Assalamualaikum,
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Insta I'd - @1aromaaura
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Author's pov,
As the first light of dawn pierced the horizon, the city stirred from its slumber. The sky transformed into a kaleidoscope of hues, heralding the arrival of a new morning.
The air vibrated with an electric sense of possibility, as if the very fabric of fate was about to unravel. The silence was palpable, like the held breath before a storm. This morning brought an ominous sense of transformation. Today, the threads of destiny would snap, propelling each life onto a drastic new path. Unexpected twists would upend routines, shatter illusions, and reveal hidden truths. This is the beginning of a day that would leave no one unscathed.
Afshan woke up from her sleep yawning, her eyes droopy and mind hazy. She lazily sat up on the bed, remembering that it is a weekend today.
After collecting all the fragments of yesterday's memory she went for freshening up, in meantime she heard her mother's voice ' Afshan, breakfast is ready come quickly ' replying with an ok she emerged out from the room still in haze.
Soon she joined her family at the table and started having her breakfast silently, confusing all of them. Abdullah glanced at ayesha for any reason, she whispered to him ' let her be she must be tired of all the work ' he nodded at her and they resumed having meal. Following breakfast, she returned to her room with dreadful thoughts crawling under her skin.
An uneasy feeling settling in her soul slowly, her mind wandered around many possibilities making her frown. She is continuously playing with her fingers deep in thoughts.
♠︎♠︎♠︎♠︎♠︎
In Amaan Mansion.....
Anas woke up before his usual time feeling a strange void in his chest confusing him, he quickly called mr.khan to make sure Afshan is safe, after listening her well being he felt relief washed over him still with unsettled feelings and went to perform his morning routine and offer prayer.
After ages he is feeling different and unusual, his heart is pounding inside the cartilage without any prior warning, shrugging off the uneasy feelings he indulged himself in heavy workout trying to prevent the odd thoughts.
In a dimly lit room Aftab slowly opened his eyes, the dim morning light casting a soft glow over his disheveled state. Half of his body was sprawled on the floor, while the other half clung to the edge of the bed.
With a heavy sigh, he pulled himself up, his muscles aching from the uncomfortable position. Staggering towards the mirror, he stared at his reflection—a man broken, with red, swollen eyes that told the tale of a night spent in tears.
Tear stains marred his cheeks, and the pain of the decision he made last night surged back with renewed intensity. His heart clenched as fresh tears welled up in his eyes, threatening to spill over.
But the sight of the clock reminded him of the world that still moved on, and with a deep breath, he wiped his face with the back of his hand and dragged himself to the bathroom, hoping the cold water could wash away at least a fraction of his sorrow.
Next to his door, Sam stirred awake, her eyelids fluttering open as a groan of discomfort escaped her lips. Her body felt stiff, frozen from spending the entire night on the hard floor.
Each movement was met with a sharp sting, her muscles protesting as she tried to straighten up. She pushed herself up slowly, her bones creaking in protest. Her eyes, swollen from endless crying, still held the weight of the emotions she had drowned in the night before.
Tear tracks were etched on her flushed cheeks, her hair tangled and disheveled around her face. She moved to the bathroom, her reflection in the mirror a sad testament to her inner turmoil.
Her hands trembled as she splashed cold water on her face, scrubbing at the remnants of her distress, she hastily freshened up and applied a light layer of makeup to conceal the signs of her breakdown. It was a mask she needed to wear—for herself, and for others.
Here Farhan jolted awake, his breath coming in sharp, ragged gasps. His heart pounded as the remnants of a nightmare clung to his mind—visions of things he never dared imagine, shadows of betrayal and fear swirling in his thoughts.
Panic gripped him as the realization hit what he had learned could change everything. His mind kept replaying everything he had overheard, the whispered words echoing relentlessly, refusing to let him forget. He couldn’t believe they would go that far ' I have to find Anas ' he muttered under his breath, his voice trembling with urgency. ' I have to warn him before it’s too late '
He quickly went to perform morning routine and after that throwing on his clothes in a rushed frenzy, he bolted out of the room, determined to deliver the truth before disaster struck.
It was nearing 8 a.m. when Anas emerged from his workout, the early morning air cool against his skin.
