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Amaira and Ibrahim

Amaira (13) and Ibrahim (19)

Amaira and Sahil were playing in the sprawling backyard of their mansion, the sun casting long shadows as the day drew to a close. Their laughter echoed through the garden until it was abruptly replaced by a heated argument.

"Amaira, you're out now! Accept defeat and give me my turn," Sahil whined, his frustration palpable.

Amaira crossed her arms, defiant. "Nahi Bhaijan, mein abhi out nahi hui," she retorted, refusing to yield.

Anger flared in Sahil's eyes. Without warning, he yanked Amaira's hair and spat, "Loser!" before storming into the house. Amaira, stunned and in tears, didn't chase after him. Instead, she staggered inside, her cries piercing the quiet evening.

"Ibrahim Bhaijaan! Ibrahim Bhaijaan!" she wailed, her voice desperate and broken.

Ibrahim, the epitome of calm strength, came rushing down. His light brown hair tousled and his grey eyes wide with concern, he found Amaira in the foyer, tears streaming down her face.

"Amaira, what's wrong? Why are you screaming like this?" he asked, his voice a soothing balm.

"Bhai... jaan," Amaira sobbed, her words broken by hiccups. "Sahil Bhaijan pulled my hair and called me a loser."

Rage flashed in Ibrahim's eyes, but he tempered it for Amaira's sake. "Sahil!" he called, his voice firm and unyielding.

Sahil appeared, defiant as ever. "She's lying! You always take her side!" he protested.

"Shut up!" Ibrahim's voice was cold. "She is your younger sister, and in Islam, it's forbidden for a man to harm a woman."

Sahil, chastened, muttered a half-hearted apology before slinking away.

Ibrahim turned to Amaira, his expression softening. "Come on, let's get you something to drink," he said, leading her to the kitchen where their aunt Noor was preparing milkshakes.

"Aira, drink this, my love. You're losing weight," Noor said, her voice gentle.

Amaira grimaced, shaking her head vigorously. "No, tayi Jan!" she protested, trying to escape. But her other aunt, Sarah, intercepted her, forcing her to drink the milkshake while her cousins Zainab and Sofiya giggled from the corner.

Their laughter was cut short when the aunts turned their attention to them, and soon the kitchen was filled with the sounds of protest and laughter as they too were made to drink the milkshake.

Later, in her room, Amaira sat with her cousins, their books spread out before them. "Yaar, Sof, I don't want to study today," Amaira groaned. "Ibrahim Bhai is getting really strict."

Just then, Ibrahim appeared at the door, having overheard her complaints. "Mia, are you coming? I've been waiting," he said, a smile playing on his lips.

Amaira caught off guard, stammered, "Bhaijaan, my stomach suddenly hurts. I can't study today."

Ibrahim's eyes twinkled with amusement. "Oh, really? I was planning to take you all out for golgappas after studying, but if you're sick..."

Amaira's eyes lit up. "Wait! I suddenly feel better. It must have been stress," she said quickly.

Ibrahim chuckled, leading her to his room where they spent the next two hours studying. Amaira, despite her earlier reluctance, quickly grasped the concepts. Eventually, she fell asleep on his bed.

As Ibrahim watched her sleep, his aunt Zakia's voice rang out, calling her character into question for being in his room. Her malicious words spread like wildfire through the house, igniting tensions and tears. Amaira's father, defending her vehemently, warned everyone to respect his daughter.

Ibrahim, anger simmering beneath his calm exterior, wished he could silence his aunt's toxic tongue. He apologized to Amaira's father, who reassured him.

The next morning, at breakfast, Zakia's venomous words targeted Amaira again. "Amaira, tumhe sharam nahi aati," she sneered.

Amaira, confused, replied, "Ab main na kya kiya phupho?"

Ab yeh bhi main bataon ke tume ne Kya kiya hai. Tauba hai be Sharminda ki. Zakia's tirade continued, her words cutting deep until Agha Jaan intervened, his voice thunderous. "Tumhari himat kaisay hui mere poti ka liye aise ilfaaz istimal karnay ki?"

Zakia shamed into silence and glared at Amaira with seething resentment. That night, Agha Jaan decided Amaira should marry Ibrahim, a decision kept secret from the younger generation.

Time passed, and by the time Amaira turned 16, her bond with Ibrahim remained strong. However, shadows from the past and misunderstandings began to cloud their relationship.

One evening, Amaira begged Ibrahim to convince her mother to let her attend a sleepover at her friend Sania's house. Reluctantly, her mother agreed, but the night spiralled into a nightmare. A malicious scheme, orchestrated by Maleeha, led to compromising photos and a damning voice message being sent to Ibrahim.

Crushed by the betrayal he believed Amaira had committed, Ibrahim's demeanour changed. When Amaira returned, his coldness cut her deeply. "I'm going to Canada," he announced abruptly, leaving Amaira heartbroken and confused.

Their relationship was strained, they avoided each other until Ibrahim's departure. On the day he left, Amaira, desperate for answers, cornered him. "Why are you mad at me?" she demanded.

Ibrahim, struggling with his emotions, finally snapped. "If you like someone, tell me. But don't do anything haram. You're not a prostitute." His words, fueled by jealousy and hurt, left Amaira shattered.

Showing her the photos and the voice message, Ibrahim stormed out, leaving Amaira reeling. Deciding to prove herself, Amaira vowed to focus on her studies and her dream of becoming a doctor, determined to rise above the shadows cast by those who sought to bring her down.

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The picture is not my own.