Ink and Ambition [RE-WRITING AND EDITING]

Kabir Rehman.

The night was quiet, save for the occasional rustling of the rain outside the window, which hadn't stopped poring since the day of Noori's disappearance. Ahmed Malik sat in his study, the dim light from his lamp casting a warm glow over the room. His heart was heavy with thoughts of his daughter, Noori, who had been missing for a year now. The ache of her absence was a constant weight on his chest.

Noori had always been a vibrant child, her love for dancing evident from a young age. Ahmed could still see her twirling around the living room, her laughter filling the house with joy. Although it was a great memory, Ahmed knew it was wrong from the very beginning. And it was his fault after all. He was the one who kept persisting when she was still young. But Allah had a way of teaching paths unexpectedly.

Noori had met Kabir Rehman, during college, a young man whose devotion to his faith was as strong as his kindness. Kabir didn't believe in music or dancing, something that initially confused Noori. She struggled to understand how life could be beautiful without the rhythm and melodies she loved. Yet, Kabir’s gentle guidance began to open her eyes to a different kind of beauty.

Ahmed remembered the nights they spent talking, Noori questioning and slowly understanding. Kabir taught her that joy and fulfilment could be found in faith, in the quiet moments of prayer, and in the strength of community. It wasn’t easy for Noori to let go of her passion for dance, but she began to find peace in other parts of her life.

Just when it seemed she had found her balance, Hassan entered their lives again. Hassan, Noori’s cousin, had always been obsessed with her, a dark presence lurking on the edges of her happiness. He hated Islam and everything it stood for, a stark contrast to the peace Noori had found.

Ahmed's hands trembled as he recalled the horror of that day. Noori was ready to marry Kabirand, the house filled with anticipation and joy. But Hassan, driven by his twisted obsession and hatred, kidnapped Noori, tearing her away from her family and the life she had built.

For six long years, Ahmed and his family lived in anguish, the uncertainty of Noori’s fate a constant torment. They knew she was suffering, enduring unimaginable horrors at Hassan's hands. He tortured her for her faith, punishing her for her prayers. Yet, they clung to hope, to the belief that Noori’s spirit was unbroken, her faith a shield against the darkness.

Ahmed spent many nights like this, alone with his thoughts and memories. He remembered Noori’s strength, her resilience. He recalled the last time he saw her, her eyes filled with love and determination as she embarked on her new life with Zayd. Now, he could only pray for her safety, for a miracle that would bring her back to them.

The rain began to patter against the window, a gentle reminder of the storms they had weathered as a family. Ahmed closed his eyes, offering a silent prayer for Noori. He prayed for her strength, for her to feel their love and hope no matter where she was.

He thought of the times Noori would sit with him, sharing her dreams and fears. He remembered her joy when she danced, the way her eyes sparkled when she spoke of her love for Kabir. Ahmed's heart ached with the weight of those memories, the longing to see his daughter safe and happy again.

In the quiet of his study, he made a vow. He would never stop searching for Noori, never stop hoping and praying for her return. He would keep her spirit alive in his heart, a beacon of love and hope that would guide them through the darkness.

He felt a glimmer of hope, a small spark of courage that refused to be extinguished. He knew that no matter what, he would never give up on Noori. His love for his daughter was unwavering, a light in the darkness that would lead her back home.