White Roses Episode 05

 

White Roses as symbol of love 

From the beginning to eternity

Complaining about the darkness of the night was far better

If only we had lit a candle of our own

Samaira was packing Aneesa's luggage. Aneesa was sitting on a chair, nibbling on chips.

"Put this in too," Aneesa pointed towards a book.

Samaira glanced at her, who was not doing any work herself. "Did you pack my blue dress?"

"That's mine."

"Yes, put that in too. It will come in handy for me." Saying carelessly, Aneesa took Samaira's dress out of the closet and stuffed it into the bag herself.

"What are you doing? That's not how you pack."

"Okay," she stepped back.

"I'll tell Malika that I'm coming. She must be waiting."

"Cheeky, you and your Malikah." Samaira gave Aneesa a glance.

"Is Uzair's packing done?" Samaira asked Aneesa.

"I don't know."

"Go and check."

"I'm not going." She was focused on the laptop on the table, starting to type an email.

"How are you Malikah? I'm coming to Lahore for university admission. When will we meet? I'm excited."

Samaira picked up a cushion and threw it at her.

"Go and check. Otherwise, Shahroz Bhai will get upset."

"Alright, alright, I'm going." She got up with the packet of chips in her hand.

Zakariya was praying Asr prayer.

When Aneesa saw him, she stopped and sat down next to him.

She smiled.

"Can I say something?"

He was praying and did not respond.

"Dad! I don't like your relatives. They all seem fake to me. I don't like meeting them. You don't care about me. You have no value. Why do you sacrifice your children to please your relatives and friends? Why don't you trust me? Don't you have a shred of faith in your own blood? I swear Mahenoor wasn't like you thought she was. Kashmala is your good daughter. Samaira won't let you down. She will quietly endure everything. Alone. She knows that the doors will be closed. Forever. Shahroz is with you. He values you. Junaid is away from you for your sake; he doesn't want to cause you any pain. Everyone is with you. But you yourself are distant."

"And me? I'm the only traitor. If it makes you happy, then I accept being the traitor. I accept being at fault."

Uzair bumped into her by mistake, snapping Aneesa out of her thoughts.

"Phupho!" he ran inside.

"Why is Duha crying?" Samaira came from behind and entered the room with Uzair.

"Was it just a thought?"

Sahira was packing. Her daughter, Duha, was crying. Samaira moved Sahira aside and started packing.

Aneesa peeked out of the room. Zakariya had finished his prayer and was now making a call.

Aneesa overheard his voice.

"This is great news, congratulations!"

Thinking he must have won another case, she stepped back.

"Take care of Uzair too," Sahira said, looking at Anresa.

"Mahenoor will take care of him," Samaira's voice came.

"I can take care of him myself," Aneesa said, slightly annoyed.

"Mahenoor was saying some girl will also be staying at her place. She's a friend’s sister. They can't afford hostel rent."

"Oh? Who is she?" 

"I don't know," Sahira admitted.

"It's good for Aneesa, she’s scared of the dark. At least she'll have someone to sleep with," Samaira said, laughing.

"So what?"

"Don't know when she'll grow up," Naheed said as she entered the room and scolded Aneesa, who had just heated curry in a plastic container. "You can't even remember not to put plastic in the oven. Now who will get it fixed? Your father will be angry."

Aneesa didn't react at all. She sat with Duha, touching her cheeks.

"Tell Mahenoor to make her do some work," Samaira's comment startled Aneesa.

"I'm not going there to work. I won't do any work, Mom." She jumped off the bed and stood next to Naheed.

"How long will you avoid it... you'll have to do your husband's work eventually. Then everyone will say it was the mother-in-law's strictness that made her work," Samaira joked.

"Mom, look, she's scaring me," Aneesa complained.

"Are you scared?" Samaira asked.

"I won't do any work, neither in this house nor that house," she said, showing her displeasure, and left the room.

Listen, walking alone is not a game, come, walk along with me

Let's embark on a new journey, come, make me your witness

In the evening, Shahroz loaded Aneesa and Uzair's luggage into the car. They were about to leave for Lahore.

Uzair was crying.

"You'll stay with your Mamu there," Sahira consoled him.

"No, you come too."

"I'm with Duha. We'll come later," she made an excuse.

"Let's go. I'm here. Say bye to Mama. We'll play and come back," Shahroz stepped forward, picked Uzair up, and put him in the car.

Aneesa was already sitting in the car. Shehroz put the gun in the glove compartment.

"Do you cry even after growing up?" Aneesa taunted, and Uzair fell silent.

"I don't cry."

Shehroz started the car and set out on their journey. The journey was from evening till night. After covering half the distance, Shehroz stopped the car outside a restaurant around 9 PM and bought three chicken burgers. He gave one to Aneesa and one to Uzair.

"It's delicious," Aneesa said after taking a bite. Chicken was her favorite.

"Do you need water?" Shehroz asked.

"Yes, in a little while."

"Okay."

Shehroz kept driving continuously. Meanwhile, Uzair and Aneesa would talk and joke with each other, while Shehroz remained mostly silent.

After a while, Uzair fell asleep.

"Bhai, give me some water. My stomach is hurting," Aneesa's face showed signs of pain.

"Here you go," Shehroz handed her a water bottle.

"Bhai, drive faster," she cried out in pain.

"What happened? Is it hurting a lot?"

"Yes, bhai," she replied, writhing in pain.

"We're almost home," Shehroz reassured her.

She sat clutching her stomach, with waves of pain intensifying repeatedly.

"Is there a tablet in the luggage? Take a tablet."

"No, I don't take them. Please hurry."

"Okay. Don't worry. You lie down."

It was 1 AM. They were standing outside Mahenoor's house. Shehroz honked the horn. Junaid opened the gate. The car drove inside. Junaid was closing the gate.

"You're here? I was waiting," Mahenoor stood at the door.

"Please check on Aneesa, she might not be feeling well."

Shehroz picked up Uzair and went inside.

"What happened to her?" Junaid was surprised to see Aneesa groaning in pain.

"Junaid bhai, my..." she stopped.

"What happened?" Mahenoor came to her.

"I need to sleep." Her face had turned pale like turmeric.

"Yes, come." Mahenoor brought her to the room.

"What happened?" She laid Aneesa on the bed and took off her shoes.

"My stomach hurts..." Aneesa lay clutching her stomach with both hands.

"Where?"

"Here," Aneesa indicated a spot slightly to the side with her hand.

"Did you eat or drink anything?"

"Yes, a chicken burger and water."

"Alright then..." Mahenoor sat beside her. "The hospital must be open now... Should we go to the doctor with Junaid?"

"No."

"Get up. Let's go to the doctor." Both of them looked at Junaid as he spoke. "I won't take no for an answer. What if it's something serious?"

"Bhai, it's nothing serious... You don't understand."

"What don't I understand? Mahenoor, I'm waiting in the car. Bring her out."

"By force?" Aneesa was annoyed.

"Yes, get up." Mahenoor helped her up and took her to the car.

Ten minutes later, they were at the hospital.

"I can't walk. It hurts even more when I try to step." Aneesa sat down on a bench.

"I'm not going to call the doctor out here! Come on, gather your strength." Mahenoor tried to help her stand.

"I just can't."

"I'll get a stretcher," Junaid said with a smile.

"No... I'm not that sick. I'll walk." She got up and, dragging her feet, managed to reach Dr. Jabbar's room.

"This is Umar's friend. What have I gotten myself into?" Aneesa lamented inwardly.

"Oh, it's you?" Dr. Jabbar smiled. "As-salamu Alaikum."

"Walaikum Assalam," Aneesa smiled back in response.

"So, what's the problem?"

Aneesa looked at Mahenoor and Junaid. It meant, "You both explain."

Dr. Jabbar laughed.

"Please lie down," the doctor indicated the stretcher. She looked confused.

"Go on," Mahenoor gestured with her head. Anisa lay down.

"You have a great sense of humor. Omar told me," the doctor said while checking her pulse. "Open your mouth." 

She thought, "It's always open," and smiled before opening her mouth. Dr. Jabbar turned on a flashlight and examined her mouth.

"Hmm. What did you eat?"

"Food." She hesitated while answering.

"What did you eat for food?"

"A burger."

"All by yourself? Hmm!" Dr. Jabbar said in a friendly manner.

"No, there were three of us."

"Oh, good." The doctor smiled and sat back in his chair.

"It would be better if you get an ultrasound. Dr. Yasmeen's room is right across from here on the right side. Discuss everything with her comfortably. I'll be right back."

Dr. Jabbar left the room.

"Mahenoor, is it something serious?" Worry was evident on Aneesa's face.

"Oh no, silly. The doctor is just being cautious," Mahenoor smiled reassuringly.

"You both go. I'll stay here," Junaid said.

Dr. Yasmeen was in her room. When she saw Aneesa and Mahenoor, she stood up and greeted them with a smile.

"Yes, what's the issue?" Dr. Yasmeen's deep voice made her tone sound stern.

Mahenoor explained the entire problem. Aneesa sat on the stretcher, scared.

"It would've been better if I had told Samaira. This wouldn't have happened. Dr. Jabbar was also good enough," she cursed herself for coming here, realizing her mistake.

Junaid was sitting with Dr. Jabbar when Omar arrived.

"Oh, Junaid, you're here?"

"Yes, Aneesa wasn't feeling well."

"What? Aneesa is in Lahore?"

"Yes."

"What happened to her?" Omar sat down on the chair next to Junaid.

"She said she had a stomachache. She ate a burger, maybe that's why."

"Hmm, maybe," Omar got lost in thought.

"Would you like something?" Dr. Jabbar asked Junaid.

"No, thanks."

Aneesa was examined by Dr. Yasmeen, who gave her a stern look.

"What is your age?"

"Seventeen years."

"You're not that young. Are you a child? If you know that chicken can upset your stomach, why did you eat it?" Her tone was harsh.

"I ate it by mistake," Aneesa replied with an innocent expression.