He was heading back when he saw Farhan rushing towards him, his face flushed with relief ' Thank God I found you ' Farhan gasped, slightly out of breath ' I’ve been looking for you for the past half hour, but you were nowhere to be seen '
Anas raised an eyebrow at his friend’s frantic state, curiosity piqued. Farhan opened his mouth to speak, but before he could share the urgent news, the call for breakfast rang out through the hallway.
With a heavy heart and a sense of reluctance, Farhan followed Anas to the dining area, knowing that the weight of what he had to say would have to wait just a little longer.
At the breakfast table, the atmosphere was thick with an uncomfortable silence as everyone quietly focused on their meal.
Farhan, however, couldn’t bring himself to eat. His eyes moved from one person to the next, each glance deepening the pit in his stomach. The weight of what he knew pressed heavily on his mind, and the sight of them all gathered there made him lose his appetite entirely.
Pushing his plate away, he stood up abruptly, his movements tense. He caught Anas’s eye who frowned at him noticing the sudden change in his behavior but what deepened his frown was farhan signalling to meet him as soon as he finished eating.
Without waiting for a response, Farhan turned and walked out, the anxiety gnawing at him as he left the room.
Anas's gaze lingered on the empty space where Farhan had stood, his mind racing with unanswered questions. "What suddenly changed?" he wondered, his thoughts consumed by the abrupt departure.
Ruhi's gentle voice broke the silence. ' What happened to Farhan? He left his food unfinished '
Anas's eyes snapped back into focus. He fabricated a quick excuse, trying to sound convincing. " He wasn't feeling well since morning. Let him rest for now ."
Ruhi nodded sympathetically, and they continued eating in awkward silence. Anas hastily finished his breakfast, citing an urgent work commitment as an excuse to retreat to his room.
He messaged Farhan to come to his room, and after a few minutes, a knock sounded on the door, announcing his arrival.
As soon as Anas permitted him to enter, Farhan quickly stepped inside, locking the door behind him. Anas stared at Farhan, who was breathing heavily. Raising an eyebrow, he asked, " What happened, Farhan "
Hearing this, Farhan quickly replied, ' Nothing, I'm fine. It's just that I ran all the way here '
Rolling his eyes, Anas responded, " That's what I'm asking, Why did you come running here, and what do you want to tell me so urgently "
Farhan opened his mouth to speak when Anas cut him off, " Sit down first, then talk " Nodding, Farhan took a seat near Anas and began describing the entire incident from the previous day.
Anas questions with neutral countenance " so, you mean they are backstabbing me " farhan frantically spoke up ' i don't know I'm unaware of their next step ' Listening to him, Anas chuckled and said,
" Thanks for the concern, Farhan, but I bet you're mistaken. Mom and Aftab bhai would never betray me. I agree they're planning something, but they would never hurt me. They’ve supported me at every step; how could they push me down now? And as for Sam, I'm like a father figure to her. She wouldn’t think of something like that, not even in her wildest dreams."
Farhan, looking defeated, implored, ' Do you think I'm mad? Or that I've lost my mind? I've been going crazy since I overheard everything, and here you are, denying it. I consider them family too, but—' Anas cut him off again,
" There’s no space for 'buts.' A true person never suspects their family, no matter what. At least not until they have proof of their wrongdoing."
Realizing Anas wouldn’t believe him, Farhan calmly tried to explain, ' I understand, Anas, and I'm ready to apologize if I'm wrong, but can you at least look into it? Just once '
Anas stared at him, realizing that Farhan wouldn’t back off until the truth was uncovered. With a curt nod, Anas replied, causing Farhan to exhale in relief. ' I know it’s hard to believe, and I’m confused too, but I’m worried about you. Just find out the truth ' Anas nodded silently.
After their conversation Anas walked down the corridor, lost in thought, Mr. Khan suddenly emerged from a corner, startling him. Anas's eyes narrowed.
" What's this behavior, Mr. Khan " he asked, his tone laced with displeasure. " What brings you here? "
Mr. Khan bowed respectfully, his eyes darting around the corridor before focusing on Anas ' May I have a word, sir? In private '
Anas scanned their surroundings, ensuring they were alone. " Speak, " he ordered curtly.
