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I stepped into my room, my eyes immediately falling on Noor. She had changed into the floral dress I had given her, and for a moment, I couldn't help but smile.
The soft fabric clung to her frame effortlessly, complementing her in a way that made me realizeâit suited her far more than it had ever suited me. Her long, dark hair cascaded down to her mid-waist, flowing freely like a gentle waterfall. She looked breathtaking.
"Tum tou mujhse bhi zyada piyari lag rahi ho is suit mein," I murmured, stepping closer and gently tapping her cheek.
She blinked, startled by my sudden compliment. Before she could say anything, I picked up the plate of food and held it out to her.
"Mujhe bhook nahi hai. Mujhe nahi khana," she said quietly, pushing the plate aside.
My heart sank a little. I noticed the way her fingers twisted together, how she was struggling to hold back her emotions. Her lips were pressed into a thin line, as if sealing away all the pain she didn't want to show.
I took a deep breath and softened my voice. "Noor, mujhe pata hai ke tum is ghar mein nayi ho. Tumhe kuch bhi samajh nahi aa raha, shayad rehna bhi nahi chahti yahan... par agar Zeeshan se ladna hai, toh himmat aur taqat bhi chahiye na? Main khila dun?"
I tore a small piece of bread, dipping it into the curry before gently bringing it closer to her lips. I wanted to take care of her, to make her understand that she needed strength, that she couldn't fight on an empty stomach.
That was all it took. Noor looked up at me, her eyes brimming with unshed tears, and then, without warning, she broke. no Sobs wracked through her fragile frame as she clutched onto me, burying her face in my shoulder.
For a moment, I froze. I hadn't expected her to fall apart like this, but as soon as I felt her shaking against me, my arms instinctively wrapped around her. I held her close, grounding her, letting her release whatever she had been holding in for so long.
"Noor, main hoon yahan," I whispered, running my hand soothingly down her back.
She tried to speak between sobs, her words tumbling out in broken fragments. "I don't know what to do, bhabhi.. Main maanti hoon, meri galti hai mujhe us se maarna nai chahiye tha, han maine bhi Zeeshan ko use kiya . Magar main kya karti? Kahan jaati us waqt? Sirf usi ka khayal aaya. Lekin usne bhi tou mera dil toda hai na? Mera bharosa toda hai! Ab main kya karun? Main usko kaise maaf karun? Kaise uspe trust karun? Main is rishte mein nahi reh sakti! Mera dam ghut raha hai... Main pagal ho rahi hoon!"
I pulled away slightly, just enough to cup her tear-streaked face in my hands. With gentle fingers, I wiped the wetness from her cheeks.
"Noor... shh, bas. Saans lo, meri taraf dekho," I said softly.
She sniffled, her swollen eyes locking onto mine, searching for answers I knew she didn't have.
"Sunno, jo main keh rahi hoon usse dhyaan se samajhna," I began. "Zeeshan ne jo kiya, woh bohot galat tha. Trust toot jaaye, toh usse jodna aur bhi mushkil ho jaata hai. Par Noor, maine uski aankhon mein dekha haiâusmein tumhare liye pyaar hai. Woh tumse sach mein mohabbat karta hai. Aur usse apni galti ka ehsaas bhi hai."
I paused, watching the conflict flicker in her eyes.
"Agar usse farq nahi padta hota, toh woh tumhe kab ka jaane de chuka hota. Magar usne tumhe roka, kyunki woh tumse door nahi reh paya." I sighed, my voice gentler now. "Main yeh nahi keh rahi ke tum usko turant maaf kar do. Lekin ek baar jo rishta jud chuka hai, usse yun mat tod do. Usko saza do, usse apni galti sudharne ka moka do. Phir tumhare haath mein hoga ke tum isko maaf karti ho ya nahi. Wapas trust karna chahti ho ya nahi."
She stayed silent, taking in my words, her breathing still uneven. I gave her hand a light squeeze.
"Noor, agar ab bhi kuch samajh nahi aata, toh bas ek pal ke liye socho... tumhare paas woh mohabbat hai jo har koi chahta hai shayad meine bhii chaahi thi." My voice dropped to barely a whisper. "Mujhe pata hai sacche pyaar ki qadar kya hoti hai."
I meant every word. And I hopedâdesperatelyâthat she would too.
Noor's eyes widened slightly, her lips parting as if to question me, but before she could utter a word, I shook my head gently.
"Noor... main tumhe isse zyada nahi samjha sakti," I murmured, my voice laced with something deeperâsomething I wasn't ready to explain.
A quiet understanding passed between us, and I knew she felt it too. Without another word, I rose to my feet. Pulling my dupatta over my head, I reached for the Quran Shareef resting on the shelf.
