22.

It was a quiet Sunday afternoon when the tension in the house seemed to rise as Chachi's sobs echoed through the living room. She was sitting on the couch, crying desperately, her hands clasped together as she pleaded with Chacha Salman. "Salman, please, find Aman. Bring him back. I can't live like this without my son, he's my only son" she cried, her voice thick with despair.

Salman, who had been sitting silently beside her, looked at her coldly, his words cutting through the silence like a knife. "He doesn't deserve to be part of this family anymore. After what he did that day, he has nothing to do with us. Let him rot wherever he is," he said, his tone dismissive, his eyes avoiding her gaze.

Chachi's sobs intensified, her face crumpling in sorrow as she sank deeper into despair. "I've lost my son, Salman... you don't care. You don't understand what I'm feeling right now," she wailed, tears streaming down her face.

At that moment, Anam walked down the stairs, unaware of the storm brewing in the room. Her steps faltered when Chachi, noticing her, suddenly stopped crying and looked up with a look of pure hatred. The change in Chachi's demeanor was instantaneous. "Look at her! It's because of her that Aman is nowhere to be found!" Chachi's voice was venomous as she pointed a trembling finger at Anam, her words laced with fury. "She ruined our lives! She destroyed everything! And now, because of her, my son is lost!"

Anam's heart sank. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Her mind reeled as the cruel words struck her like a slap. She had never done anything wrong to Chachi. It was her son that almost ruined her life, and she is blaming her for the evil deads of her son. She had always respected her, but now, it seemed like nothing would ever be enough.

Tears welled up in her eyes as Chachi continued to hurl accusations and curses at her, her words relentless.

Anam couldn't hold it in any longer. The pain was unbearable. She looked down at the floor, her body trembling, unable to fight back, she wanted to fight back, to shout at her, but the voice was just not coming out, feeling too traumatized by the incident with Aman. That scene... that feeling of helplessness, that cruel smile of his, that not being able to fight back... it all came back. Making her unable to answer, to defend herself against Chachi's taunts.

She didn't want to admit it, but that incident left a scar in her mind, a huge scar...

Every cruel word from Chachi felt like a wound that wouldn't heal. Ayub, standing beside her, tried to defend her, her hand resting on her shoulder, but Anam was barely aware of her presence as Chachi's words kept echoing in her mind. And the face Aman coming back into her mind.

Suddenly, the front door opened, and the tension in the room seemed to shift. The air grew still as everyone fell silent. Feras had entered. His presence was commanding, his every step deliberate, as though he owned the very air in the room. His eyes immediately fell on Anam, who stood there, her face buried in her hands, her tears flowing freely. His gaze hardened as he took in the scene before him-Anam, his wife, standing there in pain, while Chachi's cruel words rang in the air. His body tensed, a fury rising within him that he couldn't suppress.

"Kya ho raha hai yaha pe?" His voice was cold, calm, but it carried an unmistakable edge of authority. He didn't even have to raise his voice for it to feel like a threat. (What's happening here?)

Chachi, taken aback by his sudden arrival, immediately started speaking, trying to justify her actions. "The peace of this house is disturbed because of her, Feras!" she cried out, her voice shrill, her hands shaking. "She's the reason why Aman is lost! He's gone because of her!"

Feras' eyes darkened. "No one in this house will say his name ever again," he said, his tone turning harsh and final. "After what he did, that haramzada deserves to die." (Bast*rd)

Chachi gasped, her breath catching in her throat. She stumbled backward, as if his words physically struck her. Seher, immediately coming to her mother's aid, helped her steady herself, her eyes wide with shock. Salman, however, kept his gaze fixed on the floor, unable to meet anyone's eyes.

Anam stood there, too stunned to say anything.

Seher, unable to hold back her frustration, finally spoke, her voice tinged with disbelief and anger. "Feras, how could you say something like that?" she asked, her voice rising. "Aman bhai just made a small mistake! It wasn't his fault!"