Mr. Khan hesitated, fidgeting with his hands before taking a deep breath ' Boss, the man is in the basement, as per your orders and Your suspicions were correct '
Anas's expression transformed, his eyes turning icy blue with anger. His jaw clenched, bluish- green veins bulging out on his neck and forehead like pulsing rivers. Fists tightened, his knuckles turned bluish-green, as if the very thought was suffocating him.
Mr. Khan took a fearful step back, tripping over the carpet. His eyes widened, alarmed by Anas's intensity.
" Anything else? " Anas growled, his voice low and menacing.
Mr. Khan shook his head hastily, desperate to escape. ' Nothing, boss. What should we do with the man '
Anas's anger simmered, his words dripping with venom. " Treat him with cordiality. I'll personally inquire about our... administration."
Mr. Khan nodded hastily, beating a swift retreat. ' Ok, boss '
As he disappeared around the corner, Anas's gaze lingered, his mind racing with dark intentions.
Unable to contain his raging fury, Anas burst out of the mansion, slamming the door behind him. He jumped into his Range Rover, peeling out of the driveway with screeching tires. The vehicle devoured the distance, speeding down the winding roads as Anas's anger intensified.
His fists clenched the steering wheel like a vice, knuckles white with tension. Every time the truth crossed his mind, his eyes darkened, the irises deepening to an almost black hue. His jaw clenched, the muscles in his face twitching with unrestrained emotion.
Driving on autopilot, Anas navigated the roads without conscious thought, his subconscious guiding the vehicle through twists and turns. The speedometer needle quivered at the highest mark, the wind whipping his hair into a frenzy.
The world blurred around him – buildings, trees, and people reduced to a colorful smear. His vision narrowed to a singular focus: escape. Escape the betrayal, the lies, and the agony that threatened to consume him.
As he sped further away from the mansion, the silence in the car grew thicker, heavy with unspoken words and unresolved emotions. Anas's anger-fueled drive had become a reckless flight from reality, with no clear destination in sight.
After driving for about two hours he reached at the outskirts of the city and finally stopped the car stepping out under the glowing sun, it is midmorning and the sun is shining bright in the sky, sweat drops trickled down his face like diamond pearls, he went and sat on a near by stone thinking deeply, the truth by mr.khan and farhan's words from earlier stucked in his mind, making him to pull out his hairs in frustration.
He dropped his head into his hands, trying to think, trying to make sense of it all. Farhan had come to him with such urgency, his voice tinged with panic, recounting every word he’d overheard. Anas had trusted him, listened to every detail, but now… now he wasn’t sure what to do with it.
Farhan wouldn’t betray him, but what if he had misunderstood the conversation? Could there be more to this than what Farhan had overheard?
Then there was Mr. Khan’s truth. His blunt revelations had left Anas reeling. He had laid out facts, but the more Anas thought about it the more, his mind blurred. His loyalty to his family clashed violently with his trust in Farhan, leaving him stranded between the two.
His heart pounded in his chest as the confusion thickened, his thoughts tangling together. If Farhan was right, then everything Anas had believed about his family was a lie. But if his family wasn’t involved in anything sinister, what had Farhan really heard?
His hands clenched into fists, frustration boiling over. The puzzle pieces didn’t fit, and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t make sense of it.
Anas felt the tension rise in his chest until he couldn’t hold it in anymore. A sharp scream tore from his throat as he dug his fingers into his hair and pulled, hoping to release some of the pressure building inside him.
But the confusion only grew.
--◆◆◆◆◆--
On the other side of the city, Ibrahim’s family was buzzing with excitement as they prepared to go and formally ask for Afshan’s hand in marriage.
Before heading to Afshan’s house, Ibrahim’s family was a flurry of activity, each member preparing for the important visit. Firdous, Ibrahim’s mother, was busy overseeing the final touches, ensuring that everything was perfect. She walked around, making sure the gifts they had selected were neatly wrapped and arranged in elegant boxes.
' Make sure the flowers don’t wilt in the heat ' Firdous reminded, carefully placing a bouquet of fresh roses next to a beautifully wrapped gift box. The box contained a delicate silk shawl and a set of traditional jewelry, chosen with great care for Afshan. ' Everything must be perfect ' she said, her excitement evident.
Sania, Ibrahim’s sister, was equally enthusiastic. ' These gifts are lovely, Ammi. I’m sure Afshan will love them ' she said, adjusting the ribbon on one of the boxes.
