•••••••••
1 year later
Here In Zayd's penthouse ,overlooking the vast Dubai skyline, the city lights twinkling like stars. Late at night, Zayd sits alone, surrounded by empty glasses, traces of his relentless search for something that numbs her thoughts but nothing works.
His usually well-organized office space is a mess of scattered files and photographs of Noor, each one a reminder of what he's trying to forget but can't.Zayd, who is feared by many,was now feeling the weight of his own helplessness.
The quiet man with unshakable resolve now finds himself sinking into a desperation he's never known before.
He tried to forget her and initially he did contolled his thoughts but as months pass, his control starts to slip. At work, he's more ruthless than ever, channeling all his frustration into his business empire, expanding it to new, dangerous heights. His employees notice his mood shifts, the rage that surfaces whenever anyone dares question him. At night, he comes to this same secluded place ,venting his desire by just glaring at her photos, trying to relive moments that no one else saw.
Restless, Weak and Vulnerable!
He's never felt this way before-never cared about anyone so intensely. It's not love, not infatuation; it's deeper, darker. He doesn't just want to be around her-he wants to control the space she occupies, to ensure she breathes in sync with his desires, that every thought in her mind is of him alone.
His mind races with plans, scenarios of how he could bring her closer, keep her bound to him. He's already mapped out her life, every connection, every habit. Knowing her has become an obsession, like a puzzle he's both solving and creating. And as he leans back, the only thing that fills the silence is her name-whispered like a prayer, echoed like a vow.
Noor. He doesn't just want her; he needs her. And that thought, unyielding and consuming, feels as natural as breathing.
Zayd finished the remaining alcohol in his glass in a single gulp and picked up his phone. A cold, dry smile lingered on his face, concealing the storm of emotions brewing inside him. As he scrolled through his contacts, he dialed Mr. Ahmed's number.
With each ring, Zayd's anger grew deeper and more intense. Tonight, only one thought occupied his mind-Noor. He hadn't given anything in his life the same importance he was giving that girl. When Mr. Ahmed answered, Zayd's voice, bearing traces of suppressed emotions, turned even colder.
"Mr. Ahmed," he said in a soft but commanding tone, "main chahta hoon ke Noor ke ird-gird jo bhi hai, har ek cheez ka mujhe pata lage. Uski har ek chhoti se chhoti detail meri nazar mein honi chahiye. Samjhe aap?"
(I want to know everything surrounding Noor. Every small detail about her should be within my reach. Do you understand?)
Mr. Ahmed hesitated for a moment, but Zayd's authoritative voice left him with no choice but to say, "Yes, sir."
After ending the call, Zayd placed his phone on the table and took a deep breath. This obsession, this pursuit of Noor, had now taken on a life of its own-and no obstacle could stand in its way now.
Zayd leaned back in his chair, a dark glint in his eyes as he gazed out at the city lights beyond his window. A smirk played on his lips as he thought of Noor. "Filhal aap apni azaadi ka maza utha lijiye" he murmured to himself while tracing her features on the photo, the words laced with a possessive edge. "Jald hi, aap meri hongi Noor. Main aapko apne saath nikah ke rishte mai baandh loonga, aur ye aapki chhoti si azaadi ka ehsaas sirf aik yaad ban ke reh jaayega."
(For now enjoy you're freedom)
(Soon enough, she'll be mine. I'll bind her to me, and this little taste of liberty will be nothing more than a memory.)
The idea of her spirit, her innocence, caged within his grasp brought a strange satisfaction. In his mind, their marriage was already inevitable-a promise he would fulfill, no matter what it took. She wouldn't even know how she'd become his, but once she did, there would be no escape.
••••••••••
"Kya kisi ko haasil karne ke junoon ki inteha yeh hai ke insaan apne dil ki sunta hai, ya phir apne haqeeqi khud ko bhool jaata hai?!!"
(Is the ultimate limit of having the person you desire , is that a person listens to their heart, or do they forget their true self?)
Noor read this line in her novel and couldn't help but repeat it out loud before her Daadi.
"Daadi Hume ye line ka meaning samjhayi please" Noor said with a pout as she sat before Hamna begum .She was applying oil in Noor's hair,while Noor was reading her novel, nodding her head here and there as if she was feeling every line of the story. Her eyes were joyful, and her face was immersed in her reading.
(Grandma! Explain this line to me please)
"Seedhe toh bethiye pehle aap, Kitna matak rahi hai" Hamna begum said snatching the Novel from her hands and keeping it next to her.
(First, sit straight; how much are you swaying?)
"Acha Acha Beth rahe hai" Noor sat straight bringing her knees to her chest and folding her arm on them.
(Okay okay I'm sitting straight)
"Ab toh Bata dijiye Matlab" Insisted Her.
(Now please Elaborate)
"Un alfaaz ka Matlab hai ki, junoon insaan ko aise jazbaat de sakta hai jo usay apne asal khud se door le jaate hain. Kisi ko haasil karne ke junoon mein ,insaan apne jazbat aur khwahishaat ki khushi mein itna kho jata hai ke woh apne asal maqsad aur pehchaan ko bhool jata hai." Explained hamna begun while massaging her head.
