She sat on the bed with her head tucked into her knees. She could hear some sounds from outside, but remained still, ignoring them. Suddenly, sensing the intoxicating scent of Kayan's cologne, she jerked her head up to see Kayan entering through the door. Seeing him in her room at this hour of the night, she was struck dumb with astonishment.
He had stopped his car outside Hooreen's house and called Haleema Begum. After a brief pause, she answered. Seeing Kayan's call at such an hour, she became worried and asked anxiously: "What happened, son...? Why are you calling at this time, is everything okay? Is Bhai Jan alright?"
Feeling a bit sheepish at her words, he replied: "Sorry, Phuppo! Apologies for calling at this hour. Everything is fine; it's just that Hooreen was upset, and I can't sleep without making up with her. I want to see her."
"Alright, I'm coming."
A smile spread across her face at his words. She glanced at the sleeping Mr. Ilyas, tiptoed out, and unlocked the door. Once Kayan was inside, she brought the keys to Hooreen's room from the kitchen, placed a hand affectionately on his head, and returned to her room. She had full faith in Kayan and his character, and complete trust in her brother's upbringing. Moreover, he was Hooreen's husband—their relationship was legitimate—so she was at peace with it.
Hooreen immediately stood up and approached him, speaking in a shocked manner: "What are you doing here...? And at this time...? And through the door like that...? How did you get in...? What if Mama and Papa see you...? Please leave...!"
"No one is looking; everyone is asleep. And I know exactly where all the keys are kept, which is why I can come and go easily, so don't worry."
He spoke while surveying her entire appearance. She was wearing a tea-pink sleeveless short shirt with a deep neckline, matching palazzo pants slit above the ankles, and her hair was loose. With her slightly puffy eyes, she looked devastatingly beautiful. Unaware that her beauty was wreaking havoc on Kayan's heart and making his emotions uncontrollable, she stood before him and questioned: "What are you doing here...?"
"I told you, I was missing you and couldn't sleep."
He spoke while looking at her with eyes full of passion. Feeling the heat of Kayan's gaze, she suddenly became conscious of her attire. She scanned the bed for her dupatta and lunged to grab it, but Kayan, following her gaze, saw the dupatta on the bed as well. Anticipating her move, he grabbed Hooreen's hand and pulled her toward him. She crashed into his chest. Locking her in his embrace, he said, "What's the point of going there now? I've already seen everything, so just stay like this."
"Kayan... don't... I'm angry with you...!"
She spoke with a pout. Kayan kissed her nose, lifted her onto the bed, and lay down beside her, pulling her into his arms. Smiling charmingly at her, he said: "I'll deal with your anger later; for now, I just need peace, which I only find in your proximity."
"You... let go of me... go away from here... I'll get even angrier!"
Kayan's words made her limbs feel weak. She spoke with a mix of panic and anger. Kayan kissed her forehead, then placed his lips on the mole below her neck and said, "No matter how angry you get, I know how to win you over. And wifey, don't worry—I will never misuse my right, nor will I take my rights without your consent. Right now, I just want to sleep peacefully, holding you within me."
Her heart raced being so close to him, yet Kayan's presence was also a source of comfort for her. She closed her eyes. After a while, Kayan's deep, heavy voice echoed: "Hoor, you were sitting here angry with me and crying because of some vile person. I cannot tolerate anyone even looking at my Hoor with a bad eye, and he actually touched you. If I had left in anger while waiting for you, or if I hadn't arrived on time...? Just the thought pierces me like a dagger and makes my blood boil. I won't spare him at any cost...!"
There was madness as well as moisture in his tone. Seeing his obsession made Hooreen feel a sense of dread, yet the moisture in his voice made her restless. She simply listened to his heartbeat, which beat only for her name, until she didn't realize when she drifted off to sleep.
When she woke up the next morning, Kayan was not in the room. She got ready and went out for breakfast. She was stunned to see Kayan sitting at the breakfast table, waiting for her. Terrified, she tried to run back. What would she say to her mother? What was Kayan doing in her room? How would she face her father? What explanation would she give? She hadn't even told her mother the true nature of her relationship with Kayan.
Seeing her turn back, Haleema Begum said: "Hooreen beta, you're up...? Come, have breakfast. Kayan came to pick you up, so I asked him to have breakfast with us."
At those words, Hooreen looked at Kayan, who was smiling at her. Seeing her look, he playfully winked at her. Hooreen glared at him, which only broadened his smile. "Yes, Mama, I'll go and call Papa."
Saying this, she left. A little later, she returned with a mischievous smile and addressed Kayan: "Papa is calling you to his room."
Seeing her smile, Kayan realized she must have done something. He stood up, took a deep breath outside the room to relax, knocked, and entered. "Yes, you called for me...?"
"Young man, it does not suit you to enter a girl's room so late at night."
He felt a bit nervous at the sarcasm because he was at fault; Hooreen was indeed his wife, but she was still at her parents' house. But he was Kayan—he wasn't one to easily admit a mistake or be shamed. Composing himself, he said, "Yes, it wouldn't suit me to enter just any girl's room, but I went into my wife's room."
"Your wife is my daughter, and I will absolutely not tolerate my daughter being troubled or hurt even slightly because of you."
"Yes, I know that. Don't worry; I will take care of her more than myself."
