~°°°~
When your prayers get answered
When your wishes are fulfilled
When the happiness towers
And the smile that slips
Across the lips
As you gaze at the sky
With gratitude
It strengthens your belief
Giving you relief
When you aren't aware
About the trials that will follow
Turning your life hollow
You are just content
With how life went
And is still going
'cause everything is perfect
And everything falls in place
The sadness leaving no trace
And in your haste
You let go of the desire
That used to rest in you
The desire for revenge
The desire to avenge
~°°°~
As they sat in mental asylum, his gaze swept to the man sitting across them in office.
"He's dead"?
He asked in sheer shock.
The man across the desk set his glasses on the bridge of his nose with his finger before letting out a soft sigh as he placed his intwined hands on the desk,
"I'm sorry Waris sahab. It's already been three years. He died due to a neurological disease three years ago. We had informed Zulfikar sahab and he had asked to proceed his funeral yet he didn't himself show up. It's been three years now".
Waris Shah was at loss of words. Utterly taken aback.
Ever so slowly, he turned his head towards her frame that seemed to have frozen. Yet from a keen view, one could see how her frame was quivering ever so slightly.
Waris Shah's gaze went to her lap where her quivering hands rested.
Letting out a soft sigh, he reached his hand and softly enveloped them in his, putting a gentle pressure to ease the quivering as if to assure her he was there.
He could feel her palms sweating.
"I'm sorry for your loss".
The manager spoke gesturing for them to look at the file that was opened in front of them.
Zarar Zulfikar Shah.
The name kept echoing in the back of her head. Imsaal was in the state of shock. She couldn't process it. Couldn't make herself believe.
What type of prank it was?
It couldn't be true.
How could it be?
She had waited eight years for him to show up. Eight years to meet him. Eight years she was kept away from him. Eight years she struggled to find where her father was being kept. Atleast she had this hope that Zulfikar Shah would never harm his own child and that her father was safe and sound and alive out there.
What was she supposed to do now?
It felt so painful. The way her heart squeezed in her chest. The way it was becoming difficult for her to speak. The way her head throbbed in pain. The way fragments of memories from childhood flashed at the back of her head. The savior, the protector, her superhero, her superdad, her beloved father wasn't there anymore. She couldn't meet him. Couldn't talk to him. The desire she had kept in her heart for eight years to meet him couldn't be fulfilled.
Tears began dripping down her lashes getting absorbed in the beige veil as she clutched the maroon shawl tightly around her frame while the other hand remained in his grasp that was so gentle.
The manager cleared his throat closing the file and standing up, as he spoke,
"I'll give you privacy".
He than walked out closing the door of the office behind.
Waris Shah turned and took in the quivering form of his wife. The way she was shaking like an autumn life made something in his heart churn so painfully.
He lowered his gaze, letting out a soft shaky sigh before completely turning his chair towards her.
With one hand gently holding her hand on her lap while with the other he held her chair as he leaned a little towards her.
He pulled her chair towards himself so that now they were facing each other, pulling her chair closer to him as it screeched making noise with the cold marble floor.
Her light brown khussa clad feet touched his black shoes at this point.
Waris Shah, ever so gently grabbed her other hand too. Her both quivering hands were held in his warm gentle grip.
He rubbed his thumbs softly on the back of her palms, as he lowered his face to her eye level,
"Imsaal, I'm here for you".
Imsaal's teary gray orbs rose and met his warm brown ones. They looked at her with worry and warmth as if trying to assure her everything would be fine.
He gave her a soft comforting smile,
"You have me. You'll always have me by your side. You aren't alone".
Imsaal whimpered as few more tears slipped down her eyes panging his heart,
"We'll make it through together. We'll be each other's strength Imsaal".
A soft sob left her lips and he tried hard to suppress the pain arising in his chest burning his insides,
"I would never leave you alone. I'll never let you be on your own Imsaal. Don't cry".
His words weren't louder than a whisper.
For the first time Imsaal opened her mouth and let out the words,
"I can't s-seem to p-process what's h-happening . It couldn't h-happen . How could it? It's n-not true. Tell me Waris Shah it's n-not true".
Her pleading eyes looked at him as if begging him to say what she wanted, to ease her burning heart, to ease the pain in her chest.
Waris's eyes turned red brimmed at corners at her devastated state. He let out a shaky sigh not daring to waver his gaze from her teary orbs that were panging his heart so brutally, so painfully, he couldn't even describe in words.
"Imsaal, shhh! It's alright. It had to happen. We all have to return to our Lord one day. It's not something in our control. He is resting in a better place where Allah wants him to be, don't cry".
He tried to comfort gently rubbing the back of her hands.
"But what should I do? Wh-what am I supposed to do Waris? I f-feel like I've lost everything today, the l-last ray of hope I ever had. Why? Why did it h-have to happen. Just why"?!
She broke into sobs, the last string of patience breaking as her form quivered more and tears effortlessly spilled out of her eyes.
Soft whimpers and sobs leaving her lips.
Waris Shah couldn't take it anymore. He couldn't bear the sight of her beautiful orbs in tears. He couldn't seem to behold the sight of his beloved in tears.
Softly he let her both hands go and pulled her into his chest.
His hand went to wrap on her shoulders as her head rested on his chest beneath his chin.
Waris sighed softly closing his eyes, resting his chin on her hijab clad head. His one arm wrapped around her shoulders, while other rubbed her back assuringly trying to ease the pain, trying to console her.
"Shhh Imsaal, it's fine. I'm here. Main apkay pass hn".
He whispered gently rubbing her back as she broke down in his arms.
