Travelers of the road (novel read)

Annihilation of the self in love

Forgiveness is not easy 

Annihilation of self part 1

 After giving the biryani a steam, he spread the cloth on the counter, then washed the dishes in the sink and wiped the counter with a towel. He opened the fridge and took a look at all the ready things. There was trifle, raita, salad, and fruit chaat. He took a satisfied breath.

Sonia bhabhi was sitting in front of the dressing table, cleansing her face. She saw Anaya coming in through the door in the mirror, and her quick steps stopped. Anaya's steps also stopped as she felt her questioning gaze. She raised her eyebrows and looked at Anaya in the mirror with a questioning look.

"Bhabhi! I have prepared everything."

"Okay." She replied and got busy with her work again, so Anaya looked at her once and turned.

With a light knock, he opened the door and the coolness of the AC hit his hot face. He instinctively closed his eyes as if to feel that sensation, and the very next moment he opened his eyes and moved forward.

Cousin, on hearing their voices, she turned to look at them.

"I have also called Batool, she will cool the food and wash the dishes. But please, you look after the tea yourself."

"Yes!" she replied in the affirmative and came out of the room.

Coming into the room, she sat down on the floor to dry her sweat and for a long time, she stared at the wall absentmindedly. Just then, her eyes fell on the clock on the wall and she quickly stood up. It was time for prayer. She took out clothes from the cupboard and went into the washroom.

When she came downstairs, the guests had arrived. Batool had not only arrived but had also set up the table. After making sure of everything, she came towards the drawing-room with the intention of greeting them, but as soon as she entered, not only did her steps stop, but the expressions on her face also changed very quickly.

"Oh Anaya!" Seeing her, Sonya Bhabhi was also pleased.

The eyes of the three people sitting in front seemed to be piercing through her. If she were to die right there, Bhabhi would still bring up this matter and taunt her for the whole week. She greeted them in a low voice and came out. She only knew that Bhabhi's friend was coming, but if she had known that she also knew this friend and knew her very well, she would not have come in front of them like this.

She stood near the door and tried to regain her composure. Because Nabil Bhai had come home. She did not want to add to anyone's discomfort by going in front of them like this.

"Does she live with you?" She knew who had asked this question.

For now, she's here." Sonia Bhabhi's voice was tired.

"You are brave to have kept her in your house." This was the second voice.

"I am brave, but I am also helpless." Sonia Bhabhi's voice was a bit haughty, "She is Nabil's sister and she is also pampered, so she keeps having fits of love from time to time. But now I have also understood that this game is a hypocrisy. Now I also play the role of a very good sister-in-law in front of Nabil."

"So Anaya didn't tell Nabil anything?"

"No, that time is gone when whatever she said would happen. The times have changed. She has become unreliable and she herself knows this, which is why she remains silent."

Anaya's fear turned into sorrow, and the tears that had gathered in her eyes spread across her cheeks.

"Get her married." A third voice came.

"Hmm, who will marry her? Especially when her past is so wonderful." Sonia Bhabhi's sarcastic tone was sharp, and she was wounded by that sharpness. She quickly wiped her tears and left from there. The lounge was empty, and she ran up the stairs and came to her room.

There was a knock on the door, but she just lay there. But when the knocking became more urgent, she had to get up. As soon as she opened the door, she saw Ramiz's face.

"What's the matter, Phopho? It's evening, almost night."

"You are still locked in the room. You haven't eaten either. Are you feeling well?" As he spoke, his eyes fell on her face, and he was startled.

"Are you feeling well, Phopho?" The nine-year-old child was worried looking at her.

"I am fine, just a little pain in my head," she said, rubbing her temples. "Should I get medicine for you from Mama?" He smiled with moist eyes, seeing her worry. "No, my dear! I am fine. You go, school is tomorrow." "Oh, I forgot. Papa has called you." He said, hitting his head. "Okay, you go, I am coming." He nodded and left.

After washing her face thoroughly, she came downstairs and saw Nabeel Bhai drinking tea and watching TV. As soon as she saw him, she smiled, but as she got closer, his smile faded. Sonia observed this scene carefully. "Are you feeling well?" Nabeel asked, looking at her worriedly and placing his teacup on the table.

"I am fine, Bhai," she said, lowering her head. "You don't look well. Your eyes are swollen, as if you have been crying." He looked at her intently. There was a moment of panic on Sonia's face. The next moment, she got up and sat near Anaya, holding her hand. "I told you, Anaya was busy all day in the kitchen. I tried to stop her, but you know how much she loves cooking." She said, hugging her. "Where was Batool?" he was still serious. "She came late today," Sonia replied. "Oh, Anaya! When Batool is here, why do you need to exhaust yourself in this heat?"

What could she say, 'Your wife, I only look good in the kitchen.' But she could only think it, she couldn't say it.

'Now rest, there's no need to tire yourself out.' He fixed her head and stood up, and she stood up with him.

'Brother, I needed to talk to you.'

'Yes, speak.' He stopped and looked at her face. 'I want to go to Naveed brother's place.'

'Why, is everything alright?' He looked at her in surprise.

That morning, Saadia Bhabhi had called. She was feeling sad, and it had been many days since she came here, so she was thinking of leaving tomorrow.

               Secret love

                      Vani the forced marriage 

Expression of love 

Secret love

'Okay, I'll drop you off tomorrow.' He said and walked towards his room. After he left, she quickly went to her room without looking at Sonia.

'The house is very beautiful, Bhabhi.' She said in an admiring tone after seeing the whole house. Saadia smiled and looked at her face, and then kept looking for a long time.

'Why are you looking at me like that, Bhabhi?'

'You look so pretty.'

'Oh!' She smiled softly. 'You think so, otherwise I'm quite plump. Anyway, leave me. You tell me, did you like it here?'

'Yes, it's all good. The market is also nearby. The park is a little ahead of the house. In the evening, I and Seen often go for a walk. Your brother's office is also nearby, and Seen's college too.'

She shook her foot and picked the spinach leaves that Saadia had brought.

'Was Sonia's behavior with you okay?'"

He was picking spinach leaves, his hand stopped for a moment.

"I'm fine, and anyway, I'm used to their attitude now," she wanted to appear normal, but sadness was still evident in her tone.

"Yes, how used you are, it shows," Sadia didn't like his lie at all. But what could she do, there was nothing to be gained by telling her.

"Forget these things, let me pour you a cup of tea with my own hands. You must have missed it." "Just like that!" Sadia said with a grateful smile.

"I missed all of Anaya."

"Your brother had ordered you to go to Nabil's. If it were up to me, I wouldn't have let you go either."

Anaya looked at them lovingly; she knew they were telling the truth. She smiled and stood up.

It had probably rained last night. The weather had become pleasant. She looked out the window while lying down. The sky was ruled by black clouds. She got up, tied her hair in a bun, and stood by the window. The park was right in front of her, where the widespread greenery was giving a strange peace to her eyes. A few people were seen walking on the track. She looked at the clock. It was six in the morning. When she washed her face and came downstairs, everyone was sleeping. She stood in a state of hesitation for a while, then turned back after thinking something, just then her sister-in-law came out of her room, yawning, and was surprised to see her.

"Is everything alright?" she asked with that surprise.

The weather outside looked good, so I thought I'd go to the park for a while."

"Oh, what's there to ask about that?"

"I thought I'd ask my brother first," she said a little hesitantly. Sadia felt pity looking at her face.

"Anaya, you don't need to ask for permission for these things. You go, I'll tell them myself." She patted her cheek, and Anaya nodded and went out.

The weather outside was indeed very pleasant. The cool breeze and a light drizzle of rain made her feel good. Forgetting everything, she was walking lightly on the walking track, feeling the beauty of nature. Some people were strolling like her, while others were running ahead of her. Just then, she felt a strange sensation as she looked to her right.

A person walking on the grass was bent down, searching for something. She could sense his hurried and anxious manner from a distance. She wanted to shake it off and walk away, but she had only taken a few steps when she saw the person stumble and sit down. This time, she couldn't stop herself. She ran to them, who were bent over, taking deep, heavy breaths.

"Are you okay?" she asked worriedly, looking at them, who were struggling to breathe.

They looked up at her and gestured with their hand. Anaya saw their gesture but couldn't understand. They closed their hand again and put it to their mouth. It took Anaya a second to understand that they were having an asthma attack and were surely talking about their pump. She quickly got up and looked around.

She started looking around and she found him a few steps away on a bench with a water bottle.

She picked up both things and ran towards him.

And quickly gave him the inhaler pump in his hand. After taking the inhaler two or three times, he was now breathing somewhat normally. Anaya was watching him closely, whose changing condition was becoming abnormal.

Anaya offered him the water bottle. This time he looked at her with a start and took the bottle from her hand, took a sip, and then looked at her face carefully.

"Thank you very much!" he said with a difficult smile, and Anaya took a deep breath.

"Are you okay now?" she asked spontaneously as she saw him getting up.

"I'm fine now, my kind-hearted fairy!" At his cheerful tone, she was first surprised and then smiled shyly.

"I haven't seen this face here before?"

He was still looking at her.

"Yes, I just came here yesterday. That's my house." She pointed with her finger.

"At Naveed Tahir's house?" At his words, she looked at him with surprise.

"Do you know my brother?"

"So you are Naveed's sister?" He asked her in return.

"How do you know my brother?" she asked, confused.

"I am the chairman of this society, and the construction company from which Naveed bought this house is ours." He was now talking in a normal manner.

"Do you study?" At his question, she nodded in a shy manner.

What do you do?"

"Nothing." Saying this, she looked a little embarrassed.

"Oh, come on, there's nothing to be embarrassed about. People who do nothing are amazing."

"Do you live here?"

"Yes, I come to this block for a walk in the morning or sometimes in the evening. I'm a heart patient, so the doctors say to keep walking to keep my heart healthy. On top of that, the problem of anemia gets worse when the weather is cold. Today, because of the cold weather, I had a problem and didn't pay attention while walking. Things were left on the street. If you hadn't come today, I would have been with God."

"God forbid!" she said spontaneously, and he also looked at her spontaneously and then smiled.

"O kind-hearted fairy! You haven't told me your name."

"Anaya," she repeated. "It's a very beautiful name, just like you."

This time, Anaya did not smile. She did not like it when a stranger complimented her. Her face became stern.

"I'm leaving."

"It was nice meeting you, Anaya. Will you come tomorrow?" At his question, Anaya turned and looked at him with serious eyes, and without replying, she turned and started walking towards the gate with quick steps. She didn't care what effect her rudeness would have on the other person.

"She hasn't come, Sabeen" Saadia Bhabhi asked, seeing him alone.

She is saying she's not hungry, she just went to the lounge to see her brother. Sadia turned towards the counter in anger.

"I don't understand this girl either. Everyone has eaten, now should I warm up a separate meal for her? I have put all the food in the serving dish and kept it in the fridge. She can eat it herself now." She was speaking angrily, while the other person was standing behind her, smiling.

"Phupho! Papa is calling you." At Sabeen's words, she was first surprised and then looked at Sadia with concern. Sadia also seemed a little surprised, then smiled upon seeing her worried.

"Just a minute, I'm coming." Her tone was reassuring. When she came inside, they were watching TV.

"Come, Anaya." Her voice and manner were serious, and from her manner, one could tell she was worried. She sat silently on the chair in front of her. "Did you go to the park today?"

Anaya's breath caught, the very thing she feared had happened. Just then, her sister-in-law entered quickly and looked intently at her husband's face.

"Yes, brother, I went after asking Bhabhi."

"Today, I met Mr. Rahat. He was looking at them in confusion. He was saying that your health was bad in the morning and you helped him. He was thanking you profusely. He was saying that you left suddenly and he couldn't even thank you. That's why he had to come to my office."

After finishing the conversation, he started looking at her face. "I didn't expect such rude behavior from you. They were elders, shouldn't you have behaved like that with them? What would they be thinking about you?"what would they be thinking about me ?

"I, especially, have a good terms with the chairman of this society. You keep relations with such people so that they don't spoil things. Seeing him continue, Sadia had to interrupt.

"What did he complain about Anaya?"

"No, he was praising her, but I object to his saying that she left suddenly without saying anything."

"You yourself are saying he is a good person. I don't think he would have minded, but still, if you feel so, Anaya will go and apologize to him tomorrow."

Anaya was startled and looked at Sadia, who had gestured with her eye, so she looked back at Naveed Bhai, who had turned his attention back to the TV. He always meant his own words, he had said his piece, and that was it. The gathering was dismissed. She took a deep breath and stood up.

"As-salamu alaykum!" (Peace be upon you) At the sound of the voice, she turned and saw Anaya standing behind her. She not only smiled but also stood up.

"Wa alaykum as-salam, may you live long." He placed his hand on her head.

"How are you feeling now?" Anaya asked, and he smiled. "Thank God, I am fine." Saying this, she looked around to see how to start the conversation.

"I came to apologize to you for being confused. I just left that day."

Hearing her words, he did not give her a chance to speak. "No, beta! I didn't feel bad at all. In fact, it's good that a girl should be so careful. It's not necessary that..."

If a person is old, he should be a gentleman."

At his manner, she instinctively looked at him. There was a gentle smile on his lips.

"Yes, but I am a gentleman." He had seen her smile, so he spoke quickly, and she smiled openly.

And this is where their friendship began. Now, whenever she came to the park in the evening, Mr. Rahat was already there, and they would have very interesting conversations. They would talk about politics, sports, dramas, and old movies while walking. They would give their opinions. She, who always stayed in her shell, had now started talking, and she herself was surprised that she could speak so well. And this was definitely because of Rahat's friendly and affectionate attitude.

Sana and Ramiz were playing Ludo. The game was less noisy. She came inside with a smile. Nabeel Bhai had been promoted, so Naveed Bhai had invited them. She was smiling openly. She was also feeling a change in her mood. She was opening the gift brought by Nabeel Bhai when she felt someone's eyes on her. She looked up and saw that Sonia Bhabhi's deep gaze was fixed on her.

"What's the matter, Anaya! You look very happy, in fact, you look very fresh. What's the matter?"

When she said this with a wink, her smile disappeared. She looked at Sadia, who was sitting next to her, nervously.

"Mashallah, Sonia! May Allah keep her happy. And what did you say about her looking fresh? Mashallah, Anaya has been beautiful from the beginning."

"Yes, Bhabhi! You are right, Wow, how is this beauty so perfect?" This time, Saadia looked at them with serious eyes.

"Go, Anaya, bring the trifle. Sonya desperately needs to sit down and eat."

Even with Saadia Bhabhi's sarcastic tone, there was no change in Sonya's smile. She was coming into the lounge with the dish when Saadia Bhabhi's words stopped her.

"Oh, Bhabhi! You're getting upset for no reason. What bad thing did I say about Anaya? You're getting so worked up. I just asked because I thought maybe she found out that Hamad has come to Pakistan. She looks so happy because of that."

"For God's sake, Sonya! Speak softly. Saadia Bhabhi's manner was sharp. "If Naveed hears his name, he'll make a fuss, and what does Hamad have to do with us? What do we have to do with that person?"