"Okay, okay. Next time, be careful. It's not very serious, but you need to be cautious. Make sure this doesn't happen again. Okay?"

Aneesa just stared at her.

"I'm going to put you on a drip. Come with me to the ward."

"No." Tears began to well up in her eyes.

"It's okay, dear. Come on," Mahenoor said lovingly.

"I want to go to Junaid bhai."

"Yes, alright, let's go."

Mahenoor took her to Junaid, where Omar and Dr. Jabbar were also sitting.

"So, what about the reports? Is everything clear?" Dr. Jabbar asked Dr. Yasmeen.

"Yes, sir," she replied while preparing to administer the drip to Aneesa. She gave her a sedative injection first.

"Have four people sit with her; she'll pull out the needle," Dr. Jabbar joked. Aneesa smiled at him. He was saying something else, but his voice started to fade. She was falling asleep, and her eyes gradually closed on their own.

When they came, it felt as if they had always been kind

When they forgot, it seemed as if they had never been acquainted

A week later.

Aneesa was lying on the grass in the lawn, looking at the birds trapped in cages. She ran her fingers through her hair upwards. Her hand suddenly stopped when she saw Omar standing there. Then she started looking at the birds again. The colorful birds were fluttering.

"How are you?" Omar was standing with his hands in his pockets.

Aneesa started running her hand through her hair again.

"Mahenoor is inside," Aneesa showed Omar the way to leave.

"I've just met her," Omar sat down cross-legged next to her.

Aneesa quickly sat up straight, turning her back to him.

"Why don't you talk to me? You don't even answer my calls," Omar said in a sad tone. There was no response for a long time.

"Is there something wrong? You can tell me."

"Did you come alone?" Aneesa asked.

"No, my mom is with me."

"Aunty came along? Is there something special?" she asked without looking at him.

"No, nothing special, just..." Omar trailed off.

"Just? What?"

"Nothing much." He forced a smile.

"You go and sit with them." Aneesah looked to her right. Omar saw half of her face. Then the same hopes, longings, and love awakened in him again.

"I came to meet you."

"Any special reason?"

"Reason... is a reason necessary between us now?"

"For me, yes." She was responding slowly.

"One last time... to meet you... only you."

Aneesah turned her head to look at him. Their eyes met.

"I am getting married. In October. We came to give the card."

"Congratulations... congratulations." She could barely speak. Even breathing felt difficult. Aneesa thought about the wedding. Only one month left!

"Will you come?"

"If you have invited me, I will come." She felt like she couldn’t breathe. She swallowed her tears and controlled her emotions. Took a deep breath.

"Are you sad?" Omar stood up and sat in front of her.

"Are you happy?"

Omar looked into her eyes where there was a glimmer of tears.

"You’re making it difficult to leave."

"It will also be difficult for you to come here now." She smiled with teary eyes.

Omar just kept looking at her. She didn’t want to cry. She was happy, but not happy.

"I... I remembered some work." She got up.

Omar held her dupatta.

"Stay. Today... this moment..."

Aneesa pulled her dupatta free and without looking back, went inside to her room.

Mutual love also causes pain. Deep inside.

The gate opened. A boy and a girl entered, carrying suitcases. Omar looked up at them. The girl had wrapped a large shawl around herself. She walked inside and entered the lounge where Mahneoor was sitting with Farhana. The boy was still standing at the door.

"How are you?" Mahenoor recognized her, smiled, and got up to hug her.

"My brother is with me too," the girl said softly.

"Okay. I'll call him in." Mahenoor went and brought him inside.

"Who are they?" Farhana looked at both of them.

"They are my friend's siblings. They will stay here," Mahenoor explained.

"Come, I'll take you both to your rooms. You must be tired."

Mahenoor showed the boy to the room next to the lounge and brought the girl to Aneesa's room.

"Aneesa! This is my friend's sister, Ayesha."

Aneesa smiled and shook her hand.

"She'll be staying here with you in your room."

"Yes, that's fine," Aneesah said, blushing.

Mahenoor left.

Aneesa reached out and took Ayesha's luggage, placing it with her own.

"You can rest," Aneesa pointed to one bed and sat on the other. Ayesha also sat down. She removed her shawl, placed it on the bed frame, and lay down.

Aneesa tied her long hair into a loose bun and stepped outside.

Aneesa picked up a glass of water from the kitchen and started drinking. Mahenoor also came in.

"Did Omar and his family leave?" Aneesa asked, taking a sip of water.

"Yes. Did Omar meet you?" Mahenoor began washing dishes.

"Yes," Aneesa said nonchalantly.

"What was he saying? Did he tell you he’s getting married in October?"

"Hmmm."

"So, are you happy? Did you congratulate him?"

"Yes."

"Learn to be happy. Whenever he comes, meet him. Who knows when you’ll see him next. Hmm?" Mahenoor smiled at her.

"Hmm," Aneesa kept replying with a heavy heart.

"Listen... Ayesha's brother is also here. So, be mindful. Don’t wander around the house bare-headed, okay?"

"What? Her brother? Isn’t he a kid?"

"No, silly," Mahenoor laughed. "He’s about the same age as his sister."

"Oh."

"Where is he?" Aneesa asked.

"I put him in the room next to the lounge. I knew they were coming, so I cleaned the room."

"Will he also take admission in my university?"

"Yes, 'your university'," Mahenoor laughed.

She had finished washing the dishes, dried her hands, and went to the lounge.

"Where is Junaid Bhai?" Aneesa sat next to her on the sofa.

"He went out. He’ll be back by Asr time."

"Okay."

"Hmm." Mahenoor started checking students' assignments.

"Mahenoor, who brought these birds?"

"Yesterday, Kabeer's friend brought them. He said Kabeer had ordered them."

"What? Let them go."

"Who? The birds?" Mahenoor looked up at Aneesah.

"Yes."

"Why? Kabir will get upset."

"Why? Doesn’t it hurt you, seeing them fluttering to get out of the cage? Have you seen it?"

"Yes, I have. Seen 'the birds' fluttering."

"Only the birds?" Aneesa moved closer to her.

"Humans too."

"Humans too? Have you seen it? Do humans flutter?" Aneesa found it strange.

"Yes." Mahenoor smiled painfully.

"Who has fluttered?" Mahenoor fell silent, recalling the past.

"Kabeer... I didn't keep you in the dark... when there was nothing to tell, what could I have said?"

"You're lying," Kabeer's heavy voice echoed.

"Kabeer... I..." Her throat choked. She couldn’t get the words out.

"What about you?" Kabeer grabbed Mahenoor by the neck. She struggled to breathe and tried to free herself.

"Did you have an affair before marriage or not?" Kabeer enunciated each word.

Mahenoor shook her head in denial while coughing. Kabeer pushed her away. She fell to the ground.

"Mahenoor..." Aneesa shook her shoulder, bringing her out of her memories.

"Yes." She returned to marking the assignments.

"Why did Kabeer Bhai have them caged?" Aneesa asked again.

"He likes it... the captivity... of birds," Mahenoor completed the sentence.

"Then where have you seen humans in captivity?"

"Do you love Imar?"

Aneesah recoiled.

"Love is also a cage from which release is impossible. For a lifetime..."

Mahenoor took the assignments and went to her room. Aneesa remained in the lounge and reluctantly picked up the TV remote to turn it on.

"I will die without you, Ahsan," a scene from a drama was playing.

"Oh no. Such cheesy dialogues," she changed the channel in annoyance.

The afternoon was fading. She got up and went to her room and lay down. Ayesha was sleeping on the adjacent bed. Aneesa began to look at her face.

There's still a little life left in my conscience

There's still some test left for us

When Aneesa came out at Maghrib time, she saw that Junaid had arrived. She smiled upon seeing Junaid. Junaid was praying.

She sat on the sofa and waited for Junaid to finish his prayer. Junaid finished his prayer, stood up, and came over to her.

"Junaid Bhai, do you know Kabeer Bhai is going to bring me a guitar?" Aneesa excitedly told him.

"Really? That's great."

"Isn't it?"

"Yes." Junaid picked up a file from the table along with an grey envelope.

"Surprise..." Junaid took out gajras and gave them to Aneesa.

The gajras were still fresh. Aneesa adorned her wrists with them and lovingly looked at her hands.

"Khizar Bhai also gave me gajras once," she said with a smile. "They've wilted, but I still have them."

"Why do you keep them if they've wilted?"

"I like it. All the gajras you've ever given me, I still have them."

"Oh wow. Great."

"Hmm."

"Junaid, come and have dinner," Mahenoor called them for dinner.

"Ayesha?" Aneesa thought of her.

"Yes, she's at the dining table. You both come."

"And her brother?"

"Yes. And you, fix your dupatta properly." Mahenoor adjusted Aneesa's dupatta, and they went outside and started eating.

"Here." Mahenoor served Aneesa a plate of Nihari.

"Junaid, did you ask Shahroz when Uzair's exams will be over?"

"Hmm... He said the exams are over. He will return to Mianwali soon," Junaid replied while eating.

"He will go back? And Uzair?"

"Boarding school." Junaid fell silent after saying this.

"And if Bhabi calls and asks about Uzair?"

"If she calls in the morning, tell her he's at school. If she calls in the evening, say he's sleeping." Junaid shrugged.

"Shahroz did wrong," Mahenoor said with regret and continued eating. She looked at Aneesa and gave her a light pat on the back.

"Ouch!" Aneesa looked annoyed. "At least not in front of the guests."

"What are you doing? Leave the gajras. Eat your food. The petals will keep falling; how long will you keep saving them?" Mahenoor scolded.

Ayesha looked at Aneesa's flower-adorned wrists.

"Gule Lala, Ayesha, should I serve you more food?" Mahenoor addressed both of them.

"No, thank you, Baji," Gule Lala replied.

Aneesa, who was drinking water, choked slightly and had a small coughing fit.

"Gul-e-Lala? What kind of name is that?" Aneesa thought to herself as she discreetly glanced at Gule Lala. With green and blue eyes, he looked like a Pathan.

