First tell me y'all where did you find this story??? I mean like how?
Zeya slowly regained consciousness, her eyelids fluttered open, revealing eyes dazed with confusion and a hint of relief. Her gaze wandered around the room, taking in the familiar surroundings of her own bedroom, before settling on the worried faces of her family gathered around her.
Mahnoor rushed to her side, her eyes brimming with concern. "Zeya, darling, are you alright? How are you feeling?" she asked, her voice laced with worry as she gently brushed a strand of hair away from Zeya's face.
Dadi, seated nearby, reached out to stroke her hair, her touch soothing against Zeya's skin. "Do you need anything, beta? Water, perhaps?" she offered, her voice soft and comforting.
Shifa approached with a glass of water, offering it to Zeya with a gentle smile. "Here, take a few sips. It'll help," she suggested, her eyes filled with reassurance as she helped Zeya sit up slightly.
Zeya nodded weakly, accepting the glass and taking small sips of water, the cool liquid soothing her parched throat.
The situation began to sink in, Zeya's mind raced back to the events that had unfolded at the engagement ceremony. Her eyes widened with shock as she remembered Shahmeer's furious outburst and his protective embrace. The thought of his engagement loomed ominously in her mind, sending her heart into a panicked frenzy.
Struggling to conceal her inner turmoil from her parents, Zeya managed to compose herself as Mahnoor and the others hovered worriedly around her. With a tired sigh, she mustered up the strength to speak, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I... I think I just need some quiet... and rest," she murmured, her words laden with exhaustion and emotion. "Can I be alone for a while, please?"
Mahnoor's expression softened with understanding as she gently squeezed Zeya's hand. "Of course, sweetheart. Take all the time you need. We'll be right outside if you need anything," she reassured, her voice filled with maternal concern.
♡
As Shifaa sat in her room, she dialed Zuha's number, her heart heavy with the weight of the recent events. As the call connected, she poured out everything that had transpired at the engagement ceremony, leaving out the details about Shehdad's engagement, knowing it would only add to Zuha's distress.
Zuha : It's sounds so complicated. Did something happen after that?
Shifa : No beta, shahmeer is nowhere to be seen.
Zuha : Aur zeya?
Shifa : she's fine now, sleeping maybe. But I'm telling you something is about to happen.
Zuha : Tayi ammi please take care of Zeya. Ye situation mujhe kuch thik nahi lag rahi.
Shifa : You're right beta. I have a feeling ye ladke ek aur shosha chodne wale hai.
Zuha : Aap bhi na tayi ammi. Acha acha sochein.
Sherdaad burst into the room unannounced, catching both his mother and the girl on the call by surprise. In his arms was Felis, the orange cat, looking somewhat bewildered by the sudden commotion.
"Mom, where are Felis' treats?" Sherdaad's voice was urgent, his eyes scanning the room in search of the elusive snacks.
Shifa, taken aback by her son's sudden appearance, struggled to maintain her composure. "Sherdaad, please knock before entering," she scolded gently, a hint of amusement in her tone.
But before she could finish her sentence, Zuha disconnected the call abruptly. Shifa furrowed her brows, confusion written across her face as she tried to reconnect with the girl on the other end of the line. "Hello? Zuha, are you there?"
However, Sherdaad's demeanor shifted noticeably as he glanced at his mother, his eyes betraying a hint of sorrow. "Mom, was Zuha on the call?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Shifa's heart sank as she realized the impact of his question. "Yes, she was," she admitted softly, reaching out to place a comforting hand on his shoulder. "But don't worry, we'll talk to her later."
Sherdaad nodded silently, his expression reflecting a mixture of regret and longing.
♡
Zuha sat alone in her room, her phone clutched tightly in her hand, her heart heavy with conflicting emotions. She had just disconnected the call after hearing Sherdaad's voice, and now it echoed hauntingly in her mind, refusing to fade away. With a trembling hand, she pressed the device against her chest, as if seeking solace from the ache within.
