ishq lost & found

1; Suggestions

Life would never be the same for Ranya Khan, not after what her fiancé has pulled mere weeks before their wedding. The air in her childhood home felt heavy that day, the sun bearing harshly down through the lace curtains of her room. Her home, normally vibrant and alive, especially with the preparations of a wedding-to-be, now seemed eerily quiet.

Ranya had meticulously planned every detail of her big day, from the intricate handwork on her dress to the placement of each flower that would hang from their ceiling. She spared no expense in reigning her dream wedding to life, determined to make this day unforgettable and perfect.

She didn't spare a single detail- aside from the red flags of her fiancé, who abruptly decided to abandon her, leaving her with nothing but gossip surrounding her name and a broken heart.

It had been three days since he had called the wedding off, stating that he wasn't ready. That he wanted to do more in his life than just settle down & be stuck, a silly statement considering the fact that he was older and had already accomplished most, if not all his goals. That is why he had agreed to the wedding in the first place. This was just an excuse.

For the past three days, Ranya secluded herself in her room, shutting out the world beyond her door. Her parents and siblings, their voices carrying the weight of concern, pleaded with her to face the situation.

"Ranya, please open the door," her mothers voice echoed outside her room. "You can't just sit in your room forever. Salmans family is here! Please come out!"

The mere mention of Salman's name made Ranya cringe, her heart sinking deeper into despair, She closed her eyes, taking a shaky breath as she contemplated her next move. What was the point of staying locked away forever? What would she do? It was clear Salman had moved on. He doesn't care.

Sitting up, she rubbed her tired eyes, throwing the blanket off herself before finally unlocking the door. Her mothers eyes widened with relief the moment Ranya emerged, her usually radiant daughter looking disheveled & exhausted. Without hesitation, she enveloped Ranya in a tight embrace.

"Thank goodness you finally opened the door!" she exclaimed, pulling away to inspect her daughters face close up

"Mama, I'm alright." Ranya murmured, gently freeing herself before settling on the edge of her bed. "I'll clean up and be down in 30 minute, okay?"

"Okay," her mother nodded, trying her to best to avoid overwhelming her daughter.

Ranya stepped into the shower, the warmth of the water washing away the weight of her grief. She pampered herself, taking the time to wash her hair, and diligently follow her skincare routine. Staring at herself in the mirror afterwards, she contemplated putting on makeup but decided against it. At least now, she recognized the face staring back at her.

Dressed in a simple ensemble, she draped a dupatta over her damp hear as she descended the stairs, her heart racing with anticipation.

"Assalamualaikum," she greeted everyone, attempting a calm and collected facade

"Walikum Assalam," Auntie Saima replied warmly, rising to give Ranya a heartfelt hug, unable to imagine the pain her foolish son had put the poor girl through.

Auntie Saima had always been welcoming, treat Ranya like her own. The families has been close for years, Ranya grew up seeing her as a second mother. Despite the betrayal, Ranya still harboured fondness for her.

"How are you feeling?" She asked, settling beside her with a concerted gaze

Ranya mustered a reassuring smile. "I'm alright. I've been better." she joked weakly, but the room remained somber.

"Listen...." She took Ranya's hand, her tone gentle. "I am so sorry about what my son did. Believe me-" she glanced at her husband, his head hung low with shame, unable to meet Ranya's gaze. "We will deal with him justly. But you don't want him anymore I'm sure. So, your uncle & I had an idea." She continued, her words holding an uncertain weight that made Ranya uneasy, unsure what her beloved aunt was about to propose.

"I discussed this with your parents, and if you're up for it, it'll save us a lot of time and money. It will also save your reputation, you know that we know the truth- but, no matter what, people will talk."

Ranya's brows furrowed, unsure of what to expect next as it seemed everyone was avoiding her gaze. "What's your idea?" she asked cautiously.

"We know you haven't seen him in a while, but you two were close for years and...." she paused, taking a moment to inhale as if to prepare herself for what she was about to utter,

"We were thinking you could marry Saad."