“Mummy, we want to take her now,” said the woman who came with Imran. She was sitting in the room on the bed of her grandmother. She was distressed.
“I know you want to take her, but she is safe now, and she is your mandate here, my child,” said Mehtaab.
Saliha sobs.
“Hey, don’t cry, no one is going to hurt you now,” said Imran. “I can still see her in you,” he said in a whisper.
The woman who came with him put her hand on his shoulder. He turned and secretly wiped his tears.
“Imran, stay for a while,” said Mehtaab.
“I will come back, Mummy, and next time I will take my daughter-in-law with me,” he said.
She looked around and the boy with him was not there. She had not seen him since the wedding ritual.
She took a deep breath.
"Why don't you come with us? What is here for you now?" asked the woman.
“Eliza, I hope you are happy with it,” asked Mehtaab. "I can't come, let me live here with the memory of my Maria. What happened, I was responsible for that as well, and it will kill me till the end. I lost my daughter, and I am a reason as well," she wiped her tears.
“Mummy, don't say it. It was Maria's fate. What is done is done. Now we have to take good care of our Saliha. And this is not the way to ask such questions of your daughter. Of course, I am happy. You remember you once said that I am a daughter to you? I have not met my mother. She died when I was a child, but you were always like a mother to me,” Eliza, said sadly.
Mehtaab smiles.
“Roman is your son, you have a lot of dreams about your son’s marriage,” said Mehtaab sadly.
“Yeah, I had a vision of my daughter-in-law, and trust me, I got even brighter than the one I thought,” she said, smiling while looking at Saliha. Saliha was completely unaware of upcoming hurdles. She had no idea what marriage was. She was just dragged into it.
"I oppose underage marriage. I always promote women's education, but circumstances made me do it," Imran said sadly.
"She will turn 15 in 3 months," said Mehtaab.
**********
2 years later
“No phone call from Imran?” asked Mahjabeen, Mehtaab’s relative.
“I got a call from Imran last evening,
He said he got posted to Quetta,” said Mehtaab.
Saliha was making tea in the kitchen, she was hearing everything and her heart was beating strangely on Roman's name.
She talked with Eliza weekly, but she never heard of him nor did Eliza say a word.
“How is Roman? When will they be visiting here?” Mahjabeen asked.
“You know Imran is a general in rank in the army, and it is not easy for him to make time,” said Mehtaab.
“What Roman does?” Mahjabeen was in a mood to dig it all out.
“They say he is studying medicine,” said Mehtaab.
This time Mahjabeen did not say a word. Rukhsana was cutting vegetables with nasty expressions; she did not like this conversation.
“Mummy, I heard, your son-in-law or grandson is bronze,” she said, annoyed.
“Rukhasana, for a moment you should fear God,” said Mehtaab.
Jealousy was dancing inside Rukhsana's eyes. .
Just then the door knocked. Saliha got out of the kitchen and opened the door.
It was a delivery man.
“There is some luggage for Mehtaab,” said the parcel boy.
“Who sent it?” asked Mehtaab.
“It is for some Saliha Gardezi,” he said.
“Oh, it must be a dress for Saliha for Eid,” said Mehtaab. Rukhsana got up in curiosity. Eid is a Muslim festival, and they always celebrate it and every year Saliha gets gifts from Eliza.
She signed the paper and took the luggage inside. Rukhsana was watching everything in jealousy.
“Whoa, mama look, this is amazing, I want to keep these,” said Sana while holding a pair of shoes.
“Why not, why not, you can have these? Saliha’s in-laws are so rich, they can send more,” said Rukhsana, sugar-coated.
“Yes, you can take these Sana, they look beautiful on you,” said Saliha, humble.
“Who asked you? I know, I look beautiful in all the dresses and shoes,” said Sana, annoyed.
Mehtaab opened her mouth to say something but Saliha stopped her.
She took off her shoes and went inside the room. Mehtaab took a deep breath.
Rukhsana went into the kitchen with a victory expression.
“What happened? Why are you so upset?” she asked.
“How many times have I told you not to share your things,” said Mehtaab.
Saliha smiled and walked inside the room.
*********
Two years later,
She was coughing hysterically; Saliha was looking at her horribly. She went to the kitchen and brought her a glass of water. She helped her get up.
