My Soulmate (Mera Mahi)- Chapter 17:
My Soulmate (Mera Mahi)
Chapter 17: Shadows of the Unspoken
Fiza was watching the children playing on the lawn, but her mind was entangled in that hospital room where a struggle between life and death was ongoing. She had gone to see Aneel once, and thankfully, she didn't have much of an encounter with Rehman; otherwise, the burning intensity of his gaze would have been enough to test her composure. Rehman was so consumed by his son's pain that he either didn't notice Fiza's presence or was merely pretending not to. Fiza, too, wished that Rehman would not rake through the ashes of the past and instead remain happy with the life he had chosen for himself alongside his wife and son.
In the meantime, Mani approached Fiza and informed her that Mian Ji wanted everyone to get ready, as they were going to visit Aneel. Fiza took a deep breath and, with a heavy heart, called out to the children, beginning her own preparations half-heartedly. Dressed in the light-colored suit gifted by Roshan Ara, she looked as dignified as ever, though her eyes no longer held their former sparkle; instead, they reflected a profound stillness. As they all boarded the Pajero and headed toward Rehman's house, Fiza kept her eyes fixed out the window the entire way, as if trying to outrun the memories that seemed to greet her at every turn.
Upon arriving at Rehman's house, Nasreen welcomed them with great enthusiasm and led them into the drawing room. She mentioned that Rehman was still at the office but would return soon. Hearing this, Fiza felt as though she had been granted a new lease on life; she felt that in Rehman's absence, she could at least breathe in peace. When she took the children to Aneel's room, his face looked pale under the room's lights. The children gave him cards and flowers, bringing a faint smile to his lips. Mian Ji inquired about Aneel's health and offered words of encouragement, while Fiza stood silently in a corner, observing the young man.
Meanwhile, at the office, Rehman's heart was racing with an unknown fear. He ordered his assistant to cancel all meetings and headed straight home. When his car pulled onto the porch and he saw the children playing on the lawn, he knew Fiza was there. He stepped out of the vehicle, and his feet instinctively moved toward the tree where Fiza stood, lost in deep thought, holding white flowers in her palm. Rehman was seeing her this closely after years.
"These are the same flowers, Fiza, that you loved so much back in our college days," Rehman's voice pierced the silence. Fiza startled suddenly, nearly dropping the flowers. There was a strange helplessness in Rehman's eyes as he blurted out, "You are still as beautiful as ever!" But Fiza cut him off, speaking in a firm, blunt tone. "Rehman Sahib! I am now Zareef's wife, and I love him. There is no room for past misunderstandings in my life anymore." Having said that, she hurried inside, leaving Rehman standing there alone.
Nasreen was watching this scene from the kitchen window. From a distance, she could see Rehman's slumped shoulders and hear the sharp echo of Fiza's hurried footsteps. It felt to her as if Rehman were returning after losing a gamble upon which he had staked his entire life. When Rehman came inside, he sat before Mian Ji as if nothing had happened, yet a deep restlessness filled Nasreen. She began to wonder what secret Rehman had been hiding from her all these years.
During this time, Mani, who was getting crates of fruit out of the car, suddenly stopped. He heard a muffled voice coming from the gallery behind him. It was Rehman, speaking on the phone about his sense of loss. "I accepted Nasreen, but my love was and always will be Fiza." Rehman's words struck Mani's ears like an explosion. Mani stood stunned; he finally understood why Aunt Fiza was so hesitant to come to this house. He felt as if he were standing on a heap of gunpowder. Mani moved away, wondering what he should do with this shattering truth.
On the way home, Mani called Reeja, and during their conversation, Reeja made another revelation. She mentioned that there was a secret in her father's (Siraj) past that she and her mother were unaware of. The ground slipped from beneath Mani's feet. On one hand was Rehman's truth, and on the other, the hidden aspect of Siraj's life—Mani felt as though all the elders around him were guilty of some secret love in their lives. When Mani hung up the phone, his head was spinning. If Uncle Zareef ever found out about Rehman's reality, this family might never be united again.
Copyrights Reserved © Ishrat Zahid
All Rights Reserved © Ishrat Zahid All rights to this literary work are reserved by the author, Ishrat Zahid. No part of this publication or any portion thereof may be reproduced, shared, or transmitted in any form—including social media platforms, websites, Facebook pages, YouTube channels, or audiobooks—without the prior written permission of the author. Legal action may be taken against those who violate these copyrights.
Disclaimer
Note: This novel, "My Soulmate," is a work of fiction. All characters, locations, and events are products of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, institutions, or religions is purely coincidental and unintended.
