Mehmal

Chapter 14 ( Suffering & Grief)

Zaryab suddenly jolted awake by the loud, abrupt slamming of the door. As he gathered his bearings and opened the door, he saw Mujtaba standing in the doorway, with their parents trying to hold him back. Before Zaryab could react, Mujtaba forcefully shoved him to the ground. "Mujtaba," Zaryab's parents cried out in shock. "How could you do this to me?" Mujtaba shouted, his eyes burning with anger and tears. Zaryab was taken aback by his brother's outburst. "Mujtaba, please," he pleaded. But Mujtaba was too enraged to listen.

"You couldn't build your house. You didn't let me build it," he said with a sharp edge in his voice.

"They're marrying her off to someone else. You knew I loved her when I didn't even know the meaning of it. And now you've ruined it. I told you to comply with whatever they asked, but instead, you're marrying that home wrecker," Mujtaba said bitterly. "Mujtaba," Zaryab shouted as he sprang up from the floor.

"Zaryab was taken aback by Mujtaba's disrespectful tone. "Did you lose your manners? At what tone are you talking to me?" Zaryab said, his voice edged with frustration. However, this seemed to further enrage Mujtaba. His anger boiled over, and he impulsively grabbed a nearby vase and hurled it across the room. on the floor " Mujtaba," Qureshi Sahab was stopping him from arguing further.

" If you think you can bring that bitch to my house by sacrificing my love. You are mistaken. You sacrifice your marriage for other women, but why have I been punished?" Mujtaba yelled and pushed Zaryab again.

" Mujtaba, you are not in your senses. Get out of here," Zaryab said. Qureshi Sahab was dragging Mujtaba from there " I'm leaving this house because he didn't sacrifice his wife for her but his brother as well. I'm leaving you and everyone. I wish Zaryab Qureshi would feel the same pain I felt. When you feel that pain remember my ME," he said and left. Zaryab stood on his spot like a statue. Mujtaba's behavior hurt him beyond. His mother looked at him in shame.

"Get a hold of yourself, Mujtaba," Zaryab snapped as he pulled him away. "I can't stay in this house. He didn't just sacrifice his wife for her, but his brother as well. I'm leaving you and everyone else. I hope Zaryab Qureshi feels the same pain I felt. When that pain hits you, remember me," Mujtaba declared before storming out. Zaryab stood frozen in shock. Mujtaba's behavior hurt him beyond. His mother looked at him in remorse.

Zaryab was looking at the papers he had signed. He was walking downstairs when his mother stopped him " Where are you going?" He looked at her.
" Bringing Her back," He replied " She will not be back. They told you she signed Zaryab. Why.." zaryab got irritated
" Mama, I need to talk to her. I would not calm down till I don't talk to her. I'll stand by her no matter what. She'll definitely come back. I can sense her frustration, but I'll do whatever it takes to make things right. No one will come between us, not even Anaya. I won't marry her if it means sacrificing my relationship with mehmal." he said and walked out of the house.

*****

He found himself standing outside Mehmal's house, shrouded in darkness. As he pressed the doorbell, a servant emerged from the shadows to greet him.

" Is Mehmal baji at home?" he asked the servant, looking at him astonishingly.
"Zaryab Sahab, they all back to London in the evening," he replied. His words stop Zaryab's world and his breathing. He was feeling numb.
Everything Numb. His steps were staggering.

She left.LEFT

He dialed everyone's number, but they were all off. He was driving at full speed, tears streaming down his face. "You left. You promised me, Mehmal. How could you leave me?" Zaryab cried out, hitting the steering wheel.

Zaryab came back home zarmeena was waiting for him on the lawn. He looks heartbroken " Zaryab did you talk?" She asked zarya. He looked at his mother. He was quiet. Before she could press further, Zaryab's body gave in, collapsing to the floor, utterly heartbroken.