Sarah stood there, her heart pounding in her chest as Humaira's words echoed in her ears. The weight of the revelation was too much to bear, and she couldn't find the words to respond. Without saying a single word, she turned away and left, the silence between them heavy with unspoken emotions.
Humaira watched Sarah's retreating figure, her heart sinking with guilt. She knew she deserved this reaction, for she and her mother had played a part in preventing Sarah from marrying Kashan. They had used Rehan as a weapon, breaking Sarah's wedding with Kashan, only to have her own marriage fixed with him now.
Sarah entered her room and closed the door behind her, seeking solace in the quietness of her own thoughts. Her mother, Habiba, noticed her daughter's sudden change in demeanor and wondered what could have happened. The cousins speculated that it might be because Sarah's marriage was now fixed with Rehan.
"What's the matter, children? It's your cousin's wedding. You should be enjoying yourselves," their aunt interrupted, trying to bring back the festive spirit. But no one could muster up any genuine happiness, not even Sarah herself.
"I don't know why, but I just can't seem to feel excited about this wedding," Areeba confessed. Laiba her voice filled with uncertainty. "It almost feels like we're attending some mundane family function."
"Come on, you two. You should be happy for Sarah," Zaidan chimed in, trying to encourage them.
"But is the bride herself happy?" Haania, their sister-in-law, couldn't help but voice her curiosity. Her words hung in the air, hitting a nerve that others had tried to ignore.
The room fell into a heavy silence as everyone exchanged glances, realizing the truth in Haania's words. The joy that should accompany a wedding was absent, replaced by a tangled web of emotions and secrets that threatened to unravel everything.
------
All the cousins were talking and having a good time when Areeba started feeling sleepy. But nobody wanted to turn off the lights, so she decided to go to her cousin Sarah's room. "I'm going from here," she whispered and quietly left the room.
When Areeba entered Sarah's room, she noticed that the lights were already off and it seemed like Sarah was fast asleep. Areeba didn't want to disturb her, so she tiptoed inside. But then, by accident, something fell and made a loud noise. Areeba got worried and looked at Sarah, who just turned a little in her sleep. Areeba felt relieved that she didn't wake her up.
In the dimness of the room, Areeba noticed a notebook on the floor. She couldn't see it clearly because it was so dark. She wondered, "What is it? Maybe it's a notebook."
-------
It was a bright morning. The family had gathered together, and Sarah, with a warm smile on her face, approached everyone and greeted them with "Assalamualaikum." The room fell into a momentary silence as everyone looked at her with surprise.
Curiosity filled the air, and Sarah could sense it. "Did something happen?" she asked, her voice filled with genuine concern. Her eyes scanned the room, searching for answers.
Habiba, Sarah's mother, couldn't help but notice the redness in her daughter's eyes. "Are you okay?" she asked, her voice laced with worry. "Why are your eyes so red Sarah?"
Caught off guard, Sarah quickly touched her eyes, as if trying to hide the evidence. "It's nothing, really," she replied, her voice slightly trembling. "Maybe I just slept too much, that's all."
Sarah's father who saw wasn't convinced. He knew her daughter well, and something seemed amiss. With a gentle touch on Sarah's arm, he reassured her, "If something is bothering you, remember that we're here for you. You can always talk to us."
--------
After breakfast, the elders left, leaving only the youngsters behind. Sarah was preparing to leave when Humaira approached her with hopeful eyes. "Sarah..." she began, but Sarah remained silent. Her heart was heavy with the knowledge that Humaira was the reason behind her broken marriage with Kashan. She had always sensed that Humaira didn't like her, but this time, she had crossed all her limits. Sarah's cousins watched the scene unfold, their eyes filled with curiosity and concern.
Laiba couldn't contain her curiosity any longer and questioned, "What's going on?" Areeba chimed in, her voice filled with shock, "Do you think the same as we do?"
The room fell into a tense silence as all eyes turned to Humaira, who stood there with an innocent expression on her face. The contrast between her hopeful eyes and the hurt in Sarah's heart was stark, leaving everyone bewildered.
--------
Rehan and Aayan were hanging out in Rehan's room, feeling super excited. Rehan couldn't hold it in any longer and blurted out, "Aayan, dude, I'm so happy! Sarah and I are finally getting married!" Aayan felt really happy for his friend, but deep down, he sensed something wasn't quite right. Still, he decided to keep his thoughts to himself. He didn't want to bring down Rehan's mood on such a special day.
"Yeah, man, that's amazing news!" Aayan replied, trying to match Rehan's excitement. "But hey, don't get too carried away, or you might jinx it, you know?" he said, jokingly. Rehan burst into laughter, appreciating Aayan's playful comment.
"Haha, you're right, buddy!" He exclaimed, his enthusiasm filling the room. "But now, I gotta get ready for my haldi ceremony, bro! It's gonna be so much fun!" Rehan's excitement was contagious as he bounced around, getting ready for the fun-filled festivities that awaited him.
Meanwhile, at Sarah's house, there was a lot of hustle and bustle. It was a busy and lively scene. Family and friends were running around, making sure everything was set for the big day. The delicious smell of food filled the air, mixing with the sounds of laughter and chatter. It was a joyful atmosphere as everyone eagerly awaited the arrival of the beautiful bride-to-be.
-------
Kashan returned home from the office, his face reflecting exhaustion and weariness. His mother, concerned for her son, called out to him, "Are you okay?" Kashan responded with a simple hum, not even glancing at his mother, and headed straight to his room.
His mother, understanding that he must be incredibly tired, decided not to press him further. She knew that sometimes, a person just needs their own space to unwind and recharge. She silently hoped that he would find comfort and rest in his room.
As Kashan closed the door behind him, he let out a deep sigh. The weight of the day's challenges and burdens seemed to have taken a toll on him.
He found himself overwhelmed with emotions. He locked his room, loosened his tie, and opened the window, hoping to find solace in the cool night air. But instead, he felt suffocated, as if the weight of his sorrow was pressing down on him.
As he gazed at the moon, a single tear escaped his eye, tracing a path down his cheek. He whispered softly, "Just keep her happy." The moon, a silent witness to his pain, offered no reply.
With each passing moment, the realization of losing her forever weighed heavily on Kashan's heart. His eyes grew moist, and he couldn't help but let his tears flow freely. The room felt heavy with the weight of his unspoken grief.
In that moment, Kashan made a silent promise to himself. He would cherish the memories they shared, and he would do whatever it took to ensure her happiness, even if it meant letting her go.
Please like, comment and vote.
YOU ARE READING
Love's Unforseen Twist
Short StoryTo my surprise, he looked up and our eyes met. Embarrassed, I quickly closed the window, feeling a rush of heat on my cheeks. I hadn't expected him to notice me observing him.