My Soulmate (Mera Mahi)- Chapter 8:
My Soulmate (Mera Mahi)
Chapter 8:
When Zarminay returned home, her heart felt incredibly light after meeting her brother. Sharing her happiness with Reeja, she said, "Reeja! Your Uncle Zarif and his wife are such simple-natured people, and their children are so lovely." Reeja added, "Mama! Did you notice how excellent their Urdu is? Despite living abroad for so long, they speak such pure Urdu." Zarminay replied, "My brother was only ever hard on himself. Everything was right here in Pakistan; after all, who else was going to look after the lands? Back then, he was stubborn about going abroad, getting a degree in business administration, and working there. His temperament was different then, but the distance from his loved ones has made Zarif very soft-hearted and graceful today." As Zarminay headed toward her room, Reeja asked, "Mama! Which will was Grandpa Mian Ji talking about?" Zarminay replied, "I have no idea; we'll find out when we go for the dinner invitation. And listen, do not mention today's visit in front of Siraj."
Reeja went to her room, and while taking off her jewelry, she spotted that envelope in the drawer. She remembered that she hadn't asked her paternal aunt (Phupho) about it yet. She dialed her aunt's number; the bell kept ringing, but when the call wasn't answered, Reeja set her phone aside. A moment later, her aunt called back, and Reeja answered immediately. After exchanging pleasantries, Reeja asked, "Phupho! Before marrying Mama, did Baba love someone else?" Silence fell on the other end. Then she asked, "Why are you asking this?" Reeja explained that she had found a picture in the wardrobe featuring a girl with her father, who wasn't her mother. Her aunt then revealed, "She was your father's love. They had married secretly (Nikkah) without the consent of your grandparents. When he brought her home, your grandfather told him to leave and set a condition: either divorce her immediately or lose all rights to the family property."
Her aunt continued the story, "At that time, he brought his wife to my house and stayed with me for a few months. During that period, his first wife was diagnosed with a tumor, and it was discovered to be at the final stage. That marriage barely lasted six months, and after her passing, your grandfather took him back and married him to your mother, just as he had originally planned. Your Grandpa Mian Ji and my father were old friends, so no one ever found out about the first wife. Siraj has never been able to move past that grief." Reeja felt as if the ground had slipped from beneath her feet. "That's why my mama and I never received that love," Reeja's voice trembled. Her aunt added that Siraj had once said, 'Because of your mother, I was told to divorce my wife; I hate her.' Upon hearing this, Reeja suffered a severe shock and collapsed onto the floor, unconscious.
When Zarminay entered the room and saw Reeja unconscious, she panicked. Siraj's phone was switched off, so she called Aneel while crying. Aneel immediately reached the hospital along with Uncle Zarif. The doctors informed them that Reeja had suffered a deep mental shock, and the next 24 hours were critical. Meanwhile, when Siraj reached home and learned of the situation, he too rushed to the hospital. There, he received a call from his sister. Siraj said angrily, "Why did you tell Reeja everything? Because of you, the secret I kept hidden has landed my daughter in the hospital today. " Hearing this, Aneel, standing nearby, began to wonder what kind of secret it was that Reeja couldn't bear.
After Reeja was shifted to a private room, Zarif said to Siraj, "Come, Brother Siraj, let's go inside and see Reeja." Siraj couldn't understand how he would answer if Reeja questioned him in front of everyone. He stood up, but his feet refused to move. Zarif held his hand and asked, "Brother, are you alright?" Siraj replied, "Yes, I'm fine, Zarif." Zarif assumed Siraj was overwhelmed by Reeja's condition, whereas Siraj was trembling with the embarrassment of what explanation he would give if the secret were out. He went into the room with Zarif, where Aneel was also present. Siraj felt a sense of fear in Aneel's eyes, who was looking at him with a strange gaze. As soon as Reeja saw him, she called out, "Baba!" For the first time, Siraj stepped forward and showed her immense affection. Reeja was astonished that her father was speaking so calmly. Siraj said, "Get well soon; there is a dinner at the Haveli. Mian Ji said everyone has to come. You can only go if you're well." While Reeja was stunned by this changing side of Siraj, Zarminay also couldn't understand when he had started worrying so much about Reeja or why he was so eager to attend Mian Ji's invitation. Previously, he had to be begged to go. Regardless, she felt relieved that her dignity remained intact in front of her brother, as Siraj didn't create any unpleasantness.
The doctors announced that all reports were clear, and they could take her home at night. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Zarminay asked Aneel and Zarif to go home and rest. Aneel didn't want to leave, but he was forced to comply with his aunt's request. Zarif told Reeja, "Get well soon so we can all sit and talk together." As Aneel was leaving, he heard Reeja's voice from behind, "Aneel! Listen to me." Aneel turned back so suddenly and longingly that everyone noticed, especially Zarif. Reeja said, "Tell your mother (Khala) to come to Mian Ji's place as well. " Aneel assured her he would bring her along, and then they both stepped out. Having been awake all night, both were exhausted; Aneel dropped Zarif at Mian Ji's house and then went straight to his room to lie down.
What will happen next? Find out in the next episode...
Disclaimer: This story is a fictional work. All characters and events are imaginary. Any resemblance to real persons or events is purely coincidental. This piece is written for entertainment and reformative purposes only.
Copyright Notice: All rights are reserved to the author, Ishrat Zahid. Sharing this content on any website, social media page, or YouTube channel without the author's permission is a legal offense.
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