Author's POV

Aina was lying in bed, trying to sleep, but her thoughts wouldn't let her. She tossed and turned restlessly, yet like always, the thoughts of Saim and Reema wouldn't allow her any peace. She sat up on the bed, holding her head. It was painful. Recently, the headaches had become more frequent, but the pain in her heart was far greater. Getting out of bed, she wandered around the room.

"Saim..."

His name escaped her lips. She opened the window to breathe some fresh air, feeling suffocated again. Wrapping her arms around herself, she shivered as the cold wind brushed against her.

She didn't want to, but the thought of Saim touching Reema made her mad.

Would Saim love her the way he loved Reema?

Would Saim kiss her the way he kissed Reema?

Would Saim express his feelings the way he did with her?

Of course. She was his choice. While Aina was forced upon him. Reema was his love, while Aina was only his duty. Reema was his happiness, while Aina was merely his need.

She wiped the tears that streamed down her cheeks and leaned against the window frame. The thoughts of them being together were eating her alive, and she knew the day wasn't far when she would be completely destroyed. The pain she carried, no one could understand-no one could feel. She was the girl who once had everything on a silver platter, but now everything had been snatched away from her-her father, her brother, her family, her husband. She had nothing, no one to lean on. She still had her mother, but she couldn't burden her with her problems when she was already suffering from health issues. Fate was dragging her onto burning coals.

Lost in her thoughts, her phone suddenly buzzed. She picked it up and found Zaid's text.

"Aina, can you come to my room with water? I'm not feeling well. I want to take medicine but there's no water. Mama must be sleeping."

Aina replied with ok and quietly stepped out. She filled a jug of water, placed a glass on a tray, and walked towards Zaid's room.

...........

Shamim quietly entered Zaid’s room. He was about to lie down on his bed to sleep when he noticed her.

“Mama, why are you here at this time?” Zaid asked, confused.

“Have this milk. You and Saim don’t take care of yourselves. Drink this,” she said softly, holding out the glass.

“Mama… you don’t have to bring it at this hour. It’s already late,” he replied, reaching out to take the glass. But just as his fingers touched it, the glass slipped, spilling all over him.

“Oh Allah! You should have held it carefully!” she scolded him.

Zaid gave his mother a look that clearly said, you did this, Mama. But Shamim simply shrugged it off. “Go and clean this up.”

Shaking his head in frustration, Zaid walked into the bathroom. The moment he disappeared inside, Shamim picked up his mobile, quickly typed a message to Aina, and immediately deleted it from his phone.

When Zaid came out of the bathroom, drying his hands, Shamim was standing there calmly.

“I will bring you another,” she offered.

“No, Mama… I don’t want it now. You should go and rest,” he said tiredly.

Shamim nodded, satisfied—her work was done.

Meanwhile, Saim was in his room, unable to sleep. It was midnight, and his mind was restless when Reema barged into the room. She had gone out to get water, holding a bottle in her hand.

"Saim, what happened?" He quickly got down from the bed and walked towards her. She looked disturbed, biting her lips and avoiding his gaze.

"What happened? Are you okay?" he asked, frowning at her strange behavior.

"Wo... I... I know you won't believe me but... I..." she stammered, glancing at Saim.

"Reema, tell me! You're making me tense," he pressed lips, his worry growing. Her behavior was alarming.

"Saim... I saw Aina going into... Zaid's room," she said, and Saim staggered back. He turned to the clock-it was 12:30 a.m.

"Wha... what? No, why would she go into his room at this time?" His own voice sounded distant, echoing in his ears. Their family wasn't overly conservative, but Aina had been raised with values where a girl shouldn't enter her cousin's room at night. It was wrong, and Aina knew it. And even if there was something important, her brother was there, her husband was there, her father was there. Then why would she go into Zaid's room?

He pushed Reema aside and stormed towards Zaid's room with a rage that could destroy anything in its path.

A smirk appeared on Reema's lips.

She pulled out her phone and texted quickly:

"He is coming."

Masking her expression with worry, she followed behind him.

Aina knocked on Zaid's door. When there was no reply after a few seconds, she knocked again. Finally, Zaid opened the door.

"Bhai... are you okay?" Aina asked. Zaid looked at her in shock. It was midnight, and Aina stood before him at this hour.

"Ye le." (Here.) She handed him the water jug.

He didn't take it, just stared at her in disbelief.

"What happened, bhai?" she asked, confused by his frozen state. Thinking he must really be unwell, she stepped inside to place the heavy jug and glass, shocking him even more.

Sighing, she turned to leave. "Bhai, take your medicine. I'll go," she said, taking a step forward but halted when Saim suddenly entered the room.

Aina's heart stopped. Zaid stumbled back, feeling guilt gnaw at him, even though he wasn't at fault. He didn't know about Aina's intention but he was not at fault.

"What are you doing here?" Saim roared, charging towards her. She stepped back in fear, his eyes blazing danger.

"Wo... wo Zaid bhai ne pani... pani le kar bulaya tha." (He... he called me to bring water.) She step back.

