Empowerment.

That most abused word of this century by anyone and everyone. For everyone this word holds different meaning yet we fail to realise that the word was not made by us, it was made by the people who are different from us, religiously, culturally, ethically and in every single way.

To know the best is to strive for knowledge. We have confined ourselves in a box with no knowledge of what our own religion taught us and that empowerment was given to us thousands of years ago. Somehow, through the time, slowly yet surely we started to think we are pressed down however we are not. It's just how people abuse anything that they don't like and in the same way, they abuse the words of His without knowing completely.

Today, we are locked in a box known as self-righteous where when anyone tries to bring us out of that small box, we are offended. It's a genuine natural reaction of people because everyone loves comfort zone and whoever tries to enter in it, we tend to push them away. That's not how we will succeed, the one who succeeds is the one who learns, changes, listen and understands that they could be wrong and work on it.

She walks through the dark woods scared out of her wits as she tries to take steps ahead of her yet she couldn't seem to find her way. The darkness doesn't allow her to see or find anything even when everything is right around her. The way is simple and in front of her yet the darkness forbids her to walk on it making her go back to the same way over and over again.

She feels her chest tightening as she wishes for away and she looks around to find clothes hanging around and none of them was modest. They were the dresses she had worn from the time she entered in this showbiz. She chooses to stay in her towel not having the will to wear those clothes on her body again.

What's the use of clothes if they aren't covering you?. Weren't clothes made to cover us?. How come now we choose to show off our body to no one in particular for no good reason to feel happy, bold and confident?. Is taking off clothes all it takes to have them?.

She starts to walk again when she was forced backwards yet again. Frustrated she fell on the ground crying for a very long time remembering all those time she has done wrong begging for forgiveness.

"Ya Allah! Maine aj tk teri zaat se kuch nahi magha. Meri zaat ko maine duniya k samne nelaam kia hai. Meri rouh jo teri di howi thi, us ko bohat takleef di hai, mere Rab. Toh toh sub jaanta hai. Mujhe maaf kar day, mere gunnah ko maaf kar day. Mujhe un logo mai se bana day jo tujhe pasand hai. Teri zaat toh bohat alla hai mujh per apna karam kar day". Those words escape her broken heart in the utter darkness reaching to the one who loves his being asking him to provide (Oh Lord! I have never asked from you, for anything. I have auction myself to this world. My soul that is give by you, I have harmed it. You know everything. Forgive me, forgive my sins. Make me from those peoples whom you love. You are truly the Magnificent of all).

She feels her body being lifted and her eyes didn't seem to open until she feels herself standing again. She opens her eyes and a gasp escape her plump lips when she finds looking right at herself in the mirror yet the woman that stares back at her was nowhere her.

She was wrapped in a beautiful white gown and her head wrapped in an even more beautiful scarf making her look exquisite as the aura around her changed. The darkness seems to sweep away running away from her and the sun shining brightly over her. The rough ground that injured her legs before starts to turn in a beautiful soft grass under her feet and now she stands in a beautiful garden around her.

Tears flow down her face as she feels her heart being content looking at the woman that now stood here.

"Kyun ro rahi ho?". She heard his soft voice,"Kitni dafa kaha hai k apna bhi dehaan kia karo jaise Hanan ka karti ho. Agar woh tumhare liye important hai toh tum us se zayada mere liye ho. Per nahi tum nay kasam kahe hai k apne shohar ki umar kum karni hai". (Why are you crying) (I have told you so many times to take care of yourself like you take care of Hanan but you never listen to me. You have swore to reduce your husband life span)

She feels his hand holding her feet and she looks down to find him looking at her feet disappointed and concerned.

"Kyun takleef dayti ho khud ko is tarha?. Agar samjh kar shoe pehn layti toh yeh na hota. Ab dekho zakm ban gaya". He said looking at her with his eyes shining in concern,"Agar apni zaat ko takleef dayti raho gi toh isi tarha zakm bantay jaye gay aur zindagi bahr rahay gay". (Why do you hurt yourself like this?. If you have understood and wore the shoes, you would have never gotten hurt. Now, see there are wounds) (If you keep tormenting yourself like this there will be wounds and they will last for your whole life)

"Toh kia karuin?". She asked crying (so what do I do)

He places his shoe in front of her making her wear them.

