𝐀𝐘𝐀𝐓: 𝐀 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐐𝐮𝐫'𝐚𝐧

chapter 5

"What are you thinking, Aadam? Promise me," she repeated. Aadam opened his mouth to say something when Salma barged into the room.

"No, Aadam! You will not say anything you might regret later. This woman is not worthy of trust; she just wants to marry Aayat to Aatif because she wants your property. Aadam, please think before saying anything!" Salma shouted, panting.

"Are you out of your mind, Salma? Think before you speak against Aapa!" Aadam shot back in a firm tone. Anaya entered the room behind Salma and observed the tense atmosphere. She took out her mobile phone, clicked a few buttons, and passed it to Aadam. He looked confused but took the phone anyway. As the video played, Aadam's expression shifted from confusion to hurt. His eyes flickered towards Neema.

"Is it true?" Aadam asked in a stern voice, handing the phone to Neema, who looked bewildered. After watching the video, the color drained from her face.

"It's n-not t-true, Aadam," Neema stuttered, panicking because her plan had been spoiled by this little kitten who was smirking at her in victory.

"Shut up, Aapa, just shut up. How much longer will you lie, and how can I trust you now?" Aadam shouted, causing Neema to flinch.

"Aadam, please listen to me—" she tried to continue her act, but it was clear that Aadam was no longer interested.

"Aapa, if you wanted my property, you should have just asked me. I have given you everything. Why did you have to play this marriage drama, huh?" He spoke with hurt in his eyes, feeling betrayed by the one person he had trusted the most—his sister.

"I truly want Ayat to marry my son, Aadam. It's not about property; I like Ayat so much," Neema explained, her tone wavering.

"You like her, but does Aatif like her? You may not know, but I have friends who are close to Aatif, and they've told me that he is also being pressured by you. So don't lie!"

Aadam's words shocked everyone in the room. Salma immediately glanced at him, her face pale with guilt. How could she forget that Aadam was Ayat's father? He would never allow his daughter to be handed off to the wrong person.

"Aapa, I respect you, and that's why I'm saying this respectfully: please go back to your house. I don't want liars in my home anymore," Aadam said firmly before storming out of the room. Salma gave Neema one last glance before following Aadam out.

×××××××××××××××××

Anaya also went out of the room and entered in her bedroom when she witnessed ayat reciting Quraan

فَسُبْحَانَ الَّذِي بِيَدِهِ مَلَكُوتُ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَإِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ

(Wo zaat paak hai ,jiske hath mein har cheez ki badshaahat hai aur usi ki taraf tumhe laut kar Jana hai)

(So exalted is He in whose hand is the realm of all things, and to Him you will be returned)

She recited the last line of Surah Yaseen with its meaning because whenever her heart felt heavy and she found herself in a difficult situation, she would read the Quran with understanding. In it, she found peace, for it contained the words of Allah (SWT).

“Appi, everything is fine. You don't have to worry now,” Anaya said as she walked towards her sister. Ayat lifted her teary eyes to see Anaya, then closed the Quran and stood up to place it on the upper shelf of the cupboard. She hugged Anaya tightly.

“Allah (SWT) has listened to your prayers, Appi. Now everything is fine!” Anaya exclaimed as Ayat pulled back from the hug.

“Really? But how, Anaya? I thought Neema Phuphi would manipulate Abbu again,” Ayat said, looking into Anaya's eyes.