"It has nothing to do with you, but what about Anaya?"

"Are you in your senses, Sonya! Now Bhabhi's voice was sharp. "He was a relative. He isn't anymore, so don't talk nonsense and there is no need to mention him in front of Anaya. That chapter of Anaya's life is over."

She couldn't hear any more and went to her room. All her happiness was gone.

"Why doesn't this past leave her alone?" She covered her eyes with her hands.

"I don't understand, Uncle, why people can't bear to see someone else's happiness. Why do they repeatedly scratch their wounds? The wounds they try day and night to heal. They kill themselves, and still, they don't forgive. There is so much bitterness in their words that it makes the next person's very existence bitter."

She was very disheartened today, she didn't let tears come to her eyes, but her tone was expressing the pain inside her. Rahat Sahib, who had been asking her the reason for her silence for a long time, couldn't speak for a while after he said that, then he shook his head, smiled, and looked at her.

"Anaya! This is the world; the world is like a sickle. A sickle is a tool with two sharp ends. This world is also like that; it doesn't forgive anyone in any situation. If you want to live here, learn to overlook things. I don't know what has upset you, but I know it's something from a loved one that has hurt you so much. This is not strange because people are hurt the most by their own people, as they place their hopes on them. And it's your own people who know what hurts you. What do strangers care? What's your trigger point? As far as I understand you, you are a good and brave girl."

At his words, she, who was listening to him very carefully, smiled.

"Am I saying it wrong?" At her smile, he stopped and said.

"I am neither brave nor good." She said her words with emphasis. "You think so, but I don't."

"Look, my child! Everyone makes mistakes. Maybe you have made one too. But mistakes are corrected, not by living in them and degrading yourself. The people who talk to you, who think they are very perfect, are definitely not. They must have made many mistakes too. The only difference is that they make them but don't admit it. No, let me tell you a secret, I have also made a verbal mistake.

It was my wife's fault in my opinion. I was healthy. Ansa was my colleague. I liked her then, but my mother brought my aunt's daughter. A cousin didn't have such an open environment in those days. We would meet on some occasion like a wedding. I talked about Ansa at home, and it was like a storm broke out. I was threatened with being killed and not being forgiven for my milk. My mother did not like girls who worked with men in offices. She used to say they were "bold and airy" and would smile sarcastically.

I tried a lot, but no one agreed. Ansa also didn't agree because they were her parents and siblings. She also had her honor. She considered her parents' honor more important. She married with her parents' consent, so I got angry and forgot everything and included Naila in my life with full consent, but her heart was filled with poison, just as you said, bitterness, such bitterness that in the form of words, it would wound the soul. Thirty-three years have passed since our marriage, the children have grown up, but that woman does not stop taunting me. In the beginning, I used to try to explain it to her so that my children would not misunderstand me, but when the children grew up and were able to understand, I did not need to explain further. My children were mature; they understood that the father had a past that has passed. Everyone has a past; it is forgotten. Life is not lived in this way."

Saying this, he took a deep breath and finished the conversation. Just then, his mobile phone rang. "Speak of the devil, and he shall appear."

He brought the screen in front of her on which "wife" was written. Seeing her face, he smiled.

"Hello, I'm just coming." Saying this, he..

He turned off the mobile.

"I was so happy today, girl! But seeing your sad face, I forgot everything."

"Sorry, Uncle!" she said with sadness.

"Not sorry, child! I liked it. You talked to me as your own, and talking lightens the heart. And you are as dear to me as my own daughter. God gave me two sons. I had a great wish for a daughter, but it was not God's will. The day I saw you for the first time, believe me, I felt as if my daughter was sitting with me. I talk about you so much at home that my sons have started getting jealous. Who is it that has become more dear to Daddy than them?"

She looked at his face intently. She could feel the truth of what he was saying on his face, and she felt ashamed of her thoughts about him during their first meeting.

"I didn't realize the time while talking. I have to go to the airport, that's why Naila called." He started walking quickly towards the gate.

"Who is coming, Uncle?" she asked casually.

"My younger son... my darling is his mother's, but he is a very good friend of mine. That's why his mother stays under my control." Saying this, he laughed, and she also smiled.

He came out after freshening up, and everyone was present at the dining table, and they were definitely waiting for him. "Good morning," he said in a pleasant manner as he entered and, after kissing his mother's head, sat on the chair next to her.

"Looking at today's arrangements, it seems Mama has prepared breakfast," Zeeshan said, taking a dish out onto his plate while looking at his mother.

Yes! After so many months, my son has come home, he deserves at least this much."

At Naila's words, Afghan smiled and, in a mischievous manner, adjusted his imaginary collar and looked at his brother.

"And you, who are always with me, you never made and fed me parathas like this!" Zeeshan's complaint made them raise an eyebrow and look at him.

"You have also been fed big parathas. It's a different matter that you don't remember now, and now your wife has come. It's her responsibility to make you breakfast and food. But there are no such signs visible there."

Hafsa, who was coming inside, listened carefully to her mother-in-law's statement but pretended to be unaware and sat on the chair next to Zeeshan. She knew that this statement was intentionally made to look at her, and she did not want to spoil her mood by arguing early in the morning. Zeeshan cast a sharp glance at his quietly sitting father, who had signaled him with his eyes to remain silent. Afghan looked at his brother's face, whose mood had soured.

"Mom! My sister-in-law hasn't come here to make parathas. Why have you kept servants at home?" At this, Hafsa smiled and looked at her brother-in-law.

"So am I a servant who makes food?" Naila was offended by this. "You have to pickle degrees when you don't know how to run a household. Get up in the morning and go to college. Come, the food is ready, eat, go to the room. In the evening, the husband comes, you get dressed and go out. You have tea and go out. You come at night, then you get the food ready. You eat and go to the room with your husband."

She had so many days of anger that she got the opportunity to vent it today. "I lie alone at home all day."

The daughter-in-law doesn't care if she has eaten or not, but she is a daughter-in-law. My son has no sense to sit with his mother for a moment. Forget my son, even my son-in-law doesn't care. They go for walks in the park every morning and evening and spend hours there, and I even know who they spend those hours with."

Rahat Sahib, who had been sitting silently until then, now looked at them in anger.

"You don't have peace yourself, and if by chance the family gets together, you are bent on ruining their peace as well. Afghan has come after so long, instead of talking nicely, you have made a spectacle of yourself."

"What did I say wrong?" she turned to him angrily.

"Please, Mama, Daddy," Afghan looked at both of them one by one. "How can you people argue on an empty stomach? I don't do that. Let's do this, we'll have breakfast first, and then you can all open your cannons. I can also support you until then."

"Bhabhi, brother! You people start, you have to go to the office and Mama, I will feed you with my own hands."

Saying this, he started making morsels and putting them in their mouths.

Rahat Sahib looked at Afghan with a loving gaze. He knew how to handle the situation, and even now, he had fixed the mood of everyone sitting on the lake.

"First of all, selecting a gift is a very difficult task," he said while taking things out of the bag. "Mama, this is what happens with everyone. They care more about their friends than their own. They are looking at these perfumes from a distance."

And you?" He took out eight or nine perfume bottles and placed them on the bed. "These are all for Mama's friends. This watch, perfume, sweater is for brother, and this I have brought for you." As he said this, he turned towards them, and they were startled to see him. "What are you thinking?"

"Nothing, man. Your mother never lets anyone live in peace." He said with a sigh and boredom. "Daddy! You know Mama's habits, but you still take it to heart."

"Everything has a limit, Afnan! The problem I have is with me, but she involves the children in her anger. Look what she did to zishan and Hafsa this morning. That girl is good, she doesn't answer back. If she did, what respect would your mother have left?"

Afnan took a deep breath. He agreed with this point, but he couldn't do anything. He was now taking out other things from the bag, while Raahat Sahib was looking at the perfumes placed on the bed.

"Afnan, which is the best perfume?" He was now reading the name of each one. "They are all good, Daddy. But these are ladies' perfumes."

"I know. I'm taking this one." "What?" Afnan looked at him in surprise. "Good heavens, Daddy! Is there no one else besides Mama?" Afnan's eyebrows raised, and he smiled broadly.

"Don't talk rubbish, I'm taking this for Anaya."

"Oh my God! Anaya is finally Anaya! For the last two months, whenever I talk to you, Anaya's name definitely comes up. 

It's Anaya."

"I'll get you too someday, but what will you do together?"

"The same thing you do."

"I'm taking this packet of chocolate too."

Afghan's face was filled with surprise.

"Daddy, is something wrong with mom's suspicion? You haven't made a girlfriend, have you?"

" Afnan," he said angrily.

"Your mother's mind is full of garbage, and she sees garbage everywhere. Anaya will be a thirty-year-old girl, and I'm a sixty-five-year-old man who sees a daughter in this child. The things my sons and wife don't have time to listen to, she listens to my words with great attention. My work-related matters seem useless to my wife, while she can understand even my nonsensical talks with great attention. In her every manner, I see respect for me. I like her; there's no doubt about it. You people can think whatever you want." He threw the chocolate and perfume on the bed and walked out, while Afghan was worried and surprised by their reaction.

Hearing Saadia's loud voice on the phone, the three people sitting in the lounge looked in the direction from which Saadia's voice came as she entered. Anger was visible on her face.

"What happened? Who was on the phone?" Naveed Sahib looked at his wife's angry face with questioning eyes.

"It was Baji Nasreen's call."

"So?" Naveed Sahib's question made her look at Anaya. She also looked at him with questioning eyes.

Sadia, I'm asking you something."

He spoke in anger because he couldn't wait any longer. Before his anger could increase, he put aside his manners and spoke.

"Mrs. Irfan's family had come on Monday. They had called and expressed their seriousness for Anaya, and today they have sent a refusal. They feel like strangling those people." Naveed glanced at Anaya. He couldn't tell from her face if she was upset about it or not.

"It's okay if it's not right. I didn't like that boy much either. His qualifications were not very special, and I didn't like his job either."

He didn't know if he was telling the truth now or just trying to console Anaya.

"That's all fine, but I'm more angry about the fact that I, Zarina, went to their house and said some things."

"Zarina?" Naveed's tone was questioning. Sadia looked at Anaya with furtive glances, whose face had changed color.

"Hamad's mother..." Her voice was low, but Mr. Naveed's nerves were tense.

"How did they get there?"

She wanted to take Sonya's name because she was Sonya's aunt, but she could be wrong. Now whether it was wrong or low, in both situations, there could be a fight between the two families. So she thought it was better to remain silent.

"That scoundrel has come to Pakistan, now this is what will happen."

He said, gritting his teeth. Meanwhile, a color was coming and going on Anaya's face. She wanted to get up and leave from there.

Just then, the doorbell rang, and she got an excuse to get up. She quickly went to open the gate ...

She barely managed to smile seeing Sonya with them. While Saadia, who was coming from behind, involuntarily clenched her teeth. Her suspicion was confirmed; this Sonya was the one who was going to break up this relationship too. She went inside and sat down. She needed time to normalize her expressions.

☆☆☆

"Are you not ready?" Saadia asked her, seeing her just sitting there.

"Bhabhi, please, I really don't feel like going out," she said with a bored expression. Saadia was sitting in front of her.

"Even if you don't feel like it now, you have to go, and with a happy mood, because you won't show Sonya, who has come to see you, this side of you." Tears welled up in Anaya's eyes.

"Bhabhi, you have already ruined my whole life. What more do you want from me now? I'm barely breathing. You want to snatch that too? Why don't you just strangle me once and for all?" She burst into tears, and Saadia hugged her.

"Anaya, these few words of yours are your enemies. Don't say such bad things. Nothing bad happens from a person's thinking or doing. Only what God has written happens. God tests his servants, and those who remain steadfast are surely rewarded. You are my brave sister, come on, get up, wash your face, wear a nice dress, and put on some makeup. This is the answer to Sonya's trick, understand?"

She looked into her eyes and said this, and Anaya just shook her head.

☆☆☆

Afnaan, driving the car, turned his head to look at his father sitting next to him, who was looking out the window instead of at the front. Afnaan looked at the man from behind.

Zeeshan and his were sitting, and they too were silent.

"Daddy! Are you still angry?" Afnaan broke the silence, but they remained quiet.

"Uncle!" Hafsa said.

"I am not angry," he replied this time.

"Then why have you been silent since yesterday?"

The question came from Zeeshan's side, and he was silent again.

"Daddy! I am sorry, I hurt you. It was just a joke." Now Raahat Sahib looked at him with regret.

"Does a father make such a cheap joke? He has taken his father as a joke, just like your mother talks nonsense, now you people have started doing the same. I feel ashamed of the angry one. What would she be thinking? What a cheap man he is, having an affair with a girl half his age."

"La hawla wala quwwat,ta!" Hafsa exclaimed involuntarily.

"Uncle, I can't even think like that. I have not seen a better person than you in my whole life." Silence fell in the car for a while.

"In your joke, you have dragged an innocent girl into it. How shameful it is to accuse someone, even if it is a joke."

"I am very, very sorry, Daddy! Believe me, it was just a joke, otherwise, I know you. We are proud to be your sons."

"Exactly!" Zeeshan quickly said at afnaan's urging, and his strained nerves became normal.

Sonia's eyes were on his face, how long had she been...

She was feeling it, but she kept ignoring him and looking around. The food counters in the hall were crowded with people. The loud music and the noise of the people made it impossible to hear anything. They had finished eating. Because of Sonya Bhabhi, it had become difficult for her to sit with him.

"Bhabhi! I'm just going to get a cold drink," she told Sadia and quickly moved away.

He looked around. But no table was empty.

"It's very crowded today," Hafsa said, making a face.

"It's the weekend today," Zeeshan, with his hands in his jeans pockets, was also looking for an empty table.

"Where did Daddy go?"

"There he is," Hafsa pointed to where he was meeting someone.

"Who is that?"

"Anaya's brother." At Zeeshan's words, they both looked at each other at the same time. Then it must be Anaya. On Hafsa's smiling voice, they both smiled and looked over there.

"Is this Anaya?" Aftab's voice was filled with surprise and regret.

"Are you crazy? Uncle told us that she is 35 or 40 years old, while she is only 18 years old."

"Hmm," Aftab grunted.

"Is this Anaya?" At Zeeshan's words, he looked at her closely, where a girl of the same age was standing and Mr. Rahat was affectionately patting her head.

"This is Anaya?" Zeeshan seemed to regret it.

"She's good, but not as simple as I am. Uncle used to praise her as if beauty ended with her."

Hafsa also felt sorry.

"Leave us alone. Look, that table is getting empty, let's go and occupy it. I'll just go and get some food and drink."

He quickly turned towards the food counter where there was a crowd of people. He made his way and went inside. She had been standing there for a long time. It was so crowded that she was afraid to go forward. If she went back, she would have to face Sonya Bhabhi, which she did not want. Taking a deep breath, she thought of going back and forth. Just then, hearing her name being called, she turned around. And seeing the person standing very close to her, the earth and sky spun in front of her. She was so scared that she couldn't even move. He was looking at her so intently as if he wanted to swallow her with his eyes. She was exactly the same, but looked even more beautiful than that. As he came closer, she spontaneously took two steps back. Seeing her intention to run away, he grabbed her arm without wasting a moment.

