They insulted us and kicked us out of their house. Look, son, we went to them only for your sake... we tried our absolute best. We did everything within our power, but we can't do anything more now. You must forget her. I cannot bear any more insults to my dignity."
(Umar's Father was trying to reason with him.)
"But Dad, it's not that easy for me. I can't live without her," Umar said.
"I have already told you, Umar—I did what I could for you. I can't do anything more now," he replied gently.
Umar's eyes were glistening with tears.
It was Friday, and Mawra's wedding was set for Sunday. She couldn't understand what to do; she didn't want to marry Dawar under any circumstances. Late at night, she secretly took a mobile phone and brought it to her room.
"Umar, we have to do something. These people will force me to marry him. and I will die. Please, Umar, do something! You said you would stand by me no matter what," Mawra said to Umar over the phone.
"Yes, Mawra, I remember my promise very well. I will never leave you alone," Umar replied.
"Then what will we do now? There's only one day left. I've thought about everything and I can't find any other way..."
"Mawra, I say we run away from home. Let's go to another city. We'll get married once we get there," Umar suggested.
"Have you gone mad? How can I do this to my parents? I've never even thought of such a thing in my life," Mawra cried.
"Look, Mawra, we don't have any other choice right now. I've thought about it a lot, and this seems like the only option left," Umar answered. "We'll get married there, and when your parents' anger cools down, we will come back."
"No, Umar, this doesn't feel right to me. I can't do this to them; they are my parents," Mawra said innocently.
"Yes, Mawra—and those same parents are forcibly marrying you off to someone else. You either have to marry him, or come with me to another city. Now, the decision is yours," Umar said urgently.
Mawra remained silent for a while. She was lost in thought again, wondering what to do. She kept thinking: could she really do this to her parents?
After a brief silence, her voice came: "Okay... fine. I will go with you."
"Alright then. We will leave for Parangeer tomorrow," Umar said.
"But Umar, how will I get out of the house? No one will let me step outside."
"Mawra, somehow you have to find the courage to sneak out away from everyone. Just manage to get to the bus stop. I'll meet you there, and from there, we'll head to Parangeer.
A friend of mine lives there; I've already spoken to him, and he'll give us a house on rent for a few months," Umar explained.
"Okay, I'll tell you tomorrow when I'm leaving the house. Just stay near the bus stop."
"Alright," Umar said, and disconnected the call.
Early the next morning, Mawra emptied her college bag and packed a few clothes inside. She then waited for the perfect opportunity—waiting for everyone to get busy with their work so she could slip away from the house and head to the bus stop.
During the day, seeing that her mother was asleep and her brother and father were out for work, Mawra called Umar. "Reach the bus stop right now," she told him. "I am leaving the house."
Mawra stepped out quietly and walked quickly toward the bus stop, which was only five minutes away.
When she arrived, Umar was already there waiting for her. Mawra took Umar's hand and asked, "Umar, am I doing the right thing?"
Reassuring her, Umar replied, "Yes, Mawra, you are doing the right thing. Besides, we will come back eventually." After this, they both boarded the bus.
After a six-hour journey, they reached the Parangeer bus stop.
Mawra had nothing with her except her mother's phone, some clothes, and many memories of her parents.
Upon getting off the bus, they were met by Umar's friend, who was already waiting for them.
He took them to his home and said, "Stay at my place tonight; tomorrow, I will show you your own house."
After staying the night, they shifted into a rented house the very next day. The house contained a bit of furniture and some basic necessities.
Mawra felt a sense of sadness; deep down, she was beginning to doubt whether her decision was truly right.
After a while when Mawra's family realized she was missing, a storm erupted in their home.
They first went to all of Mawra's friends' houses, but she was nowhere to be found. Her mother was in a state of despair, weeping uncontrollably.
Mawra's father and brother searched everywhere, but there was no sign of her.
Finally, Ali and Mawra's father went to Umar's house.
There, they learned that Umar himself was not home; they were told he had gone to a friend's place for a few days regarding some work.
Mawra's family eventually reported her disappearance to the police.
Distress hung over everyone. Two days passed without any news.
Finally, a man from the village informed Mawra's father that he had seen her at the bus stop with a boy two days prior.
Hearing this, their suspicion turned into certainty. Now, they just had to find out where the two had gone.
Meanwhile, Mawra was happy with Umar. They planned to get married within a week. Both felt satisfied to have finally found each other.
As time passed, Mawra began to forget the weight of her decision.
She was moving forward with her life.
She believed that once she married Umar and waited for her parents' anger to cool down, she would eventually return to her village.
However, back home, Dawar had called off the engagement in anger after Mawra left.
The police continued to search nearby cities, but Mawra was nowhere to be found.
There were only three days left until Umar and Mawra's wedding.
Mawra, I have to go out for a while regarding some court papers," Umar said.
"Alright Umar, you may go," Mawra replied.
"But at least have something to eat before you leave."
"No Mawra, I'm not hungry right now. I'll eat once I'm back," Umar said.
"Okay then, fine," Mawra answered.
Umar left for his work, and Mawra got busy with the household chores. Eventually, Mawra felt hungry and went to the kitchen. She was in the middle of preparing food for herself when the doorbell rang.
Mawra went to answer it. Upon opening the door, she stood there, frozen to the spot.
Standing at the door were her brother Ali, her father, and the police.
Ali stepped forward and delivered a hard slap across Mawra's face.
"Is this how we raised you? Is this the reward you give us?" Ali shouted in a rage.
Her father stepped in and told Ali, "Stop it.
Don't create a scene here; we will talk once we get home."
They dragged Mawra away by force. Along with her, they took the bag and mobile phone she had with her. Throughout the journey, Mawra did nothing but cry, while her brother continued to insult her.
The moment they entered the house, her father also rained blows upon her. Her mother rushed over to save Mawra.
"Enough! Are you going to kill her now?" her mother cried out.
"Her actions are such that she deserves to be killed! She has left us unable to show our faces to anyone," Ali retorted.
"She left Dawar and ran away with the son of the man who has been our enemy for years. I feel like killing her right here."
Her mother took Mawra toward her room. The entire house fell silent. A heavy, absolute silence. Everyone sat in their rooms, hushed and still.
Did I really make such a huge mistake?" Mawra asked her mother.
"If there was an enmity, it was yours. What is our fault in all of this? What did we do wrong?
His parents came with so much respect, yet Dad treated them so poorly. Why... just why?"
"Look, Mawra," her mother replied, "if you had asked to marry someone else, perhaps your father would have eventually agreed."
"But the resentment towards Umar's parents has lasted for years; it is something that will never leave your father's heart," her mother continued.
"And now, this choice you made to run away—it has only made him more furious."
"Mom, what was I supposed to do? I couldn't marry Dawar," Mawra said desperately.
"Just go to sleep now, because there are many more trials coming your way in life," her mother answered.
"Look Mawra, you chose this path yourself. Now, whatever happens next, you alone will be responsible for it."
Mawra just sat there, lost and silent.
She was drowning in her own thoughts, thinking only one thing: that she was being punished for a crime she never committed.