Nazia, the sister-in-law, looked at them from a distant mumbling ' no respect for relations, they are more poisonous than a scorpion, what a double faced people, only knows how to flaunt in everything, hope Afshan won't get trapped in their sweet web, now it's time to pretend nazia let's go ' saying she brought in a tray of traditional sweets saying ' I’ve packed some homemade mithai for Afshan’s family ' she forcedly passed a sweet smile, setting it down next to the gifts. ' It’s a small token of love from us ' firdous nodded at her while still busy.
Meanwhile, Ibrahim was upstairs, putting on his best suit. He looked at himself in the mirror, his heart racing with anticipation.
' Is everything ready ' he called out, descending the stairs as he glanced at his family busy preparing.
' Yes, everything is set ' his father replied, adjusting his watch as he prepared to lead the family ' Let’s not be late ' he said again, checking his phone for the time.
' It’s almost time to leave ' meanwhile firdous ' Allah my son looks like a prince charming ' she started praising her youngest son making nazia gag internally.
Ibrahim smiled at her and zubair, his father, called out to everyone ' it's time everyone get to the cars ' nodding at him everyone started exiting the house.
As they stepped outside, Ibrahim’s heart swelled at the thought of finally making his intentions official. He couldn't wait to see Afshan, knowing this day would bring them one step closer to their future together.
With final preparations complete and gifts carefully placed in the cars, the family took their seats in the vehicle, beaming with happiness.
They departed in their cars, making the journey to Afshan’s home. The drive took about an hour, but it felt much shorter with the anticipation filling the air and they finally arrived.
All of them stepped out of the cars, the two servants behind them carrying the neatly wrapped gifts and trays of sweets. Ibrahim adjusted his suit and glanced over at his mother, feeling a wave of nervousness wash over him.
Firdous noticed the slight tension in his face and smiled warmly. She placed a reassuring hand on his arm. ' Don’t worry, beta ' she said, her eyes sparkling with pride ' No girl can reject my handsome boy '
Ibrahim chuckled softly, nodding at his mother’s words. He took a deep breath, gathering his composure, and glanced toward his family, who stood by him with smiles of encouragement.
Firdous, confident and poised, stepped forward and rang the doorbell. The sound echoed slightly, and Ibrahim’s heart skipped a beat as they waited for the door to open, each second feeling like a lifetime. This was the moment everything would change.
As it was Sunday, Abdullah was at home, along with Faizan, who sat in the living room. Ayesha, busy in the kitchen, was preparing something when the doorbell rang. Wiping her hands on her apron, she hurried to the door. As she opened it, her eyes met with Firdous and for a moment, she looked confused. But when she saw the rest of her family standing behind her, realization hit her and she hesitated.
' Please, come in ' Ayesha said, her voice slightly strained but polite, as she reluctantly invited them inside.
Abdullah soon appeared, walking over to greet them. ' Assalamualaikum ' he said, smiling warmly. He shook hands with Ibrahim’s father and exchanged pleasantries with the rest of the family. The atmosphere was cordial but filled with underlying tension as they all settled, ladies in the living area and gents in the visitors area.
Ibrahim sat at the end of visitors area glancing out of it, while smiling and exchanging polite conversation, subtly looked around the house, searching for a sign of Afshan. His heart raced with excitement, imagining her reaction.
Upstairs, Afshan sat in her room, still lost in thought. She was confused, wondering about the sudden unease she felt. Hearing the voices and commotion from downstairs, she frowned, trying to understand what was happening.
" Who could have come? " she muttered to herself, rising from her bed. She instinctively grabbed her dupatta, covering her head, and decided to see what the commotion was about. As she descended the stairs, her steps slowed when she noticed the unfamiliar voices growing louder.
Her heart skipped a beat the moment she reached the bottom of the stairs and saw who was sitting in her living room.
Her eyes widened in shock, her breath catching in her throat. Sitting there, with a charming smile, was Ibrahim—the very man she had grown to despise. Her biggest nightmare was unfolding before her eyes, and disgust welled up inside her.
Their eyes met briefly, and she immediately averted her gaze, unable to look at him for more than a second. She quickly looked toward her mother, her expression filled with panic. Ayesha, noticing her daughter's distress, gave her a subtle but firm signal to stay silent.