She was relieved that the names weren't in English; otherwise, he'd be called "Tulip." Thinking this made her stifle her laughter. Mahenoor signaled her to stay quiet with her eyes. Aneesa barely managed to stay silent.

"I've eaten, I'll get going. My friend's email must have come," Aneesa said and left.

"September 10th, Monal Restaurant, 7 PM."

Aneesa read the email and started counting the days.

"What’s today’s date? Thirty-first. Ten days... Wow."

"Done... but how will I recognize you? I wear an abaya. How will you recognize me?" Aneesa typed and sent the email, then checked the university commencement date.

"September third. Okay, I still have some time."

Ayesha came and sat down next to her.

"What does it do?" Ayesha asked, looking at the laptop. "My brother has one too, but I’ve never used it."

"Want to try?" Aneesa put the laptop in front of her.

"No. I don't know how to use it."

"Okay. No problem, I'll teach you." Aneesa smiled and turned back to the screen.

"Which department have you enrolled in?" Ayesha asked.

"English."

"My brother did too."

"And you?"

"Chemistry."

"Difficult field," Aneesa raised her eyebrows.

"When is your first class? You must know."

"Yes, on September third. Not tomorrow, not the day after, but the day after that," Aneesa counted and told her.

"And who gave you these?"

"These gajras? My brother did."

"Your brother loves you a lot?"

"Yes. Your brother must love you too."

"Yes."

There was a brief silence.

"Where is your father?" Ayesha hesitantly asked.

"He lives in Mianwali."

"Does he love you too?"

"He must."

"What do you mean by 'he must'?"

"Oh God, so many questions? She's really grilling me," Aneesa thought with a shiver. "Yes. Of course, he does."

"You must know a lot about city life, right?"

"Yes." And in her heart, she said, "Yes, my dear sister, yes. Now be quiet. Stop it. If I start talking, you'll be forced to leave the room."

"Do you speak less?"

"No. I talk a lot and I talk fast. I talk all the time, and often late into the night. Even if there's no one to talk to, I still talk. I'm multi-talented. But sometimes..." Aneesa said, putting the laptop aside and turning her attention to Ayesha. She was now facing Ayesha directly.

"Oh."

"Yeah. Are you also like that, talking a lot? Or do you get bored?"

"You should become a news anchor. Your tone is just right for it," Ayesha offered some unsolicited advice.

"Yes. I've had a passion for doing many things since childhood. But what can one do? Sometimes my father was a Hitler, sometimes fate got in the way."

"Your father was what?" Ayesha laughed.

"Hitler, Hitler. Like the ones in movies. My friend used to call him that. Hitler. 'My father is a Hitler.' And yours?"

"Umm... My father is no longer in this world." She smiled sadly.

"Oh, sorry." Finally, her tongue got a silencer.

"It's okay. I have two brothers. One older... he stays in the village and works there. And the other is this Gul-e-Lala."

"And sisters?"

"Just me and two others. They are married."

"Okay. What does your mother do?"

"She stays with my older brother. My older brother Gulzar is married. She stays with them."

"Alright, alright. If you need anything, just let me know."

"Sure." Ayesha went to the washroom to wash her face.

There was a knock on the door.

"Come in," Aneesa said.

"Ayesha, send her out," Gul-e-Lala said without opening the door.

"Ayesha, your brother is here. He's calling you," Aneesa relayed the message.

Ayesha came in and went out after hearing Gul-e-Lala.

Aneesa calmly took off the gajras and carefully placed them in a box. Ayesha watched her do this. The lid of the box had "Yathrib" written on it. Aneesa smelled the old gajras one by one, then closed the box and put it away. She lay down on the bed.

"When will you sleep? I need to turn off the lights," Ayesha said, looking at her.

"I'm afraid of the dark. You can turn off the lights, but this lamp will stay on," Aneesa pointed to her right.

Ayesha got up and turned off the lights. Now the room was dimly lit. Aneesa continued to stare at the ceiling. Warm tears trickled down her temples, soaking the pillow—a sea of desires, incomplete memories, longings, and affections.

A hope kept soothing the heart,

A longing kept tormenting all night long

Farhana was pacing around the gate repeatedly. It was midnight. Omar had not come home yet.

Naveed and Mashal were sitting in the lounge.

"I don't know why my son hasn't come home yet," Farhana began to worry.

"He'll come, he must be on duty. He's not a child," Naveed reassured her.

"If he was on duty, he would have at least informed us. Mashal, call him..."

"Mom, I have called him several times, but he's not answering," Mashal replied.

Farhana, exhausted, sat down on the sofa.

"I don't know whose evil eye has affected my son. In what condition he might be..."

"Mom, he will be fine. Drink some water and go to sleep," Mashal said, pouring a glass of water for her.

"Dad, you should also go to sleep. I'll let you know when he comes," Mashal added.

Naveed went to the room with Farhana. Mashal sat on the sofa in the lounge, waiting for Omar. Midnight turned into one o'clock, and there was still no sign of Omar. Mashal kept calling, but the phone was switched off every time.

Suddenly, she heard the sound of a car outside. Mashal stood by the window and saw Omar entering.

"Do you have any idea how worried we were?" she scolded him softly as soon as he entered.

"Did Mom go to sleep?" His eyes and face were red.

"Mom went to sleep, but do you even know what she went through?"

"You should have gone to sleep too."

"Go to sleep? How could I sleep? You... neither do you care about your parents... nor the home."

Omar got up and went to his room. Mashal looked at him with regret.

"Omar! You’ve come! I’ve been waiting for you for so long. Look at this," Aneesa was standing by the window, jingling her bangles. She was wearing a sea green silk saree. Her hair was open and falling forward.

Omar stood by the door and smiled before walking towards her.

"How do I look? Tell me," she asked.

Omar took her hand in his and kissed it. She blushed and pulled her hand away. Omar was still smiling.

"When you blush, it always charms my heart. You captivate me," love gleamed in Omar’s eyes. "Your grace will be the death of me."

"Why were you late? I’ve been ready and waiting for you for so long," Aneesa said with feigned sadness.

"I was just outside," Omar gestured towards the door and looked at it. When he turned back to her, she was no longer there. Only the moonlight was visible through the window. Omar’s heart sank.

"Am I going mad? No. How could I... Aneesa is mine. How can I let go?" He clenched his hair in his fists. He began to pace the room like a madman.

"She is beautiful. She is mine. Why am I away? Why, why, why?

"She could have been here today. She could have waited for me today. These moments could have been ours. I could have... I could have looked at her to my heart's content. But... if..."

"I love her. More than anything. I still love her. How did I push her away myself?" He fell to his knees and began to cry.

"Will she be able to live without me? Why did I do this to her? She wasn't like this. Why did I leave her?"

With great difficulty, he got up and went to the closet. He opened it and took out Aneesa's dupatta, which still carried her scent.

He walked to the bed, lay down, and began to inhale the fragrance from the dupatta.

Moonlight streamed in through the window, illuminating the room faintly—just enough to barely see the objects nearby.

"My love is only for you. Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t tell anyone. Neither can you be mine, nor I yours. I'm in pain too. If only you could understand. If only you would come back."

He picked up his phone and dialed Aneesa's number. The call was ringing, but no one was answering. He tried two or three more times.

"The number you are trying to reach is currently switched off. Please try again later..." Omar ended the call. Aneesa had powered off her phone. This caused Omar even more pain.

He lay there with the dupatta pressed to his chest, opened Aneesa's picture on his phone, and began to look at it. He zoomed in and out repeatedly.

Her smiling face was before his eyes. Even her eyes were smiling.

Omar closed his eyes and thought of the days when Aneesa was with him. He kissed the screen and then started looking at her picture again.

Somewhere deep in his heart, there were still hopes, desires, and love. They were profound and evident in every aspect. Now, he began to find solace in memories, imagining Aneesa in Anum's place. He was still crying, with a recurring pain in his chest. He tried to soothe his heart with his hand, but each time, the pain only intensified.

Then I have seen those scorching days of separation,

When the mind and heart forgot their lamentations.

The morning light was increasing. Mahenoor was clearing the dishes from the breakfast table. Everyone had finished breakfast. Junaid was reading the morning newspaper.

"Kabeer is coming yesterday. Remember to go and receive him," Mahenoor said as she picked up the plate and glass from in front of Junaid.

"Yesterday? I'm busy yesterday... You go," Junaid replied, checking his schedule for the next day.

"Should I go?" Aneesa quickly spoke up.

"You? You're still a child. It's the airport," Mahenoor reminded her.

"It's just the airport, a Pakistani airport. It's not like it's a foreign country. And I won't get lost."

"No. You stay. I'll go myself," Mahenoor said, busy with washing the dishes.

"Take me with you. I want to see the airplane."

"Watch it on your mobile... you can see it from there," Mahenoor refused bluntly.

"Fine, don't take me. I'm upset and I won't listen to anything you say now."

Mahenoor stopped scrubbing the dishes.

"Okay. Come along."

"Really?"

"Yes, really. Do you want me to write it down?" Mahenoor glared at her. Junaid was smiling as he got up to leave.

"Okay, okay." Aneesa, happy, was about to leave the kitchen.

"Hey, come here," Mahenoor called her back.

"Stand right here in front of me," Mahenoor said, tilting her head to the right and signaling her to come closer. She stood right next to her, so Mahenoor could see her completely.

Mahenoor narrowed her eyes and glared into Aneesa's eyes.

"What? Why are you looking at me like that?" Aneesa glanced around nervously.

"Look into my eyes," Mahenoor nudged her foot against Aneesa's leg.

"Hmmm. What?"

"That's what I should be asking you. What?" Mahenoor said, leading her to her room after washing and drying her hands.

"I haven't done anything, I'm telling you in advance," Aneesa started defending herself unnecessarily. Mahenoor's mind clicked, realizing that Aneesa was about to spill everything, past and present.

"I only deleted my pictures. Shahzeb had security on his laptop. I broke it just for that reason," she kept talking non-stop.

"But I didn't even mention pictures or the laptop."

