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Dear Love By Anoosha Aarzoo

(Originally Named Janam In Urdu)

Translated By Inky Whisper (Translated from Urdu-To-English)

Chapter Three

Her eyes opened to the sharp light of the morning sun. She glanced around the room, searching for Za’im…but he wasn’t there.

Nafisa Begum and Rahila Begum were sitting beside her on the bed. Rahila Begum held her left hand gently, while Nafisa Begum sat near her head, softly stroking her hair.

A maid had brought food. After helping her freshen up, the two women fed her like mothers, offering her one bite at a time.

Tears kept gathering in her eyes, again and again. Each time, either Rahila Begum or Nafisa Begum would quietly wipe them away. They didn’t want to cry in front of her….they had already wept before she woke up.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. All three of them turned to look. Sultan Sahib and Farid Sahib stood at the door, with Za’im beside them.

They all exchanged gentle smiles. She understood the embarrassment behind Za’im’s smile. They came inside and caressed her head lovingly. Za’im, however, remained standing at a distance.

The elders embraced her warmly, then began a light conversation. Za’im stayed silent. After a while, they quietly left the room, leaving the two of them alone.

Neither of them met the other’s gaze. After a few moments, Za’im finally gathered the courage to step forward. He came closer and sat on the edge of the bed. His eyes remained lowered, heavy with embarrassment.

“I… I’m sorry.” The words got stuck in his throat. Maham didn’t reply. She simply kept looking out the window, her gaze fixed on the garden outside.

“I know… I’m guilty,” he said in a tired, low voice. She didn’t even move.

“Maham…” Za’im called softly. She slowly turned toward him, but her eyes didn’t meet his.

“I know I’m not worthy of your forgiveness,” he said quietly. “If you can’t forgive me, then…” His words trailed off. Tears filled his eyes.

“Then… I’ll leave.” Za’im turned away, letting out a painful sigh. He placed his weight on his palms as he began to stand….when she spoke.

“Oh, so now you’re leaving?” she said, her voice edged with sharpness. “You used to make such big claims… that you were my childhood friend.” She turned fully toward him.

“And now you say you’ll go? When I was telling you to leave, why didn’t you go then? Why now?” She looked at him sharply. Za’im still didn’t have the courage to meet her eyes.

“Speak,” she pressed. “Just yesterday you were saying that no matter what happens, you would never leave my side. So what now?” Her tone was firm, hardened.

“I… I hurt you,” he managed to say, but couldn’t continue.

“You’ve done that before too,” she replied immediately. “Whatever I forbade you from doing, you always did it anyway.” Today, she was counting everything.

“There was a reason,” he said softly.

“What reason?” she asked bluntly.

“I should go,” he said suddenly, rising to his feet. Maham quickly reached out, grabbing his hand to stop him.

“You’re not going anywhere without telling me what happened at the balcony,” she said harshly.

“I… you…” Za’im began, but couldn’t finish.

“You won’t leave without telling me,” she cut him off, her voice rising. Za’im turned back and looked at her. She was staring at him, fire burning in her eyes.

“Don’t be stubborn,” he warned in a low voice.

“If you leave without telling me the truth,” she said furiously, “then remember this … .I will come to hate even your name.” She jerked his hand free from her grip.

Za’im clenched his jaw, forcing himself to control his anger, and then strode out of the room in long, determined steps.

***************

The next day, Za’im told Maham, “I’m taking the car out. Let’s go home together. Your health isn’t good enough for you to walk back alone.”

“I’m fine,” Maham replied. “And I’m not alone….I’m with my friends. I don’t need your protection.” She paused, her tone turning sharp. “If anything, I need protection from you.” With that, she walked away angrily.

Some time later, she was leaving the university with her friends when that same ill-mannered boy blocked their path. They were standing in the lower corridor of the university building. The boy’s gaze was fixed on Maham…shameless and unsettling.

Trying to avoid him, she stepped aside to leave, but he suddenly grabbed her wrist and pinned her against the wall. Before he could do anything else, Za’im appeared out of nowhere. He grabbed the boy by the shoulder and pulled him away from her with force.

Maham quickly moved back to her friends. Za’im seized the boy by the collar and lifted him roughly. The students gathered nearby stared in shock. Maham watched with wide eyes, as if she couldn’t recognize him anymore.

Za’im threw the boy to the ground and began hitting him mercilessly…punch after punch, kick after kick. The boy soon started bleeding heavily.

Before things could go too far, some teachers rushed in and pulled them apart. What was surprising, however, was that no one said anything to Za’im. Maham stood there, stunned.

After a moment, they all began to leave. Za’im glanced at her briefly, then walked out of the university. Maham followed, feeling embarrassed. She had thought he would leave her behind in anger….but instead, he was waiting outside on his bike.

Without a word, she sat behind him. When they reached home, she went straight to her room.

After some time, she stepped out and headed upstairs. From a distance, she saw him standing near the balcony, lost in his thoughts, unaware of his surroundings. She walked past him silently.

Her back was to him as she moved ahead….when suddenly, he grabbed her hand and pinned her against the wall, just like before. Everything felt the same.

But this time, something inside her had changed. As he leaned toward her, she didn’t hesitate. She pushed him away forcefully. Caught off guard, he stumbled and fell to the floor.

“You shameless man!” she snapped, her voice shaking with anger. “I am not a fornicator!” She was breathing heavily, her anger spilling over.

Za’im froze, stunned by her words. What was she saying? Was she even in her senses?

“I may have committed many sins, Za’im Sultan…” she continued fiercely, “but I am not a fornicator!”

“Maham!” Za’im shouted, his voice sharp and loud.

“Don’t shout!” she snapped, matching his anger.

“Who do you think you are? Haven’t you read Surah An-Nur? Don’t you know Allah’s commands? Why do you want to push me toward sin? Why?” Her voice broke as she cried. “Why don’t you fear Allah?”

She was shaking, screaming through her tears. Today, her patience had finally run out.

Za’im stood frozen. He had no courage to respond. Every question she asked had only one answer….an answer he could never give her.

“Speak!” she cried. “Don’t you know the Qur’an will question those who turn away from it? That the grave will be narrowed? That it will bear witness against us? Answer me!” Her voice echoed as she continued, relentless.

Za’im took a few slow steps forward, then stopped.

“I… have come to hate you,” he said quietly, his voice heavy. “For the first time in my life.” The words felt like stones on his tongue. He couldn’t say anything more.

Then he turned and walked away, taking long, determined strides down the stairs, leaving her behind.

To Be Continued…