With reverence, I brought it to my forehead, pressing a soft kiss against its cover before placing it carefully on the table. Then, taking a prayer mat in my hands, I turned back toward Noor.
I walked toward her, my steps slow yet steady. As I knelt down beside her, I extended the prayer mat toward her, my eyes locking onto hers with a quiet conviction.
"Agar sab raaste band dikhai dein... agar kuch samajh na aaye, aur sukoon chahiye..." I spoke softly, my words deliberate. "Toh yeh Quran Shareef parhna. Namaz parhna. Allah se dua karna. Wahi tumhare liye raaste kholenge."
Noor looked up at me, something shifting in her gaze. A flicker of hope? A sense of solace? Maybe both. She reached for the Quran shareef with careful hands, holding it with the same reverence I had.
She nodded, her throat bobbing as she swallowed back whatever emotions still lingered in her heart. "Shukriya, Aairah," she whispered, her voice barely above a breath.
I simply smiled, placing a reassuring hand on hers, and took up the plate of food"Chalo abhii yeh khao"
I picked up small morsel of food, gently bringing it close to Noor's lips. "Chalo, ek aur bite," I coaxed, my voice soft yet firm. She hesitated for a moment before finally parting her lips, allowing me to feed her.
The weight of exhaustion clung to her movements, her eyes distant as if lost in a maze of thoughts she couldn't escape.
Just as I reached for another bite, a sudden knock echoed through the quiet room. Noor tensed instantly, her entire body going rigid as if an invisible force had frozen her in place. Her eyes darted toward the door, fear flickering in their depths like a storm waiting to break.
Before I could react, the door creaked open, and Hayaan stepped inside. His tall frame cast a shadow against the dimly lit walls, his presence filling the space effortlessly.
Noor's breath hitched, and within seconds, her trembling fingers clutched mine, gripping me as if I was the only anchor keeping her from drowning.
I turned to her immediately, my heart aching at the terror in her expression. Blinking softly, I whispered, "Kuch nahi karenge woh, Noor." My voice was gentle, reassuring, a promise she could hold on to.
Her grip didn't loosen, but I felt the slight hesitation in her tense shoulders, a silent war raging inside herâbetween fear and the desperate hope that she could believe my words.
Hayaan's gaze flickered between us, his forehead creasing slightly as he took in Noor's fragile state. He stayed near the doorway, his posture careful, as if he knew that stepping closer might shatter the fragile sense of safety Noor was trying to build.
I glanced at Hayaan as he stood near the door, his expression neutral but questioning.
"Aap yahan... kuch chahiye tha?" I asked, my tone curious yet light.
He frowned slightly, then exhaled, shaking his head. "Begum, yeh mera hi kamra hai," he said casually, as if stating the obvious.
I sighed, realizing he had a point. Before I could respond, he added, "Main bas apna charger lene aaya tha."
I was about to get up and hand it to him, but the moment I moved, Noor's grip on my hand tightened. I turned to her, feeling the tremor in her touch, the silent plea in her wide, frightened eyes.
Understanding her fear, I stopped mid-movement and instead offered Hayaan an apologetic smile. He noticed Noor's reaction and blinked in acknowledgment before softly saying,
"Koi baat nahi, main le leta hoon."
As he stepped forward and reached for the charger, it slipped from his grasp, falling right beside Noor's feet. The small, unexpected movement startled her, and she flinched, her entire body tensing as if bracing for something.
Hayaan hesitated, his brows drawing together at her reaction. Instead of bending down to retrieve it himself, he subtly gestured toward me.
I nodded, understanding his silent request, and picked up the charger, passing it to him. As I did, I caught the slight awkwardness on his faceâsomething rare for him. He wanted to say something. I could tell.
I raised a brow at him, tilting my head slightly, silently urging him to speak. His eyes flickered toward mine in confusion before he shook his head dismissively.
I huffed softly, giving him a pointed look before subtly gesturing toward Noor, urging him to apologize.
Hayaan sighed, rubbing the back of his neck before finally speaking, his voice measured yet hesitant.
He cleared his throat nervously, and I couldn't help but smile slightly at his unease.
"Hayaan apko vicks ki goli dun?" I asked in with hint of tease.
"Aairah?" He raised his brows surprised.
"Mera matlab Aapko pani doon, Hayaan?" I asked softly, my voice carrying genuine concern this time.
His dark eyes lifted, locking onto mine, a flicker of something unreadable passing through them.
"Haan, kyun nahi," he whispered.
Nodding, I gently freed my arm from Noor's small grasp and moved toward the side table. As I poured water from the jug into a glass, I could feel his presence behind me, his warmth seeping into my skin despite the space between us.
I turnedâand gasped.
Hayaa was close. Too close.
My heart pounded against my ribs as I met his gaze. His intense eyes held mine captive, making my breath hitch. Slowly, I handed him the glass, but instead of just taking it, his fingers brushed against mine, his touch lingering. A shiver ran down my spine.
