14.

It was only three days until their Niqah, and Anam couldn't shake the whirlwind of emotions inside her. On one hand, she was ecstatic. She was about to marry Feras... the one she had secretly admired for so long. The thought of finally being with him, to call him her husband, made her heart flutter with anticipation. Now, with the wedding just around the corner, her heart swelled at the thought of being his.

But on the other hand, Anam was conflicted. As much as she loved Feras, she couldn't help but wonder if she was truly worthy of him. He had always been distant, cold even, and often treated her with an air of indifference that left her questioning whether he felt anything more than obligation toward her. She had never asked for this arrangement, never hoped for it in the way some girls might dream about their weddings, but now that it was happening, she couldn't imagine being with anyone else. The doubt gnawed at her... was she worthy of someone like him?

She had kept her feelings for him hidden for so long, quietly nurturing her love in her heart, never daring to speak of it aloud. It was both a comfort and a torment to love him in silence. She wondered if he would ever look at her the way she looked at him... if he would ever truly see her.

But there was a part of her that refused to give up on the hope that maybe, just maybe, his heart would soften for her in time.

.....

Meanwhile, Aman's obsession with Anam had only grown worse. He had always admired her from afar, although kept on body shaming her, but now, with the impending marriage, he felt an unsettling need to claim her for himself. His behavior grew increasingly inappropriate as the days went by, and he found ways to corner Anam in private, trying to isolate her from everyone else.

It started with small gestures... lingering glances, the way he would touch her arm when they spoke, brushing a little too closely against her when they passed each other. At first, Anam tried to ignore it, telling herself that he was just being overly familiar, but it didn't take long for his actions to grow more aggressive.

One day, during a family outing to a park, Aman saw an opportunity to push the boundaries further. Feras was engaged in conversation with Ahmed and Salman, leaving Anam to walk around with the rest of the family. But Aman stayed close to her, never straying too far, always hovering.

"Anam," Aman said, his voice laced with an unfamiliar sweetness. "Why don't we go for a walk over there? The park is so big, that place over there looks so interesting."

Anam stiffened at his tone. "I'm fine," she said quickly, trying to back away, but he followed her.

"You know, we've always gotten along well," he said, his smile predatory. "Maybe we could spend some time alone... bas tum aur mai." (Just you and me)

Anam felt a shiver run down her spine as she took another step back. She couldn't help but glance around, hoping someone would notice the discomfort in her expression. But the others were too engrossed in their own conversations to pay attention, and way ahead of them.

Before she could retreat any further, Aman stepped in front of her, blocking her way. His eyes darkened with something she didn't quite understand... something possessive, dirty.

"You don't have to act like this, Anam," he said in a low voice. "We both know what you want."

The words sent a wave of nausea through her, and for a moment, she didn't know how to respond. She tried to speak, but her throat felt tight, as though her words might choke her if she let them out.

Just as Aman took another step forward, Feras appeared in the distance, his sharp eyes scanning the area. His gaze locked on Aman and Anam, and he instantly made his way over to them.

"Kya ho rha hai yha pe?" Feras's voice cut through the air, calm but laced with danger. (What's happening over here?)

Aman froze, a tense smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "No, no kuch nahi, Feras bhai. Just... talking."

Feras's gaze shifted from Aman to Anam, his eyes narrowing. "You need to step away," he said coolly, his voice leaving no room for negotiation.

Aman met Feras's eyes, his smile faltering slightly. With a tight nod, he stepped back and turned away, walking in the opposite direction.

Anam, her heart still pounding in her chest, exhaled shakily. Feras's presence was like a shield, and she couldn't help but feel relieved that he had stepped in when he did. But there was something in his eyes—something cold and distant—that made her wonder if he had truly noticed what had just happened or if he was simply going through the motions.

"Tum thik ho?" Feras's voice was quieter now, his expression unreadable. (Are you okay?)

Anam nodded quickly, though she could feel her face flush with embarrassment. "Ji mai thik hun. Thank you." (Yes, I'm fine. Thank-you)

Feras gave her a brief look before turning and walking back toward the others, leaving Anam standing there, a mix of confusion and relief swirling within her.

.....

Later that evening, as the family gathered around the dinner table, Anam couldn't shake the unsettling feeling that lingered after Aman's actions. He had crossed a line, and though Feras had intervened, she wasn't sure if it was enough.

During the meal, Aman kept his distance, but the unease in the air was palpable. He would glance at Anam every so often, his eyes lingering in a way that made her skin crawl. She couldn't escape the feeling that he was watching her, waiting for another opportunity to strike.

