Faris

The next morning, I reached Dad's house using the first opportunity I got. I was worried about Faraan and felt a need for me should be there for him. Mama was crying and as soon as she saw me, she hugged me.

"How is Faraan?" I asked her as I separated from me when she got a bit stable.

She scrunched her nose. "He is not fine. He just wants to see her."

"What exactly happened?" I proceeded.

"He hadn't been very happy and in good health since Mastoorah left him. But yesterday morning, after fajr prayer, when he was coming back home, he suddenly fell on the way while clutching his chest tightly and yelling in agony followed by fainting. The bystanders there took him to the hospital and there it was revealed that he suffered a heart attack."

"Ya Allah," I sighed as I ran my fingers through my hair.

I quickly headed for Faraan's room. He was sleeping by lying flat on his bed. As soon as I clicked on the door, his dry lips quivered and his eyelids trembled.

"Mastoorah...Baba k Jaan. Come back to Baba," he whispered, moving his fingers wide as though he wanted to feel the touch of his daughter.

He was looking way more ill than before right now. His condition broke my heart. I came forward and held his weak hand.

"Faraan..." I murmured.

"Mastoorah...please forgive Baba, beta....come back to Baba..." Maybe with every knock, on every noise, he was thinking of only one person and that was Mastoorah.

"Faraan, wake up. It's me," I again said, gently while patting his forehead.

He slowly opened his eyes and they locked on me. He hissed in pain before clutching my hand. "Faris, my...my daughter. How is my child? Did you meet her? Is she fine?"

I nodded. "I did. She is fine, Faraan. Don't worry about her. She will understand your situation any time soon because she is an understanding kid. Don't stress yourself like this."

Many tears fell from his eyes. "How I can't? My child hates me. I don't feel like living anymore. I am a horrible person who bit everyone who was nice to me. Why am I even alive and taking the world's space and oxygen? I should be dead."

"God forbid, Faraan. Don't say things like that. Brace yourself. Allah has given you a big responsibility to teach innocent children HIS Book, lead prayers in your guide, and spread HIS words and instructions by your amazing voice which goes to every house and every place. Mastoorah will eventually realize that you love her. Show her this by your changed ways and love for Allah and HIS creation," I told him.

He exhaled a puff of air in dismay. "I hurt everybody. The weight of all my sins is eating me alive."

"No, only Allah knows what's inside hearts. Maybe I am a bigger sinner than you and you are one of HIS liked people because you have spent your life in HIS praise and don't hurt anybody," I smiled.

"Come on, get up. It's time for Duhr's prayer. Let's say prayer together in the mosque." I tugged at his shoulder and finally, he got up.

Then we said prayer together. Faraan had cried with hiccups while raising his both hands in dua. As we both were coming back after Namaz, he stopped me.

"You take care of Mastoorah, Faris. I am sure you can be a better father for her than me. Don't let her be alone again. My child has seen those lonely days enough. She saw nightmares so please take care of her and tell everyone else as well," he let out, feeling all depressed once again. 

"I will make sure that we both can give her the love she deserves. A father's love from you and an uncle's love from me," I beamed, truthfully.

For the first time in a while, Faraan smiled too. "In Sha Allah."

                 _____________________

               ••|Two Months Later|••

Mastoorah

Life had changed drastically for me over the course of these few years. I was now in the second professional year of my MBBS. Everyone was acting fine with me as though nothing had happened. None talked to me about the past. I still lived at Aunt Hania's place but there was not a single recall of what happened with me right now from anyone's side. Uncle Faris was true to his words that none would compel me for any reconciliation either regarding Faraan or Iyad.

But even after all this, I wasn't at peace. Iyad's love in my heart was flourishing more with each passing day. The sweet memory of the time we spent together was revolving in front of my eyes. I had dreams about him and I didn't know how to rub off his thoughts away from my mind.

Just recently, he again started messaging me. He was gone but his texts never left my side. And I, the girl so stuck in my love, used to wait for these small tokens of love from his side. He used to tell me about his daily routine, greet me, ask me about my well-being, and wish me good luck. Though I never messaged him back, however, I always waited for those sweet and love-filled messages.

I was going crazy perhaps. I needed to stop him but how could I stop my own rebellious heart which was only taking Iyad's name?

                      _________________

It was happening a few days later when I was getting ready for my college. As I wrapped a scarf delicately over my head, my phone rang. I am still finding once again a message from Iyad.

"How are you, Mastoorah G? Today is my first drill as a soldier. Will you wish me luck for a success?"

My hands were itching for the first time to write him a prayer for success as he wanted me to. But once again, my own turmoil came in between. I sighed and put the phone back in my bag before coming out.

Little did I know that today it would be the scariest day in my life.

                   __________________

In the night, a crying Eizal had called me saying that the fight Iyad went on got seriously wrong. It actually took place in North Balochistan where there was a war between the terrorists and Pakistan Army. Two soldiers of the Pakistan Army died while many got injured as all the terrorists were killed and the battle was won by Pakistan. But my mind became static here. Iyad was on that drill and he was one of those soldiers. Eizal said that he was seriously injured and was battling with life and death in the hospital.

I left everything and was directed towards the hospital she had told me.

As soon as I got the call, I dashed towards the general hospital without caring for anything. My heart forgot to beat, my breath became hitched and I felt like that my soul was slowly leaving my body. In fact, it was happening.

My soul was indeed leaving my body.

He was undoubtedly my soul and without him, I was a lifeless body.

All the memories from the past resurfaced in my mind. Where I was the absolutely ungrateful, spoiled, and selfish girl, and he. He was the one who was getting hurt, affected by all this but still never stopped smiling at me, sending me early morning messages, loving me, and becoming gentle to me. However, I was that bitch who never valued him. I never cursed or said bad about anyone but here I was happily yet angrily calling myself a bitch because I was one.

My eyes had tears when I asked about him from the receptionist. Getting information about Room 101, I rushed towards the said room.

What I saw from the window, broke my heart. He was lying on the bed, unconscious, surrounded by many surgeons and doctors, many needles piercing his veins and that awful sound of OT making background music.

I was indeed a bitch.

Just this morning, he had messaged me;

Wonderful Morning, my love. Just remember to get yourself a delicious breakfast. You have surgery today. Right? I know you will ace it. Best of luck, Mastoorah G. Plz don't be angry often and yes remember, I love you.

Your ring is like a beloved amanat in my possession. I will cherish it till you will accept it again. :)💘

Love you more with each passing day. You can't stop me from doing so. ❤❤❤❤💘

The only memory that remained was when I returned the ring to him by saying.

"Keep this ring to yourself. I don't want to make new relations so that they will tumble under the mountains of anger. Some of these which I got were unwanted and in which there's no control of mine. But making a new one is a big no for me, Iyad."

What would happen to me if something occurred to Iyad? How would I live without him? Tears were falling continuously from my eyes as I fell to my knees, praying for him.

While all my heart was saying that I love you, Iyad.

                  ___________________

AssalamoAlaikum/ Hi guys!

So here's the 2nd last chapter.

I hope you like it.

So Iyad got injured. What do you think will happen next?

Will Mastoorah forgive Faraan?

Will she again accept Iyad?

Will Iyad want her back?

Will Faris and Ajwa want her again as their daughter-in-law after what happened?

Plz, vote and comment ❤