(The meaning of these words is that obsession can evoke emotions in a person that take them far away from their true self. In the frenzy of trying to attain someone, a person becomes so engrossed in their feelings and desires that they forget their original purpose and identity.)
"Daadi aisi mohabbat toh sirf Allah Se hoti hai,koi insaan kisi doosre insaan se kyu karega aisi mohabbat ?" Noor Felt the chills on her back. But curiously asked
(Such love is only for Allah; why would a person have such love for another human being?)
Jisne bhi ye line likhi hogi wo pagal he hoga! She thought
(The person who wrote this line must've been crazy)
"Beta Insaan ki mohabbat bhi kabhi kabhi uss maqam tak pohanch sakti hai, jahan wo dusre ko apne dil ka hissa samajhta hai. Har rishte mein ek gehra jazba hota hai, jo insaan ko apni khud ki pehchaan se door le ja sakta hai." Replied Her daadi while wiping her hands with a towel, Noor turned towards her as she continued
(Human love can also sometimes reach a level where one considers the other as a part of their heart. Every relationship carries a deep emotion that can lead a person away from their own identity.)
"Waise bhi Insani mohabbat bhi toh Allah ki taraf se hai. Jab hum kisi se gehra pyaar karte hain, toh woh pyaar bhi Allah ki taraf se hi aata hai. Har insaan ki apni ahmiyat hai, aur kabhi kabhi woh pyaar humein Allah ki yaad dilata hai."
(After all, human love is also from Allah. When we deeply love someone, that love also comes from Allah. Every person has their own significance, and sometimes that love reminds us of Allah.)
"Aur Agar kisi ki mohabbat Allah ki yaad na dilaye toh?" The curious being in Noor couldn't halt.
(What If someone's love dosen't remind you of God)
"Phir woh mohabbat sirf ek dhoka hai, jo dil ko andheron mein bhatakne par majboor karti hai. Aisi mohabbat sirf lamhaat ki khushi deti hai, lekin asal mein hamesha khali aur tanha chhod deti hai."
(Then that love is just a deception, forcing the heart to wander in darkness. Such love only provides momentary happiness, but in reality, it always leaves you empty and alone.)
"Daadi aap itna sab kaise jaanti hain?,humne toh kabhi itna nahi socha" Noor said innocently with a pout
(Grandma how do you know so much, I've never thought about such things)
"Beta, zindagi ke tajurbe aur waqt ke sath milne wali seekh se insaan bohot kuch samajhta hai. Har khushi aur gham ke pal mein hum kuch na kuch seekhte hain, aur yeh hi humein zyada samajhdar banata hai." Said hamna begum cupping Noor's face and kissing her forehead
(Dear, with the experiences of life and the lessons that come with time, a person understands a lot. In every moment of happiness and sorrow, we learn something, and this is what makes us wiser.)
"Daadi!" Noor said hugging Hamna begum tightly and said
(Grandma!)
"Humse kabhi door mat jayiega"
(Never leave me alone please)
Her daadi chuckled at her comment and said
"Beta, yeh baat toh dil se hai. Jab tak hum hain, hum aapke saath hain. Magar zindagi mein kuch cheezen humare haath mein nahi hoti. Hum sirf dua kar sakte hain ke hum kabhi akele na ho aur hamesha aapki khushi ki dua karein aapka dil hamesha khush rahe. Kabhi bhi aapko chhod kar nahi jayenge, apke saath he rahenge aapke dil main"
(Dear, this comes from the heart. As long as I am here, I am with you. But in life, some things are not in our control. We can only pray that we are never alone. But I always pray for your happiness, may your heart always be happy. I will never leave you; I will always be with you in your heart.)
"Chaliye ab uthiye aur batayie kaisi rahi
Aapki mulakaat Afsa se, Ghar bulayie kabhi unhe Kaafi wakht ho gaya dekhe hue"
(Come on now, get up and tell me how your meeting with Afsa went. Invite her over sometime; it's been a long time since we last saw her.)
Said hamna Begum wiping her dear granddaughter's tears.
"Wo toh hamare wahan pohachne se pehle he unke shohar unhe le Gaye, koi masla ho gaya tha shayad" Sniffled Noor
(She was taken by her husband before I could get there; I think there might have been some issue.)
"Allah khair kare" Said hamna begum and laid on the bed as she couldn't avoid the backpain anymore.
(May God keep everything well)
"Daadi hum aaj yahan he so jaate hai aapke paas aur aapki Kamar mai bhi tel laga denge" Noor suggested and Her daadi couldn't say No to Her dear Noor.
After applying oil on her grandmother's waist, Noor and Hamna Begum both fell asleep, with Noor snuggling close to Hamna Begum.
(Grandma, I'll sleep here with you tonight, and I'll also massage some oil on your back.)
••••••••••
Next Morning Hamna begum woke up for fajr prayer and noticed The sleeping beauty beside her, Clinging a little too much. She crassed her hairs and whispered
"Allah aapka Naseeb hamesha acha rakhe aur aap yu he muskuraati rahien"
(May Allah always keep your destiny good, and may you keep smiling like this.)