Aneesa looked confused.

"So?" Aneesa swallowed hard.

"What’s going on? Yes. You tell me," Mahenoor pressed on.

"Now I've let go of Omar. He's getting married," she said wearily.

"Who told you about me and Kabeer?" Mahenoor held her hand, making her fall silent.

"Did Samaira tell you that I know everything? I told that shameless girl not to tell my problems to anyone. I'll deal with her once I go back to Mianwali," Aneesa was angry at Samaira.

"Who told you?" Mahenoor lifted her chin and asked.

"I know everything."

"Are you a fortune teller?"

"Yes, just consider that."

"I’ll slap you," Mahenoor gestured with her hand.

"Slap me twice, I won’t mind."

"Nothing can be done about you."

"That's what the doctors say too when they can't figure me out," Aneesa kept responding quickly.

"You won't tell me?"

"You tell me first," Aneesa pulled her hand away.

"What?"

"What kind of person was Kabeer bhai?"

"He is a good person."

"‘Is.’ I asked what kind of person ‘was’ he before?"

"Let it go, Aneesa. Remembering the past only brings pain."

"You should have gotten a divorce."

"Would you have kept me with you?" Mahenoor looked at her questioningly.

"Me? You would have stayed in your own home."

"My own home... which home? Which home is mine?"

"The one where we all live."

"That house isn't mine. Remember, it's not yours either. Never disobey your husband, even by mistake. That's what mom said. And maybe she was right."

"Mom said that? When?"

"When Kabeer slapped me, I went to... 'my' home," Mahenoor smiled sarcastically. "I told them that Kabwwr's behavior with me wasn't good. I felt like he might kill me. I was scared to be alone at home with him. I told mom. Do you know what she said?"

"'Dear, now you have to take care of your own home. Let Kabeer do whatever he does. When you have children, everything will be fine. Keep good relations with your husband. Do not disobey him.'"

"Oh dear, when did I ever disobey? The first hand to rise was Kabeer's. The reason wasn't my disobedience, it was a false, baseless accusation. My own people rejected me from everywhere. I wandered from place to place for two years," Mahenoor said, burying her head in her hands, remembering those painful moments.

"I told Kashmala, and she even brought divorce papers. She was the only one trying to save me. Just trying to save me. When Dad found out, he beat Kashmala badly. They got her married to get her out of the house. Branded her a rebel. Kashmala was my true loyal friend. She knew I never had an affair with anyone. She even spoke to Kabeer on my behalf."

"Who was the affair story linked with?" Aneesa asked sadly. "Who was he?"

"Anum's brother... Atif. He knew everything was a lie. The scoundrel still stayed silent. And Aunt Farhana fanned the flames further, just to get back at Sahira. She thought if I suffered, Shahroz would realize Sahira's worth."

"Did they? Why did I keep suffering? I wonder what my fault was. And Dad? He was convinced that Atif... could never be of bad character. He saw the flaw in his own daughter."

"And Kabeer? Did he hit you every day?" Aneesa looked at the bedside table where Kabeer's picture was placed. He was smiling.

"Every day? Let it go now. Everything's fine now," Mahenoor replied.

"Behind Atif's death... was it Kabeer?" Aneesa asked softly, pondering.

"Yes. Kabeer killed him. Shot him with a gun. Atif was silent, watching the spectacle of my disgrace. When Kabir found out, he silenced him forever."

"Was it love or hatred?" Aneesa looked at Mahenoor, whose eyes were red.

"Don't tell anyone that Kabeer killed Atif. Alright?"

Mahenoor picked up a tissue and wiped her eyes and nose.

"Everything is fine now. I live in the present. Kabeer is the witness to my character."

"How?"

"You are very naive." Mahenoor laughed while crying. "Because of Shayan, Kabeer's love for me increased. I don't cry anymore, nor do I beg in front of anyone. Look now... Allah has made everything right. And how long could Mom and Dad stay worried? Truly, children are the chain around a man's feet. The relationship between a husband and wife strengthens with children. A man becomes somewhat compelled and imprisoned."

"What if a man doesn't want children?" Aneesa wondered.

"Every man wants children. A man not wanting children from a woman is impossible!"

"But still, what if someone doesn't have children?"

"Always think about yourself when you think," Mahenoor rolled her eyes.

"Tell me... will my husband leave me?"

"Why do you think you won't have children?"

"Me... I don't think that way. My friend does," Aneesa quickly replied.

"Explain to your friend that one shouldn't think like that. And your friend also says she doesn't like children, so that if she doesn't have any, no one will accuse her of being infertile. Instead, everyone will think she doesn't have children by choice." 

"Do you know my friend?" Aneesa asked with surprise and innocence.

"I don't know your friend... but I know you," Mahenoor said, patting her cheek and getting up to leave.

Aneesa looked around the room.

"How does Mahenoor always know about me?" she wondered, biting her lower lip and rubbing her foot on the ground. It was her habit to do this while thinking, or she would rub one foot against the other when lying down.

I have never turned back any decree of passion,

The call of the bell has never returned alone.

Asr prayer finished, Aneesa got up. Ayesha was sitting on a chair. Aneesa's phone rang, and Ayesha picked it up from the table and handed it to her.

"Unknown... whose call is this?" Aneesa wondered as she answered the call.

"Cunning, sly, despicable, wretched person, give me back my laptop!"

As soon as she received the call, she was bombarded with abuses from the other side. She moved the phone away from her ear, held it to her chest, and cursed herself. "He must have figured it out, damn it." Worry spread across her face.

"What happened?" Ayesha asked, noticing her expression.

"Nothing," Aneesa said, putting the phone back to her ear and heading out to the balcony.

"Cunning, sly, despicable, and wretched must be you. And your entire family. Speak to me with respect. Think twice before you insult me again, shameless man," she angrily rebuked Shahzeb on the phone.

"Return my laptop politely," he growled.

"Politeness? Do you even know what that is?"

"I haven't told anyone at home that you stole it, and I won't tell anyone if you return the laptop." This time Shahzeb spoke softly.

"Get lost. I'm not afraid. Do you have any proof?" Aneesa bit her lip as she tried to assert her authority.

"I'll do whatever you say. Please, just return the laptop," Shahzeb was getting angry while pleading with her. He held back his frustration.

"Okay. You want the laptop?" Aneesa asked.

"Yes, yes," he replied quickly.

"Do you remember the scrap shop at the end of the neighborhood?"

"Yes, yes, I remember, go on."

"I buried your laptop there after giving it a ceremonial send-off. You can go and pay your respects now."

"What?" he screamed.

"And yes... take Tanveer along with you. For the charity prayers, baby."

"You'll be responsible for your own downfall," he threatened her now.

"Bye, scoundrel." She hung up, knowing she had enraged Shahzeb.

"Thinks he can curse at me. I'll show him," she muttered, walking back into the room.

"Who was on the phone? You seemed upset," Ayesha asked.

"It was a wrong number," Aneesa said, putting her phone down and covering her face with her hands.

"You talked so much with the wrong number?"

"No, it was someone else."

"Oh, I thought..."

"No, it's nothing like that. You're just overthinking," Aneesa stood up, picked up a hairclip from the dressing table, and put it in her hair.

"Sorry... if it seemed like a big deal..."

"No, it's okay. You can say anything," Aneesa waved her hand dismissively and walked out of the room.

Include the sorrow of the world in the sorrow of the beloved

The intoxication increases when wines mix with wines

The heat from the sun had become unbearable, and the temperature had risen to intolerable levels. After driving continuously from Lahore, he had just arrived in Mianwali. He parked the car outside the hospital and went inside. There was a crowd of people. The same smell of medicines and dirty floor. In front was the reception.

"Where can I find Dr. Samaira?" he asked, covering his face with a handkerchief. The smell was unbearable.

The receptionist first eyed him from head to toe. He was dressed in a proper three-piece suit, his hair neatly set. Then the receptionist pointed to the right. "In that room."

He quickly approached the room. He knocked on the door. Twice.

Samaira was sitting inside.

"Yes, come in," Samaira's voice came, and he opened the door and went inside. Samaira, wearing a veil, was sitting with her head bent over a register. The room's AC was on.

"Sit," she pointed to a chair without lifting her head, looking busy.

"I am busier than you, yet I left everything and came here," he said, and Samaira looked up at him in surprise.

"Oh, sir. It's you." She smiled politely.

"Behrām..." He also smiled.

"How come you're here?"

"I wanted to see you." He sat down in the chair opposite her.

"Excuse me?" Samaira looked at him in confusion.

"What you heard."

"Would you like some water?" Samaira changed the subject.

"Yes, if you serve it, I'll drink it." The way he spoke seemed odd to Samaira. She looked at the door, which was closed.

"I... I'll get it," she said, getting up to fetch the water.

"Who told this madman about this place?" she thought while filling the glass from the cooler. She returned with the glass of water and opened the door as she entered.

"Here you go." Behram took the glass, his hand lightly touching hers. She went back to her chair.

Behram started taking small sips of water.

Samaira bent over the register again. She could feel Behram's intense gaze on her.

"You were crying that day, is everything alright?" Behram placed the glass on the table and crossed his legs as he sat.

"No," Samaira replied firmly. "Did you have any business?" she quickly asked him.

"It's not necessary that we meet only for business or by chance. I thought I'd come and meet you myself. How do you feel about my coming here?"

A worker passed by the door and closed it.

"Look..." Samaira put down the register and turned towards Behram. "This isn't your city. Meeting like this without any reason... it raises suspicions among people," she gently explained to him.

"What kind of suspicion?"

"That there's an affair... some kind of connection, etc., etc."

Behram started laughing.

"Please... if not for yourself, then at least consider my honor. People get killed here in the name of honor."

"In the name of honor? Why the girl? Why not the boy?" He remained seated.

Samaira looked at him, still smiling.

"You would get it done... a murder... of your brother. You would hang him..." At Samaira's words, his smile vanished instantly.

"Excuse me?"

In that moment, Samaira felt she might have said too much. Whatever it was, Behram was hurt.