"Kyun jhoot bol rahi ho, Aina? Maine tumhe kab bulaya?" (Why are you lying, Aina? When did I ever call you?) Zaid asked, bewildered. He couldn't believe she had put such a blame on him in front of his elder brother. Aina looked at him with wide eyes, completely shocked.

"Bhai... aapne toh... aapne toh text kiya tha... ke pani le kar aao, aapki tabiyat theek nahi hai," (Brother... you texted me... that you weren't feeling well and to bring water,) she said, as though trying to remind him.

"Aina, if you think I'll support you in this, I won't. You're lying," Zaid said, and Aina felt the ceiling collapse over her.

"Aina, tum itna gir sakti ho, main soch bhi nahi sakti thi." (Aina, I never thought you could stoop this low.) It was Reema.

"Kya matlab hai aapka? Aap kehna kya chahti ho?" (What do you mean? What are you trying to say?) Aina yelled, feeling trapped. She didn't understand what was happening, but she knew they were pulling her deeper into trouble.

"Don't shout!" Saim shouted back. "What wrong has she said? Don't you have any shame? Tell me why you came into my brother's room at midnight?" He grabbed her arms tightly.

At that moment, Shamim entered with Hameed behind her. Aina's parents and Affan also rushed in, hearing the noise.

"What is happening here?" Hameed demanded loudly.

"Ask her, uncle. She came into Zaid's room at midnight, saying Zaid texted her to come. But Zaid said he didn't send her any message," Reema quickly informed them, making everyone shocked.

"No... bhai texted me! I have the text. I'll bring my mobile and show you all," Aina cried, rushing to leave, but Shamim gripped her arm.

"You don't have to go. Reema, bring her mobile," Shamim ordered.

Everything unfolded too quickly after that.

Reema brought Aina's mobile, but there was no such text. Then Shamim told Reema to check Zaid's phone. Zaid silently handed it over, and what they saw next shattered her world.

"Ya Allah... Saim, look at these texts from Aina!" Shamim gasped.

Saim snatched the phone, and the ground slipped beneath his feet.

"Zaid, ap mujhse shaadi kar le." (Zaid, marry me.) First text.

"Zaid, main Saim se khula lena chahti hoon. Kya ap mera saath denge?" (Zaid, I want to get khula [divorce] from Saim. Will you support me?) Second text.

"Mujhe ap bahut pasand ho, Zaid. Kya ap karenge mujhse shaadi?" (I really like you, Zaid. Will you marry me?) Third text.

"Zaid, ap jawab kyun nahi dete? Agar apko jawab dena ho toh text kariyega... mujhe intezaar hai apke jawab ka." (Zaid, why don't you reply? If you want to give me an answer, text me... I'll be waiting.) Fourth text.

"Zaid mai bahot akeli hun. Mujhe apki zarurat hai. Please mujhe qubool kar lijiye" (zaid I am lonely. I need you. Please accept me). Last text.

Mobile fell on the ground. Aina stared at him innocently, as if asking what happened to him. Affan picked up the mobile, then Razzaq, and then Hameed. One by one, everyone saw the text. Finally, Aina snatched the mobile from her mother's hand. The moment her eyes fell on the texts, she felt as if the ground slipped from beneath her feet.

"Nah... nahi!!" (No... no!!) She threw the mobile away as if it were burning her hand. "Mai... I didn't text him... no... I don't..."

She was still trying to explain when Hameed's hand landed harshly across her face.

"You characterless woman! You weren't satisfied with ruining one son, now your eyes are on my other son?" It was the first time her Taya Abu slapped her. His voice thundered through the hall. "How dare you even think like this when you are still in Saim's nikah? How low can you fall, Aina!" He kept shouting.

Aina stood frozen, her body trembling. Her eyes searched for one face-Saim's. He was silently watching her. Gathering courage, she walked towards him.

"Kya apko in sab pe bharosa hai?" (Do you believe them?) she asked with a tiny flicker of hope that he would stand by her.

But Saim's cold, distant eyes sent a shiver down her spine.

"Han... kyunke tum is qabil ho hi nahi ke mai tum par bharosa karu. Mujhe mere bhai pe bharosa hai... par tum par nahi." (Yes... because you are not even worthy of my trust. I trust my brother... but not you.) His eyes filled with tears. "I never thought... that you could stoop so low... with my own brother..."

Aina's hand rose instinctively and landed across his face with a sharp slap. Everyone gasped in shock.

"Khabardar jo mere kirdar par ungli uthayi!" (Don't you dare question my character!)

Saim's eyes burned red with fury. He raised his hand and struck her with the back of his palm. The force sent her crashing to the floor.

"Khabardar jo ainda ye galti ki!" (Don't you dare repeat this mistake!) He grabbed her arms, dragging her up. "You aren't even worthy of my sympathy... a fallen woman who only thinks of her own benefit."

Aina stared at him in disbelief before breaking into sobs. She lowered her head, tears spilling endlessly. Saim shoved her back. Her mother rushed forward and held her trembling daughter.