"Mein kya bolun, start kaise karun?" His voice was low, uncertain, yet undeniably captivating.
I raised an eyebrow, amused at his nervousness. So, Mr. Confident was at a loss for words?
I chuckled softly, biting my lipâsomething that didn't go unnoticed. His eyes darkened, his jaw tightening for a second before he gave me a look, one that made warmth bloom in my chest.
"Hayaan, mujhe kaise maloom hoga? Jo bhi kehna hai, bas dil se kahiye... apka dil tou waise he acha hai, Maafi maangni hai toh sachay dil se mangiye, Aur ache tarah se."
He frowned, raking a frustrated hand through his hair, making a mess of the already tousled strands. How could someone look so effortlessly perfect even when frustrated?
"Achi tarah se kaise hota hai, Aairah? You're making this more difficult for me," he admitted, shaking his head.
I exhaled dramatically, pressing my fingers to my temples. "Ya Allah, mein kya karoon mere shohar ka?" I muttered.
Then, without a second thought, I took the glass from him and sipped the water, feeling his gaze burn into me. When I looked up, his expression was unreadableâsurprised, amused, intrigued all at once.
A slow smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he took the glass from my hand, his fingers grazing mine again. But this time, he didn't just drinkâhe deliberately placed his lips on the exact spot where mine had been .
My breath caught.
My entire body stilled.
His dark eyes never left mine as he took a slow sip, his lips curving slightly against the glass. Butterflies erupted in my stomach, a dizzying warmth spreading through me. I could feel the heat creeping up my cheeks, and I quickly averted my gaze, looking at Noor.
Thank God Hayaan's back was facing her.
I took a deep breath, trying to regain some composure, and moved back to sit beside Noor. She instantly curled her tiny fingers around my hand again, grounding me.
Hayaan, however, remained standing in front of us, his gaze still fixed on me, unreadable yet intense.
I swallowed hard.
This man... he was going to be the death of me.
"Dekhiye, Noor... main aapko darana nahi chahta tha," he began, his tone uncharacteristically cautious. "Jis tone mein maine aapse baat ki thi, woh bohot galat tha. Aise mujhe nahi karna chahiye tha."
I raised a brow at his attempt. He wasn't exactly apologizingâmore like justifying himself in an indirect way.
"Aur aap mujhse dariye mat," he continued, glancing at Noor briefly before looking away. "Main aapke nazdeek nahi aunga... na hi kuch karunga aap ko sp yahan mehfooz hai."
I rolled my eyes, unimpressed. This was the worst apology ever. He hadn't even said the actual word sorry. Noor simply stared at him, unmoving, offering no reaction to his words.
I sighed as Hayaan turned on his heel and left the room, not even waiting to see if his words had made any difference.
Typical.
As soon as Hayaan walked out, I let out an exasperated sigh, shaking my head. Noor remained still beside me, her fingers still curled slightly from where she had gripped my hand moments ago.
I turned to her, studying her expression. Her face was blank, but her eyesâher eyes held a storm of emotions, uncertainty, fear, and something else I couldn't quite place.
"Yeh kaunsa tareeqa tha maafi maangne ka?" I muttered, rolling my eyes again as I reached for the plate of food. Noor's lips twitched, almost as if she wanted to smile, but it disappeared as quickly as it came.
She glanced at the door as if expecting Hayaan to walk back in, then looked at me. "Woh... aise hi hain?" she asked hesitantly.
I raised a brow at her. "Matlab?"
She swallowed, as if trying to find the right words. "Thoda... rude? Ya basâ"
"Badtameez?" I finished for her, smiling slightly.
Noor's eyes widened, and I chuckled at her reaction.
"Nahi, Hayaan aise nahi hain. Woh bas thoda... alag tareeke se baat karte hain. Direct hain, lekin dil ke buray nahi." I paused, thinking. "Aur maafi maangne ka tareeqa bilkul nahi aata unko."
Noor lowered her gaze, fidgeting with the end of her dupatta. "Phir bhi... mujhe dar lagta hai usne." Her voice was barely above a whisper, but I heard the vulnerability in it.
I softened. "Noor, tum safe ho yahan. Koi tumhe chhuega bhi nahi jab tak main hoon." I reached over, placing my hand over hers, giving it a light squeeze.
"Hayaan bhi tumse dur rehnge. Aur woh tumse waise bhi koi dushmani nahi rakhte." She nodded slowly but didn't look convinced.
I sighed and picked up a small piece of roti again, dipping it in the curry before holding it near her mouth. "Ab yeh khao. Tumne waise bhi bohot soch liya aaj."
She hesitated for a moment before finally taking a bite, chewing slowly as if lost in thought. Her eyes, filled with an unspoken concern, met mine.