She cried soundly like a little kid as sobs emerged from her lips shaking her whole frame making Waris Shah clench his jaw ever so slightly at her condition.
"Don't cry. Please don't cry Imsaal. Your tears are hurting my heart. Please have some mercy on my heart. Mujh say apki ye halat nahi dekhi jarahi. Mera dil dukh raha hai".
She just kept sobbing, kept crying, oblivious to his words. She wasn't in the state to process them. She wasn't in the state to process anything. The only thing circulating in her head were those bitter words. Was the bitter reality. The man was not there anymore. The man whom she called her superhero, her father wasn't there anymore. What a great loss! What a great loss!
What was she supposed to do now?
🥀 🥀 🥀 🥀 🥀
On the way back from graveyard to Multan, she kept looking outside the window looking at the surroundings passing by in blur.
Her eyes glazed however the tears had somehow stopped.
Waris Shah sat on the driver's seat. The steering wheel in his one hand while the other hand held Imsaal's hand that he had placed on his thigh.
His fingertips caressing her hand softly.
His grip was soft and warm and her hand felt icy cold in it.
His own eyes were bloodshot as he gripped the steering wheel firmly taking a sharp turn on the road.
He stopped the car and climbed out closing the door behind and entering the Café.
Imsaal felt her hand going empty once his warm grip wasn't there. She simply placed her hand back in her lap as her heart dropped in her chest.
He was back sooner with two plastic bags that he kept on the dashboard as he took the seat closing the door.
He took out a mineral water bottle from one bag and stretched it in front of her.
"Imsaal"?
She turned and looked at his orbs filled with concern for her. Than her gaze swept past his frame to his hand which was holding waterbottle and raising it towards her.
She wanted to shake her head, to refuse. She didn't feel like doing anything.
"Drink it please".
But the way he requested ever so softly looking at her expectantly made all the resistance die in her throat as she simply took the bottle from him.
She uncapped the bottle, slipping the veil down till her chin, she raised the bottle gulping down water before pulling her veil back on place and capping the bottle.
"How about you eat something too"?
He asked softly while stretching his hands towards the plastic bags.
"Later please".
She immediately spoke making him halt his hands and nod in understanding.
He simply diverted his attention back to the steering wheel igniting the engine again.
“ Kuch cheezain, kuch hadsay haqeeqatan bohut takleef detay hain. Insaan ko tor ker rakh detay hain. Us ka sabr azmatay hain. Lekan Imsaal wo Rab ki taraf say imtehaan hotay hain. Agar ap k liye aik darwaza bund hojaye tou dus mazeed darwazay khul jatay hain. Wo Rab kabhi ap per apki sakat aur himat say ziada bojh nahi dalta. Kuch cheezain takdeer main likhi hoti hain aur wo badli nahi ja sakti q k unhain badalna humaray bus main nahi hota”.
He spoke in his soothing voice proving a gentle caress to her ears as she cried silently letting the emotions out via tears.
Almost unnoticeably, the warm hand had reached again holding her cold one.
He gave it a gentle caress, his eyes not wavering from the road ahead.
"Let's make it through together Imsaal. Let's not break down and pass this trial with all the strength we have. I know it's not easy to be strong especially at times like this when you're falling apart but"-
He turned his head towards her gazing warmly at her frame beside him,
"Waris Shah kabhi apko girnay nahi day ga, bikharnay nahi day ga. I'll be there to gather you when you break down. I'll be there to hold you when you have no strength. I'll be there to protect you from the fall. I'll be there when you'll need me. You'll always find me beside you in your good and bad times, during sufferings and trials. I, would be there for you".
She leaned back in leather seat closing her eyes.
"I trust you".
A soft whisper left her lips along with another tear slipping down her eye.
🥀 🥀 🥀 🥀 🥀
Exiting the Malik plaza, he entered the driveway filled with black cars and suited booted guards.
One guard with a Bluetooth tucked in his ear and pistol in his holster, dressed in all black stepped forward and opened the door for him.
"Rameez, the guards won't follow".
He spoke in an emotionless voice tinged with sterness.
The guard opened his mouth to speak,
"Sir, but your security" - -
He was strictly cut off the other second,
"Not bringing guards with me for once won't kill me. Step aside".
His thick eyebrows were furrowed in a frown. The green orbs between the thick curl of black lashes almost irritated and jaw slightly clenched.
The guard helplessly stated,
"But Rizwan sir" -
"RAMEEZ "!!
He growled through gritted teeth in a warning causing the guard to immediately take a step back quite intimidated with the seething frame of the person in front of him.
Rafey let out a shaky sigh placing his hands on either sides of his waist clad in white uncreased tailored office shirt .
He raised his head gazing at the sky as if to calm himself.
The light wind ruffling his hair scattering the soft pitch black strands on his forehead.
Below the thick perfectly arched brows, his emerald orbs gazed at the sky that was dark. The gray clouds surrounding it and the moon barely peeking from the clouds. No sign of stars in sight.
The night looked so dark, so devoid of light.
Another soft exhale left his lips and eyes snapped close the moment a cold drizzle drop rested on the curve of his lashes.
It stayed there for few seconds before sliding down his cheek.
Only than did he open his eyes.
He leaned opening the door before getting inside taking a seat on the comfy black leather seat.
"Rizwan sir would be infuriated".
Farhan spoke igniting the engine pulling the car on the road.
Rafey let out a frustrated sigh,
"Take his name once more and you'll see yourself kicked out of the car".
Farhan immediately shut up clearing his throat as he drove silently for few seconds.