"I mean... maybe you have free time, but I have a lot of work. You're wasting your time," Samaira tried to mend the situation.

"Time spent with a beautiful person is not wasted."

"Sir..." Samaira hesitated. She was beginning to understand Behram's behavior now, why he didn't want her to call him sir.

"Behram. Call me Behram."

"Okay. If you... " Samaira was confused. "If you have any issue, doctors are available. I can help."

"Yes."

"What?"

"I can't sleep at night." He started rubbing his chin.

"Okay. I'll write you a prescription." Samaira took a pad from the drawer, wrote down the name of a medicine on a slip, and handed it to Behram.

"Won't you ask the reason?" he spoke up.

"Yes, sir... I mean Behram." She stumbled.

"There's a girl who is beautiful, who cries in secret. I think about her. It hurts me to see her cry. If she comes to me, I'll gather all her tears." Behram's words cast a spell on Samaira. She listened to him, looking into his eyes. "Give me some medicine."

"For what?" Samaira asked, startled.

"That she comes to me. Very close to me."

Samaira felt beads of sweat on her forehead. She looked at the AC, which was on.

"Not every illness can be treated with medicine. Some ailments are incurable," Samaira whispered softly.

"Then tell me... what should I do? I need it now."

Samaira felt as if he was trying to lead her astray.

"Behram..." The words got stuck in her throat.

The door opened, and Kashan entered. Samaira felt trapped, just like before.

"Who is this?" Kashan looked at Begram.

"He... we were discussing his sister's case." Samaira herself didn't know why she lied. Behram kept looking at her, his spell working. Samaira was losing her way.

"Okay, I'll come back later." Kashan left.

Behram raised his eyebrows with a smile, as if to ask 'what just happened'.

Everything happened so quickly that she couldn't comprehend it. She just kept looking into Behram's eyes, feeling her heart beating irregularly.

"Water." Behram extended the glass towards Samaira. She shook her head in refusal.

They both sat in silence. Behind her veil, Samaira was biting her lips. She didn’t know what to say. Her ability to think and comprehend seemed to be slipping away, overtaken by something else.

Behram was sitting in front of her, looking at her with his head tilted. His lips were moving, slowly, very slowly.

"Can I have your personal number?" He sat up straight.

"Why?" Samaira felt a line of sweat trickling down her neck.

"I'll contact you in an emergency."

After a moment's thought, Samaira began writing her number on a piece of paper.

"Here. Type it here." Behram handed her his phone from his pocket. Samaira took the phone, saved her number, and handed it back to him, her hands trembling.

Bahram looked at the screen.

"Samaira..." He smiled slightly after reading her name. Then he brought the back of his phone close to his nose and sniffed.

"I'll be looking forward to our next meeting." He stood up. Samaira, watching him, stood up as well.

"I'll leave now. We'll be in touch." He smiled and walked out.

As soon as he left, Samaira removed her veil. She wiped the beads of sweat from her upper lip and forehead with a tissue. She began to smile.

Just then, her phone rang.

She answered the call. The number wasn't saved.

"Hello!"

Samaira's feminine voice reached Behram's ears as he sat in his car, smiling.

"Hello!" Samaira repeated.

"It's me, your sir!"

"Who? Please tell me your name."

"Don't you want to recognize the voice? A few seconds don't change much." When Behram spoke, Samaira recognized him.

"Oh, sorry, I hadn't saved the number."

"Then save it now."

"Tell me, why did you call so soon? Is there a problem?"

"No, I was just checking if this was really your number. I didn't want to go back empty-handed after coming this far."

Samaira smiled at his words and ended the call. She stared at the screen and saved the number.

"Sir..."

Her fingers were damp with sweat.

The intensity increased. The intoxication deepened. It was a spell, taking over her. Black magic, the most dangerous and deadly. And it was about to take her life.

If that person has ties with you, then let it be  

He will not lie when he faces me  

As the shadows of the day began to fade, evening started to descend. There were fewer people on the road outside the hospital, as everyone was heading back to their homes.

Samaira, wearing an abaya and carrying a bag, stepped out of the room. The girl sitting at the reception stared at her. Samaira was closing the door. She turned around, and the girl quickly looked away. Samaira noticed this too.

"Has Kashan left?" Samaira asked the receptionist.

"No." The receptionist's hands were busy working on the computer.

"Where would he be?"

"In the child ward."

"Oh, okay." Samaira then headed towards the child ward.

The hospital was no less than a labyrinth. Next to the reception was the basement. Upon entering the hospital, two paths could be seen to the right and left of the reception. Samaira took the right path.

Kashan, walking from the left side, passed in front of the reception and headed towards Samaira's room. At that moment, Samaira turned towards the corridor. The room was locked. Kashan tried to open it.

"Madam was looking for you," the receptionist informed him without being asked.

Kashan stood by the table, resting his elbow on it.

"Really."

"Someone came to meet her today."

"Who?"

"I don't know. But maybe he was more handsome than you. Quite a bit."

"Oh, him." Kashan brushed a fly away from his nose. "He was discussing a patient's case."

"Really... I didn't see any files or reports in his hand."

"What are you trying to say?" Kashan squinted his eyes.

"The matter is clear. The meeting was long. The door was closed too. Who knows..."

"You... keep your nonsense to yourself, Iqra," Kashan growled at her in a low voice.

"Time doesn't take long to change. And she will change. In a moment." Iqra continued working as she talked to Kashan, so no one passing by would suspect what conversation was taking place between them.

"Oh Kashan... you're here. And I searched the whole hospital for you." Samaira walked up to him.

"Hmm, I was looking for you too. I asked Iqra. She said you were looking for me." They were now heading out of the hospital. Iqra watched as Kashan opened the car door for Samaira. She got in.

Kashan was dropping her home.

After six or seven minutes, Kashan stopped the car in front of her house.

As she was about to get out, Kashan stopped her.

"Won't you invite me in?"

"Come on in. No one is stopping you." Samaira got out as she spoke.

"Not stopping me, but you didn't invite me either," Kashan complained.

"I'm tired, I'll go to sleep. Mom is at home, you can chat with her." She stood by the door.

"Alright, I'll park the car and come in."

Samaira smiled and went inside.

She took off her veil and unbuttoned her abaya. She placed them on the bed and went to the washroom to wash her face. When she came back, she saw Sahira had left some juice for her. She drank the juice as she walked out.

Kashan was sitting outside in the porch. Naheed was talking to him about something. Kashan saw Samaira approaching.

"What are you two talking about?" Samaira put the juice on the table and gathered her loose hair into a loose bun.

"About your marriage," Naheed smiled at Samaira.

"Oh, okay." Samaira raised her eyebrows and scratched her forehead.

"Mom, I..." Samaira's face showed displeasure.

"You sit with Kashan, I'll be right back." Naheed got up and left.

Kashan was drinking juice.

"How was your day?" Kashan started the conversation.

"Good."

"How many cases came in?"

"Five." Samaira answered in a flat tone.

"That's not much."

"Hmm." She smiled slightly.

"Can I say something?" Kashan asked cautiously.

Samaira raised an eyebrow and looked at him.

"You're not the same as before these days."

"How so?"

"You used to talk a lot, you used to be happy when I came... now we're about to get married. I'm going to be your husband. You can talk openly with me."

"Kashan..." Samaira looked around and then got up to sit in the chair right next to him. "I want you to refuse this relationship."

"Are you serious?" Kashan thought she was joking.

"Yes." She spoke quite seriously. "And maybe I have already told you before."

"If that's the case, why don't you refuse this relationship yourself?"

"What would I say?"

"What would I say to refuse then?"

"You're a man, you have plenty of reasons. Just say you like someone else."

"Me? Me or you?"

Samaira looked at him in surprise.

"Be careful, Kashan." She warned him.

"Did I make a mistake?"

"You haven't made a mistake. You are good, very good. Your wife will be very lucky."

"I want to make you the lucky one. I want to make you my wife."

"Kashan, I don't think you and I will get along together," Samaira made up an excuse.

"If I make it work, it will work. Nothing will be restricted. I swear. We will do in this relationship whatever you want," Kashan was trying his best to save the relationship.

"Everyone says that. Later, they impose their own will. I don't want to be bound. I like children, that's why I chose this field. What if tomorrow your mother objects to my job?" Samaira was presenting every possible reason to end the relationship.

"No, that won't happen. I promised. I did," Kashan leaned forward.

"Don't you trust me?" Kashan turned her towards him. The blue darkness of the evening was setting in.

"Kashan, if you truly love me, then end this relationship right here today." Samaira used her final tactic, which proved effective. Kashan suddenly leaned back and stood up. He looked at her one last time and left, taking with him many regrets, broken hopes, and doubts.

Darkness began to deepen. Samaira sat in the dark, her head resting on her knees. Sahira turned on the porch lights.

"Has Kashan left?"

"Hmm." Samaira replied softly without lifting her head.

"What was your future husband saying?" Sahira teased her.

"I have a headache." Samaira put on her slippers and went to her room.

Naheed asked Sahira about Kashan.

"He left. Samaira said she has a headache."

"Who has a headache?" Naheed asked.

"Kashan? Or Samaira herself? I didn't quite get that."

Sahira went to the kitchen and started serving the food onto plates.

Whose path of quest our steps

Have shortened the distances of pain.

From a distance, the clouds appeared to rise like soft white balls of cotton. The wind was blowing gently. A cool breeze. It might rain today or tomorrow. The weather was becoming pleasant.

Behram was sitting in his office, signing some file. Furqan opened the door and entered.

"Sir, here is that file." He handed the file to Bahram with a triumphant smile.

"Confederate"

Behram happily took the file. "Good, Furqan. Good."

"Sir, I will soon erase the remaining evidence as well."

"What do you mean?" Behram placed the file in his drawer.

"I mean that I have assigned a special person who will keep an eye on Junaid at all times. We will now know his every move and step."

"You did a very good job."

"Yes, sir." He smiled.

"Any other important news?" Behram returned to the file.