"Are you still afraid of me?" On his face, there was a playful but still a look of amusement. And in the midst of so many people, she was amazed at his courage. He started looking for  Naveed Bhai and Nabil Bhai's .

"Who are you looking for me?" he said, looking at the direction of her gaze.

She had quickly pulled her arm away, she wanted to run away from him, the crowd she was afraid of, now she was trying to find refuge in it. She bumped into a person coming from the front and the glass she was holding fell to the ground and the coke in the glasses stained her clothes and the rest fell on the ground.

The people around them were drawn to the confrontation. But she kept looking at her surroundings. Once again, it became a spectacle. She started to cry badly.

"Madam! You have put buttons in place of your eyes, I haven't seen such a tall person," Afnaan said, looking angrily at the girl who had her head bowed, after seeing the things that had fallen.

"Oh brother! You are worried about your things, but look at the girl. She might be hurt."

Someone in the crowd was concerned about her. Anaya felt an awkward situation now. She raised her head and looked at the person she had bumped into. He suddenly clenched his lips when he saw her looking at him like that.

Anaya changed her gaze and looked around because of his continuous staring, but he was nowhere to be seen. She took a deep breath to compose herself and wiped her tears, looking straight ahead.

"I am sorry, it's my mistake," she said, getting up in a tone full of apology.

"I am the one who has suffered the loss, and you are the one crying." At his words, her eyes fell on the fallen fries and burger. She became embarrassed again. Seeing the two of them talking, people went back to their work. She once again looked far away, and afnaan, who was following her, looked so scared that she couldn't help but ask.

"Is there any problem?" Anaya looked at him with a start and nodded in the negative. "Afnaan, where did you stay?" At Zeeshan's voice, the two of them turned to look.

Seeing their appearance, Zeeshan, Hafsa, and Rahat Sahib, who was coming behind them, were startled. Before he could say anything, Rahat Sahib quickly stepped forward.

"Anaya, are you okay?"

As soon as he took their names, the eyes of the three of them fell on the girl. Seeing Rahat Sahib, she felt relieved, but she became flustered by the three of them staring at her.

"I'm fine, uncle!" she said, regaining her composure. Just then, she heard Saadia's voice, "Anaya, where were you? I was so worried, and what happened to you?" she said with concern, looking at her appearance with surprise.

Seeing Saadia Bhabhi, she wanted to hug her and cry, but seeing Naveed Bhai, Nabeel Bhai, and Sonia behind her, she controlled herself.

"Nothing, Bhabhi, my foot just slipped."

"First of all, who told you people to wear heels?" Rahat Sahib and the others looked at Naveed in surprise at his angry words.

"It's okay, Naveed! It happens. Come, sit down," Rahat Sahib offered them a seat.

"No, Rahat Sahib! It's quite late. We will meet again, Insha'Allah." He was now shaking hands with everyone, one by one.

"Okay, you people go now." He said, looking at Anaya, whose face had turned even paler. Rahat Sahib and the three of them watched this scene carefully.

Hearing Saadia Bhabhi, she was so surprised that she couldn't speak for a long time, while Anaya, sitting in front of her, had eyes that were swollen from crying. Her surprise now had turned to anger. "She still has the guts to face you."

"Bhabhi," she said with sadness. "He not only came in front of me, but in that crowd, he also held my hand. The same fearlessness was on his face as if no one could harm me."

"Anaya, you are a fool. You should have made a scene at that time, or at least slapped him." Sadia Bhabhi clenched her fists to control her anger.

"Bhabhi! At that moment, I felt as if life was draining from my body. Seeing him, all the scenes from five years ago started coming back. I thought if I spoke, he would tear me apart again. The people would all gather and start stoning me."

Terror was visible in her eyes. Sadia Bhabhi instinctively grabbed her by the shoulders, and she looked at her with a start. Bhabhi kissed her head and held her close.

"I will talk to Naveed." At her words, she straightened up quickly.

"No, Bhabhi! My brother is very emotional, and I can't bear any more pain." She knew the regret of loss in her tone.

"Then I will talk to Nabeel, to talk to Sonia, because all this is Sonia's doing, otherwise, how would she know where you are?"

"It's no use." She said with a heavy heart. "Sonia Bhabhi will not admit her mistake; instead, she will make me a liar. I'm very scared, Bhabhi!" She helplessly held her head in both hands.

"Anaya! Don't you worry, I am still alive."

And what is the truth? I know everything. I won't let anything bad happen to you now." She was stroking his foot and looking at the wall in a thoughtful manner.

☆☆☆

"Brother is right, a person shouldn't be so cowardly. I don't know why I get so scared." She said to herself, rubbing her hands together.

"This is the second time I have ignored Uncle. What must he be thinking about me, how rude I am. He treats me with such affection and I reacted as if I don't know him."

"Ugh!" She felt like hitting her forehead. "He doesn't come to the park anymore." She stood near the terrace door and started watching the people coming and going in the park. His specific bench was empty.

"He must be angry with me for sure." She became even more worried.

"I should go to Uncle's house." She was constantly thinking, pacing back and forth. Just then, Sadiyya Bhabhi came inside.

"Anaya! Your brother called, there's a party at the society club this evening, we have to go there."

"Bhabhi! Please, you know I don't like these parties, you go."

"I'm going, but you're coming with me too. Sabeen is also going, and your brother won't leave you alone at all, and I'm not in favor of it either."

She said in a decisive tone, and Anaya just stared at her. Seeing her sullen face, Sadiyya smiled.

Anti-social girl, you should meet people. Life doesn't move forward by hiding inside, and as for Hamad, he can't harm you anymore, so get him out of your mind." On their saying, she took a deep breath.

"And I'm telling you again, get ready properly."

"What will that do?"

"Whatever it does, you'll find out." Understanding their meaning, she shook her head and went into the room. Standing in front of the mirror, she carefully looked at her face.

"A beautiful face is not a guarantee of good fortune." This thought was probably for her. "Good clothes don't matter, Bhabhi! When the heart is dead," she addressed them in her heart and opened the tap, splashing water on her face.

As she entered the hall, loud music greeted them. Seeing the crowd of people all around, she started to feel nervous. In contrast, her sister-in-law and brother were happy because they were used to these parties, while she had never been social before and had become completely reclusive for five years.

"Hey Naveed, how are you?" Just then, she turned to the right at the sound of a voice and saw a man of her brother's age embracing him. She saw her brother smiling, which meant that this person was in her brother's good books.

"This is Irfan, my colleague and friend." He was introducing the person. A little while later, they were walking towards a table where Irfan Sahib's wife and son were sitting. They were quite familiar and talkative. Everyone was engaged in conversation, and she was just quietly looking around.

It seems like Anaya is getting bored," said Mr. Irfan. Involuntarily, she looked at Naveed Bhai, who was watching her with serious eyes, as if she had insulted his guests.

"How does that happen?"

"And again I say, get ready properly."

"No, it's not like that, I was listening to you," she barely smiled and picked up the glass of coke in front of her.

"What will happen with that?"

"Whatever happens, you will find out." Realizing his meaning, she bowed her head and went to the washroom. Standing in front of the mirror, she carefully looked at her face.

She was looking in front of her, but her attention kept wandering. The reason for her discomfort was the eyes of the man sitting in front of her. Mr. Irfan's son, Mical, was staring at her. She had given him a sharp look once or twice, but he proved to be shameless. Naveed Bhai asked him something, and he turned his attention to him, so she took a deep breath. Just then, she had a feeling that Uncle Rahat was sitting a little far away. She lifted her neck to confirm her suspicion and, upon confirming it, turned to Saadia, who was sitting next to her.

"A beautiful face is not a guarantee of good fortune. This is probably for her."

"Nothing happens with good clothes, Bhabhi! When the heart is dead," she said to herself in her heart and started splashing water on her face.

"Bhabhi, Uncle Rahat is sitting there, let me go and meet him."

Entering the hall, loud music greeted them. Seeing the crowd of people all around, she started to get nervous. On the contrary, Bhabhi and Saadia were happy because they were used to these parties, while she had never been social and had become a loner for five years.

"Yes, go."

"Oh, Bhai," she said softly, and Saadia whispered something in Naveed's ear, and they gestured for her to go.

"Oh, Naveed, how are you?" Just then, she turned to a voice coming from the right and saw a man of her brother's age embracing him. She saw her brother smiling, which meant that this person was in her brother's good books.

"As-salamu alaykum!" At the sound, Uncle Rahat turned and, as soon as his eyes fell on Anaya, he stood up involuntarily.

"Oh, my daughter has come too. Come, sit down," he said, sitting on the chair next to him.

"Did you come alone?" he asked from behind her.

"No, everyone is here, and you..." she looked at him with questioning eyes because they were sitting behind him.

"Everyone is here, but everyone has their friends."

"This is Irfan, my colleague and friend," he was introducing the man. A little later, they were going towards the table where Irfan's wife and son were sitting. They were quite different and talkative, all of them were engaged in conversation, while she was just looking around in silence.

Anaya seemed to be getting bored. At Mr. Irfan's suggestion, she instinctively looked towards Naveed Bhai, who was watching her with serious eyes, as if she had insulted his guests.

"No, it's not like that, I was listening to you." She smiled with difficulty and picked up a glass of something placed in front of her.

She was looking ahead, but her attention kept drifting. The reason for her discomfort was the eyes of the person sitting in front of her. Mr. Irfan's son was staring at her constantly. She had given him an angry look once or twice, but he proved to be shameless. When Naveed Bhai asked her something and she turned her attention to him, she took a deep breath. Just then, she thought she saw Rahat Uncle at a table some distance away. She raised her neck to confirm her suspicion and, upon being sure, turned towards Sadia, who was sitting with her.

"Bhabhi, Rahat Uncle is sitting there, can I go and meet him for a bit?"

"Yes, go."

"That brother..." she said slowly, and Sadia quietly whispered something in Naveed's ear. Only then did he look at her and signal for her to go.

At the sound of "Assalamu Alaikum!", Mr. Rahat turned and, as soon as his eyes fell on Anaya, he instinctively stood up.

"Oh, my daughter has come too. Come, sit." She sat down on the chair next to him.

"Did you come alone?" he asked, looking behind her.

"No, everyone is here, and you..." She started looking at him with questioning eyes because he was sitting alone.

"Everyone has come, but everyone is with their friends."

He must be meeting them," he said and fell silent.

"Are you angry with me, Uncle?" He was surprised by her question.

"Why would I be angry with my daughter?"

"Then why didn't you come to the park the other day?"

"I wasn't in the city. Naveed knew, but why did you think I was angry?"

"I didn't even meet you properly at the food center that day. I was upset, and my brother's mood was also bad. So I just left."

She couldn't understand how to describe her state of mind.

"Yes, I saw it, and I found it strange. There was no need for Naveed to be in a bad mood."

"A person's foot can slip."

"No, it wasn't their fault. I should have walked carefully." Rahat Sahib looked at her and stopped.

Just then, Zeeshan came with Hafsa.

"Anaya! This is my elder son Zeeshan, and his wife Hafsa, and this is Anaya."

"We know her, Uncle! How are you, Anaya?" Hafsa met her cheerfully.

"Daddy talks about you a lot," Zeeshan also said with a smile.

"Where is your mother?" Rahat Sahib asked Zeeshan.

"She is standing with Nighat Aunty." He pointed towards the woman in the maroon dress. She was smiling and looking at them when she felt someone standing close to her. She turned her neck to look, and for a few moments, she couldn't take her eyes away. While the person standing in front of her...

He smiled upon seeing it.

"Where have you been?" At Zeeshan's suggestion, he smiled and sat down on the chair directly in front of her, while Anaya was still looking at him with surprised eyes.

"This is Afghan, my second son." When the uncle introduced him, he bowed respectfully and greeted him, while he quickly changed the angle of his gaze.

"It seems Anaya didn't recognize me. Even though we have met before, why, Anaya?" He leaned forward a little to look at her, who was avoiding his gaze.

"Daddy! This is the same girl who hit me and knocked my things down, and she hit my chest so hard that it still hurts." As he said this, he also placed a hand on his chest, and Anaya looked at him involuntarily.

"Did you get hurt too badly?" At this mischievous tone, Afghan found it very difficult to suppress his laughter.

"Such and such, because of this worry, I have become a heart patient in my youth." Anaya's expressions became as if she was about to cry. Rahat Sahib looked at Afnan's face and shook his head with regret.

"Anaya, it's not like that, he's just kidding." At his words, Anaya looked at him again with the same gaze. "Daddy, what do you know? I'm the one who feels the pain," he said, speaking like a victim.

"I'm sorry, I didn't do it on purpose." She couldn't figure out how to explain it to him.

"Stop it, Afghan," Zeeshan had to interrupt him upon seeing Anaya's face. The tears welling up in her eyes were clearly visible to Rahat Sahib.

Hafsa gestured to her.

"Come, Anayah! Let's go see what's in the refreshment area. I'm very hungry." Anayah stood up quickly.

"Relax, yaar! Afghan is just joking." Hafsa affectionately stroked her arm, and she smiled.

"Who was that girl?" Naila asked while sitting, her eyes fixed on Anayah.

"That was Anayah's mother!" Zeeshan replied.

"That was Anayah?" she said, surprised. "I thought she was a very young girl when you mentioned her."

"What were you thinking?" Rahat Sahib's forehead creased.

"You're the one who talks about one girl day and night, and Nighet also told me how you spend so much time walking in the park with that girl. I don't know what's going on."

Rahat Sahib looked at his two sons with regret.

"Mama! You should end your friendship with Nighet. Otherwise, one day she will get you divorced from Daddy. I've been watching since childhood, and every few days she tells you about a new affair of Daddy's that Daddy doesn't even know about." Afnan gave this advice quite seriously.

"I know. It seems that Nighet aunty provokes Mama against Daddy so that Mama gets separated from Daddy and she can take her place. After all, she had a crush on Daddy at one time." Zeeshan brought up a far-fetched idea.

"You're absolutely right, brother!" Afghan said, widening his eyes. Meanwhile, shadows of thought crossed Naila's face.

Rahat Sahib smiled and looked at his intelligent sons.

"Daddy! Mom doesn't love you, and look at Auntie, how hard she's trying to get you. It's better if you marry her. Besides, it's been so many years since she became a widow. The poor thing also looks so lonely," Zeeshan said with a hint of sorrow.

"And Daddy! Mom also loves Nighat Auntie, and you can easily afford two wives at the same time."

At this, the moment Afghan spoke, Naila's patience ran out.

"This is too much, you two have been talking nonsense for so long. Don't you feel any shame getting your father married at this age?"

"And what about you, don't you have any shame at this age, putting false allegations of affairs on my father?" Afghan retorted.

She had been accusing Rahat Sahib of a past reality and had considered herself justified in treating him this way, but she didn't realize that due to her behavior, not only her husband but also her children had formed an opinion about her. The way Zeeshan and Afghan had shown her a mirror today, she was ashamed to see her own face in it.

