|| S H A N Z E ||

We all rushed inside the hospital as they took dad on stretcher. They took him inside the ICU but didn't let any of us go with him inside.

Mahira hugged mom as mom condition was also getting bad. All of our tears were non stopped. We sat on the chair and waited for the doctor to come out quickly and informed us what happened to dad.

I buried my face in my hands and cried silently. I tried to tell myself to be strong for mom and Mahira. I wiped my tears and sat on the other side of mom and hugged her as she was still crying.

“Mom. Please don't cry. Dad hates your tears remember. It will hurt him when he will know you are crying,” I told her as I wiped her tears.

Slowly mom stopped crying and hugged Mahira and me. Five minutes later tayaabu arrived hospital with Zeeshan. Hasan also came on the same time with phupho along with grandpa following behind them.

Mom stood up and hugged phupho. Zeeshan stood away from me. He didn't come to me and kept quiet. Hasan came to me and kneeled down in front of me.

“Angel! Stop crying. Remember you used to tell me in childhood that angels never cry,” Hasan whispered, softly.

He wiped my tears and gave me a small smile which was telling me to be strong. I could feel Zeeshan’s dead glare at us.

Hours passed and we waited for the doctors to quickly came out and gave us news. When more fifteen minutes passed doctor came out and looked at all of us. We all held our breaths.

“He is out of danger! All thanks to Allah!” He said and gave us a big smile.

We all sighed in relief and thanked Allah then doctor. I felt a presence behind me.

“What happened to him?” It was Zeeshan was behind me and asking the doctor.

“He had a heart attack but now he is safe,” Doctor said with sorrow.

My eyes went wide and I took a step back as I felt the ground slipped underneath my feet but Zeeshan held me.

“You can see him. But one by one and from outside the room,” Doctor said and went away.

I moved away from Zeeshan and went to mom. I told her to go and see dad first. While she went inside we all sat outside.

“I will be back!” Zeeshan said and went away.

Mom came out in tears then we sent grandpa inside. She was sobbing on phupho’s shoulder which pained. Zeeshan came back with water bottle and sandwiches for everyone.

Firstly he gave it to mom forcefully who was not taking it then he gave to everyone. In the end he gave me one sandwich and went away, disappearing somewhere in the hospital.

• • •

Dad was finally discharged from the hospital and now he was back to home. Everyone visited our home and gathered here.

Our house was small one in our whole family but cozy. I didn't complain about my home but whenever everyone gathered here, it was packed. There was no space to put step and no room was free.

I was serving everyone refreshments and then went back to the kitchen and cooked dinner. When the dinner was ready I served it to everyone.

I didn't get proper time to spend with dad. I went to the balcony and stood there. I breathed in the cool air and rubbed my arms as dad’s words from yesterday night were ringing in my ears. I closed my eyes as remembering his words.

• • •

Mom was offering prayer outside in the lawn and I was sitting near dad. Dad just came from the hospital and he was looking weak.

Dad opened his eyes and looked at me with his half opened eyes. Tears were formed in my eyes by seeing him like this.

“Shanze..,” dad whispered, weakly.

He raised his hand. I quickly went near him and held his hand.

“Remember I asked you a few days back if I will ask you something will you ever give me?” —I nodded my head— “Zeeshan is good man. I want you to marry him soon. He will take care of you after me and keep you happy.”

“Please! Dad don't talk like this. Nothing will happen to you. Please stop talking like that,” I whispered, brokenly.

“One day I have to go. Leave you. Your mom and sister in this world alone. But before I die I want to see you as a bride. Will you fulfil my wish?” Dad asked, weakly.

“If it makes you happy then yes I will. But please now don't talk like that,” I said and hugged him.

I sobbed on his chest and he hugged me back. I didn't want to marry him but for dad’s wish I have to.

• • •

I opened my eyes and exhaled slowly. I didn't know what my life behold for me. I didn't have any hope from Zeeshan.

“Angel! What are you doing here alone? Everyone is waiting for you down? Especially Zeeshan,” Hasan said and tried to smile.

He was also not looking happy. Probably because of dad. He was with me whole time and stayed with me till dad discharged from the hospital.

I didn't understand why Zeeshan was waiting for me. Maybe Hasan was joking. I shook my head at him and went down with him.

Everyone stopped talking when I stepped in front of them along with Hasan. Zeeshan also stepped in on the same time and stood on my right while Hasan was on my left. Elders looked at each other then back at us.

“Zeeshan and Shanze, Come here!” Grandma called us, softly.

We both obedient and went near them. Grandma made us sat on her either sides. She picked my right hand and wrote something on my hand with henna, which I didn't notice.

When she wrote it she made it sure it was hidden from Zeeshan. I understood what was happening. I looked up at Zeeshan with wide eyes who were looking at me directly without any emotion.

“Done! Now Zeeshan give me your hand!” Grandma demanded.

I pulled my hand back slowly and saw Zeeshan’s name on the palm of my hand. My heart was beating fast when I saw it. It was written in small words and too in Urdu. Grandma also wrote my name in Zeeshan's palm.

This was ritual ran in my family when we fixed the date of marriage. One of the elders wrote the name of groom on bride's hand and bride name on groom hand. Then on the day of Nikkah groom had to find that name on bride's hand.

This name of groom was not supposed to be faded. Whenever it started to fade the bride was supposed to re-write their spouse name. It was a sign to tell others that our husband were alive and we were married.

A strange ritual but a tradition from our village.

“Zeeshan and Shanze, we fixed your marriage date. Your wedding will be after 20 days!”

Grandma voice snapped me out of my thoughts and dropped me in the state of shock.

All I could think was my life was going to be one of hell.

And the devil eyes said itself when my eyes snapped up to his eyes,

Welcome to the hell.

. . . . . . . . .

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Allah Hafiz! Bye!