"Aap bohot achi hain... aapse toh koi bhi mohabbat karega. Woh aapko deserve nahi karte. wou bikul ache nai hai kitne darawne hai, Aapko unse dar nahi lagta? Aap kaise rehti hain unke saath? Unhon ne aapko zabardasti rakha hai kya?" she asked, her voice a mix of curiosity and worry.
I looked at her, slightly startled. It was obvious she was referring to Hayaan, but the concern in her eyes made it clear that her words weren't meant to judge me but rather to understand. A small smile curved my lips as I shook my head.
"Zaroori nai jaisa dekhe waisa he humesha ho, woh bohat ache hai, mera bohat khayal rakhte hai izzat dete hai, sache hain mere sath, bahrosa karte hai mujhe or kya he chahiye,or dar ki bat tou unhon ne mujhse kabhi gusse me bhi nai dekha balke dante bhi nai hai, mein unke sath apni marzi se hoon" I paused for a moment, my heart swelling with emotions that were hard to put into words.
Then, with a small, wistful chuckle, I continued, "Aur kya pata... jo deserve na karta ho, woh shayad main hoon. Kyunki unhein toh koi bhi mil sakta tha, unke status ke barabar, unke culture se milta-julta... koi jo unke maqam ka ho. Aur main? Main ek aam si larki hoon... na unke rutbe ki, na shayad unki khoobsurti ke barabar... ek gareeb ghar ki larki, jo unki duniya se bilkul alag hai."
A faint sigh escaped me, but there was no sadness in itâjust a quiet acceptance of the strange ways love worked.
I stepped into the room, my eyes fell on Aairah bhabhi and Noor, who seemed deep in conversation. I frowned slightly, wondering what they were talking about so seriously. Before I could say anything, Aairah bhabhi noticed me and looked up.
"Zeeshan kaisa hai ab?" she asked, her concern evident.
I gave a small nod. "Woh ab theek hai. Sufiyaan aur Hayaan bhai uske saath hain. Unhon ne uske kapray bhi change kar diye hain. Abhi so raha hai, dono uska pura khayal rakh rahe hain."
Aairah bhabhi smiled, looking relieved. "Tumhein rest karna chahiye tha phir."
I shook my head. "Hayaan bhai ne mujhe yahan bheja. Keh rahe the Noor ko chot lag gayi hai, tou mein kit lekar agayii.
Hearing that, Aairah bhabhi immediately turned to Noor, concern flashing in her eyes. "Kahin lagi hai kya tumhe bataya nai?"
Noor hesitated for a second before lifting her foot slightly, showing the bruise. I sighed and knelt in front of her, carefully treating her wound without another word. After gently cleaning it with antiseptic, I applied a cooling gel.
"Bas, ho gaya," I said, sitting back. Noor moved her foot slightly to test it, nodding in approval.
Settling down beside her, I glanced between the two of them and asked, "Toh kya baatein ho rahi thi?"
Aairah bhabhi chuckled, shaking her head before replying, "Noor mujhse pooch rahi thi ke main Hayaan se darti hoon ya nahi... ya phir woh mujhe zabardasti apne saath rakhe hue hain."
Hearing that, I couldn't stop myself from grinning. Noor, on the other hand, looked slightly awkward. Smirking, I quipped, "Bhabhi ka toh nahi pata, par Hayaan bhai zaroor darte honge inse!"
Aairah bhabhi gasped dramatically, while Noor let out a small smile . I enjoyed teasing herâit was too easy!
Before I could say more, Noor turned to me, her expression thoughtful. "Waise, wou dusre bhai Zeeahan ke bohot dangerous lagte hain. apko dar nahi lagta unke gusse se? Unhone mujhpe bhi toh cheekha tha."
I rolled my eyes at her words before smirking. "Mujh pe gussa kar ke toh dikhaye... aisa thanda paani muh pe phenkti hoon, khud hi chup ho jata hai." Crossing my arms smugly, I added, "Mujhe dar-war nahi lagta usse. Band baja ke rakhi hai maine uski!"
Aairah bhabhi chuckled, shaking her head in amusement, while Noor stared at me in shock. "Sach mein?"
I flipped my hair dramatically and grinned. "Bilkul! uske gusse ka asar mujh pe nahi hota."
The room filled with laughter, and I couldn't help but smile. Moments like these made everything feel lighter, as if all our worries could wait just a little longer.
Noor was still looking at me in disbelief, while Aairah bhabhi laughed, shaking her head. I leaned back comfortably, a smug smirk on my face. "Sach keh rahi hoon, Noor. Sufiyaan mujhse gussa ho bhi jaye na, toh zyada der reh nahi sakta. Aakhir mein toh chup ho ke baith jata hai."