Seeing the expressions on her face, Zeeshan gestured to Afghan to stop saying anything more. Just then, Hafsa came back with a plate.

"Where is Anaya?" Rahat Sahib asked, and Hafsa pointed with her eyes to where she was standing with three people.

"That's Irfan Sahib's family," Rahat Sahib said after looking carefully.

But I don't understand why they are surrounding Anaya. She was interviewing Anaya as if she was getting her son's marriage proposal. Hifsa's demeanor was mocking."

"Maybe they liked Anaya because Mr. Irfan was looking for a match for his son," Mr. Rahat said and turned his attention to the plate in front of him, while Afghan was startled and looked where she was standing.

She was grateful when Naved Bhai stood up. Before leaving, she looked at the table where Mr. Rahat was sitting; the table was empty. She looked around with a sad expression, but maybe they had already left. Seeing Mr. Irfan's son coming towards her, she quickly walked out, got into the car, and took a deep breath as Naved Bhai, Bhabhi, and Seen came.

"Naved! Before going home, please stop at the grocery store."

Naved looked at her angrily. "Couldn't you have bought these things earlier?"

"What time would I have bought them? You came in the evening, so we came here. Besides, it won't take long. We need bread, milk, and eggs for breakfast in the morning."

Naved Bhai's face was sullen, but he left. Anaya looked at Bhabhi with envious eyes, who was tolerating her brother's anger so calmly.

"Hello!" Someone suddenly said, coming to the window. She turned her neck to look and was shocked. She instinctively recoiled and bumped into Seen, who held her arm firmly, which meant she had recognized him.

"How are you, Anaya?" He was looking at her.

What is happening?" Upon hearing Naveed Bhai's voice, his stopped breath returned to normal.

"You!" As he turned, Naveed Bhai was so surprised that he couldn't speak.

"How are you, Naveed Bhai?" He smiled and extended his hand for a handshake, but Naveed Sahib looked at it and then ignored it.

"What are you doing here?" he said, a frown on his forehead.

"The same thing you are doing," he replied with a smile, but the frown on Naveed Sahib's forehead did not change.

"I came here to do some shopping. I saw you, so I thought I'd say hello."

"Hmph," Naveed Sahib snorted sarcastically. "You still have the courage to face me. If you think so, then you are a very shameless and brazen person."

"You can say whatever you want to me, I won't mind. I know the mistake is mine, and I want to atone for this mistake."

"Mistake!" Naveed Sahib repeated angrily. "What sin have you committed? And there is no atonement for this sin."

"There is an atonement for every sin, Naveed Bhai, and there is an atonement for this sin. You just give me a chance. I love Anaya very much, I can't live without her."

Naveed Sahib's mind seemed to flip. In a fit of rage, he grabbed him by the collar and shook him.

"How dare you talk such nonsense? You were already shameless, now you've become a disgrace."

"Naveed, let it be. He doesn't care about his own honor..."

No. You take some care. People are watching." Sadia said, pulling Naveed back by the arm.

"Stay away from us, or it won't be good." He raised his finger as if to warn him, but Naveed just smiled in response to his threat. Naveed Sahib sat inside, slammed the door shut, and sped away in the car with a jolt.

He was still standing there, smiling.

"I have never seen such a cheap person in my life. We left our city and came here because of him so no one would find out. How did he find out then?"

He said angrily, looking at Sadia, and Sadia looked at Anaya, who shook her head in disapproval.

"And this wretched man had left Pakistan, so when did he come back?" They had a long list of questions, but who would answer them?

"I don't think his intentions are good." Sadia Bhabhi expressed her concern. Naveed Sahib looked at her in surprise.

"What can we do now? He has already done all the harm he could. He can't do anything more than this." Saying this, he looked at Anaya, who was sitting completely silent. Then he looked at Sabeen.

"Tell the matchmaker to find a good match as soon as possible. I don't want to take any more risks. We have to get Sabeen married after some time. I don't want any trouble for Sabeen."

At Naveed Sahib's words, Anaya, who was looking at her hands, started looking at her brother, but he was not paying attention to her. He was typing something on his mobile. Tears welled up in Anaya's eyes. "Oh God, how many more tests do I have to face?"

He was watering the flowerbeds with a pipe, and at the same time, he was looking at Raahat Sahib, who was reading a book with great concentration.

He made a face, looked at the watch on his wrist, where it was six in the evening. He put the pipe down in the flowerbed and went to Raahat Sahib.

"Daddy, you haven't been going for a walk lately." He said in a casual tone, picking up a cup of tea.

"It's only been two days that I haven't gone, otherwise I go every day. Why are you asking?"

"Because I was thinking. I would also go for a walk with you."

"Okay, let's go in a little while."

"What's the point then?" he muttered.

"Did you say something?" He looked at him intently.

"Nothing, I was just thinking that Anayah also hasn't been coming for a walk lately."

"How do you know that?" He looked at him, narrowing his eyes. For a moment, he was flustered. "I can guess. She must not be coming, that's why you are not going either."

"We don't plan to go for a walk."

He said that and got lost in the book again. Just then, Raahat Sahib's mobile rang. He held the mobile to his ear while he took a deep breath and picked up the book that was lying there. When he came back after listening to the call, he was in deep thought.

"Is everything alright, Daddy?"

"Yes, everything is alright. It was Irfan Sahib's call."

"What were you saying?"

I had told you that they were looking for a match for their son. They liked Anaya and were saying that you have a good relationship with them. Before we go with the proposal, you should talk to them.

"Then?" He looked at her face seriously. "Then what? I will talk to Naveed, he is a good boy, well-settled, he will be good for Anaya."

Saying this, he looked at Afnan, who was watching them intently with his hands under his chin.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Daddy, can't you see me?"

"What do you mean?" He was surprised.

"You are going with a proposal for a stranger. He is a good boy and Anaya will be happy. Is your son not good or can't I keep Anaya happy?" He was so surprised that he couldn't speak for a long time.

"Afnan, are you serious?"

"Daddy! Do you think I'm joking?" he said angrily.

"I have been trying to make you understand for a long time, but you don't see your son, you see others." He spoke with a little anger, so he laughed.

"You don't know, Afnan! How happy I am to hear this."

"If you were so happy, you should have told me."

"Anaya becoming my daughter-in-law, this was my happiness, but I didn't know that it was your happiness too. I didn't want to ruin your life by imposing my will, nor Anaya's. You know, I have never forbidden you two brothers from anything. When Zeeshan also expressed his desire to marry Hafsa..

Despite her opposition, I fully supported her because my son's happiness was dear to me. I didn't want him to marry at his mother's insistence and then spend his whole life compromising."

He probably got lost in his past while talking. "Anyway," he said, shaking his head and smiling. "I'm going to Naveed's today. I'll also give Irfan Sahib's message and talk about your matter. Then whatever God wills."

"Daddy!" he almost shouted. "Why are you bringing up Irfan Sahib here?"

"Son, I have to talk. But don't worry. I know what to do. But what will you do about your mother? She'll create a new mess."

"Why?" he looked at him with questioning eyes.

"She knows that I like Anaya and it's her primary duty to disagree with my choice."

"You leave it to me. Just don't refuse." Rahat Sahib looked at his son's face intently.

"I didn't even realize the matter had gone so far." He raised his eyebrows and smiled.

"Is the situation the same on the other side as well?" He scratched his head when asked.

"I don't think so." Saying this, he patted his shoulder and stood up with a smile.

The guests had left. But she was still confused. Not because of the guests who had come, but because of Rahat Uncle, the guest who had come and left without meeting her.

She was washing the dishes when Sabeen came inside and immediately put her arms around her neck. At her affection...

We have good news for you."

"Oh!" She turned towards him with a smile and looked at him with questioning eyes.

"You've received a proposal, and not just one, but two." She told him excitedly and looked at Anaya's face. But contrary to her expectation, her smile faded.

"What happened, didn't you feel happy?" she asked.

"Is this something to be happy about?" she asked back.

"It's absolutely something to be happy about," she said, emphasizing her point.

"Come on, Papa is calling you."

"But why?" she asked with concern, pulling her arm away.

"Phoopho!" Sabeen looked at her seriously.

"What's there to be afraid of? Papa has called you to talk. He won't eat you." She had come happily, but now her mood was off.

"Sabeen!" She affectionately touched her cheek.

"What, Phoopho! I am so happy, and you are worried like this as if marriage is not a reward but a punishment."

"You are saying this even after knowing everything." She said helplessly.

"Let's forget the past, Phoopho. Let it go." The younger one tried to explain to her. She took a deep breath and fell silent.

After a long silence, Naveed Bhai cleared his throat and started the conversation.

"I don't want to remember what happened in the past, nor do I want to refer to it. Irfan Sahib has given his son's proposal, and Rahat Sahib has also brought his son's proposal."

If we look at it, both are good. I thought Irfan Sahib's son would be fine because he is settled in America and he will take you with him, so you won't have to deal with the people here. But your sister-in-law thinks that Rahat Sahib's son will be fine because Rahat Sahib loves you like a daughter. Now you tell me what you think is right. When they fell silent, she looked up at them with downcast eyes.

"Brother, I don't want to get married."

"Why?" He looked at her with a frown on his forehead. She lowered her head again.

"Do you want to create another scene?" When he asked, her eyes welled up with tears.

"Naveed," Sadiya interrupted them involuntarily and they took a deep breath.

"Look, you have to get married sometime. Maybe I would have delayed and ignored this matter, but now that I have seen the face of that wretched Hamad and heard his nonsense, I can't take any more risks. It's a good thing both proposals are good, otherwise, at this moment, I would be ready to marry you to anyone." He looked at Sadiya with sadness, who was looking at him.

"Naveed, I think Rahat Sahib's proposal is fine." At Sadiya's suggestion, Naveed looked at Anaya again.

"Did you tell them about me?"

"No, and there's no need either." Naveed's blunt manner left her stunned.

"But brother, it is very important for them to know." She said insistently.

"Do you know what will happen if they find out? They will never look back."

, I don't want to talk about it with anyone here. That's why I will not talk to anyone and you, Saadia, remember this too. There will be no talk about Anaya's past. Tell them that we will have a simple marriage, only our family will be there, no relatives. We also have to talk about the dower first. We have had a large sum of money written as dower, which will work as a security for Anaya." He was saying something else, but her mind was buzzing.

☆☆☆

She couldn't sleep all night. Her conscience was not allowing her to deceive a decent man. The person who was marrying her had the right to know everything about her, and then it would be his fate whether he accepted her or rejected her. And brother is talking about the dower. Is a large sum of money a guarantee for her peaceful future? When he finds out my truth, will the dower stop him from divorcing her?

How many questions were in front of her. She also knew that her brother would not back down from his words. And sister-in-law would not go against them either.

"What should I do?" She involuntarily held her head. And by morning, she had made a decision.

She bravely dialed Mr. Rahat's number. "Assalam-o-Alaikum, Uncle!"

"Anaya!" He was happy as well as surprised to recognize her voice. "How did you remember me today, Anaya?" Anaya squeezed her eyes shut and prepared herself to speak.

"Uncle! I need to talk to you about something important."

"Yes, speak, my child."

Not on the phone, uncle..."

"Is everything alright, Anaya?" he asked, startled.

"Yes, everything is alright. Can you meet me?"

"Yes, why not? I'll come to your house."

"No, uncle! My brother and sister-in-law shouldn't know that I've talked to you. She said this very quickly, and Raahat Sahib became a little worried.

"Okay, I'll be at home, you come." She hung up the phone.

The gate opened at the first bell.

"Is everything alright, Anaya? I was worried." He said this and carefully looked at her downcast face.

Seeing her silent, he brought her to the chairs kept on the lawn. It was the beginning of winter, and the warmth of the sun was giving the body a sense of peace. Raahat Sahib sat in front of her, waiting for her to speak.

"You came to our house yesterday..." she said and then stopped, as if searching for words. Raahat Sahib was silently looking at her downcast eyes.

"My brother wants me to accept his proposal, but..." she stopped again, and Raahat Sahib took a deep breath.

"But you don't like this relationship." Anaya looked up with a jolt at his serious tone.

"Uncle, I don't have the authority to reject anyone, but you have that authority." Raahat Sahib was confused by her vague talk.

"Anaya, my child! If you talk openly, it will be easier for me to understand."

You don't know anything about me, Uncle! I have a past, and it is very important for you to know about it. My family wants to hide my past from you, but I don't want to deceive you. I don't know what it was that crushed that girl in a single day."

"I... I was already gone at the beginning. I am a divorcee, Uncle! I have been married before," she said, hiding her face in her hands and starting to cry.

To say this one sentence, she had been fighting with herself all night. On the other side, Raahat Sahib was also shocked. Crying, she was revealing her entire past to him.

"My mistake was not that big, Uncle, but I was considered guilty. Because of me, my family had to face a lot of pain. I am only reminded of the wounds that have been inflicted on my body and soul. No one has anything to do with it. I don't want anything bad to happen to you. You are good, and I am sure your sons are also good, and they deserve a good girl."

A burden had been lifted from her conscience.

"Although divorce is a very bad thing, and one of the things that Allah Almighty dislikes, it is not a flaw that should turn life into a disease or be hidden."

At Raahat Sahib's words, she smiled sarcastically.

"I told you, Uncle! It's not about divorce. It's about how the marriage happened, how I was presented as bad in front of people, how I was treated, and with what words I was divorced. That's what is worth hiding."

Three years ago, my sister-in-law tried to get me married. When it is told that I am a divorcee, everyone runs away. If a divorcee, an older person, or someone with children comes for this divorcee, our relatives talk about me in such a way that they don't turn back. That's why my brother left the city and came here where no one knows us, and the reason for not telling you now is that you might not refuse, and I don't want to add to their problems by not staying here." She said this and stood up.

"I hope, uncle, you will not hate me for this." She got her answer from the continuous silence of Mr. Rahat.

"Uncle, brother will call you. When you refuse, give any reason, but don't tell him that I came to you."

She knew this would be the outcome, but for some reason, she was still crying a lot. Without meeting their eyes, she quickly moved towards the door, opened the gate, and someone came inside. They both looked at each other and were shocked. Before he could ask her anything, Anaya quickly passed by his side. In the same surprise, he came to Mr. Rahat, whose face showed a clear shadow of thought.

"Is everything okay, Daddy?" he asked, standing in front of them, a little surprised.

"Yes, everything is fine."

"Then why did Anaya come?"

"She came to tell me that she doesn't want to get married." As soon as she said this, she sat on the chair.

"Why?" he sat in front of them spontaneously. "Does she like someone else?" As he asked...

But they shook their heads in denial.

"So what, I don't like her?"

"It's not like that," he said, irritated.

"Then what is it?" he also said, irritated.

Rahat Sahib looked at his face in silence without saying anything, as if he wanted to make some kind of guess.

"There are many other good girls in the world. The world doesn't end with Anaya." Afghan was completely surprised.

"You are saying this, Daddy!" He was silent.

"What happened, I should also know."

