ISHQ, EK IBADAT | (Completed)

Episode - 01

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2 years ago.

"They say love is a beautiful thing - a symphony of happiness, feelings, emotions, and respect. A person with all these blessings is considered the happiest in the world, envied by all. But I have it all - wealth, material possessions, and a life of luxury. Yet, the emptiness within me remains unfilled. Without true love, I'm just a shell of a person, a lonely soul. I've loved before, loved unconditionally, and was loved in return. But when it came down to choosing between me and her ambitions, she chose the latter. I waited, hoping she'd come back, but she called me an unfortunate person, unworthy of love. Perhaps she was right; my parents don't care about me either. To them, I'm just a puppet, a mere extension of their will. I've spent my life trying to earn their love, sacrificing my own identity in the process. But I've lost again. I'm tired - tired of myself, tired of the people around me, tired of this life. All I want now is eternal peace. Maybe this decision is wrong, but it's the only one I can make. I wish, just once, my parents had asked how I was doing, spared a moment from their busy lives to show me love. But alas, that's a wish that will remain unfulfilled."

As he continued to talk to himself, the boy steered his car to the middle of the road and brought it to a halt. His gaze fell upon the truck barreling towards him from the opposite direction, its speed alarmingly high. With tears welling up in his eyes, he closed them tight and settled comfortably into his seat, resigned to his fate.

(HIS POV)

"As I sit here, I don't regret my decision, but a pang of guilt hits me - I'm breaking my sister-in-law's heart. Sister-in-law, I'm so sorry. I know I've been a disappointment as a brother. I searched for love outside, hoping to find what was lacking at home, but it slipped through my fingers once again. Forgive me, sister-in-law. I'm exhausted, drained from the endless search. I'm tired of the pain, the loneliness, the emptiness. I'm sorry..." - He wept silently, tears streaming down his face without a sound.

(POV END)

As the boy sat in his car, resigned to his fate, people around him shouted and rushed to alert the traffic police. But before help could arrive, the truck slammed into his car, sending it crashing into a nearby cart loaded with iron rods at a construction site.

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A few hours earlier...

The boy came downstairs, ready for breakfast, and called out for his family. "Ammi? Abbu? Ammi?" He entered the dining room, expecting to see his parents and brother, but found only his sister-in-law, Ramsha.

"Where are Mom and Dad? And brother?" he asked, confusion etched on his face.

Ramsha's expression was calm, but her voice hinted at a deeper sadness. "They've already left. Abbu and Rohil went to the office, and Ammi visited her sister."

She gently took his arm and guided him to a chair. "Just leave it and come, sit here."

"Muskaan!" Ramsha called out, just as a girl arrived with a cake and handed it to her. Ramsha placed it in front of Elhaan and lit the candle.

"Happy Birthday to you... Happy Birthday to you... Happy Birthday dear Elhaan... Happy Birthday to you!" Ramsha sang, beaming with a smile.

Elhaan's face lit up with gratitude. "Thank you, bhabhi."

Ramsha encouraged him to cut the cake, and after he did, they fed each other slices. Ramsha's eyes shone with warmth as she said, "May Allah keep you happy always. Give you every happiness."