"Mujhe toh nahi lagta," Noor muttered, raising a brow.
I scoffed. "Toh tumhe kya lagta hai? Woh mujhpe chillata hai aur main chup chap bardasht karti hoon?" I rolled my eyes dramatically.
"Aisa kabhi nahi ho sakta! Agar woh mujhpe cheekhta hai, toh jawab sunne ke liye bhi tayyar rehna chahiye. Magar bechara... mujhse panga le kar hamesha pachhtata hai!"
Aairah bhabhi smiled, clearly entertained. "Matlab tumne Sufiyaan ko bilkul seedha kar diya?"
I grinned proudly. "Bilkul! Ab woh gussa hota bhi hai na, toh sirf andar hi andar. Muh se kuch kehne ki himmat nahi karta, warna jawab sunne ke liye bhi tayyar rehna padta hai!"
Noor shook her head in disbelief while I sat there with a victorious grin. It was always fun teasing Sufiyaanâeven when he wasn't around.
Aairah bhabhi finally calmed down from laughing and turned to Noor with a smile. "Dekho Noor, tumhe lagta hai ye sab bohot dangerous hain, lekin asal mein aisa nahi hai," she said softly.
"Hayaan, Sufiyaan, aur baqi sab bhale hi thoda rude ya serious lagte hain, lekin dil ke bohot ache hain. Yeh log apno ka bohot khayal rakhte hain."
Noor listened quietly, as if trying to process her words.
Aairah bhabhi continued, "Jitne bhi bhai hain na, sab sirf dikhne mein strict hain. Magar jo inse close hota hai, woh samajhta hai ke inka pyaar dikhane ka tareeqa bas alag hai." She glanced at me and smiled knowingly. "Hala se hi pooch lo, Sufiyaan kitna bhi gussa kyun na kare, sabse zyada fikr bhi usi ko hoti hai."
I smirked and nodded. "Haan bilkul! Gussa bhi mujh pe, par fikr bhi mujh ki sabse zyada. Matlab ke main uske liye sabse badi pareshani bhi hoon aur sabse badi zimmedari bhi!"
Aairah bhabhi chuckled and looked back at Noor. "Aur sirf bhai hi nahi, pura ghar hi aisa hai. Yeh family jitni strong lagti hai na, utni hi pyaar karne wali bhi hai. Ek baar apna bana lein, toh phir har halat mein saath dete hain."
Noor still seemed unsure, but her expression had softened. I nudged her playfully. "Dheere dheere samajh aa jayega tumhe. Bas unke serious expressions se darna band karo!"
Aairah bhabhi smiled warmly. "Ek din tum bhi mehsoos karogi, Noor, ke yeh sirf ek family nahi... balki ek protective aur caring family hai."
Noor gave a small nod, her thoughts still unreadable, but something in her eyes told me she was starting to believe itâjust a little.
I turned to Noor and patted her shoulder lightly. "Acha ab tumhe rest karna chahiye, chalo mein room tumhe room me drop kardeti hoon" I said, not giving her a chance to argue. Noor gave me a small nod.
She got up and hugged Aairah bhabhi, then turned to me and hugged me making me surprised.
"I am sorry jo meine apke sath bura behave kiya" She said guilt on her face, and I shook my head
"koi baat nai mein samjhti hoon" I responded and then I guided her toward her room.
As soon as I stepped inside , I saw Sufiyaan and Hayaan bhai moving out and I followed them.
Before I could say anything, Sufiyaan casually placed his arm around my shoulder. I immediately stiffened, my eyes widening in disbelief.
"Kya kar rahe ho?!" I hissed, especially since we were standing right in front of Hayaan bhai. But, as expected, this shameless creature didn't even flinch.
Instead, he smirked and said in the most casual tone, "Aray meri biwi ho, kisi padosi ki nahi jo aise ghoor rahi ho."
I shot him a glare, resisting the urge to smack him right then and there. "Padosi ki biwi ko haath tou laga ke dikhao, pura paani ka jug tumhare sar pe hoga," I mocked, crossing my arms.
To my annoyance, he only chuckled. "Areh chudail aftar mein mat aao, chalen yaar, bohot thak gaya hoon. Is behes ka mood nai bad mein kar lenge," he said, pulling me slightly.
I scoffed, yanking myself away from him. "Tumne konsa bada kaam kiya hai jo itna thak gaye ho? Bartan dhoye hain kya ya jhadu lagaya hai? Pagal aadmi!" I taunted, raising a brow.
Hayaan bhai just stared at us awkwardly, his brows furrowing slightly as he observed our ridiculous banter.
After a moment, he finally asked, "Tum dono aise hi baat karte ho aksar? "
Before I could answer, Sufiyaan smirked and mocked, "Haan bhai, yeh hamesha aise hi mujhse izzat se baat karti hai."
