The undue repent. Part 3 - The tragedy unveiled

One fine morning,we both were escorted downstairs where a bunch of familiar faces awaited us. At the corner of the room, i saw three to four luggage bags. The three of them were already packed whereas the one empty was put in front of Ayla by my mother. "We are leaving for Pakistan tonight, better pack your bag". Pakistan has never dreaded me. We have been to Pakistan earlier on family marriages and other vacations. However it's been a while that we last visited as a family. The timing bothered me. The school was about to start in two weeks time and above all i was told i will be staying back. Ayla and i hadn't been separated like that before. Nothing was normal about that situation. Ayla ran back to her room, crying. Ayla, always the clever one. She knows, i thought to myself. I followed her.

"What do you think is happening?", i asked. By the time, her sobs had changed into proper cries. "Don't you get it. Don't you remember when Fatima's name was removed from the school register?" Oh no! Not her, i thought.  "I think you shouldn't jump onto conclusions like that. Maybe its just another wedding everyone needs to attend", i comforted her. "Well, this time it's mine. Don't be surprised when i don't return", she cried harder. "Just say no. You can't do that yourself. We can call the police. We can escape this", my voice was cracking by now. "And get disowned by our parents? It's better i marry the unknown. It's about the honor. Their honor."By this time, she has started packing her stuff. I stood still, looking at her. Helpless. Torn apart.Unable to register the reality. What kind of parents do that to their children? They should have been  protecting us. But here they were, letting her go just like that.

I ran downstairs to my mother. "What she said, is that true? Are you marrying her off without her consent? Is that even legal?"
My mother put her hand on my mouth to shut me up. " You are a kid, you don't understand. She will be happy and once she is 18, she can come back and restart. The guy is good and rich. He is old enough to take care of her."
"You should have asked at least, Who does that to their children?" i pleaded.
"Oh God when have you found the need to tell me what to do and what not. The decision has been taken. You will stay here while we give her to where she belongs. Anymore revolt, i will have to involve your father and you know what will happen. So shut up and go to your room!"
Utterly devastated, i ran upstairs. They were taking away a part of me. My strength. My soulmate.

I saw her leaving us that night. Leaving behind what was hers for something that will ruin her. Why did you stay quite, Ayla? What was there to honor? A heinous act which destroyed you? Made you a lifeless,  breathing human.We could have done something. We could have run. You should have thought, Ayla. You could have survived.