"This topic is over, Afghan. Now there will be no talk about this." He said with great seriousness and stood up, but she held his arm and stopped him.

"I want to know the reason." Rahat Sahib again looked at him with a state of conflict, whether to tell him the truth or not.

"I don't know what it is, Daddy, but I should know. Why was I rejected?"

"She didn't reject you; she just doesn't want to hurt you. She doesn't want to put you through any test." He took a deep breath, hoping to hear something he didn't know.

"How did he feel that being with me would cause me pain or that being with him would be a test for me?" He was smiling.

"Her family has big conditions. Their dowry is in the millions. They need thousands for monthly expenses. They want a simple wedding. Besides that, who knows what else?" He said with annoyance.

"What's the tension in that? I accept everything

It's not like that," he said, irritated.

"Then what is it?" he also looked at her with irritation, as if trying to guess something. "There are many other good girls in the world. The world doesn't end with Anaya." Afaan was very surprised.

"This is so easy, Afaan! Your mother will never agree," he said. "Right now it seems normal to you, but tomorrow she will bring up her traditions. I don't want Anaya to be in any trouble. The girl has already been through a lot." He said the last part to himself.

"Daddy! I like Anaya so much that I will handle everything for her sake, her family, and my mother too." Raahat Sahib looked at him with a start. He knew that he could handle things easily. Now that he was saying he would handle it, he would.

"Afaan! Anaya is a very good girl. Very simple and very loving. You have to value her and always consider her your own. I am making this relationship based on trust in you. I hope, no, I am sure you will not embarrass me in front of Anaya." Afaan was even more surprised.

"What happened, Daddy! What kind of world am I marrying into, that you are so scared? And right now, I feel like I am not sitting in front of my father, but in front of Anaya's father." He said this angrily, and Raahat Sahib smiled openly. He had decided what to do.

"You are saying this, Daddy!" He was silent.

"Then what happened? I should know too."

"This topic is over, Afnaan. We won't talk about this anymore." He said very seriously and stood up, but he held his arm and stopped him.

"I want to know the reason." Raahat Sahib looked at him with a troubled expression, wondering whether to tell him the truth or not.

"I don't know what it is, Daddy, but I have to know. I have been rejected."

"No, she didn't reject you. She just doesn't want to hurt you. She doesn't want to put you through any test." He took a deep breath, wondering what he was hoping to hear.

"How did she feel that being with me would cause her pain, or that being with her would be a test for me?" He was smiling.

"Her family has very big conditions. Their dowry is in the millions. The monthly expenses are in the thousands. And you don't know what else?" he said with irritation. "What's the tension in this? I accept everything."

She was still in a state of shock, sitting in front of her husband and son.

"Without asking me, without telling me, you went and arranged my son's marriage? Do I have no status? Did you think I was dead?" She came out of her state of shock and looked at them angrily.

What relationship has been established yet that you're getting so furious? We have just talked. Their consent has just been expressed, so naturally, the conversation will take place now. You are the mother. You should go and break the ice." Rahat Sahib said with sincerity.

"Shikan!" she said in a sarcastic tone. "My shoes care about that family. Is she the only girl left?. Her brothers are not ready to give her a dowry. They don't have the status to invite a hundred people to the wedding, and the dowry is 2.5 million. Does that girl have wings of a mythical bird? My shoes care about that family. There are better matches than her for my prince son." Rahat Sahib looked at Afaan with a look that said, "I told you so."

Afnaan was silently watching his mother. When he spoke, his tone was decisive.

"I have made my decision. I will marry Anaya."

"This is all your father's doing, and you've become a part of it, but I will not be a part of it at all." Afaan took a deep breath.

"Okay, it's your wish."

"What do you mean?" Naila was shocked.

"I cannot force you or compel you. If you, as a mother, do not feel happy for your son, and here you are soothing your ego by going against Daddy, then it's your wish. But let me tell you, I will not marry any other girl except Anaya."

"Will you become a hermit for her?" Tila's voice was filled with retreat.

"I have no such intention or desire, but you...are forcing me to do this."

"Afghani! What has happened to you? She had stood up now and came in front of him. "For a common girl, you are going against your mother."

"That girl is special to me, Mama." He said looking into her eyes. The depth of his words could be felt in his eyes. She took a deep breath involuntarily and turned to look at Hafsa and Zeeshan, who were sitting silently.

"Did you two know too?" When she asked, the two who were smiling, flustered and shook their heads in denial, and turned to look at Mr. Rahat.

"Then when are you going to Anaya's side?" When he asked, Afghani spontaneously took her in his arms and twirled her.

☆☆☆

She still couldn't believe that she had been accepted. That too with so much respect and love. With a smiling look, she started looking at the ring she was wearing on her left hand.

The next week was her wedding and everything was happening according to her brother's conditions. Everyone was happy that her talk had gone through. She was not surprised by this, she was surprised that Sonya Bhabhi was happy. She was more surprised than worried about her behavior, but she didn't want to think about anything now, she just wanted to be happy.

She closed her eyes. A face appeared behind her closed eyes.

"Afghani," she said softly and smiled with her eyes closed.

"Bhabhi! What a heavy dress." Anaya said spontaneously, looking at the lehenga filled with work.

"Heavy? Saadia Bhabhi carelessly said, "You are getting married."

"But Bhabhi! It's a simple 'nikah'. Do you understand the meaning of simple?"

"I do understand, but this request has come from your future husband." And she, who was trying to stop them, fell silent.

"Why? What happened?"

Sadiya's sister-in-law gave a smile and looked at her face, but she was still looking at the lehenga.

"If you don't like it, I'll stop it. The brother can take it back."

"No, this is fine." At her refusal, Sadiya smiled openly.

"Where did this scene go?" Stepping out of the shop, Sadiya looked around with searching eyes, which fell upon a jewelry shop.

"I've also taken some time from Farhana." She took the name of her friend, who had a beauty parlor. Seeing her mouth open, she immediately interrupted her.

"Simplicity isn't always good. You'll wear such a nice lehenga without makeup, and yes, henna should be applied thickly on both hands."

She looked at them with irritation, and they smiled.

"This is also a request from your future husband." Seeing her continuous silence, Sadiya looked at her, removing her gaze from the mobile.

"What happened?" Anaya shook her head, holding back her smile.

"When do these requests come?" She asked Sadiya a little while later.

"When he calls to talk to you, and you answer the phone."

You didn't tell me. She said with unease at his mischief.

"I didn't tell you on purpose because I know you. If it were up to you, you would have told them about my divorce, which we don't want. This relationship would have ended before it even started, and the happiness I've seen on your face after so many years, how would I have gotten to see that?"

She looked at him and smiled because she didn't know, she had already told him that. That's why he was so content. Just then, Sabin came walking quickly towards them.

"How long do you take? I've been waiting for you two for so long."

"Why, I told you I was at this shop," Sadia pointed behind her.

"Sonia Bhabhi was calling again and again, she also wants to shop, she was asking for the location." Sadia asked with a frown on her forehead.

"So I sent it to her." She said carelessly. Anaya looked at Sadia with worry.

"Bhabhi, I don't want Sonia Bhabhi to come here. I am afraid of her gaze."

"Don't you worry, I'll handle her. You go to the parlor with Sabin, Farhana has called twice."

"Okay." She nodded her head and turned away.

"Phupho (Aunt)! You wait here because I have to go. I'll take the car and come here." At Sabin's request, she nodded her head, looked at her hands, and kept smiling while looking at the intricate designs of henna on her hands.

"You look very happy." She recognized the voice coming from behind without turning. Her lips tightened.

He looked back fearfully and when she saw him, he smiled openly. She involuntarily took two steps back. "Are you getting married?" At his question, Anaya looked in the direction from which Saadia Bhabhi was coming.

"Today you didn't meet my gaze either, and today I still like looking into your eyes." Tears welled up in Anaya's eyes.

"Don't be afraid, Anaya! I haven't come to harm you. I've just come to tell you that today, too, I am waiting for you."

This time, Anaya looked at him angrily.

"Aren't you ashamed to say this? You know I'm not ashamed." He said with impudence, and Anaya stepped down from the sidewalk. By then, Saadia Bhabhi had reached them, walking quickly.

She cast an angry look at Hamad, who was now smiling.

"Assalam-o-Alaikum, Bhabhi! How are you? I hear wedding preparations are in full swing." He pointed to the shopping bags she held in her hand.

"Hamad! What is your problem? The relationship between us is over, in fact, you yourself destroyed everything. What is left that you keep coming back again and again? Leave Anaya alone, forgive her." Saadia Bhabhi, frustrated, folded her hands in front of him.

"Oh, Bhabhi! You are embarrassing me." He seemed to enjoy her frustration.

"I am as happy about Anaya's wedding as Anaya herself probably isn't." He cast a full glance at Anaya, who was looking ahead. Saadia Bhabhi looked at him as if he had lost his mind. 

It was as if he had read their eyes.

"My mental balance is fine, for now, sister-in-law!"

"By the way, what does Anaya's temporary husband do?"

"What does it matter to you?" Saadia, the sister-in-law, said angrily.

"It matters to me, so don't tell me. What's so difficult for me to find out? Anaya was seemingly looking straight ahead, but her heart was trembling upon hearing his words. He probably wanted to snatch her happiness again."

"Listen to me, Hamad! Don't even think about doing anything foolish. If you try to create an obstacle in Anaya's wedding, remember that Sonia will have to pay the price." He warned him by raising a finger.

"Don't worry, sister-in-law! I am not going to do anything of the sort. God willing, the wedding will go off without a hitch. I just came to congratulate you." He ended the conversation abruptly.

"He's gone mad," Saadia, the sister-in-law, muttered, turning to him, his face drained of color.

"Anaya! What are you afraid of now? Why don't you break his face?" Saadia was angry at her cowardice. When Anaya looked at her, her eyes were filled with tears.

"Sister-in-law! When I see him, the same face comes before me, the one you haven't seen, which is very frightening. I am afraid of his madness. Even today, I feel the pain on my body that he gave me in his madness."

She was lost in happy thoughts looking at the henna on her hands. She had forgotten everything, but the same pain had awakened, with which she had been living for the past five years.

Saadia regretted her harsh words.

Forgive me, Anaya, for a few moments I forgot what you've been through. But my child! That chapter is over. A new life is about to begin. Think about that. He can't do anything now, he's just bothering you."

"But Bhabhi, why is he doing this? What is the purpose of all this? Why has he come back to Pakistan?" She was very worried.

"Don't you remember Sonia once told you that he was getting treatment in America, and you also said how obsessed he was. I think his disease has gotten worse, that's why he's talking like this." Saadia's tone was thoughtful, while she nervously rubbed her palms, where the henna had already dried.

☆☆☆

For a few days, she had forgotten everything and was happy about the life to come. She had fallen back into the same state of mind. With every phone call, every rustle, she would imagine that someone would come from Afghan's house and insult her and reject her. Only two days were left, and she felt as if she was hanging on a cross. She had no good hope from Hamad. He could do anything. He was Sonia Bhabhi's uncle's son. Sonia Bhabhi's foster brother.

Hamad had his first meeting with her at Sonia Bhabhi's Mehndi. It was her brother's wedding. She was very one-sided, all the cousins had practiced Ludi for two weeks. They were all doing Ludi. When a boring sound came from Sonia Bhabhi's side, they all stopped and looked over there.

Where the group of boys who had been making such a ruckus, all got nervous and moved to one side.

Her mood was instantly ruined, just then she saw Hamad coming towards her and he apologized to her.

He was standing there staring at her so intently that she got nervous and moved away. And then, as if his shadow, he was always around her and her wedding. She, who had thought a lot about the function, spent all her time hiding from his gaze. Then, as she had feared, her sister-in-law's wedding took place, and a month later, a marriage proposal for her arrived. But her father, who was alive at the time, refused because she was only ten years old, and Hamad was barely thirty or thirty-four. He also didn't have a job.

He was the only brother of three sisters. He had a large inheritance that he was enjoying, but these people did not end the matter after this refusal. Instead, they tried to pressure them through Sonya and other relatives, and Hamad would reach wherever she was.

Every day he would appear outside her college. The more she ignored him, the more he pursued her. The number of unknown callers at home started to increase. One day, he blocked her way outside the college.

This was the first time she was so scared. But he, oblivious to his surroundings, was expressing his love for her, and then he started appearing in front of her again and again.

Now he also started calling her, and while talking to her, he would get very emotional. And she would get scared. If she didn't go to college or didn't answer his phone, he would threaten to kill himself and force her to talk.

He sent the proposal again, but her father refused once more. Her mother taunted her father, saying, "They have come with your daughter's consent." Hearing this, her father and both brothers became furious.

She was her father's favorite,

He was not scolded. He was being questioned strictly and seeing the doubt and anger in the eyes of his loving brother and father standing in front of him, his heart wanted to break and sink into the ground. He was forbidden from going out. In such a situation, only Sonya Bhabhi was there to console him, but in the name of sympathy, she was brainwashing him so well that it was a sin to like someone. He was so naive that he thought someone loved him so much. She used to tell him about Hamad's heartache every day and paint such a picture of his suffering that he would get worried for him.

He also began to believe that his brother and father did not want his happiness; only Hamad wanted him. That day, no one was home; he was alone when Sonya Bhabhi came in crying. He was scared by her crying so bitterly, and hearing what she said, his face also turned pale. Hamad had slit his wrist. He wanted to meet him one last time, and he was looking at Sonya Bhabhi in a state of severe indecision. Finally, the brainwashing that had been going on for so long prevailed over the honor of his father and brothers. And he went with Sonya to meet Hamad, and this was the biggest mistake of his life.

There was a bandage on his wrist, but he was completely cheerful. In his distress, he did not notice. Sonya Bhabhi was not with him now. He held his hand, and he could not live without him now. He was asking him to stay there. When his hands were pulled away, he became aggressive. He wanted to call Sonya for help, but just then the door was thrown open. It was Sonya Bhabhi, and behind her were father, Naveed, and Nabeel Bhai. He pulled his hands away with a jerk.

"Look, Father! I told him so many times, but he came here without listening to anything. I am with you people."

she had gone against her brother, but this Munna wanted to marry her himself. These were Sonya's sisters-in-law. Wearing the cloak of helplessness, they were taking out her honor's funeral. She stood still, overcome with sadness and surprise. She looked at her father, and there was sadness in his eyes. She ran towards him, crying.

"Father!" Before she could say anything, brother Naveed stepped forward and slapped her on the face. She staggered and fell to the ground, but she didn't lose heart. She got up, forgetting the pain.

"Father! I didn't do anything." She held the hand of her father, who was standing still.

"If you didn't do anything, then why are you here? We forbade you, didn't we?"

Brother Naveed came closer to her and shouted. "We are performing this marriage." Before she could say anything, Hamad, standing confidently behind her, spoke. Everyone's eyes turned towards Hamad.

"He is lying," she screamed. Just then, four men and a Maulvi entered.

"You can see for yourselves who is lying," Sonya said to Nabeel in an accusatory tone.

"Let's go, Father! This girl is dead to us." Brother Naveed said to Father, but he just stood there.

