His Captive 21+

49

After reading the letter, Anum rushed to the closet, only to find it half empty. Her clothes were still there, but Irtaza's were gone. She dashed to the drawers where he kept his watches and bracelets; they too were empty. Frantically, she searched every corner of the room for any trace of his belongings, but found nothing. How could he have left so abruptly? She hadn't sensed anything last night, no indication he was planning to leave, taking everything with him as if he had never been there.

She glanced at the walls, noticing their photo frames were missing as well. She decided to check the living room to see if he had taken the frames from there too. But as she was about to leave the room, reality hit her hard.

What was she doing? Isn't this what she wanted? She should be happy, she finally had a chance to escape her tormentor. It didn't matter if he had changed; he was still guilty of his past actions.

Resolute, she turned around and packed her luggage, taking only a few items her parents had given her. She wanted nothing from Irtaza, neither the things he had bought for her nor the money or properties he had transferred to her name.

"Mujhe mere ghar drop kardein, please," she told Zafar Iqbal, who silently opened the car door for her and started the engine. (Please drop me at my home.)

Soon, the car halted. The guard unloaded her luggage, placing it at the doorstep.

"Ap ko kisi bhi cheez ki zaroorat ho, ap mujhe bata sakti hain, Malikaan. Khuda Hafiz," he said, clearly following Irtaza's instructions. (If you need anything, you can always reach out to me, Madam. Goodbye.)

She felt no pain, only relief at leaving everything behind. Smiling, she rang the doorbell.

Fatima opened the door and beamed at the sight of Anum.

"Anum!" she exclaimed, hugging her.

"Salam, Ami."

"Salam beta, Irtaza kahan hai." Fatima asked, looking past Anum for any sign of him. (Salam, my dear. Where's Irtaza?)

Anum hesitated, unsure how to explain everything. She couldn't muster the courage to reveal the truth. She just wanted peace for now.

"Ami..woh..Irtaza ko office jana par gaya icliye andar nahi aye. Maine socha me kuch dino ke liye ajaun abu ke paas," she said. (Ami, Irtaza had to go to the office that's why he couldn't come inside. I thought I'd spend a few days with Abu.)

Inside, Fatima quickly poured a glass of water for Anum.

"Woh sab toh theek hai beta, par Irtaza? Us ko bura toh nahi lagega na?" (That's fine, dear, but what about Irtaza? Won't he be upset?)

"Unko kyun bura lagega?" (Why would he be upset?)

"Shohar ko adat hojati haina jab biwi sab kuch kare. Tere abu toh mujhe mere mayike milne bhi jaane se rokte the." Fatima laughed. (Husbands get used to their wives doing everything for them. Your father never liked me visiting my parents.)

"Uffo ami! Irtaza ko kuch bura nahi laga balke woh toh khush horahe the, bol rahe the ke jao apne ami abu ke saath time spend karo." Anum replied, growing annoyed at the continued questioning about Irtaza. (Oh, Ami! Irtaza was happy for me to spend time with you and Abu.)

"Sachi?" (Really?)

"Ji." (Yes.)

"Chal phir theek hai. Me tere liye Biryani banati hun." (Alright then, I'll make some biryani for you.)

"Okay, me abu ko dekh ke ati hun." Anum said, heading to her father's room. (Okay, I'll go see Abu.)

"Meri beti agayi hai,"  he said, kissing her forehead. (My daughter is here.)