It's strange, isn't it? Humans are such a peculiar being; to them, reality is limited to what they can currently see and experience. Do we not realize that the present must eventually become the past and give way to the future? We believe that when we are going through a dark period in their lives, it will never end and that there will be no more light in their lives. And when we are at their happiest, we never consider that every stage will end one day, just as the weather always shifts. Autumn must come to an end, no matter how many falls and lonely moments it brings. Likewise, regardless of how beautiful spring may seem, it must come to an end.
We people think that the phase they are currently in will remain the same for the remainder of their lives.
She also didn't anticipate that her current level of bliss would end tomorrow. She, who was entering her institution, looking around the campus, and feeling delighted that her ambition of earning a B.Sc. in psychology was finally coming true, had no idea what would happen to her here. She would have turned around and gone back the instant she stepped in if she had known.
Passing through the college, she stopped at the notice board in the lobby, where a group of first-year students were shoving one another to view their classes. She, who had also come for this, became anxious when she saw them acting in such a manner and repeatedly being pushed back by the new upcoming students.
"May I help you with something, Miss?" She turned to face the individual on this respectful tone. He was a handsome young man with deep, smiling eyes, sandy skin, and curling black hair. With a warm smile on his lips, he was waiting for her response.
"Thank you, but no. I assist myself freely." She responded, seemingly irritated by his interaction, without turning to him and faced the notice board.
"You sure, you will?" His eyes narrowed and he smiled as he asked.
"YES, I WILL" She emphasized every word to make her claim clear.
"As you've been doing for the past fifteen minutes?"
"Excuse me?" She flashed him a glance of displeasure. From the beginning, those people never appeal to her, who made an unnecessary attempt to be free.
Seeing her irritated look, he chuckled and watched with his characteristic smiling eye, as she walked toward the notice board. She must be something because he, the reserved and least talkative man, himself showed a desire to speak to her.
She was a stunningly gorgeous girl with intoxicated deep eyes and long, curled lashes, rosy plumy lips shaped in a beautiful manner, and light skin tinged with scarlet. Her outfit consisted of a simple black salwar suit and a pashmina shawl of combination black, tan color wrapped in a sophisticated scarf fashion.
However, it was not her physical appeal that drew him in; rather, it might have been the way how she completely concealed herself from the world, or maybe they were drawn together by destiny, or perhaps they had a strong connection from the known place called, Alam-e-Arwah.
"Hey, Zulfi. The class is about to begin." He turned there and went after his friend's call.
....
"Sharzeena, ask them, what had happened?" While peeling an apple, Sharzeena Begum turned to face her mother, who was asking.
"Ammi Jaan, relax. How long has it been since they left? They're most likely conversing. Calling them at this moment is inappropriate." Giving her mother the apple slice she smiled and added, "Regardless, you insisted him to go, or else your sudden illness today would prevent him from leaving you. And Insha-Allah everything will be fine." Her mother smiled back on her response.
They were scheduled to visit in order to make a proposal for their son, but Sharzeena Begum's mother fainted due to an unexpected spike in her blood pressure, which led to her being admitted to the hospital right away. Aiden, who had just been delighted to go there, was unwilling to leave her beloved Nani in the hospital. Sharzeena Begum stayed with Nani Jaan along with her young daughter because her mother insisted Aiden to go there as per the plan.
Sharzeena Begum looked at her 15-year-old daughter, who was upset because she couldn't go with them, sitting on the side couch with her arms shackled together and her face swollen with anger.
"Aysh, it's no big deal, dear. We'll head to fix the date, if they accept your brother proposal, Insha'Allah."
"No Mama, it is big deal. And you will see, I'll also go alone for my proposal." She stated that without looking at her mother.
Hearing her daughter, Sharzeena Begum and her mother laugh aloud.
She glared at them with irritated side eyes when they laughed.
"You poor silly girl. Don't even know, girl don't go herself for this purpose." Nani Jaan answered, as if she were a little child with little understanding.
"Who is going and where?" Hamid Sahab asked, as he walked inside the hospital room. Following his father, he was also entering. He went up to his sister and winked at her to aggravate her even more.
"Your daughter has decided to approach a guy's father by herself alone for his hand."
Upon hearing this, Hamid Sahab, who was about to sit on the chair, froze for a second before laughing out loud. And Aiden who had been sitting next to his sister, turned his gaze in her direction and shook his head in total disappointment.
"What? What's that? She glared at her brother and inquired, shaking her head in the same irritating manner as her brother.
"And Dad, why you are laughing? As a girl can't I do this?" She was staring at her brother while she asked her father.
"No no you can but at least do include me." He said smiling at her, but it was obvious from his face that he was making fun of her.
"Ohho leave this topic. And tell me what they said." Unable to wait any longer, Nani Jann inquired inquisitively.
"They promised to update us following the conversation." Seeing her disappointed face he hurriedly added, "Oh don't worry. It just the formality, don't you know your grandson, Ammi Jaan" with a proud smile as he looked at Aiden.
After hearing that, Nani Jaan calmed down and raised both of her hands to offer a dua.
"Ohh yeah. THE FARIS GHAZI!" Ayesha rolled her eyes and scoffed.
When Aiden noticed his sister scoffing, he asked in a hushed voice near her ear, "Well we get that you'll alone ask for his hand, but what about next?"
She gave him an expression of confusion.
"I mean, Will you as bride, go to his house, or will he as groom come to yours?"
"You know what?"
"Hmm" He gave a nod of agreement, as if he was certain.
"I am not interested bit, answering you."
"Ooo, that appreciable, and PLEASE make sure it lasts for at least a month." He closed and opened his eyes as he spoke.
"Dad" She screamed and called her father because she got so irritated, as just he wanted.
"Hahahahaha" He threw his head slightly back and laughed out loud.
...
Every member of the family, including her, was there in the innermost sitting area of the mansion. Her, standing in front of everyone was meant to respond to their inquiries, which she didn't even comprehend the question.
Have you ever been in a situation where you know the answer but don't understand the question? She was in an identical situation because she knew what she wanted to say but was unsure of which response was appropriate for which question.
"Hessah Aliyan, would like to tell us, how do you get to know that boy?"
It was her Taya, asking in his rude laud tone. However, it didn't really seem like an inquiry; rather, it was more of a formality, as though they already thought I knew that person and some kind of relation to him.
She could feel eyes of every person on her. One by one, she studied everyone face Abbu, Tayi, Amirah, and Bari. Each person's reaction to her was different; some felt fear, some pity, some wrath, and some hatred, but no one had the emotion to stand by her.
She closed her eyes for some moment, and when she opened her eyes, her eyes were the eye of that person, who knows how to stand up for themselves, and the feeling was same that would be in the eyes of someone who has done nothing wrong.