Laazawaal Mohabbat

Epilogue : Two Halves Of A Whole

One Month Later

“This dream wouldn't have been possible, if I didn't have my family with me.” - Zunera said with a smile.

She was talking to the press after Sulaimaan laid the foundation stone of the university. The entire Sulaimaan family was present there as well, hence the media coverage. They all smiled back at her warmly. And she felt like she was a part of them since forever.

“A person can dream but fulfilling it requires a family's support. And I'm lucky I have that.” - she continued. “But it'll be unfair if I don't specifically mention one person who has been with me since the beginning. Who supported me even when I didn't ask. Who is now, my backbone.” - her smiled softened, so did her eyes.

Arbaaz was already smiling at her. He was looking at her the same way he had been when they had shook hands for the first time in their friends' wedding. And it left her heart fluttering.

“Thank you so much Arbaaz. For coming into my life and staying.” - she concluded softly and a hearty round of applause followed by the press.

She walked towards her family who stood up as it was time to leave for home. The press still came to ask further questions but the guards made a wall between them and they smoothly reached the cars.

“Zunera! Not coming with us ?” - Aafiya asked as Zunera moved towards Arbaaz's car whereas she had came with Aafiya and Jahan'ara.

After all that kidnapping ruckus, Zunera was living with the Sulaimaans as per Jahan'ara's persistence or more like, orders. But to Arbaaz's great dismay, she lived in the guest room as they still hadn't disclosed to their family that they were married.

“We have to go somewhere Mom. But we'll join you at home shortly.” - Arbaaz replied while opening the gate for Zunera.

“Okay. But be quick. The henna artist is coming over in the evening.” - Aafiya told smilingly and left.

It was 30th Ramadan today and Eid was due the next day. The ladies of the house were, obviously, excited because they all were planning to have henna on their hands. Zunera had went to shopping with Shifa a day prior and had bought the dress and the jewelry she wanted. Arbaaz had tried everything to convince her to show him her dress but she had flat out refused, due to which he had sulked in the Manor for an hour.

They both sat in the car and drove off. He stopped by a flower shop and bought a handbag of rose petals before they headed to their desired destination.

The graveyard.

Arbaaz's demeanor automatically changed as he stepped down the car and entered the graveyard. He didn't need to search, as he had frequently visited in the past month. His feet on it's own stopped infront of a grave while Zunera stopped a step behind him.

Kashish Sheheryaar daughter of Sheheryaar Siddiqui
Born : November 7th, 1999
Died : March 22nd, 2023

‘Indeed. Every soul will taste death.’

He kneeled down and sprinkled rose petals over her grave. The soil was moist which meant the caretaker had just sprinkled water on the graves.

Despite whatever Kashish did with him regarding Zunera, he missed her. She was his childhood friend. They had grew up together. And she was that annoying, younger sister to him whose absence he felt now. He had never wanted her to choose the path she chose. But guess it was destiny.

That, and the fault in her upbringing.

It was parents like Sheheryaar and Shahbano who were responsible for such incidents in the society. Who, in the name of love, spoil their child. Who don't stop their children from going into extremism. Who don't teach them how to let go. Who don't teach them the value of patience.