His voice, so familiar yet so distant, lingered in her ears like a bittersweet melody, stirring up a storm of emotions within her. She closed her eyes, trying to block out the memories that threatened to overwhelm her, but they flooded her mind relentlessly, tearing at her fragile resolve.
"Tears streamed down her cheeks as she murmured to herself, her voice quivering with pain. "Why weren't you destined to be with me?" she whispered, her words barely audible in the silence of her room. "Why was I so unlucky? And why am I so far from everyone I love?"
The weight of her heartache bore down on her, threatening to engulf her in its suffocating embrace. With each passing moment, the pain grew more unbearable, until it felt like she would drown in a sea of sorrow.
"Look what your love did to me," she cried out, her voice breaking with the intensity of her emotions. "It's tearing me apart, shredding my soul into pieces. And I don't know how to make it stop."
BACK IN SHIFA'S ROOM.
SHERDAAD'S POINT OF VEIW (first)
I sat beside my mom, the weight of the world pressing down on my shoulders. Her eyes held a mixture of sympathy and pain, mirroring the turmoil within my own heart. I reached out and gently took her hand, seeking solace in her touch. She squeezed my hand reassuringly, silently offering her support.
Summoning every ounce of courage I had left, I finally spoke up. "Maa, I need to talk to you about something," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. Her gaze softened, a silent invitation for me to share whatever was troubling me.
"What is it, sweetheart?" she asked softly, her tone filled with concern. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the words I was about to speak. "Where's Baba?" I inquired, my voice trembling slightly with anticipation.
"Wo mehmaano ko bahar tak see off karne gaye hain," she replied, her fingers absentmindedly combing through my hair. The mention of my father's absence reminded me of the events of the day, of the engagement that had taken place, both mine and Shahmeer's.
Leaning my head against her shoulder, I felt a wave of exhaustion wash over me. "Mom, I need to wait until Baba gets back," I murmured, my words muffled against her shoulder. She nodded understandingly, her silent support giving me the strength to continue.
"I need to tell you both something important," I confessed, my voice barely audible. I didn't dare to look up, knowing that the weight of my words would weigh heavily on her heart. But even without seeing her face, I could sense the fear and apprehension in her eyes.
In my mother's comforting embrace, the tension gradually ebbed away, replaced by a sense of calm. Suddenly, my father's jovial voice cut through the silence, his playful tone injecting a lightheartedness into the room.
"What's this? The mother-son duo plotting without me?" he exclaimed, his eyes twinkling with mischief. My mother chuckled softly at his remark, her laughter filling the air with warmth.
I glanced between them, taking in the easy camaraderie that existed between my parents. There was an unspoken bond, a silent understanding that had kept them together through thick and thin. It was a bond I admired and hoped to emulate in my own life.
As my father joined us, concern etched on his features, I felt a surge of gratitude for my family. They were my rock, my pillars of support, and I knew I could confide in them no matter what.
Summoning my courage, I motioned for my father to sit down, my heart pounding in my chest. Taking a deep breath, I lowered myself to the floor in front of them, my gaze meeting theirs with determination.
"I need to talk to you both," I began, my voice steady despite the turmoil churning inside me. "There's something important I need to tell you, and I hope you'll understand."
"Beta, you can tell us everything. Tumhe jo b kehna hai ka ho, khudko ye aziyat mat do. "
My father's reassuring words washed over me, easing the knot of anxiety in my stomach. With a faint smile, I nodded.
POV ENDS.
Sherdaad took a deep breath, steeling himself for the difficult conversation ahead. With trembling hands, he reached out and grasped his father's hands firmly, seeking strength in their touch. His mother's gaze was filled with concern, her eyes brimming with empathy as she waited for him to speak.
"Dad, Mom," Sherdaad began, his voice faltering slightly as he met their expectant gazes. "There's something I need to tell you, and I hope you'll listen with an open heart."