"Sir, I suspect he will try again. I don't think he will give up so easily."

"Hmmm."

"When he finds out that we have taken back the file, sir, he will create a lot of noise."

"Junaid." Behram recalled Junaid's image in his mind. "Isn't he the same boy... Zakaria uncle's son?"

"Yes, sir."

"I said I would take care of him. But fine... you handle him for now. If the matter becomes more serious, I will handle it myself." He was twirling the pen between his fingers.

"Okay, sir."

"I love complexities." He smiled.

"And sir, what should we do about the drug dealers? They're putting a lot of pressure on us." Furqan brought up a new issue with a hint of irritation.

"Let their trucks pass tonight. I will personally handle the patrolling." Behram ran his hand through his hair and leaned back into the rocking chair.

"Okay, sir. Should I go, or is there anything else you need?" Furqan asked.

"No, you stay here for now. Where are you going to go? It's not like you have a wife waiting for you at home." Behram laughed. Just then, his mobile beeped.

"Ahhh." A strange sound escaped Behram mouth. Furqan looked at him and subtly smiled.

A reply had come to the message he had sent to Samaira last night.

"Alright." He couldn't help but smile as he read the message.

"Should I call?" Behram sent a new message. She was online.

"No. Not now."

"Then when?"

"At least not now."

"You tell me when, and I will."

"Just talk over messages."

"That doesn't work for me, you know. Try to understand." Behram was biting his lip. Furqan, with one leg crossed over the other, was watching him. The changing expressions on his face were conveying some new messages.

"Hmmm."

"What?" Behram typed.

"Nothing."

"Shall we meet then?"

"Where?"

"Should I come to your city?"

"No."

"Why, dear?"

"Dear?"

"Yes."

"No. Not so soon."

"So what should I call you?"

"Samaira..."

"So, Ms. Samaira. Tell me, where are we meeting?" His smile widened.

"Wait. I don't know when we'll meet next."

"I need to meet you."

"Why? Is it an emergency?"

"It is."

"What?"

"No. Not so soon." Behram copied and pasted one of her messages.

"Hmmm..."

"Think about it."

"Think about what?"

"Me." Behram waited for her reply. More than two minutes passed.

"Ms. Samaira, where have you disappeared?"

"What's the emergency? Tell me." Samaira's message came.

"I'll tell you when we meet."

"That's a good excuse for a meeting."

"Yes. I thought it should have some benefit."

"Bye, I'll talk to you later."

"Bye." Behram typed the final message. When he looked away from the screen, he saw Furqan watching him.

"You haven't left yet?" Behram said, scratching his beard.

"Oh, sir, you were the one who asked me to stay," Furqan reminded him.

"Yes. Alright then."

"Is it the intoxication of love?" Furqan teased.

"It's nothing like that." Behram smiled and began rocking back in his chair.

"Then what is it?"

"Man... what can I say... it's just..." Behram bit his lip. "Just let it be. You wouldn't understand."

Furqan chuckled lightly.

"Who is she?"

"There's someone. I have come a long way, paying a heavy price to get her."

"Price? What price?" 

Behram took a deep breath.

"Do you know she's a Hafiz of the Quran? You didn't tell me that." Behram started talking to Furqan in a more friendly manner.

"I didn't know. Really." Furqan said thoughtfully. "If I had known, I would have told you. There are other things about him that are also unknown."

"I asked the housemaid. I gathered some more information."

"So you... will marry her?"

"Yes." He said, rubbing his forehead. "I'm spending money on this, I can't leave her now."

"I don't understand anything."

"Just wait and see. She will be mine."

"What will you do with her? Your mother won't agree." Furqan pointed out a new obstacle.

"She won't agree either."

"So?"

"I'll spend more money. More." Behram smiled slowly.

"Where?"

"You must have heard that in love, a person forgets their religion and faith. I will do something like that. She is a Hafiz of the Quran. She will have the fear of Allah in her heart. Even if she wants, she will not rebel against her faith. Such people are not easy to come by; you have to conquer such people. That's what I will do to her."

"But how?"

"Sometimes by becoming her savior, sometimes her friend, sometimes her sympathizer, and then... her husband."

At that moment, Furqan didn't recognize Behram. This was someone else. Furqan shook his head in denial and got up to leave.

Behram sat upright and started rocking in the chair. His lips began to slowly recite something. He closed his eyes.

Upside down. Downside up. Truth lies. Lies truth. Evil good. Good evil. Words began to turn.

We'll break the spell of fear and dread,

We'll step forward, shattering the chains of despair

Trucks were passing by one after another on the road. Behram was on the patrolling, simultaneously monitoring someone's instructions.

Then he walked into the quarter where the passage of vehicles was being logged.

"Write 'clear' for the trucks that just passed," he ordered the man sitting there.

"Yes, sir."

Behram came out of the quarter. Furqan's car stopped in front of him.

"Thanks, sir," Furqan smiled. "Niaz sir was very pleased."

"Hmm," Behram shook his head.

"Get out. And give me this car. I have some work," Behram said impatiently. He was wearing a white shirt with rolled-up sleeves.

Furqan got out. Behram started the car.

"Take care of everything now," he ordered the staff present there, pressed the accelerator, and drove away.

The darkness of the night was spreading in every direction. He kept driving the car at full speed, with the headlights on.

He stopped the car in a desolate place. Got out. Ahead, there was an unpaved road. He walked towards a building which was quite dilapidated, like ruins. This building had no proper boundary.

He started climbing the stairs, which had no railing. A man with long curly hair and a beard reaching his chest saw Behram and turned back, running.

"The big boss is here. The big boss."

Behram heard the man's voice. He had reached the top.

A woman stood before him, her hair loose, wearing a necklace that reached her waist. On either side of her stood two other women who appeared to be maidservants.

"So you've come?" The woman smiled leisurely.

"Give it to me," the woman extended her hand toward Behram.

In Behram's hand was a sky-blue dupatta, which belonged to a woman. Behram handed it to her. The woman signaled the man with curly hair to come forward.

"Burn it and collect the ashes," the woman said, throwing the dupatta on the ground.

In the next moment, the man set the dupatta on fire and began collecting the ashes. This all happened in front of Behram, who just watched.

"She will burn in the fire of love like this. She will scatter, dying every moment without you."

Behram clenched his fists and jaw, closing his eyes in agony.

He took out money from his coat pocket. One of the maidservants stepped forward and took the money.

"Just keep chanting that spell, whenever you see her, keep reciting it over her. She will desire you more and more," the woman said.

"And how long will it take, Bilqis?" Behram asked anxiously, stepping forward.

"You will need to be patient. We need her hair or nails. And for that, you will need to find out her specific days when this magic will have the most effect on her."

The woman turned and clenched her fist. Bringing it close to her lips, she began to recite something with her eyes closed, invoking dark powers. She shouted, her voice echoing through the ruins.

Then she opened her fist over the dupatta's ashes.

"You may go now. It will be done," she signaled Behram to leave.

Behram descended the stairs, glanced at the ruined building once more, and got into his car. The weather began to turn cloudy, thunder rumbled, and raindrops started to fall on the car's windshield. Behram started the car and drove away from there.

Life of the heart and vision, the morning scene in the desert,

From the spring of the sun, rivers of light flow!

September 3rd

The season was changing. Clouds were scattered across the sky. Due to the rain at night, the lawn grass was wet. Faint sounds were coming from inside the house.

Mahenoor was ironing clothes for Aneesa and Gul-e-Lala. Ayesha had already ironed her clothes and taken them. Kabeer had come yesterday; it was his second day. He was still sleeping.

When Aneesa came out of the bathroom after taking a shower, she saw Ayesha standing ready.

"Move, move, I'm getting late." She quickly gathered her tangled hair into a bun and started putting on her hijab in front of the dressing table. Ayesha watched her action.

"What was that?" Ayesha laughed.

"I don't have time." And then Ayesha quickly wore her abaya.

Mahenoor entered with Aneesa's clothes.

"What is this? I had taken out new clothes and you..." Mahenoor looked at her and glared from head to toe.

"It's not like there's a competition to look good. And we'll be back soon anyway..." Aneesa said in an exasperated tone.

"You haven't seen the world yet, my dear. You'll be astonished when you see the students there." Mahenoor walked out.

"Let's go." Aneesa took Ayesha outside.

"Mahenoor, we're leaving." She called out to Mahenoor as they were leaving.

Aneesa sat in the driver's seat. Gul-e-Lala sat in the front seat with her.

The car was now on the university road. Driving slowly, she slightly increased the speed.

"No one even wished us best of luck," Aneesa complained.

"It's okay," Ayesha reassured her.

"Yes, it's nothing. I wonder how the day will be and what the people will be like." She was looking ahead, driving the car. "And I even left my mobile at home," she suddenly remembered.

"No problem, you can use mine," Gul-e-Lala spoke up this time.

"So he does talk," Anisa teased Gul-e-Lala and laughed. Ayesha also laughed.

They had gone quite far from home.

Keeping her eyes focused ahead, she suddenly slowed down the car.

"Oh, what is this! Such a big mansion!!!" Aneesa's eyes widened in surprise. Stopping the car in front of the mansion, she looked at it longingly. Gul-e-Lala and Ayesha also looked.

"It's so huge, isn't it!"

"Yes, very splendid. Magnificent," Ayesha also opened her mouth in admiration of the mansion.

Two guards were seen patrolling outside the mansion. The gate was made of golden bars.

"What must they do in such a big house? I can't get enough of looking at it," Anresa said, unable to take her eyes off the mansion.

She saw someone coming towards them, perhaps a servant. He stopped near the car. Aneesa looked at him in surprise.

"Kids, move your car from here. Parking here is not allowed," the man instructed them and stood there waiting for them to move the car.

"Let's go, we are getting late," Gul-e-Lala said to Aneesa.

Aneesa drove the car a bit forward and stopped. She saw the man going inside through the mirror.

"Uncle!" she called out, sticking her head out of the window. The man stopped and turned towards Aneesa.