At his words, Mr. Ilyas suppressed a smile and spoke in a commanding tone: "I've seen that, which is why I received a complaint about you."
"Hoor! You didn't do the right thing. You will be punished for this."
Kayan thought to himself. Then he addressed Mr. Ilyas: "Yes, it won't happen again."
"That is what I expect from you. I have seen Hooreen laughing and smiling again. I have seen her returning to life. If she suffers even a little bit of grief because of you, I will not forgive you. For me, my daughter comes before everything."
He looked at Mr. Ilyas with a slight smile; he held him in very high regard. Taking his leave, he came out. By then, Hooreen was ready. Kayan saw the smile on her face, as if she were saying, "Now you see...?" Hooreen looked at Kayan, whose expression clearly told her she was in trouble. She bit her tongue and cursed herself for forgetting that he was Kayan Zarrar.
There was complete silence in the car, which was making Hooreen uneasy. In her agitation, she kept shifting in her seat. "You shouldn't have told Uncle everything. That was between us as husband and wife; I don't like you sharing our private matters with a third party. You made a mistake, and a punishment is due."
Kayan's tone was serious. Swallowing hard, she said, "If you trouble me, of course, I'll tell Papa. Besides, I can't hide anything from him."
At her words, Kayan stopped the car; they had reached the school. She opened the door to get out, but Kayan grabbed her arm and pulled her toward him. She hit his chest and tried to move back, but Kayan cupped her face in his hands and, before she could understand or do anything, he captured her lips with his own. Hooreen tried to push him away, but her small frame was no match for him. A moment later, she felt his touch on her back and waist, then his hands crossed all boundaries. Using all her strength, Hooreen pushed him back and, breathing heavily with tearful eyes, glared at him in anger.
"Now go and tell Uncle this too, since you can't hide anything."
At his deep sarcasm, she lowered her head in embarrassment and, opening the door, stomped away in anger. Behind her, she heard Kayan's loud laughter, which only fueled her rage further.
It was her and Amna's free period, but Amna was taking an extra class, so she sat alone, checking workbooks. The maid came for the sixth time to tell her that Sir Kayan was calling her to his office, but she remained stubborn and didn't budge. Finally, Kayan came himself. Seeing him arrive, she stood up. Kayan spoke in an irritated voice: "Hoor, I've been calling you for so long... why aren't you coming...?"
"I have nothing to talk to you about, and besides, I'm very busy."
She spoke with a pout in a heart-winning manner. Her style made Kayan's heart skip a beat. He went to her and took her in his arms. "But I have everything to talk to you about. And since I'm here now, there will be no preoccupation other than me."
"Let go, Kayan... this is a school... what if someone... sees us...? Please...!"
"That's why I say let me tell everyone, but you won't agree. If you did, there would be no fear of anyone while meeting your darling husband like this."
"I'm not talking to you, let me go."
She turned her face away angrily. Kayan turned her face back toward him and said: "Ooooh, so you're still angry over my little punishment from this morning...? So cute...!"
He pressed a kiss of love on her forehead. Amna, entering the room, froze at the sight. In a state of shock, she whispered Hooreen's name. "Hooreen... this...!"
Hearing Amna's voice, Hooreen pushed Kayan away. He stumbled slightly but composed himself. This act of Hooreen's once again pierced his heart. Seeing the disbelief and estrangement in Amna's eyes, Hooreen was devastated. "Amna... it's... not like... that...!"
She rushed toward Amna, but Amna ignored her and walked away. Hooreen, looking at Kayan with grief and anger, followed her. That look of hers pierced Kayan's heart like a dagger. Once again, he made the decision he didn't want to make—the decision to go away from Hooreen.
Hooreen was calling out to Amna, but she wasn't listening. Forced, she grabbed her and brought her into Kayan's office, as there was no safer place to tell her everything. "Amna, please listen to me."
She grabbed her hand, but Amna jerked it away and said: "Why should I listen to you...? I've seen everything with my own eyes. You, with a married man...? In his arms...? How, Hooreen...? How...? How could you do this...?"
"Amna, it's not what you think..." She was on the verge of tears. "Then what is it, Hooreen? Tell me."
When she remained silent, Amna spoke again: "You don't have an answer, do you...? When others said things before, I didn't believe them, but what I saw today confirmed that everyone was right. How could you fall so low? How could you have a wrong relationship with someone else's husband? The Hoor I knew wasn't like this. The person standing before me is a vile, opportunistic, characterless, and greedy person who forgot the difference between right and wrong for money and power, and in the arms of a stranger...!"
Hooreen didn't have the strength to listen anymore. Placing her hands over her ears, she screamed: "I didn't do anything wrong...! He is my... husband...! Our relationship is legitimate...! I am his wife...! I am not vile or characterless...! I haven't done anything...!"
This revelation snatched the ground from under Amna's feet. She lost the strength to stand and sat on the sofa, looking at Hooreen in disbelief. Hooreen sat beside her and told her everything. As Amna listened, her face changed colors. One by one, all the scenes played before her eyes like a movie, and all the knots were untied. Hooreen telling her to go back to Lahore alone, her falling ill after returning, fainting upon seeing Kayan again, Kayan's immense care for her—it all made sense.
She felt deep shame for her words and apologized to Hooreen, who forgave her.