"Asaani toh khuda nay kaha nahi k is duniya mai mile gi. Lakn yeh zaror kaha hai k agar us k raste per rahay toh muskilaat bhi asaan ho jayein gi". He said smiling standing in front of her wiping her tears,"Us ka rasta muskil zaror hai per us ka waada hai k us ka anjaam bohat khoobsurat ho ga. Ek dafa us per chal k toh dekho". (Now Lord haven't said that there will be ease in this world. However he said that if one stays on his path, he will bring ease with each problem) (His way is hard but he promise a generous reward too. Try walking on his path once)

She gasps opening her eyes to find herself in the same damn hotel room. She was here for the award show and she hates that she has to leave her family behind. She looks at the time to find it was near prayer time and looks at google to know when exactly the prayer call will happen. She walks towards her luggage opening it to find a beautiful shawl in it.

"I am placing this in for you. When ever you feel like he called for you, go for him".

That was Hanan's exact words. She realised that her sister had indeed grown into a beautiful woman and she couldn't be more thankful for it.

"You need to at least thank him for what he did for you".

Hanan's lessons always surround her and she understands the reason why her husband said that to plant a seed in someone's head even when they don't realise it in that exact moment, they will eventually play the scenarios and conclusions in their head to come to a point and that seed might bloom and help them to make a decision.

She heard the prayer call going off in her phone and her eyes widen because she never downloaded any application but her sister must have. She shakes her head wrapping the shawl around her and she sits on the ground and listening to the beautiful call for her to come to him.

Once it ended, she feels her feet moving her to the washroom and she did her ablution walking out of the washroom taking the prayer mat her sister had packed for her placing it on the ground.

Finally, after ages, with a shaking hand and even more shaking body, she stands in front of her Lord. Tears flow down her face repeatedly throughout as she feels like he was speaking to her and she was speaking to him directly. Her heart shattered as more tears fall down as she went into sujood feeling the burden on her soul lessing.

She raises her hand asking for the same dua she did in her dream and then she feels her heart contented. However, that doesn't stay long as exactly at 6 her hotel door opens and in walks her manager with the same ridiculous dress. She has seen this one in her dream, she remembers that was the last one that she saw on display and her heart shakes to even think of exposing herself again.

She looks at the dress and back at her shawl that provided her with the comfort of heart thinking of a way out. She was ready in her dress disgusted yet again by herself however this time she had things to do. She was determined that today she will take her own decisions and for her own self. To provide some peace to her broken wounded heart.

She holds the shawl in her hand walking out of the room and she doesn't understand the need for awards shows happening out of the country. Shouldn't the place they work the whole year should have them?. Adding in the extra expenses and more things for no good reason. The disgusting glancing, behaviour and everyone sticking to one other is far from anything good.

As she enters the venue she wraps her shawl around her whole body hiding the body from the thousands of eyes that were all on her making her sinful. She heard her manager trying to stop her but since she was in front of media he cannot exactly do anything.

"What do we have here?". She heard one of her previous brand owners says, "Did you start preaching now?. I wonder how you can do that when you have done nothing but sins in your life?. Are you going to start acting like a religious woman?. You do know they don't belong in this place, right?. You will lose all your followers and brands soon enough".

"Are they even worth it?". She spoke for the first time, "I don't think they can provide what I need".

She was one of the few people that were sitting in front and her manager tries to rip that shawl off her but she held onto it as if her life depends on it. With glances that show she is lower and to the even worse words she didn't pay heed to any of them.

"Are you going to start preaching now?. What's the fun in that?. Look at all those performances. Aren't you going to do one?". Her colleague said and she shakes her head not looking at any of the performances

Her phone rings and she looks down to her husband name flashing as she reads his message, "Do what your heart craves, Jaan. You know the people you love and the one who truly loves you will always stay by your side. Don't lose yourself again. We are here waiting for you. Come soon. I miss you".

"We will now speak to one of our favourite models, Mahak". The host said walking towards her, "So, Mahak, what brand are you wearing?".