Fiza was watching the children playing on the lawn, but her mind was entangled in that hospital room where a struggle between life and death was ongoing. She had gone to see Aneel once, and thankfully, she didn't have much of an encounter with Rehman; otherwise, the burning intensity of his gaze would have been enough to test her composure. Rehman was so consumed by his son's pain that he either didn't notice Fiza's presence or was merely pretending not to. Fiza, too, wished that Rehman would not rake through the ashes of the past and instead remain happy with the life he had chosen for himself alongside his wife and son.
In the meantime, Mani approached Fiza and informed her that Mian Ji wanted everyone to get ready, as they were going to visit Aneel. Fiza took a deep breath and, with a heavy heart, called out to the children, beginning her own preparations half-heartedly. Dressed in the light-colored suit gifted by Roshan Ara, she looked as dignified as ever, though her eyes no longer held their former sparkle; instead, they reflected a profound stillness. As they all boarded the Pajero and headed toward Rehman's house, Fiza kept her eyes fixed out the window the entire way, as if trying to outrun the memories that seemed to greet her at every turn.
Upon arriving at Rehman's house, Nasreen welcomed them with great enthusiasm and led them into the drawing room. She mentioned that Rehman was still at the office but would return soon. Hearing this, Fiza felt as though she had been granted a new lease on life; she felt that in Rehman's absence, she could at least breathe in peace. When she took the children to Aneel's room, his face looked pale under the room's lights. The children gave him cards and flowers, bringing a faint smile to his lips. Mian Ji inquired about Aneel's health and offered words of encouragement, while Fiza stood silently in a corner, observing the young man.
Meanwhile, at the office, Rehman's heart was racing with an unknown fear. He ordered his assistant to cancel all meetings and headed straight home. When his car pulled onto the porch and he saw the children playing on the lawn, he knew Fiza was there. He stepped out of the vehicle, and his feet instinctively moved toward the tree where Fiza stood, lost in deep thought, holding white flowers in her palm. Rehman was seeing her this closely after years.
"These are the same flowers, Fiza, that you loved so much back in our college days," Rehman's voice pierced the silence. Fiza startled suddenly, nearly dropping the flowers. There was a strange helplessness in Rehman's eyes as he blurted out, "You are still as beautiful as ever!" But Fiza cut him off, speaking in a firm, blunt tone. "Rehman Sahib! I am now Zareef's wife, and I love him. There is no room for past misunderstandings in my life anymore." Having said that, she hurried inside, leaving Rehman standing there alone.
Nasreen was watching this scene from the kitchen window. From a distance, she could see Rehman's slumped shoulders and hear the sharp echo of Fiza's hurried footsteps. It felt to her as if Rehman were returning after losing a gamble upon which he had staked his entire life. When Rehman came inside, he sat before Mian Ji as if nothing had happened, yet a deep restlessness filled Nasreen. She began to wonder what secret Rehman had been hiding from her all these years.
During this time, Mani, who was getting crates of fruit out of the car, suddenly stopped. He heard a muffled voice coming from the gallery behind him. It was Rehman, speaking on the phone about his sense of loss. "I accepted Nasreen, but my love was and always will be Fiza." Rehman's words struck Mani's ears like an explosion. Mani stood stunned; he finally understood why Aunt Fiza was so hesitant to come to this house. He felt as if he were standing on a heap of gunpowder. Mani moved away, wondering what he should do with this shattering truth.
On the way home, Mani called Reeja, and during their conversation, Reeja made another revelation. She mentioned that there was a secret in her father's (Siraj) past that she and her mother were unaware of. The ground slipped from beneath Mani's feet. On one hand was Rehman's truth, and on the other, the hidden aspect of Siraj's life—Mani felt as though all the elders around him were guilty of some secret love in their lives. When Mani hung up the phone, his head was spinning. If Uncle Zareef ever found out about Rehman's reality, this family might never be united again.
Copyrights Reserved © Ishrat Zahid
All Rights Reserved © Ishrat Zahid All rights to this literary work are reserved by the author, Ishrat Zahid. No part of this publication or any portion thereof may be reproduced, shared, or transmitted in any form—including social media platforms, websites, Facebook pages, YouTube channels, or audiobooks—without the prior written permission of the author. Legal action may be taken against those who violate these copyrights.
Disclaimer
Note: This novel, "My Soulmate," is a work of fiction. All characters, locations, and events are products of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, institutions, or religions is purely coincidental and unintended.
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