I excused myself and found myself unable to hold back tears. My Maho was carrying our baby, the product of our love. The moment overwhelmed me, and I raised my hands toward the heavens, offering gratitude to the Almighty for giving meaning to my life. He had blessed me with a purpose, a reason to exist. Before her, I merely existed, but with her, I learned to truly live. She breathed life into my soul, kindled love within my heart, and painted my life with vivid colors.

To this day, I wonder how Allah granted me such a magnificent girl, a soul so pure-hearted. Her smile was the most captivating thing, capable of making me swoon each and every time she graced me with it. It was a smile that could brighten even the darkest of days, illuminating my world and filling it with unparalleled beauty.

***
A/N: I know I haven't posted since a week, was sick and busy with the other book. I have decided to priortise this now. I have expanded Mahjabeen's character, I can feel it but with Murtasim's character I don't think I have done enough.

I have never been this actively updating on wattpad since lockdown, this might be the first book where I have written so many chapters and never lost the vibe.