Afshan clenched her jaw, trying to contain her emotions, as she stood frozen in place, unsure of what to do next.
Ayesha, noticing her hesitation, shot Afshan a discreet but firm signal to go greet their guests. It would be a sign of disrespect to remain standing there.
Taking a deep breath, Afshan reluctantly stepped forward into the living room, her heart racing " Assalamualaikum " she greeted, forcing a smile despite the turmoil inside her.
' Walaikumsalam, dear ' Firdous responded warmly, her eyes lighting up as she took in Afshan’s beauty.
Ayesha, maintaining her composure, straightened up from where she sat, her tone respectful as she said, ' I’ll bring tea for everyone ' It was a common gesture, but the weight of the situation made every action feel deliberate.
Before Ayesha could even take a step toward the kitchen, Firdous quickly interjected, her voice filled with excitement. ' No, no, Ayesha ' she said with a wave of her hand. ' We’re not here for tea. We’re here to ask for your daughter’s hand in marriage for our Ibrahim '
The room went still as the meaning of her words settled over everyone. Ayesha, who had been expecting this moment with dread, glanced toward Afshan. Her daughter’s face was a picture of restrained frustration, her eyes narrowing in barely concealed disdain.
Without thinking, Ayesha muttered quietly, just loud enough for Afshan to hear, ' I already knew it, but I’m not a fool. Instead of marrying my daughter to your son, I’d rather throw her in a well '
Afshan bit down hard on her lower lip, trying to suppress the laugh bubbling up inside her at her mother’s unfiltered words.
It wasn’t the response she expected, but it was a reflection of the emotions swirling in the room—the tension, the disgust, the shared understanding between mother and daughter.
The air grew heavy with awkward silence. Everyone else in the room sensed the discomfort, but no one dared to speak. Abdullah, sitting next to living area, took a deep breath.
He understood the gravity of the situation and, knowing his wife’s sharp tongue, chose not to react immediately. Instead, he kept his calm, determined to handle the proposal with as much diplomacy as possible.
Glancing at Afshan firdous suddenly spoke trying to lighten the atmosphere ' What a lovely girl you are! You may not be rich, but you’re perfect for my son, I just know you will glow beside my son '
Afshan felt a wave of disgust wash over her at Firdous's words, and she quickly averted her gaze, looking instead at her own family who are glaring at firdous for her choice of words. Sania joined her side, saying, ' Yes, you are beautiful, Afshan se—'
At her words, Afshan quickly retorted, “ Afshan dii, I’m older than you ”
Sania, with a tint of annoyance, replied ' What’s kept in the title '
Afshan, with a tight-lipped smile, answered back, “ It’s basic manners that come first, so show some respect.”
Sania fell silent, while Nazia smiled at Afshan’s reply and glanced at Sania, who was glaring at Afshan with a scornful expression.
Meanwhile, Ibrahim’s gaze was fixed on her every move behind the curtain, his attention intense and unnerving. Afshan could feel his eyes on her, making her skin crawl.
It took all her strength to avoid punching him directly in the face; instead, she focused on the awkward conversation swirling around her.
Firdous, ignoring Afshan's remark, praised Ibrahim ' My Ibrahim is the best in all ' The words hung in the air, making Afshan’s stomach churn.
Beside her, Faizan couldn’t help but mimic Firdous’s enthusiastic tone
' My son is the best in all! She will glow beside my son! Just look at him! My son is Prince Charming! Blah blah blah, Huh, today I wish my sister would have a real glow of sun on her, and I would have told her to burn him. I don’t know how he looks like Prince Charming; to me, he looks like a desperate beggar '
Abdullah, sitting nearby, shot Faizan a glare, trying to stifle his laughter at hearing his ridiculous words about the man sitting just a few feet away from him.
Afshan’s heart raced as she stood there, feeling trapped in this awkward gathering, torn between her family's expectations and the reality of what was unfolding before her.
' We appreciate your visit ' After what felt like an eternity Abdullah finally said, his voice measured and careful, trying to smooth over the uncomfortable silence. ' But... '
He trailed off, knowing that rejecting the proposal outright could offend their guests. He glanced at Afshan, who was still glaring at the floor, her hands clenched in frustration.