"I don't know. I don't know what brand this shawl belongs to". She said shrugging nonchalantly

"Why don't you show you beautiful dress?. I am sure yours will give tough competition to the ladies here". The host said chuckling

"I don't have any such competition with them". She replied plainly

"I am sure people will appreciate it if you were more open. We are overseas and we should look more friendly". The host commented

"Coming here means we lose our values and culture blindly following them to fit in?". She asked

The host chuckled nervously, "Let's move on. Do you know how many women are jealous of you right now and all the boys that admire you?".

She feels sick at his word and she held the shawl closer to her, "Is that something to be proud of?".

"What?". The host asked confused

"Is being admired by someone who is not my mahram something to be proud of?". She asked again, "I would rather be admired by my husband who is the man I truly want to please than the random men looking at me for my body".

"You are saying like you have a husband". The host said laughing and people followed

"I do". She said with pride, "I have a husband who is my world. And I am here today to publicly say that I will not be a part of this filth anymore where people abuse others, mock and think that losing ourselves is fun".

With that, she turns around running out of the hall. She books a taxi heading towards her room. She changes into more modest clothes wrapping a scarf around her head and wearing a mask as she checks herself out.

She doesn't understand the concept of people being obsessed with having few people admire them for their outer appearance. The more she looks at, the more she finds the hole in this concept. Women are going mad about men and vice versa. There is no need for any of the gender to indulge in any sort of relationship besides the one that their Lord had gifted them with. With only sins, heartbreaks and whatnot waiting on that wrong path for them.

She enters the airport taking the first flight back to her home. Soon enough, she landed back and she walks out of the gates booking a taxi that directs her to his house. That is their house now. She decided she will finally shift in here for her own peace now. He had asked her before but she declined because of Hanan but now she needs to leave everything that held her back.

She opens the door softly knowing it's too early for anyone to be awake and not wanting to disturb them right now. She leaves her luggage in the hall walking towards their room. She opens the door lightly not making any sound and the sight in front of her had her heart bloom in love for this man.

He was sleeping holding both his daughters in his stronghold and she knows what his hold meant- that he will protect them against anything. His face was illuminated with bright sun rays falling onto him and the peace his face held had her heart flutters. She watches Sobia leaning more into him until she was laying on his chest and she smiles knowing that now the girls were more attached to him.

She knows today is his birthday.

And she was his present.

She walks out of the room after kissing their forehead walking downstairs sitting on the couch waiting for them to be awake as she starts to delete all her social media accounts that had her pictures and videos.

By the end of it, she felt free and she knows the article will start to come out soon enough. She takes her sim out throwing it away and deleting all the applications that anyone can reach her. Of course, her manager and many others have already sent her disgusting message that she chooses to ignore.

She knows the path she embarked on now will not be easy but she had lived through her worse phase all alone and now she has a family with her.

She heard a gasp and turn around to find her husband standing there with wide eyes.

"Mahak?. Am I dreaming?". He asked shocked as he walks in slow steps afraid that she might vanish in thin air as she has been for the past few days

He raises his hand gently placing it on her cheeks and the moment he felt the same emotions coursing through him- he knows she is here. His eyes take in her appearance and he couldn't even describe the way her beauty multiple in ten folds and his love for her in hundreds.

His eyes brimmed with tears of joy and appreciation, "You finally listened to your heart".

"You are my heart. I had to listen". She said as her own eyes filled with tears

He pulls her into his tight hold as their tears flow down their face and they embrace themselves for their new journey together.

"So, what's my gift?". He asked as they sit in the lounge with their daughters playing around them

And she will never forget their reaction at seeing her. They were laughing, giggling and clapping their hands as they look at her with so much love in their eyes that her own heart feels like it might burst.

"I am your gift". She insisted on raising her eyebrows

"Tum toh birthday se bohat pehle mil gai thi". He said whining placing his head on her shoulder (I found you long before my birthday)

"Haan toh ab poori zindagi k liye mili ho toh aur kia chahiyeh ab tumhay?". She said softly smiling (yes, so you have me for your entire life what else do you want(

"And you say I am mean". He said sighing

She rolls her eyes pushing his head away,"You have a duty".

"Abhi toh begum mili hai ittne din baad ab bhi mai kaam per jao!?". He said frowning deeply (I have my wife with me after so long and I go back to duty again)

"Haan jao". She said holding Sirat in her hands kissing her cheeks, "Babies, say bye to Baba". (Yes, go)

"Bye, Baba". His daughters said

His eyes widen as his feel his heart thunders in his chest.