I glared at him, not missing the sarcasm in his voice, and without thinking twice, I stomped on his foot.
He let out a hiss of pain, jerking his foot back, while Hayaan bhai simply shook his head, clearly deciding he wanted no part in this. Without another word, he turned and walked away.
The moment he was out of sight, Sufiyaan turned to me with an exaggerated eye roll. "Yaar, mere bhai ke saamne toh tameez se baat kar liya karo," he grumbled.
I crossed my arms, raising a brow. "Tum pehle behave karna seekh lo, phir main bhi tameez se baat kar lungi," I shot back without missing a beat.
He sighed dramatically, shaking his head, while I turned on my heel and started walking towards our room. I could hear him trailing behind me, muttering something under his breath, probably about how "bechara pati suffer kar raha hai."
I smirked to myself, knowing this was just another one of our endless argumentsâone that, as always, I had clearly won.
As I walked into the room, I could still hear Sufiyaan muttering behind me. I rolled my eyes but ignored him, heading straight to the dresser. Just as I was about to grab my hairbrush, I felt him step closer.
"Sach mein, Hala," he started in a dramatically exhausted tone, "tumse izzat ki umeed rakhna bekaar hai. Main shadi se pehle kitna azad tha, soch bhi nahi sakta tha ke ek din meri zindagi is tarah se tabah ho jayegi."
I turned around slowly, raising a brow. "Oh? Zindagi tabah ho gayi hai?" I crossed my arms, tilting my head. "Koi zabardasti ki thi tumpe? tumhare Paas bohot options the na? Phir mujhe hi kyun chuna?"
He smirked, stepping even closer. "Woh toh galti ho gayi," he said casually.
I gasped, placing a hand over my chest dramatically. "Galti?" I repeated, acting hurt. "kuch der tou bohat emotional ho rahe thay kw mein intezar karunga, bla bal Aur ab? Ab galti lag rahi hoon main?"
Sufiyaan chuckled, shaking his head. "Main toh mazak kar raha tha, yarr serious kyu hogyi meri jaan.
I turned away with a fake huff. "Ab nahi baat karni mujhe dafa ho yahan se!" I muttered, sitting on the edge of the bed.
Within seconds, I felt the mattress dip beside me. "Accha baba, mazak tha. Ab roothna bandh karo," he said, nudging my shoulder slightly.
I glanced at him, still pretending to be mad. "Nahi, main toh galti hoon na?"
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Galti toh ki thi," he started, and before I could react, he leaned in with a grin, "par best wali galti."
I blinked, taken off guard for a second. His face was way too close, his eyes filled with mischief.
Trying to hide the warmth creeping up my face, I pushed him away. "Bakwaas bandh karo aur so jao!"
He laughed, clearly enjoying how flustered I was. "Tumhe taang nahi karun toh neend nahi aati, Hala."
I threw a pillow at him. "Uff, bas karo, warna sach mein bartan dhulwa dungi tumse!"
He caught the pillow effortlessly, shaking his head with a smirk. "Main kaun sa itna bewakoof hoon jo tumhari baat maan lunga?"
I narrowed my eyes. "Maanne ki zaroorat nahi, jab paani ka jug sir pe girega tab samajh aa jayega."
He quickly sat up, looking at me cautiously. "Tum seriously soch rahi ho?"
I smirked. "Pata nahi, dekhte hain tum next kya kehne wale ho!"
He held his hands up in surrender. "Theek hai, theek hai! Aaj ke liye bas, ab aur koi naya azaab mat lao!"
I grinned in victory, flopping back on the bed. "Acha bach gaye aaj, warna subah ka breakfast bhi tumhe banwana tha!"
He groaned. "Hala, tumse zyada badmash aur koi nahi!"
I just laughed, loving every second of my little victory and as I layed on bed covering myself I felt his hand around me, I smiled and closed my eyes as sleep consumed me.
I finally felt a little at ease after talking to Aairah bhabhi and Hala. It was strangeâlike I wasn't completely alone anymore.
A small sigh left my lips as my eyes landed on Zeeshan, who was sleeping peacefully, as if nothing had happened.
I moved closer, staring at him, and an odd mix of pain and guilt settled in my chest. How can he sleep so soundly? Jaise duniya mein is se zyada koi masoom hi nahi hoga... cartoon kahin ka, I muttered under my breath, shaking my head at him.
Despite my irritation, my worry won over. Hesitantly, I leaned in, lifting his shirt slightly to check the bruise. The wound was dressed properly, meaning someone had already taken care of it, but the sight of it still made my heart clench uncomfortably.
I hesitated, my fingers hovering in the air before I slowly placed my hand on his forehead. The warmth against my palm made my breath hitch.
"Bukhar hai..." I whispered, biting my lip as worry settled deeper in my chest.
