Chapter No.: 15
Sherooz was sitting with Roumesa, posing for photographs, when she whispered softly, "Bhaya, why don't you call Tania over? It would make for a wonderful picture." Sherooz replied, "You gesture to her first and see if she's willing to come. If she is, I'll go and escort her; she's sitting quite close to Uncle right now."
At Roumesa's beckoning, Tania rose from her seat and made her way toward the stage. Upon reaching it, she playfully nudged Sherooz to the other side and sat down beside Roumesa to have the photo taken. Afterward, Tania turned to her and said, "Roumesa, I invited you here to enjoy yourself, but you look a bit troubled. Is everything alright?"
Her voice reached Sherooz's ears just as Roumesa replied, "Oh, I was just anxious because Baba hadn't arrived yet. Now that he's here, I feel much more relaxed."
Sherooz interjected, "Is that truly the only reason, or has someone said something to bother you? Just tell me, and I'll set everything right." Roumesa burst into laughter at his protective tone and told Tania, "Don't take him too seriously, Tania. He just loves to tease like this."
Sherooz looked at Tania with a gaze full of hidden meaning and remarked, "Oh? So soon? I haven't even shared much about myself yet, and here you are, being so formal and stern with me, while you're so friendly with Roumesa."
Roumesa added mischievously, "Maybe I should formally introduce you two as friends. I'm heading off now, leaving Bhaya alone. I truly hope a wonderful companion enters his life soon. Let's see who he eventually chooses."
Tania replied softly, "Sherooz is such a kind soul; any girl would be blessed to find happiness with him." As she spoke, she unconsciously began rubbing her hands together—a sign of nervousness that Sherooz noticed instantly.
"My heart isn't a rental apartment for temporary stays," Sherooz said firmly, his eyes locked on hers. "I am a man of commitment. My heart will belong only to the one who truly captures it." Tania looked at him for a fleeting second before quickly lowering her gaze. Sherooz's eyes spoke volumes; they clearly betrayed his growing affection for her, as did the very tone of his voice.
When Roumesa stepped away for a moment, Tania prepared to leave as well. Sherooz stopped her. "Do you not enjoy my company? Is that why you're hurrying away?"
Embarrassed, Tania sat back down. "No, it's not that."
"If it isn't that," Sherooz asked gently, "then tell me what is weighing on your mind. Share it with me as a friend; perhaps I can help unravel the knot you're in."
Tania lowered her voice, barely whispering, "Baba wants me to get a divorce."
Sherooz's expression turned solemn. "Uncle spoke to me as well. He said he could never send his daughter back to the house of those who wronged his wife. He feels you were trapped under the guise of relationships. He cannot find it in his heart to forgive Aasya Begum and her husband; he is firm in his resolve and truly believes this is for your own good. But I feel your perspective is just as important. Tell me, what do you think? Do you still... do you still love Almeer?"
Sherooz felt his heart tremble as he asked. He feared that if her answer was 'Yes,' he would lose the woman who had already carved a place in his soul. Tania kept her head bowed. When he pressed her again, she finally spoke:
"I don't know. I am caught in such a difficult storm. Almeer sends me messages; he asks what his fault is in all of this. He says it was his mother's wish and that he had no idea I was his aunt's daughter. He insists he didn't marry me out of revenge and that Uncle has misunderstood everything. He wants to meet me, but Baba is strictly against it. He has forbidden me from answering his calls or replying to his messages. In two days, he is taking me to a lawyer to file for Khula (divorce)."
A lone tear escaped Tania's eye. Sherooz handed her a tissue and said softly, "Try to compose yourself. In the end, whatever you desire will happen. I will speak to Uncle. If it's just about meeting him once, I can arrange that. I will do whatever is humanly possible for your sake."
Tania looked at him, bewildered. "Why would you do all this for me?"
"Because I consider you a friend," Sherooz replied, "and a friend would do at least this much for another."
Tania sighed, "I know you are a very good person, Sherooz. Whoever enters your life will be very happy."
Sherooz took a deep breath. "The door to the heart only opens once. My heart isn't open for just anyone... but the moment I saw you, you stepped right into it."
Tania was left stunned by this sudden confession. Just then, Roumesa returned. "Are you two still here? Dinner is being served out on the lawn!" Tania had been so lost in the conversation that she hadn't even noticed the crowd moving outside. Roumesa led them both to the lawn, where a beautiful arrangement awaited them.
