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Knocking gently on the door, I stepped inside and found Ghulam, my childhood friend and the only one I could truly count on, speaking to someone on the phone. He sat behind his desk, wearing his white doctor's coat, a picture of calm professionalism.
My gaze landed on the nameplate positioned neatly on his desk: Dr. Ghulam Sayyed.
I looked around the room, the familiar space bringing with it a wave of nostalgia. I had been here countless times, but today felt different.
Ghulam ended his call and looked up at me with a soft smile.
"Dulhe Miya is waqt yaha?" he teased, grinning mischievously. "I thought you wouldn't leave your wife's side for at least a whole month." (Is the groom here right now?)
I sank into the chair opposite him, running a hand through my hair in frustration, messing it up further as my lips pressed into a thin line.
"Yeah, well, plans change," I muttered, leaning back and staring at the ceiling for a moment.
Ghulam raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "Trouble already?"
I let out a weary sigh, my mind still replaying the argument from earlier. "Let's just say the honeymoon phase is long gone," I replied, bitterness creeping into my voice.
"Maaf karna, yaar. Tumhari shaadi mein nahi aa saka. Ek emergency case aa gaya tha." (Sorry, man. I couldn't attend your wedding. An emergency case came up.)
"Vaise accha hi hua ke tum nahi aaye," I said, my voice rough as flashes of yesterday's events came rushing back to me. (Actually, it was better that you didn't come.)
Ghulam frowned, concern written across his face. "Aisa kya ho gaya? Sab theek hai na?" (What happened? Is everything okay?)
"Khairiyat hi toh nahi hai," I muttered, the weight of it all pressing down on me. (Everything is not alright.)
Before Ghulam could ask further, my phone buzzed on the desk, the ringtone breaking the tension. I glanced at the screen-Falaq♥️ was calling.
"Looks like Bhabhi's already missing you," Ghulam teased, his mood lightening.
I hesitated, staring at the screen. Falaq's call used to fill me with happiness, a warmth that spread through my chest. But now, as her name flashed across my phone, a storm of emotions churned inside me-grief, bitterness, longing, and feelings I couldn't even begin to untangle.
"Aren't you going to pick it up?" Ghulam's voice cut through my thoughts, bringing me back to the moment.
I shook my head, my lips pressed tightly together.