What should I do? I thought about calling one of his brothers, but then shook my head. No, this happened because of me. Mujhe hi kuch karna chahiye.
With a determined breath, I got up and quickly went to get a bowl of cold water and a cloth. If nothing else, I could at least try to bring his fever down.
I dipped the cloth into the cool water, wrung it out, and gently placed it on his forehead. He shifted slightly but didn't wake up. His face looked pale under the dim light, his brows slightly furrowed even in sleep.
I sat beside him, quietly replacing the cloth every few minutes, my heart weighed down with guilt. This is because of me... the thought repeated in my head.
As I continued taking care of him, the distant sound of the Azaan echoed through the silence of the room. I froze for a moment, my heart still heavy, before I slowly stood up.
I went to the bathroom, performed wazu, and came back, feeling slightly lighter. Aairah bhabhi had given me a prayer mat earlier, and I took it out carefully, placing it in the corner of the room.
As I began my namaz, my heart felt restless. My movements were smooth, but my mind was anything but. It wasn't until I finished and raised my hands for dua that I truly let go of the emotions I had been holding in.
Zeeshan's face flashed in front of my closed eyes. The image of his injured state, the fever burning his skin, the exhaustion on his faceâit all made my chest ache.
And suddenly, without thinking, my lips moved on their own.
"Ya Allah, mujhe rasta dikha de... koi hal dikha de...Mein ab thak chuki hoon mujhe sukoon chahiye " My voice wavered as my heart pleaded for guidance.
Then, before I could even comprehend it, the words left my mouth.
"Ya Allah, mere shohar ko sehat de."
My eyes flew open in shock. My breath caught in my throat. I stared at my trembling hands, disbelief washing over me.
What had I just said?
Why had I asked for his health?
I was supposed to hate him. I was supposed to be angry at him. And yet...
A shaky breath left me, my hands slowly lowering. Tears slipped down my cheeks, confusion and emotions swirling inside me.
What was happening to me?
I wiped the tears from my face quickly, trying to compose myself. My heart was still racing from the dua I had just unknowingly made. I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts. It doesn't mean anything... I told myself.
Just as I was about to stand up, a hoarse voice broke the silence.
"Meri marne ki dua maang rahi thi? Jo itni nafrat ho gayi hai mujhe?"
I froze. My breath hitched as I slowly turned my head.
Zeeshan was awake. His eyes were barely open, his voice weak, but the weight of his words hit me like a storm. He was still lying down, trying to shift slightly, but the moment he moved, he hissed in pain.
I watched him struggle for a moment, my hands twitching as if to help him, but I stopped myself. Instead, I whispered, more to myself than to him.
"Nafrat hoti toh shayad kab ka khatam kar chuki hoti...
Par mohabbat ki saza yun bhi toh milti hai, na?"
I saw his brows furrow slightly, as if trying to understand my words, but I wasn't even sure if I understood them myself.
"Kisi ki zindagi ka hissa ban'ne ka sapna dekhna...Aur phir usi sapne se khud ko alag kar dena..."
A thick silence hung in the air. My voice had barely been above a whisper, but I knew he had heard me.
His tired eyes searched mine, and for the first time in a long while, there was something in his gaze that wasn't cold, wasn't filled with anger or pain.
It was something else entirely.Something I didn't dare to name.
I swallowed hard and quickly looked away. Why did I say that? I clenched my hands in my lap, my heart thudding painfully in my chest.
Zeeshan, still watching me, let out a quiet chuckleâthough it was laced with exhaustion.
"Tum ajeeb ho, Noor," he murmured, his voice softer now.
I took a deep breath and stood up. "Tumhe aaram karna chahiye," I said, ignoring the way my voice wavered.
I turned away before he could say anything else, because if I stayed, I was afraid of what more I might confessâthings I wasn't ready to admit.
Not to him.
And definitely not to myself.
As I turned away, ready to leave before my emotions betrayed me further, I suddenly felt a weak but firm grip on my wrist.
I froze.
Slowly, I looked back to see Zeeshan holding my hand, his fingers trembling slightly from his exhaustion. His face was pale, but his eyes... they held something I hadn't seen before. A quiet desperation. A plea.
"Noor..." his voice was low, almost uncertain, but then he took a deep breath and looked at me with determination. "Mujhe maaf kardo."
I stared at him, my heart pounding.
"Main jaanta hoon... bohot galtiyan ki hain maine," he continued, his grip tightening ever so slightly. "Lekin ek moka do. Sab theek karne ka."
I inhaled sharply, blinking away the sting in my eyes. For a moment, just a moment, my heart faltered.
But then, the weight of everything he had put me through came crashing down on me again.
I slowly pulled my hand away from his grasp, stepping back.