Meanwhile, Almeer set his phone aside. His head was throbbing with a sharp pain. He searched through his belongings for his medicine box and swallowed a pill. Between his chores and his thoughts, he hadn't even found the energy to unpack his suitcase.
He opened his phone gallery to look at a photo of Tania. It was a picture taken at the hospital when they were both so incredibly happy. He began to wonder, "Is happiness really this fleeting? Can mistakes of the past erase an entire lifetime of love in an instant? Why does Shahab Uncle believe this was all a calculated plan? Why would I ever seek revenge against Tania? How do I explain that I fell for her the very day we met at the shopping mall? She was exactly the life partner I had always dreamed of. And when Mama saw her, she loved her too. How long will we continue to pay for Baba's mistakes? If only Mama hadn't taken her parents' side or misled Baba about his sister... then his anger would never have turned into this poison. And now, that same hatred lives in the hearts of Tania and her father."
Clutching Tania's photo to his chest, he finally drifted into a restless sleep on the sofa.
Back at the function, Jameel Sahab was introducing Shahab Sahab to the guests. Some knew him from before, while others were new faces. Jameel spoke about their school and the new branch projects, explaining how well they were managing the institution alongside their construction business.
One of the guests remarked, "You two have always been so close; you should turn this friendship into a family bond."
To this, Jameel Sahab replied openly, "My son is quite fond of Shahab Bhai's daughter. And after this wedding, keep yourselves ready for another Nikkah. Shahab Bhai, I hope you have no objections?"
Shahab Sahab fell into a deep silence. He knew he had to consider Tania's will; she was already traumatized by previous events. He began to pray silently, "My Lord, You are the one who shows the best path."
Roumesa approached Shahab Uncle. "Uncle, you haven't eaten anything!"
"No, beta, I've had plenty," he replied warmly.
"Uncle, if I ask for something, will you grant it?" Roumesa asked with a sweet smile.
"When such a lovely daughter asks so affectionately, I must. What is it?"
"Uncle, make Tania my sister-in-law," she said earnestly. "Bhaya will keep her so happy. I have never seen that spark in his eyes for anyone else. And one more thing—stay here tonight after the function. Mama and Baba will talk to you, and Sherooz and Tania can get to know each other better. Uncle, please don't say no."
Shahab Sahab sighed. "Beta, what can I say? Everything you say is fine, and I will stay. But this is a decision about Tania's life; it is better if she decides for herself. One hasty mistake has already been made."
"Yes, Uncle, Baba told me," Roumesa replied. "Sherooz has no objections to anything. Just say yes, and I'll handle Tania."
"Alright," Shahab Sahab finally conceded. "We shall talk about it."
"Thank you, Uncle! You've won my heart!" Roumesa exclaimed. As she was leaving, Tania walked up. "Baba, what were you talking about? What did Roumesa win?"
Shahab Sahab pulled his daughter close affectionately and asked, "Did you enjoy the function?"
"Yes, Baba, it was fun. But when are we going home? We've finished dinner now."
"Beta, the weather is quite bad," Shahab Sahab explained. "It's not safe to leave this late. The rain has made the roads muddy, and if the car breaks down, there will be no one to help us. Since everyone is leaving in the morning, we'll leave with them. Thankfully, the rest of the functions are in the city."
He paused and asked, "Why? Did you not like this farmhouse?"
"Baba, those massive, haunting trees were making me feel uneasy. I was scared. I'm just glad you're here. Fine, we'll leave in the morning. I'm going inside to stay with Roumesa. But what about your medicine? Did you bring it?"
"I have it with me," he reassured her. "I'll take it now. I kept it with me this morning since I came here straight from the meeting."
As Tania started to head inside, she slipped on a patch of water on the floor. Seeing her fall, Sherooz rushed to her side instantly. He helped her up and, supporting her, led her inside to the sofa. He quickly brought the medical kit and, taking out a tube of ointment, asked where she was hurt.
Tania pointed toward her foot, and he began to gently apply the cream. Looking into his eyes, Tania whispered, "Wounds on the feet will eventually heal... but do you also know how to heal the wounds of the heart and soul?"
Sherooz looked directly into her eyes and replied:
"Try me and see..."
[End of Episode]
All Rights Reserved Written by: Ishrat Khanum(Ishrat Zahid /Zoaq-e-Isha) © 2026
All rights to this story (Along with the Spring), including the plot, characters, dialogues, and text, are solely owned by the author, Ishrat Zahid (Zoaq-e-Isha). No part of this work may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the author. Plagiarism or unauthorized publication is a legal offense.
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