Chapter 19
The proceedings in the chamber ended, and as Tania and Almeer walked out, they looked at each other for a brief moment. However, a heavy sense of silence hung between them, and they both departed for their respective destinations.
While sitting in the car, Sherroz reminded her father, "Uncle, you must come to the function tonight and bring Tania along so her heart can find some peace. This is not easy for her; give her a little time to decide. There should be no pressure on her whatsoever. It is not even necessary for her to choose me. Uncle, I want her happiness; I want to see her moving forward. I don't want her to make a decision based on your or my wishes. This is her life, and she has the right to live it."
Upon returning, Tania remained completely silent. Shahab Sahib also felt that at this moment, Tania needed comfort and peace rather than advice, so he left her be.
Returning home, Tania went straight to her room. She flatly refused to eat and told everyone she wanted to rest and not be disturbed. After locking the room, she sat on the bed and began to cry. "In the end, what do I truly want? Why does no one understand me? I am a human being too; I have feelings. I am going through pain, and only I know it. How can people possibly understand?" Weeping, she eventually fell asleep on the bed.
Meanwhile, Sherroz reached home and went directly to Romaisa. He had to take her to the salon for her bridal appointment. As he reached the room, he heard his mother's voice telling Romaisa, "I have known Tania since childhood and love her dearly. She is such a refined girl; no one can fight destiny. I want to bring her to our home. Her mother passed away so early... I want Sherroz to give her the happiness a girl expects from her husband."
Sherroz knocked on the door. "Come in," Romaisa called. Sherroz entered. "Romaisa, we have to go to the salon; you have a bridal appointment." "Yes, Bhai, I remember. Just have this luggage placed in the car; I was just talking to Mama. What happened with Tania? Did you go there today?" Romaisa asked. Sherroz replied, "I will tell you later. First, let's go; we are getting late. I live abroad, where everything follows a schedule, but since coming to Pakistan, I see people don't care about the value of time. Reach where you promised on time." "Yes, Bhai, I'm coming! Let me grab my purse and mobile." Romaisa picked up her cell phone from the table. "Mama, I will get ready and call Bhai. My friend Sheeba is coming with me; she has already arrived, and I've received her messages. Bhai is right, we are getting late." She headed out.
In the car, Romaisa couldn't hold back. "Bhai, at least tell me what happened. Almeer must have been there too?" "Yes, he was there; he is Uncle's nephew. Uncle also received a call. Uncle, Tania, and I went there. Regarding Aunt Sofia's will—it was made in Aunt Sofia's name by her parents, and after her death, it was transferred to her children. Almeer or his father has no right to it. The court has even frozen the accounts. Only after Tania appears in court, shows Aunt Sofia's death certificate, and the succession case is settled, will she get everything. Almeer didn't seem that bad; I even saw his mother. The real problem lies with his father. He is only interested in selling the shares and property. I investigated; Uncle asked me to find out. I didn't see any conspiracy from Almeer or his mother. Uncle is cynical because Aunt Sofia was treated unfairly. Uncle still isn't interested in this property, but I want Tania to become empowered. She should look after her mother's business; this way, she will be strong, and her mind will be set."
Romaisa asked, "If Bhai isn't interested, what does Tania say?" Sherroz said, "Tania is just shrouded in silence. As a friend, I have assured her to take her time and decide. If she likes Almeer and wants his companionship, she should say it openly. A life of hypocrisy cannot be lived. If today, after taking Khula, she realizes it was done in haste, then she should get a chance to think. In my case, there is no force; she should accept me with her whole heart, not because of anyone's pressure." "Bhai, I thought I would be part of your Nikkah before you left. I have to go abroad with my husband." "I will also come from abroad for my Nikkah; you come too. Now go; the salon is here. Look, is that girl your friend? She looks angry even from a distance." "Yes, you're right, that's my friend. Bhai, keep your phone with you; I'll call you. There's a photo session too, so don't be late." Romaisa went inside, and Sherroz gave her bag to the guard to hand over.
As Sherroz sat in the car, his phone rang. He checked his side pocket; it was an unknown number. He picked up. A voice said, "I need to speak to Sherroz." "Yes, who is this?" She introduced herself: "I am Almeer's mother. I found your number with great difficulty. Shahab Bhai has blocked my number; he has changed despite calling me his sister. Almeer told me you are Tania's friend. I just want to tell her not to leave Almeer. I have returned from the jaws of death; I want to see my son's home settled. I don't want my son to be punished for his father's deeds. I am a mother; you are also someone's son. You must have loved someone, too. Almeer loves her very much. We have no interest in Sofia's property; I was searching for them myself to return their trust. I didn't know Shahab Bhai was Sofia's husband, and Tania was her daughter. We didn't plan anything. I have left my husband's house and moved to my father's house. Son, you will find a very good girl; just step aside so Tania's heart turns back toward Almeer. I want to die seeing them together."
After listening to everything, Sherroz said, "Aunty, there is no pressure on Tania. She is thinking. The case hasn't been filed yet; we've only discussed it with the lawyer. Whatever happens will be Tania's own decision. I cannot do anything; I am just a friend. Taking Khula is Tania's personal matter. I cannot tell her not to take it. Aunty, some decisions are made by time for us, and whatever is in our favor is what happens. Trust in Allah. If they are written together, no one can separate them. If not, then no matter how much we try, we cannot unite them. Take care of yourself." Sherroz hung up the phone.
Almeer saw his mother crying and came inside. "Mama, who were you talking to? Was it a call from Baba?" She replied, "I spoke to Sherroz." "Mama, why did you talk to him? No one in that house is willing to understand. Everyone thinks we planned this, took advantage of your illness, and forced the Nikkah. Who will explain to them? Tania doesn't meet me alone; sometimes it's Uncle, and sometimes it's Sherroz. Now I am also being stubborn. I will not give Tania a Khula; instead, I will file a case against her father. He is keeping my wife against her will and pressuring her for Khula. On what grounds? What have I done? I was searching for Sofia Phuppo; I didn't name her property as my own. Mama even kept the trust with her father to save it from Baba, yet he doubts me. Mama, do people change so quickly? Don't we have any respect? I will show them who Almeer Jahangir is. I have endured enough. Now, whatever talk happens, it will be in court!"
Almeer left in a rage, and the color drained from Asiya Begum's face. "Almeer, what are you doing?" she cried, as if losing consciousness, and her body began to sink onto the sofa...
The End of the Episode
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