He was determined to find the most polite way to turn down the offer without creating unnecessary conflict, knowing his daughter already made it clear from the start.
Ibrahim sat silently, frowning as his mind worked through the conversation. His eyes were fixed in thought, but he said nothing. Zubair, noticing Abdullah’s actions and the way his expression shifted, leaned in and asked, ' But what’s the issue, bhai sahab? '
Abdullah looked up, his face firm, not hesitating for a moment. ' She’s still studying ' he said confidently, his tone leaving no room for doubt or hesitation.
From the women’s section, Firdous’s voice rang out sharply ' And what’s the problem with that? She can continue her studies after marriage, no issue at all. '
Ayesha, hearing this, turned her head slightly towards Firdous. Her eyes narrowed, but her voice was composed and unwavering.
' Firdous, we are not ready to marry her off at this time. Also she doesn't want to get married ' saying ayesha looked at Afshan who nodded her head in confirmation she again continued ' see and She’s still young, and there’s a significant age gap between them '
Firdous stood up abruptly, her face filled with indignation ' So what if there’s an age gap ' she shot back angrily. ' My Ibrahim isn’t that old! He’s educated, well-off—what else could you possibly want '
Ayesha, unfazed by Firdous’s anger, leaned forward slightly, her voice firm and steady. ' We want a family with respect and manners, that’s something your family clearly lacks. Don’t push me further, or you won’t like what I have to say.'
Firdous’s face reddened with fury as she glared back. ' What did you just say? How dare you? ' Ayesha didn’t flinch ' what you just heard. ' she retorted back.
The tension in the air grew thick as everyone, felt the rising heat of the argument. Even Ibrahim, who had been quietly frowning and lost in thought, now seemed to be taking in the weight of the exchange.
Sensing the intensifying conflict, Afshan decided to step in. With a sweet smile, she addressed her mother. “ Mumma, why are you getting so upset? Ibrahim bhaiya ( brother ) isn’t that old.”
At the sound of “ bhaiya, ” Ibrahim’s head snapped up, and he stood abruptly, his face a mixture of shock and confusion. ' what, what the hell did you just call me ' he demanded.
Abdullah glared at him in anger for using incoherent words with his daughter but nonetheless stayed quiet not to push the matter further.
Afshan turned to him with the same sweet smile, completely unbothered. “ Bhaiya. Brother. When I first saw you, I liked you so much that I decided you’d be my brother. Didn’t I make the right decision? '
Her words hung in the air, lightening the mood slightly, but the tension between the families still simmered just beneath the surface.
Ibrahim's frown deepened into an expression of rage as he abruptly stood, heading toward the living area to confront Afshan. His footsteps were heavy with anger, but before he could storm into the women’s section.
Abdullah shot up from his seat and blocked his path, pushing him back forcefully. His voice roared through the room, ' Do not cross your limits! She’s not interested in you! It’s clear as day now—forget my daughter! '
Ibrahim’s jaw clenched tightly at Abdullah’s words. His eyes narrowed, burning with fury as he took a menacing step forward, ready to challenge Abdullah. But before things could escalate further, Zubair quickly stepped in, positioning himself between the two men, his hand pressed against Ibrahim’s chest to hold him back.
Zubair’s voice, calm yet authoritative, cut through the tension. ' We should leave now, bhai sahab. But consider this alliance once more. Your daughter will be well taken care of after marriage. '
Abdullah’s face twisted in disgust, and he growled at Zubair. ' I know where my daughter will be happy—and your son is not one of them! '
On the other side, Firdous’s face was flushed with hatred as she glared across the room at Ayesha. Her voice dripped with venom as she spat out, ' You humiliated me, Ayesha ' Her sharp gaze then shifted to Afshan, her finger pointed accusingly.
' And you—just a cheap, middle-class girl with no standards! No sane man would ever love you! You were lucky my son even considered you, but stupid girl, you’ve lost that chance! You don’t deserve anything good, and—'
A loud, resounding slap cut through the room, echoing off the walls and leaving everyone stunned. Silence fell instantly, and all eyes turned toward Ayesha, who stood with her chest heaving, her hand still raised. Her eyes burned with fury.