“Here, take this grandma,” she said, worried. Mehtaab was looking so weak.
“Listen, listen to me, I, I don’t have much time. Call your uncle, you have to go to your home now, you are now 18,” said Mehtaab.
“Grandma, what are you talking about? I will not leave you,” she said, sadly.
“You have to leave one day my dear, it is not safe for you to live here,” said Grandma.
“Okay, I will call him, you should sleep now,” she said. Mehtaab coughed again.
She has been sick for a few weeks. She tried to tell Junaid, but he did not pay attention. She turned off the room’s light and went towards her bed. She was sharing a room with her Grandma as Mehtaab did not trust anyone with her.
She opened her book again, she was preparing for the intermediate exams.
Just then a photo fell from her diary. She bends down to lift it. A boy was smiling at her in the photo.
A smile appeared on my lips. His beautiful light brown hair was falling on his forehead. His small lips were appealing.
She felt her heart rushing fast.
She has not talked to him once since they got married. He did not even visit her.
Every time Eliza and Imran visit her without him. She always waited for him, but he did not come.
She took a deep breath.
She always wondered how he looked now. This photo was four years old, and she got it from his luggage which he left there in a rush that day when they got married.
***********
She got up early in the morning in the hope of making tea for Mehtaab. She went into the kitchen and after a while, she came into the room with a cup of tea.
“Grandma, wake up, I brought you tea,” she said, and placed the tea on the table. Mehtaab has not replied. She called her again and placed her books in the bag but this time she did not answer either.
She turned towards Mehtaab’s bed and called her again, but she did not wake up.
“Grandma?” she asked, worried. Mehtaab was lying lifeless. In a matter of moments, she realized what had happened. She screamed and fell unconscious.
*********
She lost someone who always cared for her. Grief has five stages and how do you face grief? Do comment and let me know.
It was the fourth day of her grandmother's funeral. She was feeling empty. Eliza hugged her and was mollifying her. Imran was looking around, poker-faced. He spent his whole life in this house. Mehtaab has always treated him as her own son. A tear fell from his eye. “Pack your things,” he said in a whisper. She looked up at him. “But uncle.” she tried to say something, but he was abrupt. “There is no reason now to live here, Saliha,” he said. He could sense the greed of members of this house. Eliza helped her with packing. She looked at her room for the last time. “I know it is hurting,” said Eliza, and she hugged her. They went out of the room. “Where are you going?” asked Junaid. “She is going to her in-laws,” said Imran, expressionlessly. “Are you serious? We have not performed any proper rituals,” said Junaid. “Well, the main ritual we need for the wedding was already done four years ago,” said Imran. “Junaid, let them take her, we cannot take responsibility for a young
“Everything is done?” asked Aunt Eliza. She nodded. They helped to get admission to one of the top colleges in the city. She never thought that she was going to study at such an expensive college. She was happy. Eliza had prepared everything from a new uniform to bags and books. It was Sunday today, and Eliza was cleaning the house. There were a lot of servants in the house because money was no problem for Gardezis. “Madam, Master’s room on the top was locked, and I was unable to go in,” said a servant. She was cleaning the couch by vacuuming the dust with the vacuum machine. She turned a bit to look at the servant. “No, don’t touch his room, you know what tantrum he brings when someone touches his things,” said Eliza. “But mam, you said the room needs cleaning,” he said. “I know, I know, okay, you go and clean the kitchen, Saliha dear, will you go and check properly,” said Eliza. She was busy with the list of broken items. She unlocked the room with the keys Eliza provided her a
She was feeling nervous as she was walking inside the entrance. A lot of students were chatting and laughing. She was in such an environment for the first time. Her local college where she finished her elementary school was different from here. That was an all-girls’ school while he was co-head. She was looking around in amazement. A few of the students found it odd, and they were laughing at her. She looked around and felt a bit embarrassed. She was so busy staring around when she suddenly collided with someone. It was a girl who had colored her hair blond and tied it up in a high ponytail. “Watch out, freak,” said the girl, annoyed because she split the juice she was holding on the ground. She said sorry in a whisper-like voice. The girl rolled her eyes. “Hold on Maria, I think she is a newbie,” said a girl next to her. She had jet-black curly hair and she was chewing a gum. They look older than her. An evil smirk appeared on their faces. “You are coming with us,” said the bl