His father nodded, his expression serious as he waited for Sherdaad to continue. Sherdaad looked down, his heart heavy with the weight of his confession.
"I... I don't want to get engaged," he admitted, the words catching in his throat. There was a moment of stunned silence, his father's eyes widening in shock while his mother's expression remained unreadable.
"Why?" his father finally asked, his voice tinged with disbelief. "Kyun nahi Sherdaad?"
Sherdaad took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts before speaking again. "It's... it's because of Zuha," he confessed, his voice barely above a whisper. "She's always been a huge part of my life, and when she confessed her feelings for me, I... I was lost. I didn't know how to react."
"We know that already... " His father said.
"No.... Baba i slapped her. I hate myself for it, lekin baba her confessions stirred the deepest levels of my soul. I was scared. "
His mother's eyes welled up with tears, her heart breaking for her son's turmoil. "You... you slapped her?" she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion.
Sherdaad nodded, shame washing over him as he recalled the moment of anger that had led to his rash actions. "I... I'm sorry, maa," he admitted, his voice choked with remorse. "I didn't mean to hurt her, but I did. And now... now I don't know how to make things right."
Shifa's disappointment was palpable as she looked at her son, her heart breaking for both him and Zuha. "Sherdaad, mai jaanti hu lekin, I can't forgive you for this" she said softly, her voice filled with sadness. "You need to apologize to Zuha not me."
Sherdaad nodded, his eyes brimming with tears as he met his mother's gaze. "I know, Maa," he whispered, his voice filled with regret. "And I will. But I can't... I can't get engaged to Iqra. I love Zuha, and I'll wait for her to come back to me."
His father remained silent throughout the conversation, his expression unreadable as he processed Sherdaad's words. Finally, Sherdaad turned to him, his heart heavy with guilt and uncertainty.
"Dad, I know this must be difficult to understand," he said, his voice trembling with emotion. "But I can't go through with the engagement. Neither can Shahmeer. We... we need your support in this."
"KYAH?!!! " they both yelled.
"Maa, baba, he doesn't want to marry Sumayya." There was silence.
"Tum dono ne hume pagal samjha hai?! " Aafaq bursted.
"Aur Sumayya aur Iqra ka kya? Daadu tum dono ko jaan se maar denge. " Shifa shivered at thought of Gulam din's terror.
Determined, "Uski fikar naa karein. The girls will break the engagement not us. Please please aap log mujh se naraz nahi hogyein. But I can't.... I will make it up to Zuha. That will be my happy ending or else I won't have one. " He whispered.
His father's eyes softened, a flicker of understanding passing through them. "I... I need some time to think about this," he said quietly, his voice tinged with sadness. "But know that whatever happens, we'll always be here for you, Sherdaad."
Sherdaad nodded, a sense of relief flooding through him at his father's words. Though the road ahead would be difficult, he knew that with his family's love and support, he would find a way to navigate it.
♡
Shifa dramatically placed a hand on her chest, her eyes filled with concern as she looked up towards her husband. "Afaaq, what are our kids doing?" she asked, her voice laced with worry. "What's happening to the girls, and what are these boys thinking? Every day is a new drama, and I'm at my wit's end."
Afaaq sighed, his expression weary as he ran a hand through his hair. "I don't even care anymore," he said dismissively. "Whatever happened to them, they'll figure it out on their own. And if they go overboard, then Abbu will just kick them out of the house. I can't bother with them anymore."
Shifa's eyes widened in disbelief at her husband's callous response. "Afaaq, how can you say that?" she exclaimed, her voice tinged with frustration. "They're our children, our responsibility. We can't just wash our hands of them like that."
Afaaq shrugged, his indifference apparent as he turned away from his wife. "We've done everything we can for them," he said flatly. "But if they're determined to make a mess of their lives, then there's nothing more I can do. Balki mai toh sone jaa rha hu."