"W-What did you call me?". He asked stuttering as he didn't believe his own ears

His daughters giggle at his reaction, "Baba".

He broke down in tears right at that moment because he hadn't listened to those words in their five years of life. He knows how excited he was to listen to it when he came to know about them however then everything went down the hill and to finally listen to these words was the most beautiful gift ever.

"Thank you". He said looking at his wife while his daughters run into his arms to stop him from crying wiping his tears away hugging him

She smiles nodding.

*****
"So, let me get this straight. You want to marry my sister?". She asked stern looking at a nervous Zain

Her husband leans towards her, "Did I tell you how attractive you look when you are serious?".

She elbows him because she doesn't want to smile or blush at this moment and her husband isn't helping, at all.

"Yes". Zain said after a decade of thinking what could be the right words

"Will you promise to cherish her?". She asked seriously

"I promise to cherish her until my last breath". Zain said firm

"Ok. I will speak to my sister and she can decide the next". She said softly smiling

"So it's a yes from you?". Zain asked wide eyes

"Haan toh us nay bol diya hai per mai soch raha ho abhi". Shayaan said (Only she said yes, I am still thinking)

"Meri haan ki zarorat thi tum kaha se a gaye?". She asked looking at him (My acceptance was needed, where did you came from)

"Acha Ji. Matlab meri behn ki zindagi ka fasla mai sirf tum dono per chor duin". Shayaan said then turn to Zain to tease him,"Meri Taraf se haan nahi hai".

(Oh yeah. It's my sister life decision and I leave it on you two) (You don't have my acceptance)

"Yaar toh-". Zain started (dude, you-)

"Zara tameez se baat karna ab rishte mai baara huin". Shayaan said proudly (Speak to me with respect I am older in this relationship)

"Shayaan". She said rolling her eyes, "Ignore him. I will speak to my sister and get back at you".

"Meri taraf se abhi bhi haan nahi hai". Shayaan said while Zain starts to leave (its still a no from me)

Zain walks out of the house feeling his heart hammering against his chest as he feels like he saw this results and passed.

"Ab yeh bhi ek zabardast scene hai". Hanan said laughing wholeheartedly (this is an awesome scene)

His eyes turns at the sound of her beautiful honey-filled voice and watching her laughing made his heart flutter.

"I feel like I came out of war zone and you are laughing at my misery". He said dramatically leaning on the wall

"Toh?. Tumhay jaldi thi maine toh nahi kaha tha". Hanan said shrugging, "Agar us din apni jealousy ko control mai rakha hota toh masla na hota".

(So?. You were in hurry, I asked you not to) (If you have controlled your Jealousy that day this wouldn't have happened)

"Toh tumhay kisi aur ki biwi banay dayta?". He asked as he remembers when she told him about a proposal that came for her and how he lost his mind over it, "Yeh toh mai kabhi nahi honay duin ga".

(And let you be someone else wife) (I will never let that happen)

"Ji, ji. Abhi bhi fasla mere hath mai hai". Hanan said laughing and running inside the house only to stop when she finds her sister standing in front of her and she blushes (yes, yes. Still the decision is in my hands)

"Toh haan samjhon?". Mahak asked softly smiling at how beautiful her grown sister looks (so, it's a yes)

"Ji". Hanan said shyly running back to her room (yes)

"Us gadhay ko kaha se Hanan jaisi larki mil gai?". Shayaan asked standing beside her (where did that donkey get a wife like Hanan)

"Tumhay bhi toh mili hai". Mahak said laughing at his bewildered expressions (you also found one)

"Kia kaha tum nay?". He asked following behind her (what did you just say)

*****
She looks at the henna in her hands and this was the moment she knows what it meant to be a bride. However, even when everyone insisted she didn't want to be a bride with her sister instead she wanted her to completely enjoy her own day. Because it is meant to come once and the first time is always a beautiful experience.

But, she did have henna on her hand and today is the wedding. Her sister was at the parlour while she came back home to get her daughters ready who was supposed to be ready by now with their father but they all are hopeless.