But his tongue couldn't rest in peace for long as he started again,
"Sir , the meeting regarding the construction project, you attended it this morning, but" -
He paused gazing at his boss's expressions from the rear view mirror.
Rafey seemed calm as he carelessly relaxed against the leather seat with his head turned towards the window gazing across the blurring figures of buildings.
He continued,
"But you didn't attend the meeting with the drug lords this afternoon. Can I have the permission to ask why"?
He asked reluctantly, scared of his boss's anger.
The other second, Rafey's glaring deep green orbs looked back into the mirror shaking poor boy to the core.
"I'm sorry sir... I".
Rafey was quick to beat him to it,
"Focus on the road ahead Farhan".
He snapped in a stern tone before turning his head back to the window.
It had started drizzling. The drops, almost clear like crystals, hit the window glass sliding down forming a such a breathtaking view.
The lights from outside, the banners of restaurants and shops, the fairylights and the ambling figures of people, the traffic passing by them in a rush, everything appeared so full of life, so in their world.
As if they were content with everything they had. As if there was no need for anything.
“Dunya kisi k liye q nahi rukti? Koi dard say tarap tarap ker mar raha ho, dunya q nahi rukti? Q usay pichay chor ker agay barh jati hai”?
“Dunya kisi k liye nahi rukti beta. Kisi k liye nahi. Ye tou qudrat ka qanoon hai. Tumhari zindagi, aik shaks ki zindagi k ruknay say poori dünya tou nahi ruk Jaye gi na. Log Jeena chor tou nahi dain gae. Unhain Kiya Matlab tüm say. Wo apni zindagi, apna safar Jari rakhain gae q k un k liye abhi zindagi nahi ruki, balqay chal rahi hai. Mera beta, Jo ruk jatay hain aur har umeed chor ker mayoos hokar beth jatay hain, zindagi unhain chor ker agay barh jati hai aur wo log zindagi ki dour main pichay reh jatay hain”.
Doctor Jahanzeb's words echoing in the back of his mind.
A soft sigh left his lips as he gazed across the drizzle that had turned to light rain, pouring down wetting the roads of Lahore.
In the night, the falling rain along with the lights and bustling crowds looked so beautiful, so captivating, but his eyes had lost the urge to find interest in them. His heart couldn't get attracted to it no matter what he tried.
Farhan stopped the car at a signal.
"Roll down the window Farhan".
He didn't know why he said that.
Maybe, because he was feeling a little suffocation bubble up in his chest.
The window rolled down and the first thing hitting his heated and warm car was the cold breeze.
The small droplets came flying hitting his cheeks. The wind ruffling his hair. The pitter patter of rain echoing in the air.
Immediately a boy barely of twelve popped in front of the window with a wide toothy grin showing his teeth.
Rafey was taken aback for few seconds before his tensed frame relaxed.
He had encountered attacks many times and so was always high on alert.
This time, he was sluggish and too much absorbed in his thoughts to keep up the alert mode on but thankfully, it wasn't a serious or alarming situation.
"Hey kid! Shoo away! Come on. Don't come near the car"!
Farhan spoke a little rudely from the front seat. He knew well how his boss hated this. The poor vendors or sellers bugging people and popping near the windows disturbing the people inside. Therefore, most of the times Rafey didn't even bother opening the window.
There had also been times when Rafey had been the first one himself to rudely snap at such people or even children who bugged the car at traffic signals pleading him to buy their stuff.
He had literally thrown away a full sack filled with popcorn of one man on road causing the plastic wrap to tear up and scatter the contents everywhere in his rage.
To Rafey Malik, these beings were lowly and used petty tricks to force others in buying their worthless things. He did nothing but to always crush them and humiliate them.
Farhan was proving very decent and much humane as compared to Rafey in shooing the child away.
He was actually saving the child from Rafey's wrath.
The wide grin on the kid's face dimmed at Farhan's stern tone.
However Farhan, who was thinking of saying something else to the child to make him leave froze upon receiving another glare from Rafey in the rear view mirror.
Rafey turned back towards the window.
Under the light drizzle, the kid stood clad in only thin piece of clothing, brown kameez shalwar. No sweater or coat above it.
Rafey's emerald orbs went down to the red roses in his hand.
He raised his gaze back to his dimmed face,
“Kuch chahiye”?
He asked.
His tone wasn't stern or even harsh. It wasn't rude either.
It was low and somewhat...... Friendly.
The kid's face immediately lit up at the question as he raised the roses almost pushing them in Rafey's face through the window,
“Bhai, ye phool khareed lo”.
He spoke giving him a thousand watt smile.
Rafey turned his gaze to the flowers that were inches from touching his nose than back to the kid as he raised his perfectly arched brow.
Farhan internally prayed for the child's wellbeing. He was hoping Rafey wasn't carrying a pistol with him and even if he was, he prayed for the magazine to be empty.
Oh Lord! Please save the poor child from him!
The kid looked back at him in awe,
“Bhai, apki ankhain kitni piyari hain”!
Rafey's raised brow arched higher if possible at the kid's words.
"Look kid, I" - -
Farhan who was panicking for the wellbeing of child started to speak when he was cutt off by Rafey who had his sole attention on the kid.
“Naam Kiya hai tumhara”?
He asked looking at the kid with amusement.
“Shakeel”.
The kid replied, internally admiring and getting impressed from the man seated inside the car.
Rafey gazed back at him with interest,
“Tou Shakeel, mujhe ye batao k ye Jo phool tüm laye Ho, mujhe q baich rahay ho? Main khareed ker Kiya Karun ga”?
Rafey raised his brow in question.