Feras' eyes locked with Seher's, his expression turning cold and calculating. "Shut up, Seher, and it's bhai for you" he snapped, his voice sharp and unwavering. "After what was revealed and whatever happened on our niqah day, you have no right to speak to me. Don't ever talk to me again."

Seher recoiled, her face flushed with embarrassment and anger. The words stung more than she was willing to admit, but what hurt more was the jealousy she couldn't hide. Anam had married Feras, a union that Seher had always imagined would be hers. The pain of seeing Feras stand up for Anam, of hearing him speak with such authority, only deepened her resentment.

Chachi, still recovering from the shock of Feras' words, looked at him helplessly. "Feras, beta, please, don't be so harsh... he's my son. Please, understand..." (Feras, son...)

But Feras was unwavering, his gaze now fixed firmly on Anam, who still stood silently, her face streaked with tears. He walked over to her, his presence a shield against the storm of accusations that had plagued her. His hand gently lifted her chin, his voice softening as he spoke directly to her, his concern for her well-being clear. "Anam," he said, his voice gentle. "Go to your room"

Anam looked up at him, her eyes full of pain and gratitude... and in that moment, the noise of the world around her seemed to fade away. It was just the two of them.

.....

Anam quietly walked to her room with Ayub by her side, her heart still heavy . Yet a small part of her swelled with gratitude and admiration for Feras. The way he stood up for her, his calm authority silencing even the harshest voices, made her feel both protected and valued.

But as soon as she closed the door behind her, the haunting memories of the kidnapping incident surfaced again. Aman's malicious intent, the way he had cornered her, and the fear she had felt came rushing back like a storm. She pressed her trembling hands against her forehead, trying to will the images away, but they clung to her mind like dark shadows.

Ayub, perceptive as ever, noticed her distress. She sat on the edge of the bed, her tone laced with concern. "Anam Api, are you okay? You're so quiet. Don't let Chachi's words get to you. She's a bitter woman who can't see past her son's mistakes."

Anam mustered a weak smile and shook her head. "Main theek hoon, Ayub," she replied softly, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside. "Don't worry about me. And don't talk about Chachi like that-she's still our elder." (I'm fine Ayub)

Ayub frowned, crossing her arms. "Our elder? Someone who curses and blames you for things that aren't your fault? She's crossing every limit, Anam Api. She doesn't deserve your respect."

Anam sighed, reaching out to pat Ayub's hand. "Let it go, Ayub. People lash out in pain. It's not worth holding onto." She didn't want to burden Ayub with her own thoughts, so she forced herself to appear calm. "I'm fine, really. Just need to clear my mind."

Wanting to distract herself, she pulled out her headphones and opened a playlist of Quranic recitations on her phone. Lying back on the bed, she closed her eyes as the soothing words of Surah Ar-Rahman filled her ears, each verse like a balm to her frayed nerves. She focused on the rhythm of the recitation, letting the beauty of Allah's words wash over her. Gradually, the tension in her body began to ease, and her racing thoughts slowed to a gentle hum.

By the time she finished listening, her heart felt lighter, and her mind more at peace. She sat up, stretched, and decided it was time to revise for her upcoming exam. She gathered her notes and sat by the desk, carefully going over her materials. Though the day's events had been draining, she pushed herself to focus, knowing tomorrow's final exam was important.

Hours passed in quiet study, the weight of the day fading as she immersed herself in her preparation. When she finally closed her books, it was late, and exhaustion began to creep in. She performed her ablutions, prayed her night Salah, and then sat on her prayer mat to recite Dua-e-Tawassul, her voice low but heartfelt.

As she finished her supplication, she felt a profound sense of calm envelop her. She climbed into bed, the warmth of her blanket wrapping her like a cocoon. Her last thought before sleep claimed her was of Feras...

Her dreams were peaceful, untainted by fear or sorrow.

.....