Now, her daughters were taken by Zain to the venue and she will go with her husband to bring her sister. She looks at herself once over adjusting her scarf and she truly admires her sister for being so strong on her faith to not remove her scarf even on her day. The parlour ladies and few more had insisted on her to remove it on all her functions but she said she wanted her Lord blessings much more in these functions of hers hence she will stick with what her Lord had asked of her. And now she understands the peace of this single wrapping around her head. It was a sign of a true believer and to indicate and differentiate between a believer and a non-believer.

"Mujhe bhi dekha do". She heard her husband voice as he places his head on her shoulder bringing his hands forward holding hers admiring the beautiful henna, "This is much better than the one that woman applied. I love that my name is written so prominently here". (Show it to me too)

He caresses the part where his name then turns her around kissing her palm. He was a man who hated this scent and now it was driving him insane to look at how beautiful it looks on her.

"Tumhay pata hai na k tum mujhe kitna bechaan kar rahi ho?". He asked leaning closer to her lips,"Aj toh pakka hamari shaadi ki raat bhi ho gi"

(You know how restless you are making me) (Tonight is for sure our wedding night)

She blushes profoundly making him laugh as he places his lips against hers in a gentle kiss of so many promises.

******
Zain looks at Hanan taking delicate steps towards her making his heart thunders loudly in his chest and the anticipation of having her near him only seem to strength. He admires how fragile and beautiful she looks in her dress and the beauty of her dignity (scarf) that she held onto until the last minute made him feel more proud of her.

It is hard.

Especially in a society that degrade some women on wearing a hijab. The moment Mahak quit the industry stating her part there were more women who came at her along with a number of men. Saying how she has done all the sins and now acting pious. That she will come back to this world after she is done acting. And others hurtful comments. Her industry people condemn her words saying how she has degraded them and their art and the way she has shown the world that they are crappy.

She would have cared before, honestly, she might even have gone back.

But the thing is that once He brings his blessing (guidance) to his being they will never turn away from him no matter how hard it gets. Their heart will not be hurt because they have stopped giving heart to the mere being and giving it to the one in power. When they stop being greedy of the materialism and instead indulge in a purity. The more closer we get, the more outer sounds will fell deaf on our ears.

Because that will make her stand out in everyone else.

"Bohat khoobsurat lag rahi hain, begum sahiba". Zain whispers in her ear as they stand together on the stage (you look absolutely beautiful)

"Ap Bhi kuch kum nahi". Hanan said shyly smiling (you are no less)

"Hayee. Ab saari zindagi yeh shyness door karnay mai nikal jaye gi". Zain said chuckling as she grows redder (now I will spend my whole life to take this shyness away from you)

"Thori sharam kar lein log kia bolein gay". Hanan said fake angry (have some shame. What will people say)

"Arey! Logo nay shaadi ki hai tum se?. Maine ki hai, meri suno na sirf". Zain said grinning (oh ho!. Did people married you?. I am married to you so only listen to me)

"I am rethinking about all this now". Hanan said

Zain turns her around bringing her closer and her eyes widen as she fell more embarrassed by all the eyes that were on them.

"Saari zindagi k liye ap bus hamari hain". Zain said flicking her nose and kissing her cheeks allowing her some distance before she kills him tonight,"Dekho aj raat na marana bus teen din rukh jao thora khush ho jao mai, phir theek hai".

(You are mine for this whole life) (Look don't kill me tonight just wait for three days so I can be happy in them and then you can kill me)

Hanan laughs wholeheartedly at his words and Zain joins in while Mahak looks at her sister with tears in her own eyes knowing she has finally done her best and now her sister was a grown woman who will lead her own life as she likes.

"Ittni khoobsurat ankho mai aanso ache nahi lagte". Shayaan said wrapping his hands around her bringing her to his chest, "You have done everything now, baby. You have done it all". (Tears don't suit these beautiful eyes)

And she did.

She was a child who was thrown into this harsh world as she was asked to navigate her way through after her parents were killed in a shooting done by rich men for fun. She was lost, empty and void living for her sister in a filthy world that lured her more and more into it's filth showing her fake reasons to stay in and do that she was ordered to forgetting and surrendering to that world.

The world that will not stay.

However, it all took one turn around by the one who had all powers to place her on a bumpy road yet again to find her way through the place she made her comfort. She was introduced to a new comfort (Shayaan) and he became her armour and view to a real world. A path crossed by her to reach to the real her.