The boy gave him an even wider grin,
"Biwi ko dena apni aur Kiya"!
The boy replied nonchalantly.
Farhan's face paled, he almost froze. He was mortified to the core.
Ab ye nahi bachay ga!
But what left him baffled was the erupting laughter of Rafey Malik from back seat.
Rafey controlled his laugh wiping the corner of his eye where a tear had come out due to laughing so much,
“Kon sikhata hai tumhain ye batain”?
The boy was still looking at him in admiration as he replied,
“Koi bhi nahi”.
Rafey sighed leaning back, however a slight smile stayed at the corners of his lips,
“Biwi nahi hai meri”.
He replied looking at the kid's reaction with interest who was gasping in shock.
“Such main nahi hai? Shaadi nahi hui apki”?
The boy asked shocked.
Rafey shook his head in no.
The guy gasped more,
“Kaisay nahi hui Shaadi? Itnay piyaray ho phir bhi kaisay nahi mili koi larki "!
Rafey sighed stretching his hand towards the kid.
Ab tou pakka gaya ye.
Farhan thought while looking at them from rear view mirror.
But he almost resisted a nervous breakdown seeing Rafey caress the disheveled hair of the kid ruffling them gently.
Farhan rubbed his eyes to see again.
Yet the view didn't change.
Ye Rafey sir ko Kiya hogaya? Thek tou hain?
Farhan immediately got worried for Rafey's mental health.
Rafey on the other hand withdrew his hand back and retreated his wallet from his gray dress pants pockets.
He took out few 5000 rupees notes without counting them and raised them towards the kid,
“Ye lo aur mujhe phool dedo”.
The kid looked back at the bundle in utter shock and so did Farhan who was at the verge of getting a breakdown.
“Bh-bhai ye tou b-bohut ziada hain. M-main nahi lesakta”!
The kid spoke taking a step back in shock.
A soft sigh left Rafey's lips,
“Itnay ziada bhi nahi hain jitna tüm react ker rahay ho. Thoray say hain. Aisa karo, saray phool mujhe baich do”.
“Bhai, ağar saray bhi baich dn tub bhi bohut kam bunta hai, bamushkil 500. Y-ye tou bohut ziada hain”!
The kid seemed to be at loss of words.
Rafey furrowed his brows,
“Agar bhai keh hi diya Hai tou samajh bhi lo aur rakhlo ye paisay. Mujhe phool chahiye”.
The kid gave him a frown of his own,
“Agar Biwi nahi hai tou phool kis ko denay hain”?
Rafey raised his brow at his question,
“Ghar k vase main laganay hain ab dou”.
The kid chewed his bottom lip in turmoil before shaking his head,
“Bohut ziada hain, main nahi lesakta” !
Rafey gazed at him for few seconds in silence before he spoke,
“Ziada nahi hain. Rakh lo”.
The guy gazed back at him in turmoil. He didn't want to take them but the thought of feeding his family proper food after so long and buying medicines for his sick father was compelling him to not refuse.
He reluctantly took the money tucking it safely in his pockets before stretching all the flowers towards Rafey who silently took them placing them on the seat beside him but during the exchange, one flower, a half bloomed red rose fell on his lap.
“Ap bohut achay insan hain bhai. Farishta hain farishta”.
The guy spoke looking at him in admiration.
He prayed for this man to be happy always.
Rafey smirked sarcastically at his words as he spoke,
“Farishta nahi hn Shakeel, shaitan hn main shaitan. Aisa shaitan, jis say shaitan khud panah mangay”.
He spoke almost mocking his own self in the process.
Shakeel vigorously shook his head as if not believing him,
“Main nahi manta. Ap Farishta hain aur bus”!
He spoke stubbornly.
“Khayal rakhna apna, aur kuch garam kapray khareed lena”.
Rafey spoke looking at the kid.
Before the kid could reply, the car moved past him as the traffic lights turned green again.
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
She who was making tea immediately turned towards the door at sound of footsteps.
A soft sigh of relief left her lips seeing who the intruder was.
She immediately ran towards her,
"Fareed apa, what are they here for"?
Visible worry was marring her delicate features as she looked back at Fareeda apa in question.
Fareeda apa took a soft inhale before wiping the sweat on her forehead,
"They're Seth sahab's sons. They're here to demand taxes and also the share from orphanage funds".
Her eyebrows arched higher and big brown orbs widened in shock,
"What? Taxes for what? And why would we give them orphanage funds? Firstly, all the funds have been spent on the construction of small mosque near the orphanage, secondly, why would such rich people like them want funds from orphanage? This is absolutely ridiculous"!
Fareeda apa immediately shook her head,
"We have no say in this my child. No say at all. We are helpless"!
Her beautiful eyebrows furrowed as she spoke in frustration,
"Than let's call the police".
Fareeda apa sighed taking a seat on a nearby wooden chair,
"We can't Malaika. We can't child. The police of this area is with them. Nobody will listen to us even if we are on the right"!
Malaika turned folding her hands on her chest. Her face laced with furious expressions,
"Ajeeb zalim log hain! İnsaf bhi nahi mil sakta humain"!
Fareeda apa's soft sobs were what snapped the girl's attention as she immediately rushed towards the elderly figure sitting on her knees grabbing her frail hands,
"What happened Fareeda apa? Why are you crying"?
Fareeda apa wiped her eyes with the corner of her dupatta as she sobbed,
"I'm so sorry child. I'm so helpless. I can't even provide you any protection. Th-those Seth's men are saying that if I can't p-pay them taxes and funds than" -
"Than"?
Malaika asked looking at her quizzically.