"Hey! This road doesn't belong to your father!" she said, quickly pressing the accelerator and speeding off. The man smiled and went inside.

"What was that? You should have just let it go," Gul-e-Lala advised.

"Oh, no way. Now I will bother him every day," she laughed.

Half an hour later, they entered the university.

"Cards, please," the guard standing at the gate asked for their student identity cards.

Ayesha and Gul-e-Lala showed their cards one by one.

"And you?" The guard looked at Aneesa.

"Card? I don't have one," she said, making an innocent face.

"Don't have it or need to get it made?" the guard asked in a tired tone.

"I forgot it... at home."

"Then what are you doing here? You should have stayed home too," the guard's tone became stern.

"But I am a student. Of this university."

"You say so, and I'm supposed to believe it? Move aside, make way for the cars behind."

Gul-e-Lala and Ayesha got out there and went inside. Aneesa reversed the car and parked it out of the line.

"Guard sir! Please let me in," she pleaded, sticking her head out of the window.

The guard was busy with checking.

"It will take half an hour to bring the card from home now. I won't forget it next time. Guard sir! Are you listening?"

"Do you have any other documents?" the guard asked, sitting down on his chair.

"Yes, I have the admission form."

"You should have mentioned that earlier."

"You should have asked for it earlier."

"Alright, come on in."

Aneesa showed the admission form to the guard and drove the car inside. She parked the car under the shade of a tree and started looking for her class.

With her bag slung over her shoulder, she kept walking. There was a crowd of students. Boys and girls were chatting and wandering around in groups.

"Today the IG is visiting too," an old man's voice reached her ears.

"Uncle!" Aneesa addressed him.

"It's sir! I am Sir Mukhtar Ahmed, of the English Literature department," he corrected her, adjusting his round glasses and glaring at her.

"Oh, so sorry, sir."

"Now tell me, what’s the issue?"

"Sir... I can't find my class."

"Which program?"

"English."

"Second floor, room three," he directed.

"Thanks, sir." She moved ahead.

"I've met some nice people so far," she thought as she reached her classroom. A teacher was giving a lecture inside. The door was open. She stopped.

"May I come in, ma'am?"

"No, get out," the ma'am said, turning back to the students. The classroom was packed with students. She saw Gul-e-Lala sitting somewhere among them and turned away.

She sat on a chair outside the classroom.

"Now I'll get scolded by Mahenoor at home as well," she muttered to herself.

"This is all the guard's fault. If he hadn't stopped me, I wouldn't have been late to class, and the ma'am wouldn't have scolded me."

She got up and started observing the students below from the balcony.

She went over to the cooler, poured a glass of water, and started drinking.

"Ugh, so tasteless." She shivered and poured the water out.

It was just her bad luck that the IG was directly below at that moment, and all the water fell on him. Everyone looked up, but no one saw anyone on the balcony.

She had crouched down and hid, biting her tongue in anxiety.

"With thousands of students here, someone must have thrown the water," she thought as she stood up.

The bell rang. The ma'am exited the classroom. Aneesa entered and approached Gul-e-Lala.

"My seat?"

"You can sit here," another boy called out to her.

"I'm the CR. I'll decide where she sits," Gul-e-Lala responded in a stern voice. Ma'am Rabia had appointed Gul-e-Lala as the class representative (CR).

"You sit here," Gul-e-Lala pointed to a seat next to a girl.

Aneesa sat down with her head lowered. Tears started welling up in her eyes.

"Are you crying?" asked the girl sitting next to her, whose name was Masooma. She placed a hand on Aneesa's shoulder.

The classroom was noisy.

"My sister will scold me, I missed a class, the ma'am scolded me, and I threw water on the IG. I don't even have my student identity card. I left it at home. And my mobile too. Now..." she was on the verge of tears.

"It's okay... it was the first day today, such things happen," Masooma comforted her.

"Here, drink some water." She handed Aneesa her water bottle. Aneesa took a sip.

"Shall we go outside?" Masooma asked with a smile.

"No, another ma'am might come, and they won't let me in."

Masooma laughed a little.

"We can be friends," Masooma said, spreading her arms around Aneesa.

"Yes," Aneesa smiled.

"I'll be right back."

"Where are you going?"

"To the canteen, to get you some ice cream."

"I'll come too."

"Okay."

"Gul-e-Lala," Aneesa addressed Gul-e-Lala, who was sitting at the next desk. "Save our seats, we'll be right back."

Gul-e-Lala nodded in agreement.

The two girls stepped outside. As they looked ahead, they saw Shahmeer and Asfand standing there.

"Those two?" Aneesa stopped in her tracks, a warning bell ringing in her mind.

"Surely Shahzeb must have come too."

"Masooma! I don't want ice cream. If you want it, go ahead. Otherwise, I'll have it later."

"Okay," Masooma went to the canteen alone.

Aneesa turned around and saw Tanveer standing there. Ignoring him, she moved forward, but he started following her.

"We were looking for you. We took admission here too," he said, informing her on his own.

"You guys just have a habit of wasting money," Aneesa stopped.

"When will you return Shahzeb's laptop?"

"What laptop?"

"Oh, the same arrogance... the same attitude... and the same you..." he smirked mockingly.

"Are you flirting?" Aneesa raised an eyebrow and looked at him.

"Yes."

"Good. I don't want to waste my time with you," Aneesa walked away, losing herself in the crowd and returning to the classroom.

We have seen many commotions of love,

The beginning is disgrace, the end is also disgrace.

A soft sound of laughter was coming. Kabeer was sitting with Mahenoor, discussing Shayan's results.

"He's becoming careless; you don't give him the same attention as before," Kabeer said to Mahenoor while flipping through the pages.

"The marks are quite good; look at this," Mahenoor took the report card from Kabeer's hand. "Forty-five out of fifty, and forty-seven. And full marks in science."

"Mahenoor!" Kabeer showed his displeasure.

"Okay, I'll take care of it from now on," she smiled faintly. Shayan was sitting with them.

"Dad, will you come to the meeting this time?" Shayan looked at Kabir innocently.

"Yes, my dear... Dad's darling. Dad will come," Kabeer lifted Shayan into his lap and kissed his forehead.

Mahenoor picked up the report card and put Shayan's books in his bag.

"Did you trouble Mama?" Kabeer asked Shayan as Mahenoor went outside.

Outside, she saw Omar had arrived. He was sitting and talking with Gul-e-Lala. When he saw Mahenoor, he stood up.

"Oh Omar, you? Is everything okay?" Mahenoor smiled politely and stepped forward.

"Yes. Zakaria uncle asked me to take Aneesa shopping, so..." Omar said while shaking hands.

"Oh, there's no need for that. She has everything," Mahenoor tried to refuse.

"Can you call her?"

"Yes. If you had told me earlier, I would have informed her, and you wouldn't have had to wait."

"Yes, I did call her, but..."

"Oh," Mahenoor smiled and went to get Aneesa.

Aneesa was sitting in the room, laughing with Ayesha about something. Mahenoor opened the door and went inside.

"Aneesa... Omar is here. He said Dad asked him to take you shopping," Mahenoor said cautiously, thinking Aneesa might not want to go with Omar.

"Shopping? What shopping?"

"I don't know."

"Tell him I have everything, and he should go back," Aneesa was on her knees on the bed, holding a university prospectus.

"I could tell him, but..." Mahenoor hesitated.

"If he complains to Dad about me, let him complain a hundred times, I'm not going with him."

"But why? Just go. If you don't find anything, don't buy anything. At least it will look like you went with him," Mahenoor said, tired.

"Pretend?" Aneesa glanced at Ayesha, got off the bed, put on her slippers, and went into the bathroom.

"Will you go with him?" Mahenoor asked from outside.

"I'm coming."

"Okay, come outside, Omar is waiting," Mahenoor said and left.

Aneesa came out, dried her wet face with her dupatta.

"Who is he?" Ayesha asked.

"Someone who used to be, now he isn't," Aneesa hung her purse on her shoulder, grabbed the strap, and went outside.

Omar was sitting in the guest room.

"Shall we go?" Omar looked at Aneesa.

Without saying anything, Aneesa walked towards the door.

Omar wanted to open the car door for her, but Aneesa stopped him.

"If it were up to me, I would have gotten rid of you a long time ago," Omar whispered. The car was on the road.

Aneesa sat silently, facing the window.

"Won't you say anything?" Omar looked at her with despair. She remained silent. "The weather is nice, isn't it?"

Light clouds cast shadows over the ground. A cool breeze was blowing outside, and there was moisture in the air.

"Your silence hurts me, Aneesa."

She stayed silent for quite a while. Omar stopped the car in front of the mall. "Get whatever you want," Omar smiled. Aneesa got out of the car.

"I have everything, Omar... I'm here just to keep up appearances." There was a bitterness in her tone that couldn't be hidden. They both entered the mall.

"Omar? Do you still have Omar?" Omar asked with anguish.

"I don't need many people in my life anymore. And now, one of them is Omar."

Omar fell silent and kept walking, watching her.

They entered a shoe shop where several people were present. Aneesa started looking at the shoes on the shelves, and Omar walked to her right.

"These would look good on your feet," Omar pointed to a pair of golden shoes.

"I don't wear heels," she turned to the other side.

She didn't need anything. She kept gripping the strap of her bag tightly and adjusting it on her shoulder.

"Then take these," Imar pointed to another pair of shoes. "These are flats."

"I'll get whatever I need myself," she said and walked out of the shoe shop. She entered the ladies' section via the lift, while Omar stayed outside.

"Yes, ma'am, how may I help you?" the salesgirl asked with a smile.

"I just came here to sit," Aneesa said, staring at her and then sat down on a bench. The salesgirl looked at her in surprise and smiled slightly.

Aneesa sat there idly, staring at the floor. People came and went. Occasionally, she lifted her head to look at the women who came to shop for clothes. The salesgirl was busy showing clothes to the women.

Aneesa got up and went to the other side of the shop. She started looking at the clothes, feeling bored. The shop was crowded with women shopping frantically.