She found herself.

She starts to live for herself.

Knowing that the love she found in a twisted faith of her will never allow her to be allowed in her sorrow and will always be with her until the end. His sister was gone from their lives because she signed herself to the people who brought her to the ground. His sister was found to be involved in illegal activities and that she was taking money from celebrities to write in their favour and on the other hand write criticism for the ones against them. She truly understands the level of filth once she was able to walk out of it. The news channel, reporters, writers, journalists and the whole industry is nothing but mafia. A different kind of mafia but they are doing the same thing- exploiting people. Whether they are of inside of industry or the people who follows these celebrities. Slowly our minds are converted and molded away from our values into a word we should have never went closer to. Now, we see all wrong as right and deem anyone who goes against our view. That's just how they manipulated us.

She heard the door opening to her study where she had been working on her new work. Her daughters (Sobia and Sirat) were sitting beside her playing together. Her daughters look at the door and their eyes widen as their father enter inside.

"Baba Jaani". Her both 8 years old daughters exclaimed running to him wrapping their arm around his legs

He chuckles at their actions because they always do the same thing when they find their father back home. Even after all these years, this man of hers made sure that her love only blooms more for him. Every single day, he made sure to tell her worth when the world seems to close down on her. Having faith doesn't ever mean you will not be saddened, it means that after you have your heart broken and cried for it, you will believe that everything happens for a reason and move on.

That's faith.

The one her husband made sure she held onto. He was still the charming handsome man in her eyes that she met years ago. Their life wasn't smooth like fairy tales, their lives were hard like reality. Yet, they know their loves can conquer any battle if they fight it together.

"Hanan is here with Abdullah (her son) go and play with him". He said kissing their forehead as they excited runs out of the room

"Achi trick hai". She commented smiling as he takes steps towards her sitting beside her (nice trick)

"Haan toh ab apni begum k saath time guzarnay k liye jo bhi karna parhay ga, karuin ga". He said grinning placing a strand of her hair away and the love shining in his eyes for her, "You are writing your book?". (Yeah, I have to do everything to spend time with my wife)

She turns around looking at her laptop where she had started her new work at, "I think if even one person can find a way through my words or if they reach someone heart. I should do it".

"What if they criticise it?". He asked concerned knowing she has turn sensitive now

She sighs, "Honestly, I know there will be many people who will not agree with my view and I don't say they are wrong because even I can be wrong. I grow with time and my view changes all the time. But, I hope what I am trying to convey they understand just that".

"So, what's my name in it?". He asked knowing she has changed the characters name not wanting to expose herself to the world again only to lose herself

"How about you buy a book and find out?". She asked smiling

"That's some great sales strategy I must say". He said fake offended, "Fine. I will wait and find my name".

With that, he stands from his seat next to her moving out of the room and she laughs knowing he will be back in less than a minute.

"Your name is Asim because you are my armour". She whispers watching the door opening as her light and blessing walks back in to make her world shine again

That was them.

Mahak and Shayaan.

******
A/N: We did it. Finally. I am so happy to end my 35 chapters with this beautiful story that have so many lessons in it.

I know you all were worried and asked about my parents and I couldn't reply because I was busy. So, here I am to explain briefly. My parents are in their old age with multiple lifelong disease issues. Their health is always a worry however sometimes it gets worse which means many doctors visit especially since my country is just opening after a full curfew there are many issues when we go to hospitals.

Watching my parents in this age is the worse feeling ever especially when I have seen their active days. I cannot describe how worse it is whenever they are in pain and how much I want to take it away. I come to point, that I am meant to watch this phase of theirs and I was stressed because of both of them falling into health issues together. That means running with both of them to hospitals.

Alhamduillah my mother is much better and my father is still improving. Since he has some swelling (because of sugar) it will take him time and with his age it will take even more of his energy from him. Pray for them.

Thank you so much for all the support and love. I will reply to you all once I am truly free. I know I have to write this chapter for you all and since I had time I decided to go for it.

Out of curiosity, what did you understand from Mahak's dream in the start when Shayaan appears and talks about the "shoe"?.

I love you all.

Thank you again. ♥️

-Faiqa