Deewangi[a collection of short stories]

2.

The following morning, Ashmara and Shahzain were roused from their slumber by a series of unfamiliar sounds echoing around them. As they opened their eyes, they were met with the sight of several villagers staring at them in astonishment, their expressions a mixture of curiosity and disbelief. The atmosphere was thick with an unspoken tension, as the villagers exchanged glances, clearly intrigued by the unexpected presence of the two individuals.

One of the villagers, a man of authority, stepped forward and addressed the crowd, his voice carrying a tone of incredulity. "Panchayat sahab, these are the very two who were found in my home," he exclaimed, gesturing towards Ashmara and Shahzain. 

Another villager, unable to contain his disdain, chimed in, "How can you two not feel any shame for what has transpired?" The words hung in the air, laden with judgment, leaving Ashmara and Shahzain in a state of bewilderment.

Caught off guard by the villagers' reactions, Ashmara and Shahzain exchanged puzzled glances, their minds racing to comprehend the situation. The weight of the villagers' scrutiny bore down on them, and they felt an overwhelming sense of vulnerability. As they attempted to piece together the events that had led them to this moment, the atmosphere around them crackled with anticipation, leaving them to wonder what would unfold next in this unexpected encounter.

In the dimly lit courtyard of the village, a tense atmosphere enveloped the gathering as the panchayat convened to address the scandal that had erupted overnight. 

Shahzain stood at the center, his expression a mix of confusion and indignation. 

The whispers of the villagers echoed around him, their judgment palpable. 

"Why did you spend the entire night with that boy?" one of the women accused Ashmara, her voice dripping with disdain. 

The air was thick with accusations, and the murmurs grew louder as the villagers exchanged glances, their opinions forming a collective verdict against the young couple. The panchayat members, tasked with maintaining the village's honor, were faced with a dilemma that threatened to tarnish their reputation.

As the discussions unfolded, the panchayat leader turned to Shahzain, seeking clarity. "Do you know this girl well?" he inquired, his tone stern. 

Shahzain shook his head, his voice barely above a whisper as he replied, "No, we just met yesterday." 

The panchayat members exchanged knowing looks, their expressions revealing their disapproval. One of the elders, a woman with a commanding presence, interjected, "If we allow this to go unchecked, our village's name will be ruined." The urgency in her voice resonated with the others, and they nodded in agreement.

 The panchayat leader, sensing the gravity of the situation, declared, "The only way to salvage our village's reputation is to arrange a marriage between these two." The shock on Ashmara and Shahzain's faces was evident, their protests drowned out by the rising tide of discontent from the villagers.

"Absolutely not!" Shahzain exclaimed, desperation creeping into his voice. "We are not getting married!" But his words fell on deaf ears as the panchayat members began to organize the logistics of the hastily arranged wedding.

 Ashmara, feeling cornered, attempted to defend herself. "But we didn't do anything wrong!" she pleaded, her eyes wide with disbelief.