Ayan, sensing the tension, tried to lighten the mood with one of his usual jokes. "Acha, toh, mai soch rha tha" he said with a grin, "Agar zebra ka aur giraffe ka baby hota, to phir woh ziraffe hota ya phir gebrabra hota?" (Okay, so... I was wondering... If giraffe and zebra had a baby, would it be called ziraffe or gebrabra?)

The table was in complete silence, and for a moment, Ayub stifled her laughter. Ayan's jokes were always ridiculous, but they had a way of making everything feel a little more bearable.

But as dinner continued, Anam couldn't shake the unease she felt about Aman. She tried to keep her focus on the conversation, but her mind kept drifting back to the uncomfortable moments she had shared with him earlier.

She needed to talk to someone... someone who could help her make sense of it all. And as much as she wanted to talk to Feras, she wasn't sure how to approach him. He was so distant, so cold. Would he even understand?

After dinner, she retreated to her room, her thoughts a chaotic mess. She needed clarity. She needed someone who would listen.

Dialing Ayan's number, she quickly brought the phone to her ear.

"Han, Anam," Ayan answered cheerfully. "Aj tumhe apne bhai ki yaad kayse aa gyi, sab kuch thik hai na?" (Yes, Anam. How come you're remembering your brother today... is everything okay?)

"No," she replied quietly. "Aman... he's been acting strange. And I'm not sure how to deal with it."

There was a brief silence on the other end of the line before Ayan spoke again. "Kya kiya hai uss haram zade ne? Should I talk to him? And make him understand in my language?" (The hell did that bast*rd do? Should I talk to him? And make him understand in my language?)

Anam giggled and shook her head, even though Ayan couldn't see her. "No, I don't want to make it worse. But I can't keep ignoring it."

Ayan's voice softened. "Anam, you don't have to deal with this alone. You've got me. You've got Feras bhai. We'll handle it, okay?"

Anam felt a small sense of comfort wash over her, but the worry remained.

.....

The following day, as Anam tried to focus on the upcoming wedding preparations, she noticed a shift in Feras's behavior. He was cold, as usual, but there was something different. His protectiveness had surfaced again, well, in a more subtle way.

.....

It was a quiet night, the house shrouded in a peaceful stillness. Anam sat by her bed, the moonlight casting a gentle glow through her window. Her conflicted feelings about Feras, the unease from Aman's obsession, and the overwhelming pressure of the approaching Niqah. But despite the storm swirling inside her, she knew she had a place where she could find peace.

She stood up, her body moving automatically as she went to prepare for Tahajjud prayer. The night, with its quiet solitude, always gave her a sense of clarity. The stillness was comforting, as if the whole world was silent just for her to be with Allah.

After her Tahajjud prayer, Anam sat down on her prayer mat, her heart heavy but seeking peace. She reached for the Zyarat-e-Ashura, the words of which she had recited countless times, but tonight they felt different. Tonight, they felt like they were meant for her. Imam Hussain's sorrow, his sacrifice, the pain he had endured for truth and justice—it always touched something deep inside her. His story was not just one of hardship, but of steadfastness in the face of overwhelming adversity, and it was that spirit that Anam needed to hold onto now.

As she recited the Zyarat, her mind wandered to the tragedy of Karbala, and she felt the sorrow of Imam Hussain (AS) like a wave, washing over her, allowing her to forget her own troubles. Whenever she was lost in the chaos of her own life, she turned to him, to His example, for strength. Imam Hussain's (AS) life was a reminder that even in the worst of times, one could stand tall for their beliefs, even if the world turned against them.

In her quiet reflection, she found solace. The bitterness of her own struggles seemed insignificant compared to the trials that Imam Hussain (AS) had endured. His patience, His commitment to truth... these qualities shone as a beacon in her heart, guiding her thrugh her confusion, her sorrow, and the conflicts she faced.

With a deep sigh, Anam finished her prayer, wiping her eyes softly. She felt calm, as if the burdens on her heart had been lifted. Imam Hussain's (AS) sorrow, in all its depth, had given her a sense of perspective. Her struggles...her worries about Feras, her fears about what the future held... seemed lighter now.

As she lay back on her bed, her heart was no longer restless.

But the Niqah approaching: was this just the calm before the storm? Would Feras ever truly open up to her, or would her love remain unrequited? Only time would tell...

"Patience in time of hardship makes reward abundant."

― Imam Ali as