Shifa shook her head, her heart heavy with sadness as she looked at her husband. "I can't believe you're saying this," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "But yeah, neend toh mujhe b aarhi hai."
♡
As the clock approached midnight, Shahmeer quietly made his way to Zeya's room, hoping to find her awake. Zeya stirred from her sleep at the sound of movement, her heart racing with anticipation. When she saw Shahmeer standing there, a mixture of emotions washed over her face. There was love in her eyes, but also a hint of sadness, knowing that he was now engaged to someone else. Unable to bear the sight, she looked away, her gaze fixed on the darkness outside the window.
Shahmeer's heart softened as he watched her reaction, a soft smile tugging at his lips. Determined to make her understand, he approached her and took a seat beside her on the bed. "Zeya," he called out softly, his voice filled with warmth and affection. He reached out to gently touch her hand, hoping to convey his sincerity and reassure her of his feelings.
Zeya's voice wavered as she forced out her words, trying to maintain a facade of indifference. "Congratulations, Meer," she murmured, her tone laced with bitterness. "You're engaged now. Happy?"
Shahmeer's brow furrowed in confusion, his gaze searching her face for answers. "Why are you being like this, Zeya?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern. "Are you upset with me?"
Zeya's frustration boiled over, her anger rising with each passing moment. "Upset with you?" she snapped, her tone sharp. "No! Why?! You kissed me one moment and the next you're engaged to someone else! You practically cheated on that poor girl too. "
Shahmeer's lips curved into a soft smile as he reached out to grasp her hand gently. "Zeya, cheating would have been if I kissed you after getting engaged," he explained patiently. "But I didn't. And now that I'm wearing this ring," he gestured to the engagement ring adorning his finger, "I won't touch you in that way. But....but, I'll get rid of it soon."
Zeya's eyes narrowed skeptically, her doubt evident in her expression. "I don't believe you," she retorted, her voice tinged with disbelief.
Shahmeer's smile widened as he leaned in closer, his gaze unwavering. "Trust me, Zeya," he murmured softly, his voice filled with sincerity. "I'll do whatever it takes to prove it to you."
Zeya's resolve faltered as she looked into his eyes, seeing the depth of his emotions reflected in their depths. "But why?" she whispered, her voice barely above a breath. "Why did you kiss me if you were going to get engaged to someone else?"
Shahmeer's expression softened as he brushed a stray lock of hair away from her face. "Because, Zeya," he replied gently, "in that moment, nothing else mattered. It was just you and me."
Zeya's heart fluttered at his words, a mixture of hope and uncertainty swirling within her. "But what about now?" she asked hesitantly. "What is going to happen?"
Shahmeer's smile was tender as he cupped her face in his hands. "For now, let's just be," he said softly. "And when the time is right, I promise, you'll know."
Zeya's facade of nonchalance crumbled as Shahmeer's words washed over her, stirring a whirlwind of emotions within her. "Remember that, you're stuck with me now," he teased, his eyes dancing with mischief. "Aur ab apne Meer ko dusre roop mai dekho gi tum.....yaad rakhna."
She looked at him with a mixture of hope and uncertainty, her heart pounding in her chest. "Do you love me?" she blurted out, unable to contain her curiosity any longer. "Or what do you feel for me?"
Shahmeer's smile was enigmatic as he motioned towards the ring adorning his finger. "As long as I have this ring on," he replied cryptically, "I won't tell you anything about my feelings or what you mean to me. But once it's gone, you'll see a different side of me, I promise."
Zeya's frustration bubbled to the surface as she felt a surge of anger wash over her. "Get out," she said sharply, her voice trembling with emotion. "Just leave."
Shahmeer chuckled softly, his laughter filling the room as he leaned in to plant a fleeting kiss on her cheek. "Goodnight, Zeya," he whispered, his voice filled with warmth as he turned to leave the room.
As the door closed behind him, Zeya was left alone with her thoughts. She knew that despite his cryptic words, there was something between them that couldn't be denied.
.
Btao bhyi?