' I warned you to control your tongue, Firdous, ' Ayesha said, her voice thick with rage. ' But you didn’t listen. So, let me make it clear—never insult my children. What they deserve, they will receive, and Allah knows best. You don’t need to meddle in their fate—got it '
Firdous, still reeling from the slap, stared at Ayesha in disbelief. Ayesha’s voice grew even sharper. ' And how dare you call my daughter cheap! '
Afshan, standing in shock, could barely process what had just happened. She had never seen this side of her mother before. To her, Ayesha had always been gentle, kind, and patient. But in that moment, she was fierce and commanding—a force to be reckoned with.
Abdullah let out a weary sigh at his wife’s anger. He gave Zubair a sharp look and motioned for them to leave. As they turned to exit the house, a voice cut through the tension, stopping them in their tracks.
“ Stop! ” Afshan’s voice rang out, strong and unwavering.
Firdous, her face partially covered with cloth, turned around with an icy sneer. ' What now? Have you changed your mind? But let me tell you something, girl—I won’t let you marry my son now, even if you beg. '
Ayesha opened her mouth, about to snap back, but Afshan beat her to it. She stepped forward, her expression calm but dripping with sarcasm as she said,
“ Oh, so now I don’t have a chance to marry your son, hmm? Wow, I’m heartbroken.” Her voice oozed mockery as she continued, “ Do you honestly think I stopped you just so I could marry your son? Ewww, that’s disgusting.”
Afshan’s words left Firdous frozen in place, stunned by the boldness in her tone. Afshan’s gaze swept over the family before she continued, “ No, the reason I stopped you was so you could take back all your not-so-precious pleasantries. I’m not interested in keeping any of them after you leave.”
Her eyes narrowed with finality as she added, “ And one more thing—I don’t want a so-called sane man to love me or marry me, So keep your delusions to yourself. ”
Firdous’s mouth fell open, unable to muster a response as the room descended into a tense, awkward silence. Everyone, from Ibrahim to Zubair, stood still, processing the bold confrontation that had just unfolded.
Soon after they collected their pleasantries and left, feeling utterly humiliated, Afshan and her family heaved a collective sigh of relief.
As the door clicked shut behind them, the tension dissipated, and they exchanged glances. Laughter soon bubbled up, filling the room with lightheartedness.
Afshan's eyes gleaming with mischief, was the first to speak. " Ohhh, I never knew mumma could be so fierce! " she teased, the playful tone evident in her voice. Ayesha chuckled at her daughter’s words, while Faizan, eagerly joined in the teasing.
Abdullah, still smiling from the whole ordeal, looked at them all and finally spoke up. ‘ So, you all thought your mother was just sweet and innocent, huh? Afshan, you’ve clearly inherited her temper! ’ he said with a grin.
Ayesha raised an eyebrow in mock surprise, her lips twitching into a smile. ‘ Oh really, mister? I think you’ve conveniently forgotten your own younger days. You used to jump on anyone who dared offend you! ’
Abdullah, feigning innocence, waved his hand dismissively. ‘ That was about my self-respect! Why would I let anyone tarnish it ’
Ayesha rolled her eyes dramatically, but her smile betrayed her amusement. ‘ Yeah, yeah, whatever you say ’ Their playful banter continued, the warmth of their familial bond evident as they all laughed, enjoying the sweet moments together.
As the evening wore on, the family sat close, relishing the rare, easy camaraderie. Yet, beneath Afshan’s laughter, something else lingered. Firdous’s biting words, though buried under the light-hearted atmosphere, had planted a seed in her mind.
' You’re not rich. You’re cheap. No sane man will ever love you. '
' You’re not rich. You’re cheap. No sane man will ever love you. '
The words echoed in her head like a haunting melody. No matter how much she tried to shake them off, they clung to her thoughts like stubborn shadows.
Afshan found herself replaying the scene in her mind, Firdous’s venomous tone etched into her memory as if copied and pasted onto her heart.
She forced herself to laugh with her family, but inside, the words began to take root, digging into her insecurities.
The thought of being seen as unworthy, as “cheap,” gnawed at her. She tried shrugging it off—It’s just Firdous’s nonsense, she told herself—but it didn’t quite work.
Her smile faded slightly as the evening wore on, but no one seemed to notice. The words had left a mark, one she wasn’t sure how to erase.
--◆◆◆◆◆--
So how was the chapter!!!
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AUTHOR AURA ❣️