Fareeda apa sobbed,
"Than the Seth's eldest son will forcefully marry you today. They're still sitting in the hall. I don't know what to do. They won't leave"!
Malaika was left frozen to her spot. She couldn't believe her ears as if the world had stopped.
She felt her being quiver in utter horror.
"Kiya"?!
She gasped in shock.
Fareeda apa sobbed even more.
Just at that time, one of the residents of the orphanage, the thirteen years old Samreen came running towards them,
"Apa apa! Seth's men are breaking everything in the hall".
Malaika immediately stood up. Her nose red in anger.
"Inka demagh tou main set kerti hn"!
She set the dupatta on her head and ignoring Fareeda apa's pleads to not go outside, she still went out.
Crossing the corridor, she entered the hall seeing the figures sprawled on the sofas and the guns laced men standing behind near the wall.
As soon as the Seth's eldest son, Jamal Seth's eyes landed on her, he stood up with a sly smirk,
"Zah e naseeb! Zah e naseeb! aj kaisay deedar kara diya ap nay apna"?
Her nostrils flared in anger and bile rose to her throat at seeing the vile man's scrutinizing gaze on her frame, raking up and down her body.
This man was much older than her, almost in his late thirtees and was already married that too twice, and had two children. He had also been involved in cases of minor girls' kidnapping and drug smuggling.
He didn't even possess an ounce of shame to reflect upon his actions. Not only forcefully snatching their funds from them but also now having the audacity to dare ask them to marry her to him.
"Mun tor dun gi main tumhara! Kiya bakwas ki hai tüm nay Fareeda apa say Zaleel insan"?!
She snapped, even disgusted at the mere sight of him.
Seth Jamal laughed out louder at her words,
"Aray aisay tou apnay honay walay shohar say baat na karo, takleef hoti hai dil ko"!
"Shohar hoti hai meri jooti! Sar na phar dun tumhara"!
She snapped back, getting riled up at his words.
The Seth looked back at her in amusement,
"Shaadi k baad phar Lena sar Mera"!
Malaika resisted the urge to vomit there,
"Tüm Jaisay ghatiya insan say shadi kernay say pehlay Mar na jaun main"!
The Seth took a step forward,
"You have no other choice Malaika. You can't give us the funds since you've already spent them. You don't even have the money to pay the taxes. I'm not heartless to hurt you and this orphanage for this so consider this my kindheartedness to be willing to marry you"!
"I would never marry a pathetic excuse of a human like you! Never"!
She snapped back at him.
The Seth's nostrils flared as he stepped forward grabbing her arm in a bruising grip,
"Aray ahsaan kar raha hn tüm jaisi larki per main nikkah ker k! Nahi tou tüm jaisi ko koi apnaey bhi na. Pata nahi Kiya Kiya Hua hoga jub tüm ughwa" - - -
The other moment a hard slap landed on his face,
"Beghairat insaan! Himat kaisay hui meray kirdar per ungli uthanay ki"!
The Seth gazed back at her with bloodshot eyes ready to pounce at her like a ferocious lion.
"Teri ye majal"!
He balled his hand in fist landing it on her face causing her to fall on the cold tiled floor.
Her corner lips tore open oozing blood as she sat on the floor grabbing her face.
She couldn't feel her face. Her whole face felt numb for few seconds. Her jaw seemed broken.
Tears gathered in her eyes due to pain.
"Nikkah hoga aur Aj hi hoga tujh say. Nahi Karay gi phir bhi zabardasti le jaun ga yahaan say. Lejao isay aur tayar karo! Aur tu kaka! Ja moulvi lekar aa! Ja dafa ho"!
He growled.
Another girl from the orphanage, her age fellow, Sadia came forward and helped her stand pulling her to the rooms.
Once inside, she let Malaika go,
"Tu pagal hai Malaika? Demagh thek hai Tera? Q Seth say punga le rahi hai"?
She turned her face towards her looking back at her with her teary eyes and quivering lips,
"Wo ghatiya insan! Mujhe nahi kerni us say shadi! Nahi kerni"!
Sadia gazed back at her disheveled state with a little sympathy as she softened her voice,
"But you don't have a choice either. Your grace is at stake here. You know what type of man Seth Jamal is. What if he forcefully takes you without even marrying you? God forbid! It's not like we can do anything".
Malaika took shaky breaths as she vigorously shook her head,
"I won't marry him! Never"!
"Than what will you do? You do understand that whole orphanage is at stake. Also, who will be heroic enough to come save you or us from Seth's wrath? Even police is with him at the moment. We have no choice but to obey"!
Sadia snapped trying to make her understand.
Malaika immediately shook her head before her eyes widened,
"Where is your ph-phone"?
Sadia looked at her confused,
"I told you already that police is not on our side, just who on Earth are you going to ask help from? Nobody is kind enough in this world"!
Malaika immediately shook her head letting out a laugh causing Sadia to doubt her mental condition,
"There is someone kind enough to help me Sadia. Someone, who doesn't need to see the advantages or benefits to decide whether to help others or not. Just give me your phone".
Sadia looked at her confused before turning towards the drawer and taking out the phone.
She walked towards Malaika stretching it towards her.
"Jaldi karo is say pehlay Seth kuch larkiyan bhejday tumhain tayar kernay k liye".
"Hn! Tayar hoti hai meri jooti"!
She huffed taking the phone from her.
"Close the door Sadia "!
Malaika spoke as she swiftly typed the number she had memorized from the card he had given her.
Sadia walked towards the door closing it.
Malaika immediately raised the phone to her ear.
She anxiously waited for the call to be received also looking at the door to make sure no one was coming.
