The summer night was calm and chilly in the mountains. The crickets squeaked and wild howls can be heard late in night.
"There is one problem, Ayla."
Ayla looked at him without speaking a word. Aghan felt a little guilty by her silence but this has to be done. For her, for both of them.
" Say something, ask if you have any questions" Aghan tried to break the ice.
"..."
Aghan searched her face for any visible reaction or expressions but there was none.
"Ayla?"
" Drop the bomb already. What's the problem about?"
Aghan sighed. He knew she would not take this lightly. And there was his selfishness mixed in it. For the first time in life, he was nervous.
" Your meeting with Dilawar, has caused rumours that an unmarried girl is living in with me alone."
" We need Shaman to help with sessions, and he has reputation to not involved with scandals."
He looked troubled and looked down.
" Out with it already, why are you dragging on."
" During the meeting, he expressed this issue and I placated him by saying you're a family member."
" Okay, like I am your cousin."
" Like you're my wife."
"..."
"….."
"Ayla"
"….."
Forget about what she thought. Even he felt like he was scamming her.
Ayla?
" Are you kidding me?" She finally said.
" I am really not"
" You think this is a Movie ? Like Alice fell in a wonderland and every single mythical shit is happening to her at each step."
"..."
" It's hard for me to understand or even digest about the source of the voices in my head . And then you brought me here which worsened it."
" You took my parents from me, my own country, my former life and cage me into this mansion."
She broke down. Aghan took a step ahead but didn't touch her. He wanted to comfort her.
" Ayla you wanted the truth. You deserve to know this."
He took a step closer and extend his hand but she pushed him away.
" And what about this Wife thing. I am only 18. You could've said I am sister or cousin."
" It was suggested by Shaman. You are a girl from Malawar clan Ayla and I am from Tashware. The Strongest man in Tashware. Only by harmonising the yin and yang like in the legend, you can truly subdue this power."
She hid her face in her hands and started sobbing.
This sight broke him. He went ahead and hugged her.
" Please don't cry. This is essential to treat your condition. Believe me I am doing this for your own safety."
It was dangerous here. She is rebellious and people would wanna use her if her condition was known. She could direct people's lives through her powers. But it can also destroy her.
No man in this land will ever lay an eye on her or even think about harming her if she is Khan's wife. It's territorial. He knew its was abrupt but soon the Malawars will be at the door.
This had to be done.
" Just bear with it until the you're cured. You can decide whatever you want then. I'll listen to you." He said against his will.
" Isn't this blackmail?" She hiccuped in his embrace.
" What do you want then ?"
She stayed silent and thought for a while. He stepped back and gave her space now that she was more calm.
" Write me a legal contract that this marriage will be over in 6 months."
Aghan stayed silent. Divorce was not common here. And it was even more so with her, because she was his salvation.
From the moment she was born, he was told she belonged to him and he belonged to her. The blue eyed doll. He was protective of her, cherished her, agreed to her on all terms.
Even when young she was the sole source of light in his dark obsolete life. He had been searching for her 10 years. And now when she was in his arms,
He could never leave her.
" I'll draft a document for you, stating this marriage will have a mandatory period of 1 year and you can decide what you want after that."
Ayla stayed silent. She didn't want this.
" This document should be valid in US legal system. And you have to let me go or take me to US after this."
"Done"
" What about your fiance?"