Aneesa liked a shirt. She took it out and looked at it. Then, holding it against her chest, she looked at herself in the mirror.

"It's nice, but if Dad sees it..." she thought and put the shirt back on the stand.

"That shirt would suit you well," the salesgirl said, standing next to her.

"No... I was just looking," Aneesa said and started to leave.

"We'll give you a discount, ma'am," the salesgirl followed her, hoping to make a sale.

Omar was waiting outside. He was surprised to see Aneesa empty-handed.

"Didn't you get anything?" Omar asked.

"No. I told you, I don't need anything," she said stubbornly.

"Want to eat something?"

"No. I ate before coming."

"How about some mango ice cream?" Omar smiled cautiously.

"No. We have some at home; I'll have it there," she smiled faintly.

"A burger or pizza?" Omar wanted to keep her with him a bit longer.

"Shall we go home?" Aneesa loosened her grip and adjusted her dupatta.

"Hmmm," Omar sighed, disappointed.

They were walking out of the mall. The sounds of children playing in the play area were coming through. Aneesa turned and glanced back. The children were running around, tiny and cute. She pressed her lips together and smiled slightly.

Omar opened the car door. She got in. Omar sat in the driver's seat and started the car. A child came running up.

"Sir, buy some gajray, sir..."

The child knocked on Omar's window. Umar rolled down the window.

"Give me two," Omar handed the money to him and took two gajray. The child left.

"Hold out your hand," Omar smiled.

Aneesa shook her head in refusal, her eyes wet.

"If I give in today, I'll regret it for the rest of my life," she swallowed her emotions.

"Give them to Anam; she’ll like them more," Aneesa said in a subdued voice. Omar's smile disappeared instantly. His nerves tensed.

Omar withdrew his hand and put the gajray on her wrists, one by one.

"I want you to look as beautiful as these flowers," Omar smiled again.

"Take me home; it's getting late," she said, looking ahead.

"Look at me," Omar turned the steering wheel and addressed Aneesa. Now they were heading home.

Aneesa felt anger rising within her. Her throat tightened, and her heart ached. She looked up at him.

"Come and visit our house more often. Your presence used to bring joy. I miss you," Imar said.

Today, Aneesa felt her love was a mistake. More than a mistake, it was a sin.

"Yes," Aneesa said and turned her face forward.

"So... will you come? When will you come?"

"I will come," she said in a soft voice.

"Shall we go to my house now?"

"No, it's almost evening."

"So what?" Omar slowed down the car.

"Mahenoor will be waiting; I haven't told her."

"She knows you're with me. Even if you're late, she won't mind much," Omar said casually.

"No, maybe some other time."

"Tomorrow?"

"Yes." (Who knows what tomorrow holds?)

Omar smiled at her agreement.

"Alright, tomorrow evening at six?" Omar suggested.

"Yes."

Omar stopped the car in front of her house. They both got out.

"Where are you going?" Aneesa asked in surprise.

"Inside." Omar followed her inside.

Aneesa, carrying her bag on her shoulder, entered the room next to Mahenoor's. She threw the bag on the bed and looked at herself in the mirror. Her face looked distressed, as if she wanted to cry.

Her dupatta was slipping off her shoulder. She rubbed the pink lipstick off her lips with the back of her hand and began to sob.

She tore off the flower bracelets from her wrists. Several petals fell to the floor. She stepped on the petals and started crushing them, crying uncontrollably.

"Die, all of you, die," she muttered, losing control.

"Why doesn't that despicable man leave my life? What does he keep coming back for? He will kill me. He is killing me," she ranted.

She opened the bathroom door, washed her face, and started crying again. She covered her mouth with her hand. Then, fixing her appearance, she walked out.

Mahenoor was setting the dinner table. Kabeer, Shayan, and Gul-e-Lala were already seated.

Omar joined them at the table.

Aneesa entered her room. Ayesha seemed to be waiting for her.

As soon as Aneesa opened the door, Ayesha looked up, startled.

"I thought... you would have gone for dinner," Aneesa said, turning away and placing her bag and dupatta on the bed.

"Why were you crying?"

"Me? When?"

"Do you lie too? Are you also a devil?" Ayesha stood next to her.

"Mahenoor is setting the table. You go, I'll come," Aneesa said, not feeling the need to respond to Ayesha's question.

"Shall we go together?"

Aneesa thought for a moment and then nodded.

They both went outside. When Aneesa saw Omar, she hesitated for a moment. She thought he would have left. Seeing him at the dining table was unbelievable for her. Reluctantly, she sat down. She was seated to Omar's left.

Omar placed a kebab on her plate.

Aneesa picked up the kebab and started eating with her hands. Omar was eating with a knife and fork.

"What happened to your face?" Mahenoor asked while eating rice with a spoon. Everyone present looked at her.

"Tired from shopping, that's all," Aneesa replied.

"You didn't shop at all," Omar said, leaning to look at her face.

"Yes. Just walking around made me tired."

"Oh, eat your food and rest," Mahenoor said.

"I'm done." Aneesa got up and left.

As the night deepened, Aneesa stood by the window and watched Omar leaving. His car was going away. She then drew the curtain in front of the window.

Bodies being sold in streets and markets,

Covered in dust, bathed in blood.

In the darkness of the night, a group of five people was walking cheerfully through a narrow alley. Laughter and giggles echoed in the air.

When one of them said something, the other four would laugh, stumbling over each other.

"Close, it's close," Waleed laughed.

"Tonight will be fun," Mueen also laughed out loud.

The five of them stopped in front of a club.

"If Musa had come, he would have enjoyed too," Waleed whispered into Zohaib's ear.

They looked around and the five of them entered the club.

One of them identified himself to the man standing at the entrance. There was a lot of noise inside the club. The loud music was ear-piercing.

"Room number 009," he said to the bartender. As soon as he saw him, the bartender handed him the key.

Now he headed towards room 009. He opened the door. A girl was sitting in front of him, with golden hair draped over one shoulder. The room was dimly lit with red light. Locking the door, he came inside and stood in front of the table, pouring beer into a glass.

The girl got up, came to him, and hugged him. He started drinking and began to get intoxicated.

Outside, his four friends were dancing among the girls and boys in the club.

"Anna is my girlfriend now," Wahab told Zohair and winked.

"She has made you her boyfriend just to get close to her dream boy," Zohair pitied Wahab. "Tsk tsk tsk."

"It's not like that."

"It is like that, otherwise, a lot would have happened between you two by now."

"What's the hurry? That will also happen," he continued dancing.

"I dare you to kiss her," Waleed pulled Wahab towards him.

"Okay," he accepted.

The three of them laughed.

"There she is. Go, now and right away."

In the crowd, Anna was dancing with her friends, wearing glasses. Wahab was making his way through the students in the crowd, heading towards her.

"By the way, what did Wahab see in this girl with glasses?" The three of them laughed. "Anna must be blind too, that's why she wears such big glasses."

Their eyes were on Wahab, who was about to reach Anna. He got close, pulled Anna towards him, and kissed her.

"Oooooooooh!" The three of them shouted.

Anna pushed Wahab away and slapped him hard on the cheek.

"It's over," she said and walked away. Everyone in the club was watching them. Wahab stood with his head down, feeling humiliated. He clenched his fists in anger and rushed outside.

Anna was standing outside, crying. When Wahab saw her, he ran towards her. Anna saw him.

"Why did you come here now?" she was crying.

"I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have done that. My friends provoked me."

"No. Go away. Go," she yelled.

By then, Waleed, Mueen, and Zohair also arrived.

Wahab grabbed her arms and pulled her close.

"Sorry, honey, sorry. I promise I won't hurt you again."

She cried more and tried to pull away from him.

"Let me go, it hurts."

Waleed and Mueen tried to pull Wahab away and freed Anna.

"Are you crazy?" Anna took a deep breath.

"I love you," he tried to approach her again but Zohair held him back.

"Get him treated," she said in a thin voice, shouting. "I was crazy to make you my boyfriend. Don't come near me." She started walking away.

The four of them followed her, trying to persuade her.

"He won't do it again, Wahab, I guarantee it," Mueen pleaded.

Anna walked away, crying, with quick steps.

"Your DB will apologize to you," Waleed stepped forward.

She stopped.

"Okay, I'll tell DB about Wahab," she wiped her tears.

"Where is he?" 

"He's in a room with a girl in the club," Mueen said.

"Okay, and you..." Anna pointed a finger at Wahab, warning him, "Don't ever try to touch me without my permission."

"Okay..." Wahab stepped forward.

"Stop," Anna signaled him to stay away with her hand.

The street lights were on. They returned to the club.

"Did they make up?" The boys and girls present there started whispering.

"Yes, they made up," Waleed told a girl in her ear. She smiled.

They were all dancing wildly in the middle of the club. They held glasses filled with liquor in their hands, swaying in ecstasy. Neither concerned about this world nor the next. The atmosphere was heated.

Wahab came to the bartender, picked up a glass, and discreetly mixed something into it. He pulled out a few dollars from his pocket and handed them to the bartender to keep him quiet. The bartender accepted the money. Wahab picked up the glass and, dancing through the crowd, made his way to Anna.

"Take it," he whispered in her ear. Anna took the glass and started sipping the liquor lightly. The intoxication began to take effect. The scene blurred. She slumped into Wahab's arms, swaying.

"Oh... what's the matter, darling?" Wahab patted her face and smiled.

"Come on, let's go to the room. You need rest, alright?"

"Yes, yes," she said, laughing in her drunken state. "And... and call handsome too."

"No, I'm enough by myself," Wahab said, placing her arm around his shoulder.

Supporting Anna, he took her to the room and closed the door. The loud music could still be heard. It was almost 2 AM. The door of room number 009 opened. He came out, buttoning his shirt, took a glass of liquor from the bartender, and started dancing among the other boys and girls.

He wasn't completely intoxicated yet. He was dancing with skill. Everyone's mouths were saying "bravo." His dance captivated the attention of everyone present. With his moves, he was charming the hearts of all those there.

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