The call was finally picked from other side.
"Salam" - -
Before the person on the other side could complete, she immediately spoke cutting them in between,
"Please mujhe yahaan akar bacha lain Hadeed! Yahaan orphanage ajayen nahi tou wo mujhe lejayen gae! Fareeda apa bhi bebas hain! Please ajayen Hadeed"!
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Pain.
Excruciating pain.
Unbearable pain.
All he felt was killing pain in his frame.
He had many nightmares before.
About losing his parents, about that torcherous night. About the cries that echoed.
But this nightmare was different.
He was having it for the first time.
A nightmare that was painful to an extent, he felt his soul leaving his body.
He felt his heart slashing.
He felt his soul ripping apart from his frame.
He felt like his heart was on fire.
"Zaviar".
The soft melodious voice echoed.
He felt himself standing in somewhere dry, a land that had suffered severe drought.
Was it a desert?
The land seemed cracked. The dry sand flying in the air almost entering his orbs as he tried to keep his eyes open.
"Zaviar".
A soft melodious giggle and that call again.
Zaviar turned trying to find the source of sound.
He knew well who this voice belonged to.
Whom these melodious giggles belonged to.
He opened his mouth to reply but the sand entered his mouth making him cough again.
He coughed hysterically.
"Zaviar"!
The voice was laced with pain this time.
He immediately panicked. He felt his heart thud loudly in his chest. His chest clenched. His stomach twisted. He felt his being quiver in pain.
"In-naya"!
He tried to call her. Trying to keep his voice stable as he struggled to keep his eyes open in the sandstorm.
"Zaviar, mujhe bacha lain"!
Her horrific, pain laced shriek echoed freezing his existence.
In sheer panic, he tried to rush towards her not seeing her silhouette properly.
He ran madly, without a direction.
"Zaviar, AP kahaan hain"?!
She cried again.
He felt his breath stop.
Why on Earth was he not being able to find her?
What evil games was fate playing on them.
"Inaya! Where are you"?
He called her.
Hoping she'll hear him and tell her whereabouts.
No response.
He madly searched for her until her silhouette became more visible.
He saw the blurred silhouette of her a few feet away.
The stopped breath finally left his chest.
He released a sigh of relief.
He nearly ran towards her but she seemed so far.
No matter how much he ran, it felt like he wouldn't be able to reach her.
The distance was not reducing.
Just what on earth was happening?!
He struggled to reach her while fighting the heavy sandstorm.
His feet her hurting and so were his legs.
He stumbled upon a pointed thing, maybe a rock and fell down scratching his palms and elbows badly.
The skin almost oozed blood.
Zaviar struggled and lifted himself with the help of his already wounded hands.
He tried standing but his soles hurt like hell.
He in utter confusion looked down at his feet to find the source of pain.
All that came in his sight were his blood dripping feet, the scathed heels and scratched skin.
He was barefoot .
He never realized.
The pointed stone had only given him a deeper wound.
A shaky breath left his lips.
The pain was increasing.
His soles felt like they were on fire.
"Zaviar! Please come! Please help me"!!
Her cries, her agonizingly painful cries echoed snapping him back.
His heart quivered at her voice and immediately stood up almost stumbling at first step.
He knew his wounded feet won't be able to hold his weight for much longer.
He had to reach her as soon as he could.
Closing his eyes for a second, he opened them immediately and without giving a thought to the pain, he began running.
His lower lip held in a tight grip of his teeth to endure the pain erupting in his soles.
The pain traveling to his shins, all the way upto his legs.
The blood leaving a trail on the dry sand behind marking footprints in red shade.
He tried running as fast as he could.
The distance was reducing with each step he covered.
"Inaya! Inaya I'm coming"!
He shouted back.
He didn't know why, but his heart was lurching out of his chest.
He didn't know why but he felt his heart squeezing in pain and horror, as if something was wrong or maybe something not so good was going to happen.
He internally prayed,
"Ya Allah madad"!
He continued running.
Just few steps and he'll embrace her.
His Inaya.
From few feet distance, he felt her delicate tiny frame quiver and shake uncontrollably.
Worry clenched his heart,
"Inaya ap thek hain"?
No response. He just heard her soft whimpers and cries.
"Inaya"!
Just a few steps distance.
He ran and covered that in few strides.
He was just mere four to five steps away from her.
He had already opened his arms.
He wanted to embrace her, comfort her, sooth down the pain.
Ask her why she was shaking so much. What was the reason of her cries and pain.
"D-dair kerdi a-ap nay".
She gazed back at him with teary orbs. Her voice shaky.
Zaviar who was two steps away looked at her confused.
Reaching her, he immediately wrapped his arms around her, hugging her closer to his chest almost breaking her ribs in the process.
He embraced her tightly hiding his face in her soft hair.
"Inaya, ap thek hain"?
He spoke hugging her tighter.
"I'm here. I won't let anything happen to you. I'm here Inaya".
He spoke caressing her back.
"Inaya"?
His hand halted on her back, above her hair. Hair that were wet.
"Inaya, why aren't you saying something"?
He softly asked trying to break the embrace to see her face but he couldn't.
Something seemed to glue her to him.
A strange scent entered his nostrils.
He scrunched his nose.
And than he felt it.
His whole being shook in terror and frame stilled when he felt something drip on his hands resting on her back, turning them wet.
Something thick and warm yet having fluidity.
Was it a liquid?
His gaze lowered as he removed his hand from her back stretching it in front of him.
A horrific gasp left his lips,
"In-naya"!