"Now we will bury her, and the Maulvi Sahib will perform the Nikah."

Her father was saying this. She looked at them with empty eyes. There was hatred in the eyes of her own people for her. All the words she wanted to say to defend herself were buried within her.

They left. This made her angry, and she was truly angry. But the one who hit her was so drunk on his victory.

It was possible that he didn't even realize that the feelings of a lively girl had died. In response to her passionate love, he had nothing but coldness. He had also claimed to love her, but she didn't see love; it was just a stubbornness that he had fulfilled. Now she was a commoner. His cold attitude had sobered her love. He never respected her before, but now it seemed that everything was over. He would beat her up on every little thing. The girl who was so pampered was now in tears. There were bruise marks all over her body, but she couldn't tell anyone. It was her mistake, and now punishment was her destiny.

He was also suspicious and had a short temper. She wasn't allowed to leave the room unnecessarily. His mother and sisters didn't like her already. Hamad's cousin, who was his sister's fiancé, used to visit them a lot. He was a cheerful boy who respected her; he was the one who would forcefully make her sit with everyone.

That day, too, everyone was sitting and watching a movie. Hamad was not at home. He came to call her, but she refused, but he insisted, so she was forced to come out and sit quietly on a sofa.

Everyone was busy joking. She was also smiling after hearing their jokes. While smiling, her eyes fell in front of her, and not only did her smile shrink, but her soul also perished. It took her a minute to realize that he was standing over her, and without thinking, he slapped her face one after another. Everyone else also became silent. He had done the treatment that used to happen behind closed doors in front of everyone. She already had no respect because she had run away from home, but this was Hamad's preference, and today that illusion also ended.

Hamad brother! Are you in your senses? What are you doing?" Nomi was the first to come out of his shock.

"You stay away from my business." He said, raising a finger in a threatening manner.

"She is my wife. Whether I raise my hand or choke her, what's it to you?"

"She's a wife, not a purchased slave." It's hurting you so much. Have you fallen for her beauty too? Anaya looked at him longingly while Nomi screamed.

"Shut up, Hamad brother!"

"Don't you dare mess with me." Hamad lunged at Nomi, leaving her behind. In the next moment, both of them were locked in a fight. Hamad's mother and sisters separated them with great difficulty. He grabbed Anaya's arm in a forceful manner and dragged her into the room.

"Leave me, Hamad!" She jerked her arm away from him in the room. "There is a limit to everything. I have been quiet so far, but I won't be anymore."

"What will you do?" He stood there, placing both hands on his waist, looking at her intently.

"I will leave this place." He burst into laughter at her words.

"I have blocked all your paths of return. Now you will die here and live here. This is your destiny, which Hamad has written for you."

She kept looking at his arrogant demeanor for a long time.

"What are you looking at? Will you eat me? Oh... I got scared." He started acting scared.

"Where are you going?" He grabbed his arm as he saw her leaving.

Leave me."

"I'll leave you so you can go to your new lover and sing praises of your beauty, and one day you'll come and smear my face with soot, just as you did to your father and brothers."

Anaya's patience had reached its limit. Her hand rose in an uninhibited gesture. And what happened next was unbelievable for Hamad, and what happened after that was unbelievable for Anaya. The room echoed with Anaya's screams.

☆☆☆

"Anaya is not home." Zarina aunty said to Tahir sahib, averting her eyes.

"Anaya is at home, you better tell me straight or we'll bring the police."

Naveed sahib was itching to strangle the woman and Hamad sitting in front of him.

"I said, she's not home." Hamad said with great arrogance, with one leg crossed over the other.

"These people are lying. Sister-in-law is at home." Nomi, standing behind Naveed, said angrily, and Zarina and Hamad looked at him with furious eyes.

"You're in so much pain, aren't you, failed lover? Don't worry, your beloved is still alive." Hamad's sarcastic tone made Tahir sahib clench his fists. Meanwhile, it was as if flames were coming out of Naveed sahib's eyes. He moved forward without any regard for anyone, with Nomi behind him, and Hamad and Zarina Begum screaming behind them. On Nomi's instruction, Naveed bhai opened the door with a jerk, and seeing the body on the floor, he instinctively gripped the door frame. He blinked and looked again.

It was his beloved sister, injured and in a bad state. Her beauty was unparalleled. She was so badly injured...

She lay on the floor like an orphan. "Anaya, my doll!" He started crying openly while saying these two names.

He quickly grabbed her by the arms and sat her up. Her face was swollen, and one of her eyes was swollen shut. Her lips were cracked, and her hair was badly tangled, as if it had been pulled hard. Her arm and waist were torn, and blood was clearly visible coming from the skin beneath. He hugged her to his chest.

She was semi-unconscious, but she recognized that touch, that embrace. She was his mother's child. She wanted to cry, to sob, but she couldn't. Naveed Bhai picked her up in both his arms.

"You can't take her with you." Hamad stood in the doorway.

"Get out of my way, or today you will be killed by my hands." There was blood in his eyes.

Nomi pushed Hamad back. Seeing Anaya in Naveed's lap, Tahir Sahib's breath seemed to get stuck in his chest.

"Look, father, look at the condition of your darling." Naveed Bhai said through gritted teeth. "Let's go from here."

"Wait, you can't take my wife without my permission."

"You despicable man... you still have so much courage." Naveed Bhai made Anaya sit on the sofa and splashed a handful of water on her face. Hamad's sisters also came out of the room. They were all trying to pull Hamad away from Naveed, but in a little while, Naveed had made things worse. He was now panting badly.

Keep your wretched and wayward sister in check. I curse her and all of you. I divorce her, I divorce her, I divorce her. Now get out of here. Let's see you settle your sister. I won't let her live either."

Wiping the blood from his lips, he spoke in a very organized manner. Meanwhile, Naveed Bhai, without wasting a moment, picked her up and went outside. Tahir Sahib was standing behind with his head bowed. No one was sad about the end of this relationship, nor was Maidmah, because no one had found happiness or peace in this relationship.

It took him a long time to become normal, and when he did, he told Sadia about Sonia's deception, but he forbade Sadia from telling anyone Sonia's name.

The parents were regretting that they had not trusted their own daughter and had left her abandoned like this. And this sorrow was what took her father's life. ☆☆☆

The marriage had taken place, but she was still in disbelief. Her eyes were still fearful of some unforeseen event. The parents were happy, but she kept looking at Sonia again and again. But she seemed the happiest of all in this restlessness and anxiety. All the rituals had been completed, and she had come to Iftaan's house, but she was still in disbelief. But this disbelief ended when Afghan came and sat right in front of her. In the form of reality, but now the feeling was different, which she couldn't name. He had sat down, but many moments passed in silence.

It was then that Anaya felt his eyes on her face. It was then that he took her hand in his, and Anaya's nervous eyes involuntarily looked up, and seeing her like this, he smiled openly. She quickly lowered her gaze.

"What happened? Don't I look good?" Sensing mischief in his tone, she smiled despite her nervousness. Seeing her smile, he lay down in front of her in such a way that he could now comfortably see her lowered face and eyes.

"I can't take my eyes off you, and you don't want to look at me." At his words, the smile on Anaya's face disappeared. She looked at him nervously, who was now lying on his side, propped up on his elbow.

"It's not like that," she said with difficulty, seeing his serious expression.

"Then what is it like?" he asked with even more seriousness.

"You look good," she said nervously and quickly. He, who had been holding back, burst into laughter. Anaya looked at his changing mood with surprise.

"You're a big coward, you gave up so quickly!" She was already upset. She needed an excuse to cry, and she got it.

"Oh!" Seeing her cry, he immediately sat up. "Anaya!" He held her hands and sat closer to her.

"I'm sorry, dear, I was just joking. You were so nervous, I only did it to make you relax."

Seeing Anaya continuously sobbing, Afghan placed his finger under her chin and lifted her face.

"Look at this." At his words, Anaya looked at him with tear-filled eyes. He had his hands over his ears and a very innocent expression.

He had said that she had smiled with teary eyes and seeing this scene, afnaan was mesmerized for a moment, and at his gaze, she lowered her eyes once again.

"Now you are so shy, I haven't even told you the state of my heart yet. If I start, you will hide your face in the pillow out of shame."

She nodded her head spontaneously. He smiled. His manner was so friendly that she forgot all her nervousness.

"Mama! Auntie looks so beautiful, just like a princess."

On Seen's eager expression, Sadia smiled openly.

"She was always beautiful, she was just under the evil eye, but now my princess has found her prince, now she will have no sorrow." She said this while warding off the evil eye from them both. Just then, Sonia came and sat near them.

"Bhabhi, I have been looking for you for a while."

"Why, is everything alright?"

"Yes, everything is fine," she said and started looking at the stage. After a while, her voice was heard again.

"It was a good thing that Naveed bhai did not tell Afnaan's family about Anaya's divorce, otherwise we would not have had this happiness."

At Sonia's words, Been and Sadia looked around spontaneously. Been got up from there. Sadia looked at Sonia with annoyance, whose entire attention was on the stage in front.

"By the way, Bhabhi! Naveed bhai did this injustice..."

Why, no one was invited. It was such a happy occasion. One should forget old grudges and make a new beginning. Zarina Tai was complaining so much that at least they should have been invited."

"Saadia now looked at Sonia with anger."

"Sonia, was her complaint justified? You tell me. What they have done is enough, you are their relative, you know. They are our enemies, yes, one more thing... she turned to Sonia as she remembered something."

"Tell your brother to stay within his limits and get treatment for the fits of madness he gets from time to time."

"Bhabhi!" Sonia looked at them, feeling offended.

"I am right, and Sonia, you should also remember this. If you try to harm Anaya now, you will be the one who gets hurt because I know everything now and I will tell everyone and then you will be responsible for whatever happens." In response to their threat, Sonia looked at them with deep eyes.

☆☆☆

Her loving eyes were fixed on Anaya, who was laughing at everything. Her other gaze fell on the Afghan sitting with Naveed, who had a smile on his lips and a look of desire on his face.

She turned back with a smile. She was setting the tea accessories on the trolley when Anaya came inside.

"Bhabhi! Let me help a little," she said with a smile, turning towards her.

"No, my dear! You are a guest." She held her hands, on which the color of henna was still visible.

"You are making me feel like a stranger," she said with a smile, and they hugged her.

Daughters are always someone else's." Her voice was choked, so Inaya stepped back and looked at her face.

"You're crying, Bhabhi?"

"Oh, you fool, these are tears of joy." She said, wiping her eyes.

"Now tell me one thing, truthfully."

"Yes?" Her manner made her cautious, and she looked at her.

"Are you happy?" At his question, she smiled spontaneously.

"I'm not happy, Bhabhi! I'm very happy. I couldn't even imagine that someone could love me so much. I get proud of this love, but then I get scared that Afghan's love might not turn into hatred." Her glowing face became dark for a moment.

"May God forbid that from happening," she said quickly.

"I have seen love for you in Afnan's eyes. He will not be like Hamad. Anyway, tell me, how is everyone else?"

"Everyone is very good. Uncle, Zeeshan Bhai, Hafsa Bhabhi, Auntie, everyone... It's just that Auntie talks less, but Uncle says she will be fine."

"God willing, everything will be fine. I am sure. Now that you've come for the first time after the wedding, stay for a day. We'll sit and talk a lot tonight."

"I also want to stay with you, but Afnan..." She paused for a moment, and Sadiyya smiled and looked at her face.

"What about Afnan?" At her mischievous voice, she shyly lowered her head.

"Nothing, I'll ask him." She came into the drawing-room with the two trolleys.

After drinking tea, Afnaan stood up.

"Afnaan! If you permit, Anaya will stay here tonight." At the request of Saadiah Bhabhi, Aftaan looked at Anaya, who was also looking at him.

"Of course, Bhabhi! What objection could I have? But we are both going to Singapore the day after tomorrow, and all the packing is still left. If Anaya can manage, she should stay." Anaya looked at Afnaan in surprise because there was no such program until yesterday.

"Is it preparation for the honeymoon?" Saadiah looked at Afnaan with a smile.

"Yes, Bhabhi! I thought I'd show Anaya around."

"Anaya, stay put, daughter!" Naveed said to Anaya, who then looked at Afnaan again. He nodded in agreement with a spontaneous gesture.

"Okay, then I'll leave. He's trapped her and is enjoying himself."

"Brother! I'll come again. She also has to pack, and I haven't asked Auntie either. I hope she won't mind." He said quickly while also looking at the door.

"It's alright, son! Come again. There's no need to upset anyone." Naveed affectionately patted her head, and she hugged Seen and Saadiah and came out quickly. The car was already started, and it was surely waiting for her. As soon as she sat in the car, she looked at him with anger, and he was watching her annoyance with a mischievous smile.

"Why are you looking so angry?"

"Why did you lie? We are going to Singapore."

"We are going!" Afnaan smiled and looked at her. "Why would I lie? We are really going to Singapore the day after tomorrow. I wanted to give you a surprise, but I got so..."

I had to tell him. He was looking at front now.

"I met my sister-in-law after so many days, what's the problem if I stay for one night?"

"It's a problem for me. I can't live without you, not for a single day, not for a single night."

When he spoke with emphasis, Anaya looked at him instinctively. He was smiling while looking at her. She wanted to say something, but now she couldn't live without him either. So she also smiled and looked at him.

☆☆☆

When he came back after saying goodbye to brother Zeeshan, Anaya was lost in deep thought, repeatedly closing and opening the zipper of her handbag. He cleared his throat and sat down near her. Anaya was startled, looked at him and smiled.

"What are you thinking, madam?" He looked at her face and she smiled and shook her head.

"I'm not saying this, I can read everyone's face, but I can understand your condition from your face."

"It's nothing special. I was thinking about aunty. Maybe she didn't like us going to Singapore." She was now stroking the strap of the bag.

"Why do you think so?"

"When I went to meet them before leaving, they didn't even speak to me, and when you left, they scolded you so much." Her voice choked.

"What did you feel bad about, that they didn't talk to you or that they scolded me?"

"I don't like that you got scolded because of me." Afnaan looked at her face, which was blinking her eyelashes, holding back tears, and looked so beautiful that he had to control himself in that crowd.

Mama has such a habit, you'll get used to it too, and don't get upset over such small things. I am with you. You are with your husband. You are going with his consent, that should be enough for you. Okay," he said, patting her head.

"Because of Mama's scolding, neither you nor I ate anything. I'm hungry now. You sit here, I'll go get something to eat."

He was like that; he would solve her problems in a snap. She smiled and looked towards where he had gone.

"Congratulations on your marriage." Hearing a voice close by, not only did her smile shrink, but her heart also began to pound. She slowly turned her head. It was him, with his usual taunting smile, and she stood up at once.

"I heard you are going to the honeymoon." He turned his back without saying anything. He came in front of her all of a sudden. For a moment, she was surprised by her own courage in front of so many people. She looked at him angrily.

"Get out of my way, or I'll gather a crowd."

"It won't make a difference to me. It will make a difference to you. Right now, I've come to meet your husband. Where is he?" When he asked, she looked at him in a fluster but kept her tone harsh.