She Shook Noor to wake her up for fajr prayer. Noor twisted and turned in her sleep but eventually woke up.
"Assalamualikum Daadi" She greeted Hamna begum
"Waalikumassalam Beta chaliye ab aap apne kamre mai Jakar wudu Bana Kar Namaaz padh lijiye" Said hamna begum patting her head
(Dear, now go to your room, perform wudu (ablution), and pray.)
"Ji" Noor replied and Slid off the bed and walked out towards her room.
(Okay)
•••••••••••••
"Beta Shaam ko Zara Jaldi aayega ghar"
(Son, please come home a bit early in the evening.)
Saira Said to her son who was sitting next to his grandfather, having breakfast.
"Kis liye Ammi, Mujhe aaj kuch Zaroori kaam hai office mai" Reasoned Zayd
(For what reason, Mom? I have some important work at the office today.)
"Aapko ho kya gaya hai Zayd, Kuch mahino se Aap Raat ko Ghar aate he nahi hai, aur agar aate bhi hai toh aadhi raat ko aate hai" Complained Saira The distress look on her face was evident to both the men present there.
(What has happened to you, Zayd? For the past few months, you haven’t been coming home at night, and even if you do, it’s in the middle of the night.)
"Ye mai kya sun raha hu Zayd, Tumhari ammi sahi keh rahi hai ?" Asked Mr.Hasad
(What am I hearing, Zayd? Your mother is right.)
"Daadu Wo award receive karne ke baad mujh par workload badh gaya hai, India mai Promotion ka company pe Kaafi positive impact Hua hai, aur timezone different hone ki wajah se mujhe office mai Der raat meetings Karni padti hai"
(Grandpa, ever since I received that award, my workload has increased. The promotion in India has had a very positive impact on the company, and due to the different time zones, I have to attend meetings late at night.)
Zayd gave a quite acceptable and obvious explanation to Them.
"Acha!! ye toh kaafi achi baat hai lekin beta tarraki apni jagah hai aur sehat apni jagah, Jitna compromise tum Kar rahe ho apni sehat ke saath ,Apne kaam ke liye wo worth it nahi hoga"
(Oh! That's a good thing, but son, success is one thing, and health is another. The Thing is you're compromising your health for you're work is not worth it.)
Mr. Hasad knows that after his son's death, his daughter-in-law had to endure a lot of hardship. She tried her best to be both a mother and a father to Zayd, and even today, the situation is just as tough for her as it was before.
Today, all the comfort and luxury they have is solely due to Zayd's hard work, putting in his blood and sweat day and night. But because he had so many responsibilities at such a young age, Zayd never got to live the childhood and youth that an average boy experiences. Saira will always regret this. Mr.Hasad could understand the distress of his daughter in law.
"Maine Faisla Kar Liya hai Ab mai aapke liye Ek pyaari si Dulhan dhoondh rahi hu, kyuki meri toh ab aap sunte Nahi"
(I have made a decision. Now I am looking for a lovely bride for you because you no longer listen to me.)
Saira said enthusiastically, But her words ringed a bell in Zayd's head and he Smirked looking at his plate, so that they couldn't see him.
"Kya kehte hai papa Ji? Kuch toh bolo Zayd?" She said looking at them both
(What do you say, Dad? Say something, Zayd.)
"Baat toh sahi hai Saira beta, Waise bhi Ab mai bhooda ho chala hu, chahta hu ki apne parpote ya parpoti ko dekh Kar he Maru" Said Hasad Smiling at Saira, whereas Zayd was silently eating his breakfast.
(That's true, Saira, my child. After all, I have grown old, and I want to see my great grandchild before I die.)
"Papa Ji aisa na kahe aap in sha allah Zayd ke bacho ke bacho ko khilayenge" They both smiled but Zayd was still unbotherdd
(Papa, don’t say that. In sha allah, you will get to see Zayd’s children and their children.)
"Kaisi Ladki chahiye tumhe Zayd?" Asked his mother
(What kind of girl You wish for Zayd?)
"Ammi mai late ho raha hu, Shaam mai baat karte hai" He said and left
(Mom I'm getting late, We'll talk when I return in evening)
"Papa Ji mujhe toh Inki fiqr khaye jaati hai" Said Saira
(Dad, I'm extremely much Worried about him)
"Fiqr Na karo woh ab bachha nahi hai jo karega soch samajh Kar he karega is kaabil toh Banaya hai Tumne use" Mr.Hasad Calmed her
(Don’t worry; he’s no longer a child. He will act thoughtfully because you have raised him to be capable.)
••••••••••
"Mr.Ahmed tickets book karwayie, Hum is Friday ko India jayenge"
(Mr.Ahmed Get the tickets, We will be leaving for India this Friday)
Zayd ordered
"Is baar aapko lekar he lautoonga"
(This time I'll return with you by my side as mine)
How do you like it so far? I am quite busy this week but yet I wrote this Long Chapter for you ,please show me you're love and support in the comment also don't forget to follow me and help me grow.
See you in next one!!!