Chapter No.: 14
It was becoming impossible for Almeer to maintain his composure. As Shahroz approached, Almeer abruptly turned away; he was in no state to face questions or offer explanations at that moment. Tania had spotted him as he retreated, and in that fleeting second, their eyes met—a mutual spark of recognition that hit like a physical blow. Shahroz stopped, noticing the sudden alarm in Tania's voice as she hurried toward him, visibly shaken.
"Who was that?" Tania asked, her breath coming in shallow gasps. Shahroz looked toward the gate. "I'm about to ask the staff. I couldn't quite make out who they were from that distance." He stepped outside the gate and saw his workers assisting a man whose car tire had been swallowed by the thick mud. Almeer was right there with them, shoulder to shoulder, helping to heave the vehicle out. Shahroz noticed Tania standing nearby and frowned slightly. "Tania, it's not appropriate for you to be out here. Please, go back inside. " Tania stammered, "I... I just came to call you. Rumesa is asking for you." Shahroz replied gently, "Go on, I'm coming."
Once Tania headed back, Shahroz approached the group. The car had finally been freed and was idling. Almeer, his hands stained with grime and mud, wiped them as he offered his gratitude. "Your workers were an incredible help. This car was carrying essential supplies for my mother; it was critical that we reached home on time. Do you live here?" Shahroz nodded. "This farmhouse belongs to my father. We're hosting a function for my sister today. Are you new to the area?" Almeer replied, "Yes, it's my first time staying here, though my mother visited frequently. My grandfather gifted this farmhouse to her so she could recover in peace, away from the chaos of the city. Thank you again." The two men shook hands, and Almeer climbed into his car and drove away. Shahroz stood there for a moment, a memory flickering in his mind of a similar car he had passed on the road earlier. Shaking it off, he returned to his duties. Just then, Shahab's car pulled up, and Shahroz welcomed Tania's father inside.
On the other side of the fence, Almeer let out a long, shuddering breath. He began to reproach himself. What was I even thinking about Tania? How could she possibly enter into another Nikkah? No, Tania still belongs to me, and I will not let her go without a confrontation. That guy, Shahroz... he's probably just a close relative. I know Tania better than that; she is a woman of strong character. He reached his own farmhouse as the unloading began. Along with the groceries, he had ordered oxygen cylinders and a full suite of medical equipment to ensure his mother could receive emergency treatment at home if needed.
Inside the mansion, Tania sat in a quiet corner, feeling as though her heart was sinking into her chest. The shock was paralyzing. Was Almeer following her? If Baba finds out, what will he think? He'll assume I contacted him. She was drowning in anxiety when Shahroz appeared. "Tania, are you alright?" he asked, his voice laced with genuine concern. Tania looked up, startled. Shahroz took a seat on a nearby chair. "Tania, if something is bothering you, you can share it with me. I've noticed since we started traveling this morning that you seem lost in thought. You can trust me as a friend."
Tania replied with a trace of bitterness, "Trust is exactly what I shouldn't do. People always end up breaking it." Shahroz paused, his gaze steady. "Perhaps I can help you regain that trust. Maybe I can help you find something you thought you had lost." Tania shook her head. "I don't want anything, Shahroz."
Seeing her internal struggle, Shahroz didn't push. "Alright, I won't force you. Talk to me whenever you feel ready. For now, try to enjoy the function. Your father has arrived and was asking for you. Fix your expression; if he sees you this distressed, he will start asking questions. Sometimes matters are beyond our control, and in those moments, we must simply trust the One above. He handles everything."
Tania stared at him, caught in a whirlwind of confusion. Should she believe Shahroz's calm assurance or Almeer's desperate plea to "listen to him once"? She felt like she was walking a tightrope, unsure whether to move forward or look back. Suddenly, her throat felt parched and constricted. As Shahroz turned to leave, she called out, "Shahroz! Can I get some water?"
Shahroz returned almost immediately with both water and juice. "Drink the juice instead; you need the energy. One can only think clearly when they are physically well." Tania silently drank the juice and stood up. "Thank you, Shahroz, for everything." Shahroz smiled. "Friends don't say thank you or sorry. I just want to see you happy like the other girls. Life will always have its challenges; the key is to face them with courage."
Almeer went to his mother's room. "Where were you? You haven't even eaten yet," Asiya Begum asked worriedly. Almeer sat by her side. "I'll eat now, Mama. Tell me, did you have anything?" She smiled weakly. "Yes, Nasreen made some soup; it was delicious. You should have some too. I'm worried you'll fall ill. And what is all this? Are you planning to turn this room into a hospital? Why is all this equipment here?"
Almeer explained patiently, "Mama, we are far from the city. I ordered this on the doctor's advice so I don't have to take any risks if your health fluctuates even slightly. Starting tomorrow, a professional, trained nurse will stay here full-time. I have to go to the city for the office, and I cannot leave you without professional care. Nasreen is here, but you need to get better for me."
After eating, Almeer called his office and postponed all meetings for the next two days. He then spoke to his legal advisor, thanking him as the documents were finalized. Feeling slightly more at ease, he decided to relax in the lounge and turned on the TV while his mother slept. However, the moment he opened his social media, his heart stopped. A post was already going viral—his father, Jehangir, was at a beach with a new business associate who was also a famous actress.
"Baba! What have you done? You've destroyed your own image," he muttered, switching off his phone in a fit of rage. He leaned his head against the sofa and closed his eyes. Just then, the servant brought his tea. Almeer signaled him to leave it on the table. His own words from earlier were ringing in his head like a hammer against an anvil: Aba!
How much more will you embarrass us? How much lower will you fall in our eyes? Now, Shahab Uncle will never agree. If the father is like this, what will people think of the son? This question continued to gnaw at Almeer's soul.
End of this episode
Copyright Notice
Written by: Ishrat Khanum (Ishrat Zahid, Zauq-e-Isha) © 2026. All Rights Reserved. All rights to this story (along with the Spring), including the plot, characters, dialogues, and text, are the sole property of the author, Ishrat Zahid. Any unauthorized reproduction, theft, or publication of any part of this work in any form (including social media posts, blogs, audiobooks, or YouTube videos) without prior written permission from the author is a legal and ethical offense. Legal action will be taken against any infringement.
Disclaimer
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. The purpose of this story is purely for entertainment; it does not intend to offend any individual, group, religion, or community.