"What do you care?"

"I care. You got married, so what do you think, you'll get away with it? No, this marriage also happened with my consent, but now I absolutely cannot bear for you to be with him. We are now going to get a divorce from him."

Your mind is messed up." She burst out. "Yes, it is messed up." She was slowly losing her composure. Anaya was two steps behind. "I could have expected this cheap thinking from you. Stay away from me and my husband."

"Husband? He laughed. "The husband who doesn't know your reality. When he finds out your reality, he'll dump you with just three words." "You think everyone is as petty as you are," she said with a smile.

"For your information, my husband knows everything, and despite knowing all this, he not only loves me but also respects me and, above all, trusts me."

There was so much confidence on her face that he couldn't speak for a few moments, and in that time, she picked up her bag and turned away, but she had to stop at the next step. Aftab was coming towards her.

"Your husband is handsome," he said softly, right behind her. Anaya's face went pale. Aftab looked at Anaya's pale face with some surprise and then looked at Hamad with questioning eyes, who smiled at her and turned away.

"Who was that?" Aftab asked, handing her the cup.

"I don't know," she said in a very cold tone. Just then, the announcement began.

Aftab took the bag from her hand. He was now moving forward with her in the embrace of his arm. She knew who had told Hamad that she was here, but the way Hamad had gone silent in response, she was sure that he would not come in front of her again. Taking a deep breath, she looked at Aftab, who was fastening his seatbelt. She put her head on his shoulder.

The days spent in Singapore were the most beautiful days of his life. He had enjoyed every moment of his life. In every moment, she would thank God for giving her a person like Afnan in her destiny.

☆☆☆

She was hanging her clothes in the wardrobe when Afnan entered and, seeing her busy, quietly walked behind her and put his arms around her. He thought she would get scared, but she was smiling.

"You are not scared?" he asked, resting his head on her shoulder. "I got the scent of your perfume, and no one else but you can do such a thing."

When she said this, he laughed and stepped back, so she also closed the closet and came to sit on the bed.

"You came back early today, Mama will scold you," she tried to scare him.

"I will take the scolding, what's in it?" He took off his coat and lay on the bed with his shoes on. Anaya was looking at him, who was lying with her eyes closed. Suddenly he opened his eyes. Anaya immediately looked away, but he enjoyed her action.

"It felt good, didn't it?" he asked mischievously, looking at her who was trying to suppress a smile. Just then, his phone rang, and he got up and sat down.

"Yes, Nabeel Bhai! Yes, of course, why not. You are embarrassing me, yes, I will tell everyone. Okay, take care."

She understood why Nabeel Bhai had called.

Nabeel Bhai's phone call came. He is inviting us for dinner tonight."

"You refused, it's only been three days since we arrived. I don't feel like going, I don't want to." She said with annoyance.

"I know, یار! They had invited us before we went to Singapore as well. Now they've been asking for two days. It doesn't look good to refuse repeatedly, and I've already told Mama and Daddy. Now cheer up. Get ready nicely, I'll go freshen up by then."

Saying this, he went into the washroom, while she sat there for a long time.

Contrary to her expectation, Sonia Bhabhi and Nabeel Bhai welcomed them with great warmth, but seeing Razina Aunty and her daughter made her throat go bitter. She looked at her brother with displeasure, who had forgotten his sister's distress and restored relations with his in-laws to please his wife. She remained there in fear of something bad happening, but nothing of the sort occurred.

She went outside when Nabeel Bhai called her, while everyone else was inside. Zarina glanced at Nabeel and Anaya going outside and then at Sonia, who gestured for them to start talking.

"You people have a lot of courage, to marry your handsome, talented son to a divorcee."

Her sorrowful tone touched Naila, who was drinking tea, while Afghan's hand, which was reaching for the tea, froze. Zeeshan and Hafsa were in the same state, but the worst state was of Rahat Sahib.

I apologize, there is no such thing. You have not received any education." Naila seemed to refute his statement.

"There is no question of a mistake. The marriage of my son was also with Anaya, but she was very proud of her beauty, and her character was also bad. My son divorced her."

She said this with her chest puffed out as if her son had done a great deed by divorcing her. Sonia carefully looked at everyone's faces; her arrow had hit its mark. They didn't know anything, meaning Anaya had lied to Hamad. Now it would be fun. Sonia smiled inwardly.

"Aunty, please be quiet." Sonia pretended to be flustered.

"Please, Aunty! Don't reveal anything in front of Nabeel that Auntie told you something. Actually, she didn't know that Naveed brother had kept her unaware of this matter."

They were all so grateful that they couldn't say anything. First, Rahat Sahib stood up. It was better to leave from here at that moment.

"Okay, now allow us to leave." Rahat Sahib stopped near Nabeel, but Afnan went out quickly. Anaya looked at Afnan leaving with surprise.

"Did he get a call?" he explained to Nabeel.

When he came out, there were wrinkles on his forehead. He couldn't understand what was true. At the sound of 'hello,' the curtain turned, and he looked at the person standing in front of him with questioning eyes.

"I am Hamad, you don't know me, but I know you."

Afnan was barely standing there, at that moment his...

He was not in the mood to talk to her. He was just looking at her.

"I am Anaya's ex-husband." Afnan looked at him with a start; he had seen him before.

"Surely Anaya would not have told you about me, even though I told her to tell you about me. After all, one day you have to find out. Anyway, let me get straight to the point. Anaya and I love each other very much. She loved me so much that she went against her father to marry me. But something went wrong, and I lost her, but now we want to be one again. That's why she married you. She must have hesitated to tell you this. That's why I thought I would meet you and tell you that you are a hindrance between us. So it would be better if you divorce her because she does not want to live with you."

He was speaking in front of him, and despite wanting to break his face, Afnan stood silent because he was swinging between truth and lies. He turned his head at Rahat Sahib's voice and saw Anaya coming with Rahat Sahib. He turned and stopped near them as they passed by.

"The pride you have in your husband will soon be shattered, and in the end, you yourself will fall at my feet."

She was listening to him, but her eyes were on Afnan's smoky face. He quickly opened the car door and sat down. Anaya rushed towards the car. She barely sat down. The car door was not even closed when he started the car. He was driving very rashly, and she looked at Afnan fearfully.

The expressions were so piercing that she didn't have the courage to address him.

What she was afraid of, had happened.

Sonia Bhabhi had called her to her home under a plan. Hamad had met Afnaan under a plan and she couldn't hope for anything good from him. Her life had taken a turn again, and she sat lifelessly on the seat.

As soon as she reached home, a court was set up. She stood with her head bowed like a criminal. She knew her truth was known to someone, otherwise, she wouldn't have received so much love, and after knowing the truth, she didn't have the courage to look at anyone.

"Does anyone give such a big deception, the way you people have given us? We went with so much affection to form a relationship, but what did we get in return? A divorced girl!" Aftaan, with his head bowed under Naila's venomous tone, instinctively shifted.

"Liar! Aren't you ashamed of yourself, while forming a relationship with her?" She kept her head bowed while tears dropped on her feet one by one. Aftaan's eyes looked at her for the first time, and then he walked out with a jolt. Anaya's tears started flowing, while Mr. Rahat, who was waiting for him to speak, was startled and straightened up.

"Stop Naila, what was supposed to happen, has happened."

"Why did it happen? Do you think it's a joke? You people have deceived us. You have hidden the truth and given false information."

"There was no false information. Anaya had already told me everything." He shouted all at once, and the three of them looked at him in surprise.

Then you cheated us. Why did you do such a cruelty to your son? Naila was so upset, what could she do?

You ruined my son's life with your sympathy, my child..." She started crying loudly in a proper and innocent voice.

"Hafsa, my daughter! Take Anaya to her room."

"No, absolutely not. This girl cannot stay in this house anymore. Send her to her brother's house," Naila said, and Anaya looked at her in a panic.

"Is your mind okay?" Raahat Sahib looked at her angrily. "Why would she leave this house? She is our daughter-in-law."

"...She was. She won't be anymore. The person she came here for doesn't want to keep her anymore, and her silence is the proof of that."

At his words, Anaya burst into tears, hiding her face in both hands. Hafsa instinctively came to her.

"Come on, Anaya," she took her arm and brought her to her room. Naila's loud voice could be heard from inside.

"Anaya, please, be brave." Seeing her crying so badly, Hafsa felt a lot of pity for her. Just a little while ago, she was so happy.

"Hafsa!" The one who was consoling her by stroking her hand got up in a panic at Naila's voice and went out.

All her happiness had turned into silence. "This was Afnan's love? Just by knowing that she is divorced, his love is over. Now he will leave me. He will leave me." She repeated this under her breath with tears.

She wanted to talk to him once, still holding on to a foolish hope. She waited for him all night, but he didn't come home.

Morning turned to afternoon. She sat in the room, hungry and thirsty, just as she had been. She didn't have the courage to face anyone. She kept dialing Afnan's number, but he wasn't picking up.

It was evening. She was sitting completely exhausted when he entered the room and went into the washroom without looking at her. He was wearing the same clothes he had on that day. After a long time, he came out and had changed his clothes. He still didn't look at her.

He picked up a pillow and went towards the sofa. She had cried so much that her swollen eyes had no more tears left to shed.

She got up and let out a groan. She had been sitting in the same position for hours.

"Afnan!" she called out when she got close to him. Her voice automatically choked up, but he remained lying with his back turned.

"Afnan!" she called again. "Will you not listen to anything I have to say?"

"I want to sleep."

"Afnan!" He suddenly sat up.

"If you call me again, I will leave."

He said this angrily, looking at her, and she got scared and backed away, sitting on the bed. Afnan got up and turned off the light, while she kept looking at him in the darkness.

She didn't know when she fell asleep, but when she opened her eyes, he was gone. She didn't have the courage to go outside and listen to Naika Aunty's words, and she was so hungry...

His condition was bad. Just then, Rahat Sahib came in. She was about to respectfully stand up when he stopped her. Placing the tray in front of her, he looked at her face and was left breathless.

"Eat, my child! Why are you upset with food?" He offered her a slice that she took silently.

"My child, before you complain to me, I apologize to you myself. I am your confidant. I made a mistake by trusting what Afnan said. He loves you."

And the slice got stuck in her throat. "He loves you, I know that. Don't be sad on his behalf. Whatever this is, it's a reaction, he is shocked right now. I will talk to him, you don't worry."

"He will leave me," she said in a trembling voice.

"God forbid, my child! That shouldn't happen. I don't know what's going on in his mind right now. I just know that if he loves you, then this doesn't matter, and if he doesn't love you..." He didn't say the rest, but Inaya understood.

"I have a piece of advice, my child! Until things get better, you should go to your home. If you stay here, Naila will keep spewing venom and will continue to poison Afnan's mind with her nonsense."

"But uncle! Afnan..." she said, getting worried.

"My child! This is a time to think things through. When you are away from his sight, you will know whether he can live without you or not, and this is the time to test the love he claimed to have..."

She looked at him helplessly, who didn't know what to do.

He opened the door and the whole room was plunged into darkness. He reached for the switchboard and turned on all the lights. His eyes instinctively went to the bed. She wasn't there. The crumpled sheet was hiding her face. He shook his head and sat on the sofa to take off his shoes. He took off his watch and put it on the side, then glanced at the washroom door and took out his mobile.

More than ten minutes had passed, he was restlessly running his hands through his hair, then he got up and went to the washroom door. "Come out, I have to go?" When there was no answer after he knocked twice, he turned the handle; it wasn't locked. He rushed inside, but no one was there. He came out quickly. He opened the cupboard; all her clothes were there. His restless eyes were scanning the entire room. Her prayer mat was also there. Her slippers were on the doormat. He picked up his mobile and went outside.

Everyone was in the TV lounge. He sat there silently. Raahat Sahib glanced at him, who looked restless, and began to watch him more closely.

"Should I order food, Afnan?" Hafsa asked. "Yes, please order, and call everyone else too." His manner was casual.

"Everyone is here," Hafsa said, surprised.

"Anaya has gone to her brother's house." Raahat Sahib's manner was casual, but the expressions on his face were incomprehensible.

"Good, she left on her own, otherwise I would have had to kick her out," Naila said with a pout, and he stood up with a jolt.

Afghan, eat..." Hafsa looked at him in surprise.

"I'm not hungry." He walked out with quick steps. Rahat Sahib smiled under his breath and started looking at the TV again.

☆☆☆

He was very close to her; she could see her reflection clearly in his eyes. He was smiling. She extended her hand to touch his face with a smile and then opened her eyes in surprise. There was no one beside her. It was not her bed, it was not her room. Lying straight, she fixed her gaze on the ceiling.

"Afnan," she slowly took his name, and tears started absorbing into the hair at the corners of her eyes.

"Is love like this, Afnan! That it ends with one misunderstanding?" she was addressing his memory. He decided to leave me without giving me a chance to say anything after listening to everyone. Why didn't he ask me what I wanted, how much I love you? She started crying.

For three days, she had been at Naveed Bhai's house. He had not contacted her even once, and her uncle had strictly forbidden her to contact him herself. Her condition was bad from waiting.

She was counting every moment, she was getting disappointed, and this disappointment was forcing her to take an extreme step. She got up restlessly but sat down again exhausted the next moment; her head was spinning badly. She was taking deep breaths to calm herself when Saadia Bhabhi entered and, seeing the change in her face, rushed towards her.

"What happened, Anaya? Are you feeling okay?" 

He touched her forehead, which was completely cold. "Your health doesn't look good. I've been watching you since yesterday, your face is pale. Get up, let's go to the doctor."

"No, sister-in-law, I don't need a doctor. The one I needed the most has left me. Afnan used to say he can't live without me, now I don't know how he's living." She didn't seem to be in her senses.

"My child, be patient, don't lose hope. I tried to explain to Naveed to tell them the truth, but they did what they wanted and now they are suffering the consequences."

Sadia was regretting this ever since Anaya had arrived. "Sister-in-law, I told everything to uncle, but they didn't tell Afnan, and I kept thinking that Afnan knew everything. That's why I became so rude. I forgot that my own people are not my enemies." For a moment, Sadia couldn't say anything.

"Is this all Sonia's doing?"

"I always forgave them, sister-in-law, but this time I can't bring myself to forgive them. These two siblings planned this together and have probably succeeded. When I came out, Hamad was talking to Afnan. He must have said something bad, which is why Afnan is not talking to me, otherwise, he could never be angry with me."

Saying this, she started crying bitterly.

"I don't know, Anaya, why happiness doesn't suit you." She said, putting her head on her shoulder.

He left today without having breakfast as well. Naila saw him leave with worry, and then with anger, she looked at her husband who was having breakfast very comfortably.

"You are having breakfast comfortably over here. Do something, look what has happened to my child in these few days."

"What can I do?" he said, sipping his tea.

"Who else will do it? You are the one who trapped him in this relationship."

"I didn't. It was his own will."

"Whatever it was, get it over with now. I will not bring that girl back into this house."

Rahat Sahib looked at Naila once and stood up without giving any answer.