"Badla le liya na?" My voice came out quieter than I intended, but firm. "Ab mujhe is rishte se azaad karo, Zeeshan. Mujhe divorce chahiye."
The moment the words left my mouth, I saw it.
The shock in his eyes. The way his breath hitched. The way his entire body tensed as if the words had physically struck him.
For a moment, he didn't say anything. Just stared at me, his face unreadable, but his eyes... they betrayed him. There was pain there, deep and raw, and it almost made me regret saying it.
Almost.
Then, after what felt like an eternity, he exhaled slowly and looked at me with an unreadable expression.
"Tou jake lelo," he said, his voice calm but laced with something dark. "Main toh nahi dene wala."
I felt my chest tighten.
"Aur nahi tumhara peecha chorne wala hoon," he added, his eyes locking onto mine, filled with something unshakable.
I swallowed hard, my fists clenching. Why? Why was he doing this? Why now, after everything?
"Zeeshanâ" I started, but he cut me off.
"Main tumhe khone ka soch bhi nahi sakta, Noor." His voice was barely above a whisper, but it carried the weight of something heavy. "Chaho ya na chaho, yeh rishta khatam nahi hone dunga."
I felt my breath catch, my emotions swirling into something I couldn't even name.
But I refused to let myself break.
I straightened my shoulders, blinking away the moisture in my eyes. "Tumhe pasand ho ya na ho, main tumhe chor kar he rahungi."
With that, I turned and walked out of the room, leaving behind a man who had only given me painâ
But whose pain now somehow felt like my own.
I stood outside the room, my hands trembling at my sides. I had meant every word I said there. I wanted to walk away from this marriage, from him. I had convinced myself that I needed to.
So why did my heart feel so heavy?
I swallowed hard and wiped my face before heading to the kitchen. My mind was a mess, but my body moved on its own. I grabbed a glass, filled it with water, and carried it back to his room.
As I stepped inside, I found him lying still, his chest rising and falling heavily. His face was slightly twisted in discomfort, his body stiff, as if even breathing was painful for him.
I sighed, setting the glass down and sitting beside him.
"Hamesha apni zidd par hi chalna hai tumhe?" I muttered, dipping the cloth in cool water again and gently placing it back on his forehead.
He flinched slightly but didn't open his eyes. His breathing was uneven, and the warmth of his skin worried me.
"Bina wajah mujhe pareshaan karne ki aadat kabhi nahi jaayegi na tumhari?" I whispered, more to myself than to him.
I hated how easily my hands moved to care for him despite everything. I hated how, no matter how much I wanted to, I couldn't not worry about him.
I stayed beside him, replacing the cloth every few minutes, watching over him as the fever slowly started to lessen.
Even in his sleep, his brows remained slightly furrowed, as if he was fighting somethingâmaybe pain, maybe exhaustion... or maybe something else entirely.
I should leave. I should let someone else take care of him.
But my feet refused to move.
My heart refused to let go.
And for the first time, I didn't know what scared me moreâstaying or actually walking away.
As I pressed the damp cloth to his burning forehead, I saw his eyelids flutter. He was waking up.
"Kyun kar rahi ho yeh?" His voice was rough, barely above a whisper. "Mat karo. Main mar nahi raha hoon."
I stilled for a second but quickly regained my composure, continuing to care for him without responding.
"Yeh zabardasti ka dikhawa mat karo," he mumbled in his drowsy state, his words slightly slurred. "Pata hai mujhe... nafrat karti ho mujhse."
I clenched my jaw, my grip tightening on the cloth. For a moment, I wanted to deny it, to argue. But instead, I let out a quiet breath and spoke, keeping my voice even.
"Majboori mein kar rahi hoon," I said, forcing my tone to stay indifferent. "Kyunki kahin na kahin meri wajah se tumhe yeh hua hai. Maine hi maara tha tumhe... isliye bas apna guilt kam kar rahi hoon. Care nahi karti."
Silence filled the room for a moment before a dry chuckle escaped his lips.
"Jhoot mat bolo, Noor."
My heart skipped a beat. My eyes snapped to his, startled.
He was still weak, but there was something in his gazeâsomething knowing, something unshaken.
A faint, tired smile appeared on his face. "Tum chaho ya na chaho, tumhe parwah hai."
I felt my breath hitch.
I quickly looked away, my fingers gripping the cloth tightly as if that would steady the storm inside me.
"Bas bukhar mein bakwas mat karo, Zeeshan, warna yeh tumhare muh pe lagdungi" I muttered, dipping the cloth in the water again before placing it back on his forehead.
I refused to meet his eyes.
Refused to acknowledge the way my hands trembled slightly when they touched him.
Refused to admit how much his words shook me.
Because no matter how much I tried to convince himâconvince myselfâI knew deep down...
I was lying.
_
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