Mehrbano is a kind enthusiastic girl entrapped in a loveless marriage with a cold man Ehan Haider. She had fully invested herself in her marriage but she got nothing but pain. She never knew her heart would be shattered into pieces.
She: You have my...
"It hurts mama-It hurts too much-I am now understanding what you have felt-when papa betrayed you" I said in between my cries.
My heart felt the pain of my mother once again. My heart was buried under the weight of pain given by everyone. I think I could never recover it.
I cried my heart out to her. Said many things to the only person I could share my heart with what if she wasn't present beside me or say anything in return. She was there under the soil in some form and that was enough for me.
"He never loved me mama-Your prayers weren't accepted- Your daughter lived two years being unloved" I clenched my hands tightly in the soil.
My mind took me somewhere back where my mother existed.
"Bano! Bano! Where are you?" Mama's voice echoed in the annex.
I was sitting beside the table. I could hear her but chose nothing to speak. At last she found me after checking the whole small place we lived in.
"What's this behavior beta! You are twenty one and not five anymore" Mama said and sat down on the floor next to me. I didn't look up at her.
"Mehrbano! I am talking to you" This time she asked me seriously and I couldn't ignore her anymore.
"Jee"
"Why you didn't come outside to say greetings when I asked you to?" She questioned strictly.
"Because I don't want to marry that guy" I opposed.
"Phir kis ke sath karni hy apne bap ke dhoondhe hue kisi larke se jo tumhara wahi hashar kare ga jo tumhare bap ne mera kiya" She yelled at me suddenly.
(Then who do you want to marry. Any man, your father would select then remember that man would do similar things to what your father did to me)
Mama would hardly get angry. I had never seen her yelling before. She was a soft spoken woman but I guess I had pushed her to the limits that she got very furious at me.
"I didn't mean that mama" I tried to calm her down.
"I am not forcing you anything Bano! But I want best for you. Shazia's son is a wonderful boy. He grew up in front of my eyes. He is a great candidate for you. Now we have to make a decision Bano. I want to get done with your wedding till your graduation. It would be better if you start your own life now" Mama said lovingly.
"Mama why can't you understand. I can't leave you alone here. If I got married what would you do" I cried.
"Come on Bano! Life is too long you can't just live here with me all your life. You have to make your own life" She smiled at me.
"Life just like you made" I know it would hurt her but I couldn't stop myself from blurting out.
"Sorry" I regretted the next instant when she gave me a sad smile.
"Everyone's fate is not same. You and me are different individuals. We have different fates and I believe and pray that you will have a loving spouse who would value you. Don't get afraid of marriage just because of my failed marriage" She spoke softly.
"Still mama! What would do aftery my marriage. I can't live happily thinking you are alone here" I told her my fear.
"I will shift to my father's house" She told me about her plan.
"The same house who belonged to the people who never supported you. Forced you into a toxic marriage. How could they accept you now?" I laughed humorlessly.
"They couldn't accept me because I had you with me. They were afraid of your expenses. Now that you would be married. They would accept me because whatever they have done I am still their blood. They won't disown me. I lived in this house just for your future now that you will be married I will go back" She told me the harsh truth.
Yes, she suffered because she had me. Her family would have married her to another man but what they would do with me if that man also didn't accept me. So they never took the chance. They never let my mother out of this house. So that we don't disturb their happy lives.
Mama started having talks about marriage again and again. I wasn't interested anywhere so she was adamant on Shazia aunty's son. She didn't force me. She explained everything to me and gave me time.
With time I realized she was right at her place and I agreed to meet the Shazia aunty's family to give myself a chance to live happily in a happy and functional family but worst had yet to happen.
One night mama peacefully passed away in her sleep lying beside me on the bed. That morning I wasn't woken up by my mother for Fajar prayer. I woke up on my own. It was still dark outside from the window.
I averted my gaze to mama and shook her lightly to wake her up. We were getting late for Fajar. To my shock she didn't wake up and her body felt different to me.
I couldn't think of anything worst.
I shook her body forcefully this time but there was no movement from her side. I moved my shivering hands under her nose and fixed my gaze at her chest which wasn't moving.
I ran outside screaming the names of the servants of my father who were family to me and mama.
"Kabir Uncle. Salma aunty. Saleha" I banged at the door of the servant quarter.
"Mama" I cried out loud.
I don't know why I decided to write such an emotional story😭
Poor Mehrbano🥹
Saherbano died without getting love and happiness she deserved. My women in our society met with same fate😭😭😭
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