The morning air was crisp and cool as Anam woke before dawn, her mind already occupied with the weight of her final exam. She quietly rolled out of bed, careful not to disturb Ayub, who was still fast asleep. Stretching briefly, she washed her face and sat at her desk to go over her notes one last time. The faint rustle of papers and the soft scratching of her pen filled the room as she immersed herself in revision. The tranquility of the early hours helped her focus, and she felt a little more confident as she closed her books.

When the adhan for Fajr echoed, Anam set her notes aside and performed ablution. On the prayer mat, she offered her Salah. After finishing, she sat back on her knees and began reciting Dua-e-Ahad.

When she finished, she lifted her hands in dua, her heart pouring out its most vulnerable desires.

"Ya Allah," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. "Please, ease my sorrows and grant me patience in the face of trials. Forgive me for any mistakes or sins I may have unknowingly committed. Ya Rahman, please put love for me in Feras' heart... and protect him always. Grant him success and happiness in his life. And please, let me do well in my exams today. Help me remember everything I've studied and pass with success."

Her eyes moistened as she brought her hands to her face, feeling a strange but comforting mix of hope and surrender. She folded her prayer mat and stepped out of her room, making her way to the kitchen.

The house was still quiet as she began preparing breakfast. She whisked eggs for omelets and toasted slices of bread, her hands moving with practiced ease. The aroma of brewing tea and sizzling spices gradually filled the air. Soon enough, footsteps could be heard as the rest of the household began waking up.

When Seher and Chachi entered the kitchen, their expressions soured upon seeing Anam. Chachi gave her a cold, disdainful glance, muttering something under her breath. Seher, on the other hand, stared at her with thinly veiled jealousy. Anam tried to ignore them, focusing instead on the breakfast she was preparing.

The tense atmosphere was broken when Ayan strolled in, his usual mischievous grin lighting up the room. "Kya baat hai, Bhabhi jaan! Breakfast toh five-star lag raha hai!" he quipped, dramatically sniffing the air. "Lagta hai aaj to humara din accha guzrega." (Wow sister in law, The breakfast five stars. Looks like the day is going to go well now )

Ayub followed behind him, rolling her eyes. "Ayan Bhai, ap apne dramas kaunse channel ke liye rehearse karte ho? Har waqt nautanki shuru." (Ayan Bhai, which channel do you rehearse your dramas for? Always over-acting)

Ayan gasped in mock offense. "Ayub, mere saath ye kayse baat kar rhi ho tu, mera koi lihaaz karo. Main tumhara bada bhai hoon! Respect kahan hai?" (Ayub, how are you talking to me like this? Have some respect. I am your older brother! Where is the respect?)

The two quickly descended into playful bickering, their voices escalating as Ayub hurled witty comebacks and Ayan pretended to be deeply hurt. Anam couldn't help but smile . Their lighthearted banter was a much-needed distraction.

After breakfast, Feras came down briefly to discuss something with Ahmed, his eyes flickering toward Anam once, and his eyes softened. He said nothing, but the brief acknowledgment warmed her heart. Soon after, Ayan drove her, Ayub, Pari, and Seher to the university, chatting animatedly the entire way.

At the university, Anam met her friend Umul near the exam hall. "Anam, you're early!" Umul greeted her warmly, as they walked to a bench to sit. "How are you feeling? Ready for the big day?"

Anam let out a nervous laugh. "I don't know, Umul. I've revised everything, but I'm still so anxious. I keep thinking about all the things that could go wrong."

"Don't worry, yaar," Umul reassured her, patting her hand. "You've worked so hard. Allah will reward your efforts. Just stay calm and do your best." (Yaar = bro)

Anam nodded, taking a deep breath. "You're right. I'll give it my all. Insha'Allah, everything will be fine."

As the exam time approached, Anam closed her eyes for a moment, silently repeating a small prayer. With her books and pen in hand, she walked toward the hall, feeling  nervousness .