She walks into the class. The classroom was filled with students. Only she was fresher. Other students got enrolled at the school a year earlier than her as she joined in the mid-year.She had not seen anyone belonging to a poor background, all the students seemed from richer backgrounds.She sat on the last bench in the last row and fetched out a book from her bag.“Hey, Are you the new girl who arrived in mid-section?” a girl asked enthusiastically. Saliha raised her head, a girl wearing a bit bigger spectacles frame which was quite suiting her face. She was grinning. She had straight black hair and a slim figure. Saliha throws a smile at the girl.“I am Hania, I am in your grade,” the girl said, stretching her hand in front of her, Saliha shook hands with her and said, “Hello, I am Saliha,”.“So, what was the reason for you moving here all of a sudden?” Hania asked and sat on the bench next to her.“If you dared to tell anyone who you are and where you live....” the Devil's warning
He was staring at her with his intense cold blue eyes. “What are you doing here?” he growled. She began to shake with fear because of his anger issues. “Were you spying on me? How dared you?” he screamed. “I, I was…” the words got stuck in her throat. “What the hell do you think you are?” he asked while walking closer, covering the distance between them. He looked so dangerous. His eyes were turning red due to anger. “I have told you to stay away from my room, haven’t I?” he screamed while grabbing her right forearm, tightly. His big strong hand and stronghold make the blood flow stop in the veins. She hissed. He was staring into her hazel eyes. “Please, let me go, I have not heard anything,” she pleaded. He pins her against the wall. He bent on her. His warm breath touched her lips. He was breathing calmly and, on the other hand, she was restless and anxious. “If you dare to come closer or walk even an inch around me, I will make you regret your birth,” he said in a cold, si
Meanwhile, at Hunza's House “Enough, I am not responsible for giving you answers, Raheem Burar Alvi,” she screamed. “Aina, you are crossing your limits,” he screamed in return. “I am crossing my limits? Am I?” she asked while pointing her index finger at her chest; "Raheem, you are the one who is screwing around with your 'deals',” she air-quoted her fingers. The twins were watching a horror show while eating pizza. They exchange looks. They shrugged and started eating again. The quarrels of their parents were now so spiral. They seemed to give a damn about their fights. “Do me a favor, Brother. Please increase the TV volume,” Hunza said. “I have an idea. Let's go for a long drive,” Kashaan said. She looked at him instantly. “Now that’s something I wanted,” she said excitedly, and walked out of the launch. "That's how we are twins," said Kashaan aloud. They knew their parents would not ask where they were going, or they would not notice that they were not in the house. ***
“Could you get the car out of the underground parking garage? I will be back in a few minutes,” said Kashaan. She nods. They were standing in front of the restaurant entrance. It was a cold evening in December. He walked towards the parking entrance, “Oh God, it’s cold,” she whispered while rubbing her bare arms. After a few minutes of walking, she was a few steps away from their brand-new Audi. She looked for the keys inside her bag, but the keys were not there. “Stupid Kashaan, he forgot to hand me keys,” she whispered. “Now I have to stand here and freeze to death,” she thought. She looked around, and the parking garage was empty. It was a huge place and more than two hundred cars could adjust in it. A car with black window glass entered the passageway of the garage. She looked at the car with a glance and ignored it. She was talking to Hania about their upcoming test through text. Just then, the door of the car opened and two men appeared. Before she could understand, the
She shoots a soft slap on Kashaan’s shoulder. “I think we need to teach some games to these juniors,” Emaad said with a smirk. “Fun time,” said Haeem said. "Wait, we should not," said Zain, concerned, while looking at Saliha who was laughing. She had no idea he was looking at her. "Oh come on, it won't hurt a thing," said Haeem. They got up and walked towards the table where Saliha and Hania were sitting with the others. “Hey,” Emaad said in a deep voice with a smirk. Saliha's smile disappeared. She always found this boy mysterious, especially his intense green eyes. “Hey, you are the guy from last night?” asked Kashaan, and got up from his chair and shook hands with Emaad. Emaad shook his hand coldly. “Well, I am her senior,” he said while pointing at Hunza. “Yeah, she informed me about you,” said Kahsaan, smirking. He smirked in return and sat on an empty chair. “Well, I heard she is very fond of dogs,” Emaad said while looking at her. She looked up at him and clenched h