Iyad

I was so excited to go back to my hometown. It had been more than a month since I last saw everyone. My family and of course Mastoorah. I missed her. A smile stuck on my lips thinking about her. Very soon she would become a pivotal part of my life.

When I reached home, I was welcomed by the worried faces of my family. It turned out to be something unbelievable and shocking. According to Baba, Mastoorah had left Dada Jaan's house and went to Aunt Javaria's house; the same one where she had been living before her admission with Aunt Hania.

"Why did this happen?" I was confused.

"Your Uncle Faraan is her father and he was the one who murdered her mother," Mama explained in a stupor.

I couldn't believe it in my own ears. Turned out that we all were kept in oblivion regarding the real thing that sent Uncle Faraan to jail. He had been convicted of murdering his own wife.

I didn't know how to react. Mastoorah was now hating her father and had left his house. What was she going to do with our engagement now? I tried calling her and sending her messages numerous times but she didn't reply.

"She isn't picking up my calls, Mama," I said after getting disappointed by the lack of response.

Mama shrugged. "Neither fine. But she is fine. I asked Javaria Api. She has just locked herself in her room and not talking to anyone. You don't worry about her, Iyad."

"How I can not? She is my fiance and she is in stress," I enlightened her.

"Don't push her, Iyad. If she wants a break, let her. If any of us will push her then I am afraid she will leave your Khala's house as well. Keep calm. Everything will be fine," Baba told me.

I remained silent at this. Maybe he was right. At least for now, Mastoorah was in safe hands. And even in front of my eyes as Aunt Javaria was there. She was a rational girl. She wouldn't do anything on impulse.

                  _________________

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Ajwa

When I came into our bedroom, I found Faris sitting on the corner of the bed lost in his thoughts. Whatever had happened shouldn't have happened. But one can't either blame Faraan or Mastoorah. What could one hold against that man who had reformed and didn't mean any harm to anyone? One couldn't even hate him. Yet Mastoorah's reaction was totally justifiable. All her life she had been living with the memories of her mother. She loved her and the fact that she had some kind of emotional attachment to her to actually remember something that a newborn didn't, showed that she was a special kid. I hope everything will be fine.

Mastoorah was my Iyad's fiance. He loved her and he would be hurt if she would leave him.

I put my hand over my husband's shoulder. "What had happened, Faris?"

Faris lifted his face to look at me before shaking his head. "I don't know. I can't even believe it."

"What will happen now? How can we pacify Mastoorah?" I asked as I sat beside him.

"We can't, Ajwa. It's Faraan's job. She has issues with him and he should resolve it," Faris replied.

I bit my lower lip. "I seriously don't know what to think, what to do, and who to blame. It's so complicated."

"Mastoorah is more like a family now. She is Faraan's daughter and our niece before our Iyad's fiance. She is our responsibility more than before now. We can't let her go," I explained, feeling sad by all this.

Faris stood up while grabbing his phone and the car keys.

"Where are you going?" I raised a brow.

"I am going to Faraan. I need to talk to him. Ajwa, you take care of Iyad. And also keep calling your sister about Mastoorah. But be careful, the kid shouldn't be pushed for any reconciliation. Neither from Javaria, Hania, you and nor from Iyad," Faris informed me.

I nodded. "I will make sure. Please Faris find some way."

"Everything will be fine In Sha Allah," he murmured before leaving the room.

I wished he was right.

             
                 ___________________

Faris

When I arrived in the city, the first and most important thing I did was to confront Faraan. I found him in the mosque near our house, sitting near the farmost pillar, completely still and looking miserable. I approached him and sat on the floor opposite him.

"Faraan," I whispered.

He flinched at my voice and then stared at me for a good amount of time.

"Faris, my brother," he murmured, breaking down completely.

It felt like he really needed to vent out right now and as he saw someone known to him, he lost all the constraints. He was crying like a kid with hiccups. I placed my palm over his shoulder. I felt my own heart slashing seeing him like this. I came forward and hugged him.

"What I did, Faris. What I did. I completely messed up everything. My daughter hates me. She...she...you know what she said?" He again looked at me with his red eyes. "She said that even if you had endured your punishment to kill my mother by the laws and rules, your punishment as far as I am concerned, will never end. I will never forgive you. Faris...Faris, I will die like this. This hatred will kill me." 

I sighed as I felt my own eyes wet. This really shouldn't have happened. Even though my brother had made mistakes and done some gravest things, yet he had groveled and suffered for it. He had asked for forgiveness from Allah and HIS Creation. Everyone even Ajwa and Javaria as well. I thought my own heart was clenching seeing my crying with hiccups. I had owned my daughter and I knew I much it would hurt him. And what had happened over the course of these years wasn't less than a miracle. Faraan's daughter was alive and living among us.

"You don't worry, Faraan. It's such happy news that your baby is alive and in front of your eyes. Mastoorah is a very understanding and intelligent kid. She will understand this for sure. You should really talk to her. She will listen to you," I told him.

