FALLEN ANGLE

Words! The power of words can move you to tears, evoke absolute joy, or lead you into action.  Words have the power of both destruction and hell. But, when words are trustworthy and kind, they can change your world.  Veeda's life has changed with two words repeating it three times. But she had no idea what would happen with these two words.  I accept Saying it three times, she felt the burden her family put a load on her shoulders.  Will she be able to keep its respect of it? Will she be able to stand up to all the expectations? Will she be able to stand his expectations? The expectation of the man who was utterly enigmatic, so mysterious, so foreign, incomprehensible to her? But right now, he was her husband. Neither by force nor by choice but a decision that families took.  Veeda Rasooli and Hammad Ebadi. Two personalities completely antithetical, the converse of each other. While Veeda was talkative, vocal, articulated, and well-spoken, she saw whether the blue sky had gloomy, grumpy weather. She always sees the rays of hope in every pitch-hole darkness. She was the only daughter of brigadier general Hussain Rasooli and Fatima Rasooli and the sister of Major general Tahir Rasooli. She was born and brought up in an army family. But Hammad was a reserved, angry brooder, self-observer, and egoist.  Being a Major general in the Afghan army, he was very strict with strict rules. He was a man living with laws, regulations, and ordinances. It was not easy, though, as he served as commander of divisions, for which he had between 10,000 and 16,000 soldiers training and cooperating under him. He was performing primary tactical operations and conducting sustained battles and engagements. At the same time, Hammad was running his father's army academy, training new soldiers for fields, and reaching new heights. Handling these two things made him more busy and unavailable most of the time. And that was the main reason for his denial of marriage. But then he let his guard down in front of his mother. Hammad was the elder son of the late lieutenant general Alam Shah Ebadi and Khadija Ebadi. There was an age gap of 9 years between him and Veeda. He was 30, and while she was 21. His mother and her parents fixed the alliance. They were distant relatives. They were strangers, but not like they didn't know each other, so many things kept them far from each other. He maintained his space as he was nine years older than her, and she was too shy to even look at him. Hammad had the aura of leverage, dominance, sovereignty, and supremacy. His presence was shouting his eminence importance. Hammad had seen her in most family gatherings whenever he was in town. She was so talkative and bubbly, but he also noticed that in front of him, she would be quiet, or she would mostly disappear from his eyes. Having fear that he wouldn't be able to give his wife much-needed time and care; of this fear, he was always in denial of marriage. But in front of his emotional mother, he had to agree. Unaware of his presence, she was lost, looking around the unfamiliar room. She was standing in dim light; it was beautifully decorated with white roses, giving this room a peaceful feeling. She glanced around the room. It was a big room with only two colors: White and cream. The furniture was white, while the carpet and walls were creams. The curtains were white and cream. There was a big king-size bed, with a cream bed sheet and a dressing table with all the necessary things. Veeda noticed two doors, thinking one might be a bathroom and the other his closet. But what frowned upon her were the colors. Why were they so light? "How can someone be so tasteless and lifeless? '' She looked back at the bed, and the wall beside the bed took her breath away. There was a big picture of Hamad hanging while riding a horse. He is wearing his army uniform, looking as confident and powerful as ever.  It made her nervous, and she looked at the horse in the picture. "Only this horse looks lively here, nothing else. '' She mentally was cursing him for his choice of colors but was unaware of the present standing behind her. he was observing her as he entered the room. She was so engrossed in checking things out that she didn't realize when he came to the room and stood behind her. The expression on her face told him she did not like the space. Clearing his throat, Hammad sought her attention which starlet her. Veeda turned and looked at him, standing with his usual stoic and impassive expression looking intently at her and making her nervous. Finally, she averted her eyes and looked down at the pink rose bouquet. Hammad eyed her. She was wearing a vintage lace wedding gown. Beautiful illusion cut-out sleeves look sleek and classy, with a bateau neckline and lace silhouette finished with covered buttons trailing down the back over the zipper closure. The gown was fully covered, but it had an A-line waist. The elbow veil was falling from her low chignon to her elbows. A few strands were falling to her neck and temple. Diamond studs on her ears were the only jewelry she was wearing. While her hands were clutching the bouquet, he still saw the engagement ring his mother made her wear when he was on his mission. They had a small in-house engagement when his mother gave her. It was a rose-cut diamond ring, and he gave her a wedding ring, an ancient-style square-cut diamond. She had minimal makeup, nude eye shadows, and a baby pink lip color. The pink hue on the rosy cheeks made her look more like an angel. She was nervous. She would always feel uneasy in front of Hamad When they rarely met at a family function. Mostly she would avoid going cause of him being there. He would usually intimidate her but now, how will she live her life with him? Looking through her lashes, she gazed at Hamad. she looked down again. "is he going to kill me? Why is he looking at me like I am some of his predators." "look at me" her heart skipped its beat hearing his voice. His presence was making her nervous like hell. Throughout the function, he held her hand, but she was sure he was noticing how scared she was. Biting her lip, she looked at him with hesitation. He was a very muscular and strong man with a height of 6 2. His muscles, shoulders, chisel chest, and strong personality with a military cut short hair and slight stubble. He made her more nervous when she was 5, 5, and had a small, pitied figure standing in front of him. Standing with his hands on his three-piece black Armani suit with a white dress shirt, he looked at her with his wizardly grey eyes. He had sharp features. His intense gaze was making Veeda shiver to her spine. Finally, she averted her eyes and looked down back to her hands. "she is so young and innocent." He mentally said, feeling uncomfortable after seeing her intently. "change. We need to talk," Hamad said in his usual solid and deep voice while she nodded. Turning around, she closed her eyes, not knowing where to go and where is her baggage. Contemplating whether to ask him, she chose the latter, turned, and looked at him, who was taking off his blazer. Sensing a pair of eyes on him. he turned and looked at her.  "m...my clothes?" she merely muttered, but he heard it. He made his way toward her and stood in front of her but with some distance between them.  "in the closet right there," he pointed to the door, making her nod to him. Veeda made her way to the door and entered, but only to be shocked. Veeda knew that he was famous and wealthy. She knew him, but she had never seen his house or lifestyle. Swallowing hard, she saw her clothes hanging neatly in a section. What caught her eyes were the nightgowns. There were various colors and designs. Some are too revealing and some less, but none was good for her choice. She was not comfortable wearing these in front of him. But she had to. "It's your wedding night, Veeda. I know you didn't have the time to learn or meet him as he was away throughout your eight months engagement. But still, men want their wedding night to be perfect. So go with the flow and try to understand him. If you know him, he will do the same. If you give him respect, he will provide you with respect.  I know our parents set this alliance, but you can start working on it. Once you become friends, falling for each other is easy."  Remembering her sister in laws words shuddered her. How can she wear something like this and stand in front of him? Or how can she....? She couldn't think much as she closed her eyes, and a tear slipped down from her eyes. Wiping it with her hands, she chose a pink nightgown. It was a spaghetti strap satin nightgown with a robe making it look decent and less seductive. She opened her chignon and spread her long shoulder-length hair on her back. Hesitatingly Veeda made her way to the room. With shaky hands, she turned the doorknob and entered. Hammad was talking to someone on the phone, but her steps made him short the conversation and cut the phone. He looked at her from head to toe. She was a sight for sore eyes. She had green eyes, sharp and pointy nose, and naturally pout lips. Her crystal-clear neck was alluring. Veeda had a slim figure, while he had a masculine figure. Strange was that he had seen her a lot but never noticed her feature before. Maybe because now she was his wife. His eyes darted to her attire. She was nervous. "come here" he extended his calloused hand for her. With calculated steps, she holds his warm hand. Veeda's palms were sweating. He clutched her hand and made her sit on the bed beside him. Veeda didn't look at him as she was looking at his hand. She wondered how hard it was. "I am not a man of words, Veeda; I talk less. May you know that by now. So I will come to the point straight. Our families fixed this marriage, you can't tell me much, and I don't know you much. In the past eight months that we were engaged, I couldn't find time to spend with you or to know you, or we know each other. You are born into an army family and learn how life is. So you should be ok, and you better be ok with my rules and regulations. I am a rigorous person, and I want things in my order.  I do not usually handle the army, but it's in my blood. And I can not in any circumstance compromise with my life's rules. There are some rules, and you should accept it either. For that, I am giving you time. To know my life and to know my rules and regulations. I want to know you, too, so I can give you all your deserved rights. And one last thing," he paused as he looked at her, who was still looking at her hand in his. Hammad knew she had heard it all, and she understood it as well. Veeda sensed his silence, so she looked up only to see him looking at her.  "do not make me angry. I lose control very fast. I will respect you, and you will do the same.  For now, go to sleep and relax. I will not bite you," Hamad said to make her less nervous. But her mind saved whatever he said, but the last line was like a warning to her, making her shiver.  "Veeda, my child, I know everything is happening pretty fast. But that is how life is.  Time flies over us but leaves its shadow behind us. I still remember the day you were born and graduated, and I saw you as my daughter-in-law. And the day your parents accepted my son's proposal, I made you his fiancé. And now you are here in my house as my daughter-in-law. I can't say how much I am happy right now. Hammad's father lost his life in the most infamous war and left me with my three kids. Hammad was 12, and my twins, Musa and Marwa, were six, Hammad has been looking after his father's army academy, and at the same time, he has been working on his studies and his siblings. When he became mature, I would never understand that.  My son is a very hot-headed boy like his father. But I want you to be patient with him. The two most powerful warriors are patience and time. Be patient and give it time. You know Hamad respects others greatly, so give Hamad and his lifestyle respect. He never says what hurts him and what does not. But I want you to be by him so that he relays on you. I know there is nine years age gap between you too, but it's ok, my child. Understanding is more important. Life is not a matter of milestones but of moments. And moments can be created by spending time with each other" remembering her mother-in-law's words gave her hope that she could make it. Hammad squeezed her hand to get her attention. She shook her head and looked at him. She nodded to him. But his expression was showing he was not pleased with her response. He clenched his teeth while she got confused and scared simultaneously.  "words. I prefer you use words when I ask you something, am I clear" Hamad's voice was not calm like before. But it was laced with anger and authority. She swallowed the lump in her throat, trying hard not to cry and look silly in front of him. "y...yes," stuttering but she managed to tell him. While he curd nodded and left her hand.  He went to his side of the bed and lay down, putting his arm on his eyes while she sat there filled with emotions. "he didn't ask me what do I want from this relationship. He is so rude. Yeah, good for you, as you didn't say no to his proposal while your brother and father asked you. And the nerve of him, he warned me? Oh gosh, but why do I get so scared of him? Hitler  " Turn off the light" his deep and strong voice startled her as she looked at him; his arm covered Hamad's eyes.  She turned off the light and lay down on her side, remembering his every word. The natural flight of the human mind is not from pleasure to pleasure but from hope. And hope is seeing that there is light despite all of the darkness. The bird of hope was everywhere; she wanted to make a nest for it. The first brick was there, but was it enough?