"If you think I'll divorce you so you can be free to do whatever you want, then you are wrong!" Saim's voice shook the walls. "I will never divorce you. I will never accept you, nor will I set you free to belong to someone else!"

His words left Reema and Shamim shocked. They thought he would divorce her after all this, but instead, he chained her more tightly.

"Tum mar kyu nahi jaati Aina!!! Aur kitna ruswa karogi mujhe?!" (Why don't you just die, Aina!!! How much more will you disgrace me?!) her father screamed, striking her. Her mother tried to shield her, but his hand struck the back of her head.

"Baba, control... don't waste your energy on this characterless girl," Affan spat.

Saim turned away, hatred burning in his eyes. He began to leave.

"Rukiye, Saim Baig." (Wait, Saim Baig.) Aina wiped her red cheeks and swollen nose, stepping forward with trembling legs. "Ye jo aaj ap sabne mujh pe tohmat lagayi hai na... Allah Surah Noor ayat number 23 me farmata hai: Beshak jo paak daman momin auraton par tohmat lagate hain, woh duniya aur aakhirat mein laanat kiye gaye hain, aur unke liye bada azaab hai." (This accusation you have thrown at me today... Allah says in Surah Noor, verse 23: Indeed, those who slander chaste, believing women are cursed in this world and the Hereafter, and they will suffer a tremendous punishment.)

Saim stopped and turned to look at her. Shamim's stomach twisted uneasily, while Reema rolled her eyes.

"Ye ruswai jo apne ki hai, ye mujh par tohmat lagayi hai. Mai iske liye kabhi maaf nahi karungi. Kisi ko bhi maaf nahi karungi-na yahan, na aakhirat mein. Khuda kare ke aap logo ko maafi ka mauka bhi na mile." (This humiliation, this slander you've cast on me... I will never forgive it. Not here, not in the Hereafter. May God never even give you the chance to repent.)

Her words pierced the air. One by one, eyes dropped. Even in their anger, something about Aina's tear-filled eyes planted a seed of guilt in their hearts. Shamim's chest tightened with an unfamiliar fear.

With trembling legs, Aina ran towards her room. Her mother rushed after her.

"Aina!... Meri bachi!" (Aina!... My child!) her mother cried.

"Mama... mama, maine kuch nahi kiya!" (Mama, I didn't do anything!) Aina sobbed like a small child, clutching her mother desperately. Zubaida felt her heart splitting apart seeing her daughter reduced to this.

"Aina meri jaan... I know... I trust you, mera beta." (Aina my love... I know... I trust you, my child.) She engulfed her in a warm embrace, stroking her back.

"Mama... mai yaha nahi reh sakti... Mama mujhe yaha se jana hai... Mama, mai mar jaungi aise!" (Mama... I can't stay here... Mama, I want to leave this place... Mama, I will die like this!)

"Nahi meri jaan... aise nahi kehte." (No, my love... don't say such things.) Zubaida cupped her face, tears spilling down her cheeks. "Tumhe zinda rehna hai. Tumhe dekhna hai ke kaise Khuda in sab ko tumhare aage jhukata hai. Saim laut kar ayega... woh jhukega tumhare saamne. Khuda tumhari sachchai uske saamne layega. Ye ek maa ki dua hai. Tum har ilzam se azaad hogi, meri jaan. Bas Khuda par bharosa rakho. Ab zalimo ki rassi daraz hai, par ek waqt ayega jab Khuda inki rassi khinch lega." (You must live, my child. You must witness how God will make them all bow before you. Saim will return... he will kneel before you. God will reveal your truth. This is a mother's prayer. You will be free from every accusation, my love. Trust Allah. The rope of the oppressors is long, but a day will come when God Himself will pull it tight.)

Aina sobbed in her mother's arms as Zubaida prayed from the depths of her soul.

Meanwhile, Saim stormed into his room, chest heaving. He never imagined she could do this-think of someone else, and that too his brother. He loved her... and she only shattered him again and again.

He hurled everything off the dressing table. His reflection stared back at him in the mirror-and in his mind, he saw her laughing at him. With a cry of rage, he punched the mirror repeatedly until it shattered into a thousand shards, piercing his bleeding hands. Falling to his knees, he screamed.

"Ahhhhhhh!!!" Saim's cry shook the Baig house. "Ughhh!" another scream tore from his chest.

Aina covered her ears, tears streaming down her face. Shamim froze at her son's door, terrified by his madness. She rushed forward and gathered him in her arms.

"Why?! Why, Mama?! Why always me?! Why?!" he wept like a child. "Mai kaise usse pyar kar baitha... woh nahi mere pyar ke qabil... mai mar jaunga, Mama..." (How did I fall in love with her... she isn't worthy of my love... I'll die, Mama...)

Shamim felt the ground slip from under her. Her son loved Aina. Truly, deeply. She had thought it was only infatu

ation with her beauty, but now... seeing this raw pain... something cracked inside her.

"Aahhh!" His scream pierced her ears again. Moments later, Saim collapsed unconscious in her lap.

*********