His being quivered in terror. Hands shook violently and so did his his heart as he saw the thick red liquid dripping down his hands.
Her blood.
Her whole back, her hair, everything was drenched.
She was losing blood, but why?
Whay had happened.
"INAYA"!!!!
He cried in fear. He called her.
No response.
His heart quivered like an autumn leaf. Fear engulfing his senses. Pain erupting from his chest.
He held her closer to his chest.
"In-naya, k-kuch tou bolain Pl-please".
He pleading sobbing in her neck.
The salty tears leaving his orbs as his whole being shook in utter terror. Her delicate frame turning cold in his arms.
"D-dair kerdi a-ap nay".
Her words echoing in his head again and again,
Burning his heart to ashes.
His eyes snapped open as he immediately pulled himself in a sitting position.
He was panting. His chest heaving up and down vigorously. Eyes bloodshot, filled with moisture that dripped down his cheeks in streaks. Lips still quivering and so were his lashes.
He immediately looked down at his stretched hands.
The palms were clean, devoid of blood. Her blood.
A shaky sigh left his lips.
She wasn't hurt.
She wasn't hurt.
She wasn't hurt.
He tried to comfort his aching heart that was still thudding so erratically against his ribcage.
He hit his fist on his chest trying to breath properly. He felt his lungs not coordinate with him.
The door opened in a second and his red brimmed orbs snapped towards the person entering.
Dressing in her pink pajamas and black cat hoodie, Inaya entered.
Worry marring her delicate features.
His breath stopped when her worried orbs met his.
He felt his heart beat insanely fast.
"D-dair kerdi a-ap nay".
"Zaviar, are you alright? Ap thek hain? I heard noises. Did you get the nightmare again? Are you" - - -
Inaya who had just entered closing the door behind spoke worriedly while turning when she felt a strong frame hit her.
A startled gasp left her lips feeling his arms wrap around her engulfing her in a tight hug.
His grip was strong and Inaya felt suffocating with the way her ribs seemed to be at the verge of breaking.
His tall muscular frame had engulfed her delicate tiny one.
His arms tightly wrapped around her, his face hidden in her hair.
Inaya felt his frame shake ever so slightly, his uneven breath hitting her cheeks as if he had been running for so long.
"Z-Zaviar"--
She tried speaking but he only increased the grip.
"I won't leave you. I'll n-never. I'm here. Here with y-you. You won't be hurt, you won't be".
He murmured with shaky breaths caressing her long hair scared that the nightmare will repeat and drench her hair in red liquid again.
Inaya was confused and taken aback but above all she felt like being crushed by his large frame.
Man, she couldn't even breath properly.
He had her encaged in his arms so brutally, she couldn't even move.
"Z-Zaviar, What happened"?
She tried to talk to him but he wasn't listening to her nor was he loosening the grip.
He seemed possessed, under the trance of something.
He didn't seem to be in his senses.
"Main nahi chorun ga apko. Please m-mujhe chor ker na jayen. Pl-please".
His tone was laced with plead and hurt.
Inaya couldn't understand what was happening. She was just so clueless.
Yet she tried again,
"Zaviar, listen to me. It was just a nightmare, I" - -
"I'm sorry. So s-sorry. I couldn't reach on time. I... I can't... I...."
He was murmuring incoherent words tightening his arms around her drenching her cheeks and neck with his tears as his shoulders shook violently.
The red hands, drenched in her blood, flashing in front of his eyes again and again.
He felt his soul ripping apart.
He felt his heart being slashed into shreds.
Inaya felt like she wouldn't survive in his iron like grip.
But above all, she was taken aback at his vulnerable state.
Just what on Earth had happened.
She placed her palms on his chest pushing him.
He didn't budge.
She fisted her hands slightly punching his stone hard sweatshirt clad chest.
"Zaviar".
She called trying to bring him back to his senses.
Her soft punches had stilled his frame. Inaya let out a soft sigh feeling the grip on her waist loosen a bit but he never removed his hands from her back.
"Zaviar".
She called again.
He removed his face from her shoulder, taking a step back. His hands holding her arms gently.
Inaya raised her head looking at him in confusion. The confusion turned into worry and shock when she saw his tear drenched face, red brimmed teary orbs, nose tip crimson and the lashes on which numerous tears were gathered, quivering ever so slightly.
Her heart quivered in pain as she raised her hand in panic to touch his cheek gently,
"Zaviar, what happened? Are you alright"?
He never replied just silently let go of the tears from his gorgeous orbs looking at her silently. As if making sure she was real and not an illusion. As if she was safe and fine, standing in front of him.
Inaya gazed into his teary orbs in worry,
"Zaviar, Kiya hua apko"?
She asked softly.
Unknowingly, her own orbs filling with tears at his disheveled state.
He looked so devastated, so lost, so broken.
He remained silent. Looking down at her gazel eyes.
Inaya saw his beautiful long twisted lashes quiver as few tears slipped down his cheeks.
The tears doing something to her heart.
She felt her heart shattering,
"Zaviar, I" - - - -
The words got stuck in her throat when she felt him lean in.
Eyes slightly widened feeling the wetness of his cheeks on her skin as his lips touched her right cheek.
Inaya was too taken aback to speak anything.
He didn't move. It seemed like he was making sure she was alive, standing there in front of him. Feeling that she was real and not a fragment of his imagination.
It was a whole minute before he moved back causing Inaya to let out a shaky breath.
She raised her orbs gazing at him shocked.
His own teary orbs looking back at her.
"Ap " - - -
She halted to a stop seeing him lean in again, resting his cold icy lips on her warm cheek. This time the left one.
Inaya shivered internally at the cold touch.
