KHAARZAAR

۴: یتیم خانا / Orphange

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That night, when Miraal was busy reciting the Holy Quran after her Isha prayer, a soft knock on the door diverted her attention. Few seconds later, Almirah entered inside. After Miraal came back from the interview, she locked herself into her room. She needed some alone time. She needed to process things out.

She had managed to avoid everyone who came to check up on her. Which only include Saima phupoo but she's not complaining. But now, she couldn't avoid her mother. As Almirah, sat down at her bed, she finished her recitation before placing the Holy Book back on its place. Almirah patted the space beside her. As Miraal took the seat, Almirah stroke her hairs.

"Koi bat nhi, bacche. Ek din tumhen zaroor kamyabi hasil hogi."

(Worry not, child. One day you'll be successful.)

Miraal only managed to nod her head. Almirah knew what was going on in her daughter's mind. She knew she was blaming herself for all of it. So, she in a very soft voice explained her

"I've never told you how your father and I got married."

Miraal shook her head. She only knew that their marriage was not an arranged marriage. It was a love marriage. They both liked each other since university. But she also knew that no-one in her father's family wanted Almirah to get married to their son. They were against it because Almirah doesn't come from money. She was a middle class girl.

But she never knew the depths. Nor did she asked.

"When your father and I decided to get married, I asked him to send his parents for the rishta. He was worried because he knew how his family was. But I told him that he shouldn't lose hope. So, after a whole week, his parents finally came to our house for the rishta. His parents were stoic and hard. They rarely replied to my parents questions in a civil way. But still, I managed to convinced them that I loved their son and wanted to marry. They were skeptical but finally agree."

Almirah had a longing smile on her face. Like she was reminiscing those old days. She sucked in a harsh breath before continuing again

"But things weren't easy. Your father had to work and his father added alot of burden on him too so that he couldn't spent time with me. I've spent days without him. It was like he was my husband yet he wasn't. He was also really frustrated by it and tried his level best to explain his father. Our life wasn't easy until you were born. You were born after three years of our marriage. Things changed after your arrival."

Almirah again stroke Miraal's cheek.

"You were our hope. Our sunshine. When I knew I couldn't conceive again, I was heartbroken. I wanted a big family. I went in depression. But your father, he stood like a rock beside me. He fought against every taunt, every jab that came after me or you. He never gave up and never cowered back. When your tayi taunt him about only having a daughter, he told her proudly

"She's my daughter. She's my anchor. She's a rock."

Miraal's eyes filled with tears. Her father was the best father in the world. He loved her so much and spoiled her endlessly. Almirah grabbed her hands before concluding

"All I wants to say that if your father didn't give up on us, then you also shouldn't. You should also fight till the end. And if still you didn't achieve the desired result, atleast you'll be content that you fought."

Miraal took a long breath. The burden finally lifting off her chest. She hugged her mother before mumbling softly

"Thank you, ammi. I really needed that."