"I was so surprised when I realized she is my daughter. But I kept it hidden because I knew this would be her reaction. However, the bond she made with me as her Uncle Faraan was something that had broken her. I thought that was the perfect time to tell her that even if I had killed her mother, I am now very remorseful for what I did. And I want to love her as my daughter. But I didn't know this would hurt more than I expected," he mumbled, his voice trembling due to tears.

I filled a glass of water from the dispenser nearby and handed it over to Faraan. "Don't worry, my brother. Everything will be fine. Allah knows what's inside your heart. HE knows your efforts. HE won't let you go empty-handed In Sha Allah."

I placed the glass near his lips when he didn't grab it. "I'll talk to Mastoorah. And after that, Faraan, you need to make an effort. Go to her and show her the warmth and cool shadow of a father."

"I have full belief in my Allah," he whispered.

"Indeed," I smiled and got up, leaving him immersed in his own thoughts.

                ____________________

 
Ajwa

It was the day of Eid now. But it didn't seem like one. There was sadness all over. Faris wasn't home. While as morning came, Imad and Iyad had left for the mosque to pray the Eid Namaz. I was right now in the kitchen, preparing the sweet dish. This was the necessity for this occasion.

As I added the sugar to the mixture of rice kheer, Eizal came into the kitchen. She was so enthusiastic for this Eid as she had gotten a special dress and other accessories from her in-laws. But even she was in her night suit right now, with her hair recklessly falling on her back. She first peeked inside the pot before looking at me.

"Should I talk to Mastoorah?" She implored me.

I shook my head while running the spatula in the mixture. "No, your Baba said no one from us should talk to her for the time being."

Eizal scrunched her nose. "But why?"

I gave her a pointed look. "Beta, we are afraid if we will force her, she will leave your Khala's house as well."

Eizal raised her shoulder. "She won't mind Iyad calling her maybe Don't you think?"

"Baba will tell what is needed to do. Iyad is also not someone who could appease her. She is very hurt and it's better not to irritate her," I said, truthfully.

"Maybe you are right," she murmured.

As we sat on the table for breakfast, I sighed seeing Faris's chair empty. He had gone to meet Faraan quite early in the morning and he wasn't back yet. I hoped everything would fall into place once again.

"Where is Baba?" Imad asked as he occupied his seat, while Iyad remained quiet. He didn't even talk that much since he got to know about Mastoorah.

My sons were looking lovely in their grey stylish kurta pajamas but everything about this day was ruined now.

"He left for Dada Jaan's place to meet your Uncle Faraan," I retorted.

"That's all happening because of him. Poor Mastoorah Api; she will be so hurt," Imad said with a curl of his lips.

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Don't say something like this, Imad. Your Uncle is hurt himself."

"I am sorry to say Mama but Maadi is right this time. Uncle Faraan has done so bad in the past that I can't even imagine." Eizal agreed with her brother.

I placed my hand over my daughter's hand. "We don't know what's in anyone's heart. If Allah has forgiven someone, who are we to hold grudges and say bad words? Don't talk like that again, kids. Instead, pray that everything will be fine."

Iyad who was just gazing at his plate all the time, lifted his head. "Mama is right, guys. We shouldn't have this discussion. Uncle Faraan must be hurt too."

I smiled while looking at my younger twin son. He was so sensible Masha Allah. Even if all this was directly affecting him, he still was very reasonable.

"Mama, I am going to meet Mastoorah G in a while. Whatever it is, I can understand her feelings and situation. But she really can't ignore me. It's not my mistake. I am her fiance and soon, going to be her husband as well," Iyad asserted, putting his fork and knife down.

"Iyad, Jaan. Your Baba doesn't want anyone to talk to her right now. She needs time to have some self-talk and process everything with a calm mind. And I agree with him. If any of us will go to her, she will think we are taking her misery very lightly and advocating in favor of her father." I tried to make him understand.

Iyad exhaled. "But it's different in my case, Mama. I am her fiance."

"I know, Iyad," I announced. "But for now, listen to your Baba. He will find a way surely. If Mastoorah hasn't taken any of your calls, this means she wants some time alone. Give her some time."

"What if she does something to herself?" Eizal raised a valid question.

I remained silent for a while. But no. Mastoorah was a sensible child.

"She won't, In Sha Allah. Your Khala and Hania both are near her," I mumbled.

We all were turned towards Iyad when his phone rang. He glanced at us before looking at his cell. His jaw dropped and a shine came in his eyes glancing at the screen.

"It's Mastoorah G," he grumbled. 

I smiled. "Really. Pick it quickly."

He nodded and then then picked up the call. He who seemed quite happy after this news seemed frantic after listening to what she said.

"What did she say?" I inquired.

"She wants to meet me. Right now," Iyad replied.

I took a deep breath of relief. I hoped what self-talk she did with herself would let her see that whatever had happened, Iyad had no link to it alongside realizing that her father had reformed and now loved her truly.

                _______________________

AssalamoAlaikum/ Hi guys!

How are you?

So here's another chapter.

Do you feel bad for Faraan?

Or do you relate to Mastoorah more?

Do you think she should forgive him?

What do you think Mastoorah will talk to Iyad?

If you like this chapter, plz vote and comment. 🖤🖤