Her lashes quivered letting go of the teary drop gathered on them.
He leaned back after a minute.
Inaya couldn't dare raise her gaze,
"K-Kiya hua apko Z-Zaviar"?
Her voice not even audible enough to her own ears.
He leaned in again placing his lips on her forehead engulfing her in an embrace again, however this time it was warm.
It didn't feel suffocating.
It was gentle.
He closed his eyes letting go of the tears.
Inaya felt her forehead turn wet with his tears that dripped down her hair line down to her nose bridge .
"I'm so scared to lose you".
He whispered against her forehead.
"So damn scared".
He whispered.
Inaya felt her heart churn in agony at the pain his tone held.
"Scared to an extent that I want to hide you in my heart, somehow rip my chest open and keep you in there to make sure you are safe".
He whispered against her skin, the lips brushing her forehead.
Inaya softly gripped the sleeve of his sweatshirt letting out a soft sigh.
"You saw me in your nightmare"?
She was somehow understanding his state.
He shut his eyes tightly,
"I'll put the world on fire for you Inaya. I can burn everything. Oh lord! I don't know what I'll do if something happens to you".
He whispered shakily withdrawing his lips, placing his chin on her head.
Inaya softly exhaled wrapping her arms around him caressing his back as if to comfort him,
"Main thek hn Zaviar. AP q pareshan horahay hain"?
He didn't stop however as he spoke in his shaky tone trying to push back tears that were struggling to fill his already filled orbs,
"I'm willing to let go of anything. Everything. Except you".
He whispered causing Inaya to be taken aback for few seconds.
"Main apko kahin nahi janay desakta".
He whispered in quivering tone as if it was becoming difficult for him to even speak properly.
Inaya's heart lurched in worry,
"Main thek hn Zaviar aur main kahin nahi ja rahi. Yahin hn AP k pass".
She tried to make him understand, to comfort him yet he remained oblivious, immersed in his own world.
She heard the soft whimper leave his lips making her heart thud louder in agony,
"I...I, Zaviar Shah would let go of anything but you. I can't let you go. I just can't".
He felt like on the verge of breaking down.
Inaya caressed his back,
"Zaviar, listen to me".
But he wasn't listening at all.
"Inaya" -
His voice quivered clenching Inaya's heart.
"I don't want to see you hurt. I can't bear the thought of it".
It was like a plead. Like he was begging.
Inaya didn't know what was wrong with him, what he had seen in the nightmare to make him break down like this.
She gulped softly trying to move back to reason with him when he slightly tightened the grip not letting her move,
"Main khud hazaar takleefain sehnain ko tayar hn Inaya, m-magar... Magar AP per aik kharaash, aik zakham gawara nahi mujhe".
He sniffed.
His shoulders shook and Inaya felt the wetness on her scalp.
"Zaviar".
She tried again.
He was scaring her.
His condition, his words.
Just what on earth had happened!
"Aray bhaar main gaya inteqam! Jahannum main gayee nafrat! Aray bhaar main gayee dushmani"!
He snapped with his quivering hoarse tone wet with tears.
Inaya helplessly sighed seeing him not listen to her. Her heart was quivering at his state.
His vulnerable state ripping her insides.
He shut his eyes tighter letting go of the tears mercilessly as his hands around her waist shook,
"Aray nahi nibhani mujhay dushmani! Aray nahi Lena badla mujhe Zülfikar Shah say! Nahi deni kişi ko saza"!
His frame shook with sobs freezing Inaya in her place.
"Agar is dushmani ka, is nafrat ka khamyaza Ap ko khona Hai tou nahi kerni main nay dushmani, Aray maaf Kiya main nay sabko. Maaf Kiya main nay"!
He spoke in his quivering tone sobbing like a little kid. His shoulders shaking violently.
Inaya had frozen.
His words.
"Main sab kuch khonay ko tayar hn magar apko nahi. Inaya! Meray pass tou ab kuch nahi bacha".
He wailed like a little kid stating helplessly.
Inaya didn't realize that tears had started pouring from her eyes too or she had unintentionally increased her grip on his sweatshirt.
"Apko bhi kho diya tou mar jaun ga main. Jee nahi paun ga".
He stated helplessly causing Inaya's eyes to tear up more.
"I can't, I just can't let you go. Mera dil phat Jaye ga agar ap door chali gayee. Main khatam ho jaun ga . Wallah! Zaviar Shah khatam hojaye ga"!
He spoke hugging her tighter.
Inaya closed her eyes resting her head on his chest,
"I promised you I'll never go. I won't leave you, ever. Ap q yaqeen nahi kertay mera"?
She asked in a whimpering tone.
A sarcastic smile laced with agony spread across his lips as he opened his eyes ,
"Ap per yaqeen hai Inaya, qismat per nahi jis nay aj tak har mehboob cheez cheen li mujh say wo bhi itni berahmi say k sanbhalnay ka mouqa tak na diya".
"I'm here. I won't leave. I would never".
She comforted trying to control the sobs struggling to leave her lips.
Zaviar could only shut his orbs in agony.
The tears only mercilessly dripped down and so did his heart shatter for umpteenth time.
Will there ever be peace in his life?
Will there ever be a day he'll live without fear, fear of losing her? Losing the ones he loved?
Why wouldn't fate show mercy on him even for once?
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Word count : 8,560 words
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Kiya lagta hai, Hadeed pohunch Jaye ga time pay k nahi? 😂
Also,
Ye kuch dair say qaim sukoon ab barbad honay ko hai
Guess what's about to happen in coming chapters?
🥀🥀🥀