☆☆☆

Seeing them coming, she had hung up the phone and, seeing their mood for a conversation, she closed her laptop and moved back.

"What have you thought now?"

"About what?" she said, averting her eyes.

"About Anaya." He remained silent.

"Your mother thinks I trapped you in this relationship, even though it was your own will. It was my mistake that I trusted you and got you married to Anaya. Your love flew away at the mere mention of divorce."

"Daddy!" he said with anger.

"What, Daddy! I had told you, Afghan! Don't embarrass me in front of Anaya, don't break her trust in you, but he suddenly got angry and pursed his lips. 'Anyway, I have come here to give you a message from your mother. Your mother wants this relationship to end, and I think you want the same."

Oh.

"Daddy!"

"Daddy, am I not wrong? How much that girl loves you, and you..."

He said, "What? I don't love her? That's why she's angry with me."

"It doesn't seem like it. You're living so peacefully without her."

"Do you think I'm at peace since she left? I haven't been at peace for a single day. I'm a human, Daddy! When such a big matter came up, how was I supposed to react? Could I have stayed silent? I am angry with her for that reason. She told you, why not me? If she had told me after the wedding, I would not have been so grateful to hear it from someone else's mouth when everyone was blaming her. I could have spoken up for her. That wretched man said such useless things, and I couldn't answer him. How could I? I didn't know anything. He was saying that Anaya doesn't want to live with me. She left for her brother's house without telling me. What am I supposed to think of her now?" He was speaking as if he was filled with emotion.

Mr. Rahat smiled. "I had asked her to leave."

"Why?" he asked angrily.

"So should she have stayed here just to see your and your mother's sour faces? You yourself went out. Your mother was telling her such things behind your back. She came here trusting you. You were her shield, and you left her alone, so what was she supposed to do?"

"She could have talked to me, Daddy."

"Could you have talked to her?" He lowered his head.

Listen to me, Afnaan! You hurt him.

He said, you will have to bear it even if he speaks harshly to you now."

"I will handle him, Daddy! Just come with me." He patted her shoulder and they walked away together.

☆☆☆

After ringing the doorbell, they saw Afnaan standing on the right, his hands in his pants pockets, looking anxious. "Are you scared?"

"Daddy, please," she said with annoyance at his mocking tone. Just then, the gate opened, and seeing them in front of him, his face turned pale. "Is everything alright?" Aftab asked, startled. "Yes, please come in." she said, controlling her nervousness.

"Where is Anaya?" Rahmat Sahib asked as he entered.

"She's in the drawing room."

"Has someone come?"

"Yes, Nabeel Bhai is here," she said, averting her eyes.

"Okay, don't tell him we've come. We'll wait for her here." He sat on the sofa while Saba was twisting her hands, looking a little worried. "Is something wrong, Saba?" He didn't know why Aftab didn't feel right. Just then, Nabeel's loud voice was heard.

The three of them looked over, startled. Behind Saba, both of them also moved towards the drawing room, but hearing Anaya's voice, they stopped outside.

"I don't understand why you people keep bringing her in front of me to rub salt on my wounds again and again."

"I brought them. You tell me the truth."

Was Sonia involved in what happened that day or not? Anaya cast a glance at Sonia, who was looking at her with great arrogance.

"Brother, whatever troubles have come into my life to this day, they have come because of Sonia Bhabhi." Now Sonia looked at her with a start. She thought Anaya would remain silent today as well.

"Whatever has been happening until now, I have been bearing it silently, but now my patience has run out. I am tired of giving explanations for myself. Naweed Bhai, you wanted to know why I went to Hamad's house that day? It was Sonia Bhabhi who took me there."

"She's lying," Sonia snapped.

"You be quiet," Naweed raised a finger to stop her from speaking. He told me that Hamad had tried to take his own life. He wanted to meet me one last time. I'm not saying it wasn't my fault, I shouldn't have gone, but my intentions weren't wrong. How was I to know what Sonia Bhabhi wanted to do to me under the guise of love and sympathy? I only went to stop Hamad, but I didn't know what their plan was. I was screaming at the time, but no one listened to me. My father said I was dead to them, and I really was dead because my own people didn't believe me.

"He used to beat me and starve me like a madman. I kept bearing it all silently. But when he questioned my character, I spoke for the first time, just to say that you are wrong. He beat me like an animal. My whole body was bruised. Naweed Bhai, you are a witness to this fact! If that person bruised my soul and body, it was Sonia Bhabhi..."

His aunt was fully involved in this. She would portray my character in such a way in front of people that they would consider me to be of bad character. That's why no one would associate with me, and if God forgave me and included Afnan in my life, then I would not tolerate these people. After calling them home, Uncle and this person, he tormented me so much by threatening me. I know."

"What am I hearing, Nabil?" Naveed looked angrily at Nabil, who was stunned by these revelations.

"I don't know anything about this, brother! This is a very dangerous, cunning woman. She brought me here by saying that Auntie and Hamad have realized their mistake. They want to apologize."

"I didn't say anything wrong, Hamad wants to apologize. He wants to atone for his mistake," Sonya quickly said.

"Atonement for what?" Naveed Bhai asked, frowning.

"I want to marry Anaya. Everyone inside was stunned, while the fists of Afnaan standing outside were clenched."

"This will be completed today by my hands," Naveed moved forward in anger.

"Anaya is already married. She has been for a long time," Sadia, who had been sitting silently, first grabbed Naveed's arm to stop him, then looked at Hamad.

"I know, that's why I'm saying she should get a divorce from her husband and marry me again."

Afghan looked at Rahat sahib with a look that seemed to say, 'This man is not a flower.' He put his hand on his shoulder and asked him to calm down. Hamad had moved towards Anaya

.

Anaya, I love you very much. I have made a very big mistake. I am regretting it a lot. Forgive me once and come back to me. I will not give you any trouble, I will do as you say."

Anaya looked at his face carefully. "I used to be very scared of you before, but now I feel disgusted by you. I will never come back to you. I am very happy with my husband."

"What kind of husband? The one who was just laughing." He said in an aggressive tone. "The husband whose love you used to praise so much, the one you were so proud of. The husband who threw you out of the house after knowing your past."

Now Naveed and Nabeel looked at him in surprise. She had not told them that she had come to live with them for a few days.

"He didn't throw me out, I came myself."

"Oh, Anaya!" He laughed sarcastically.

"Whether you came or he threw you out, it's the same thing. It's obvious. There is no place for you in his house or in his heart now. No matter how much you lie, I know everything. I myself told him things about you, so he won't even look back at you, and you see, that's what happened. Now you have only one way. Before he leaves you, you leave him."

Anaya's head started to spin again. She involuntarily held her head and sat on the sofa. While the silence inside was drowning the heart of Afnaan. Saadia involuntarily moved towards Anaya.

"Naveed! Why are you making a joke of this girl's life? Why do you keep testing her again and again? What this man is talking about is impossible. You should tell these people to get out of here."

He had taken Anaya in his arms.

"Get out of here and take your mother and sister with you." At Nabeel's words, Sonia looked at her husband with uncertainty.

"Nabeel, what is my fault?"

"You are still asking what your fault is, Sonia! I am divorcing you right now."

"Brother! She was clinging to him with a dizzy head. 'No, brother, don't commit this sin.'"

Nabeel had pursed his lips and turned towards Naveed.

"Brother! Tell her to get out of my sight or I will do something wrong." Nabeel gave her a hateful look.

"Get out of my house!" At Naveed Bhai's shouting, she clung to Saadia Bhabhi even more.

"Remember, Anaya! If you are not mine, I will not let you be anyone else's. I will not let you be happy either." He was now resorting to threats while Sonia and her mother were dragging her outside.

"Anaya, are you okay?" Naveed Bhai bent down and looked at her face, which had turned completely white.

"Saadia! Take her inside." She got up with great difficulty. But seeing Afnan and Rahat Sahib standing in front of her, her courage seemed to fail, and she slipped from Saadia's arms and fell to the ground.

"Did you guys have a fight, Afnan?" Naveed Bhai said, looking at Afnan who had been sitting in silence for a while. He looked at him with a start.

"No."

Then why is Anaya here for so many days?"

"I sent her." Before he could speak, Mr. Rahat spoke up.

"The day we found out the truth at Nabil's house, Naila was very upset, and I didn't want her to say anything bad to Anaya, which would hurt her. That's why I told her to go home." Mr. Naveed took a deep breath.

Just then, Saadia came out with the doctor.

"How long has she been unwell?"

"She's been getting dizzy. I've noticed that she suddenly starts feeling dizzy. Is there something to be worried about?" Bhabhi Saadia asked worriedly.

"She is very weak."

"It seems Anaya doesn't eat properly, even though in this condition, she needs to take more care of herself."

"I don't either, doctor."

"She is pregnant, don't you know?" The doctor asked them back. Saadia instinctively looked at Afnaan, but from his face, it seemed he was also unaware of this.

☆☆☆

Sabeen entered, looking worried.

"What happened?" She stood there, anxious.

"Sonya's car had an accident."

"Oh my God!" Saadia involuntarily placed her hand on her chest.

"Hamad was with her too." Sabeen looked at Anaya out of the corner of her eye. "She died on the spot, while the child is in critical condition. Papa is going to the hospital. He is calling you." Saadia looked at Anaya.

"You go, Bhabhi! I'm fine." she said.

In a simple manner, she spoke, and Aadiya nodded and went outside.

Naila couldn't understand how to react.

What is happening? Am I a stranger that I get such big news last of all? She was looking at her husband and son one by one.

"I was about to say it too," Rahat Sahib said, and she looked at Afnaan.

"And I went back into meditation."

"You should have brought her home."

"I was looking at her, you don't even want to see her face."

"It's just God's will, people are helpless before it. May God give peace to the family." Saying this, she became silent. With pleading eyes, she looked at Rahat Sahib, who changed his angle of vision and pretended to be a stranger.

"You take everything to heart, otherwise that girl is very good and kind-hearted, and most importantly, she is my afnan's choice."

"Look, without her, my son's face has become so pale, and now such great news is coming. I have forgiven everything." She said with a satisfied smile.

Naila's face turned pale.

"You didn't explain it like this," she was saying to Rahat Sahib.

"Why should I explain? The mistake is yours."

"What did I do, Daddy?" He, who had been silent for a while, said in a frustrated tone.

"Should I tell you this too, my boy?"

"I brought my own daughter-in-law home. Afnaan and you, don't make me ashamed by crying. You know..."

After Afnan, a child is coming to our house for the first time. I am so happy I can't even express it. When Rahat told me, I couldn't stop myself. I want you to come home. You and Hafsa are the light of my house.

She was hugging her and saying more things, while Mr. Rahat looked at Sadia with a serene smile. It's true what they say, the interest is dearer than the principal. The child hasn't even arrived yet and everything has changed. Today, instead of fire, flowers are raining from my wife's mouth.

"Rahat, you never stop taunting." Naila looked at him with annoyance, and he burst out laughing.

When she came home, she was welcomed with so much affection that she felt embarrassed. But the person who should have been there first was not visible. This meant that his heart was still not clear about her. Her heart sank immediately. Naila looked at his face, which looked tired.

"Go, my child, and rest."

"Yes," she walked with slow steps to her room. As soon as she opened the door, she was shocked.

The whole room was decorated with flowers, and candles were burning everywhere, which made the atmosphere romantic. Her heartbeat became irregular. She stood in the middle of the room, looking at everything in surprise, but as soon as her eyes fell to the right, she froze. She didn't know how long he had been standing there, just looking at her. She lowered her gaze and went near the bed to pick up the pillow and moved towards the sofa when he...

He came and stood right in front of her. She moved to the right, and he moved forward again. She was avoiding looking at him, and just then, he took the pillow from her hand, threw it back on the bed, and held both of her hands.

"Are you upset?" He had thought she wouldn't cry, but suddenly she started crying a lot, and her face turned red from trying to hold it back. She tried to pull her hands away in anger, but his grip was tight. He then took her in his arms and brought her to the bed, sat her down, and then sat in front of her.

"Are you upset with me?"

"I don't have any right to be upset. You get upset with those you have faith in, but you broke my faith when you believed others and became suspicious of me. Just by hearing the word 'divorce,' your love for me ended. I never cheated on you; I told you the truth. It's a different matter that the truth couldn't reach you. I need you the most right now, and you left me alone without knowing how much pain I'm in. This fear that you will leave me, how it's destroying me. Even now, you haven't come to get me. Auntie and Uncle have come. Maybe that's also because I'm supposed to give them their heir. Otherwise, no one needs me."

After saying this, her courage ran out. She hid her face in both hands and started to cry. Afnan watched her silently for a while. When he felt that she had vented her frustration, he gently moved her hands from her face to look at her, whose face was wet. He lovingly wiped her tears.

Now let me say something. Your trust broke so quickly. Tell me, where did I break your trust? I am a human, Anaya. Even the hearts of saints get tears, and I am just a human. But God is my witness, I neither doubted you nor was I suspicious. My love did not diminish after knowing that you were married before. In fact, after you went away, I realized how much I love you. I was just shocked when that matter came to me so suddenly that I was blank. But you tell me, after knowing all this, did I disrespect you? Did I taunt you? Did I cause you any pain? I just became silent. And as for asking, I would have asked if I wanted to make an issue out of your past.

I was just angry that you told everything to Daddy but not to me. Okay, I accept that you didn't know any of my habits before marriage. But you could have told me later. If you had told me everything, I would have broken the face of that woman and that man who were talking so much nonsense against you. When he was talking to me about you, I neither believed him nor was I suspicious of you. It just hurt that you didn't tell me first. Because I couldn't say anything to him despite my anger, because I didn't know anything. I have one more complaint against you. When you know that I can't live without you, then why did you go to Naveed's brother without telling me? Can't I be hurt?"

Anaya, who was watching and listening to him without blinking, quickly replied.

"Uncle told me to leave."

"Now you see for yourself who broke whose trust. Couldn't you have told me? At that time, as much as..You were in trouble. So was I. Should you have left me in this difficult time?

"Sorry!" she said, feeling ashamed at his question. She was so simple and pure-hearted that Afnan just kept staring at her.

"You didn't tell me about my child."

"I didn't know either." This time, she said in a low voice, looking down. Afnan couldn't take his eyes off her face for a long time. She was still feeling shy around him. Afnan took a deep breath.

"If your heart is still not clear, you can punish me however you want, just don't leave me."

Anaya looked up at him. When she saw him, she held her ears (a gesture of apology). Her eyes filled with tears, and she suddenly started crying and hugged him.

"You have a very big heart, Afnan! I don't know what good deed of mine God has rewarded me with by putting a person like you in my destiny. Even after knowing so much about me, you didn't doubt me, you didn't taunt me, and you still accepted me."

"Anaya! This topic will not be brought up again. The past will no longer come between our present and future. You are my wife, my love, and the mother of our many future children. I will always love you just as much, even if I turn ninety."

He said this while holding her tightly, and she started laughing heartily while still crying. She had realized that if there is love, no misunderstanding can come between two people.

Raising teen's with trust 

Child development