ISHQ, EK IBADAT | (Completed)

Episode - 20

As they strolled through the garden with awkward silence, Amir took the initiative and said, "I never thought we'd meet again like this."

Azka nodded in agreement, Neither did I."

Amir chuckled awkwardly, "It's been ages since we last spoke."

Azka replied, "Yes, a lot of time has passed."

An uncomfortable silence followed. Amir asked, "And... your husband? How is he?"

Azka's expression turned somber, "He's... He's no longer with me. He... He died."

Amir apologized, "Oh yeah, I'm sorry, sorry to hear that."

Azka inquired, "It's okay, never mind. And what about your wife and children? How are they?"

Amir revealed, "I never got married."

Azka stopped abruptly, surprised. Amir turned towards her, noticing her shock. "What? You never got married? But why, Amir? You had told me..."

Amir confessed, "I lied. I said my marriage was arranged, but that wasn't true."

Azka felt betrayed, "You lied to me?"

Amir shrugged, "It was a complicated situation. Let's not dwell on it now. What brings you here?"

Azka explained, "But... Okay, Nawazuddin Sheikh is my maternal uncle."

Amir exclaimed, "Oh! Really? I had no idea. So, your mom was Raunak, was Nawazuddin uncle's own sister?"

Azka confirmed, "Yes, she was."

Amir revealed, "I never knew he had a sister."

Azka hinted, "It's a long story."

Amir inquired, "Do you have any children? I mean..."

Azka replied, "Yes, I have a daughter."

Amir praised, "Oh, Ma Sha Allah, she must be just like you. I can guess."

Azka smiled, "Yes, Alhamdulillah. By the way, why did you leave that day? I called and messaged you, but you never responded. I waited, but you never came. At least tell me now..."

Amir pressed, "I didn't have the courage to answer you back then, and even after all these years, I still can't?"

Azka exclaimed with frustration, "Really?"

Amir dodged, "I'm sorry, but let's not discuss this. My answer won't please you, so let the bygones be bygones."

Azka, confronted, "Even after all these years, you still don't have the courage to tell the truth? You really never showed the courage, to hold my hand and face the world, to say, you loved me..."

Amir interrupted, "It's not like that, Azka. I loved you, but I didn't want to.."

Azka demanded, "What? That we would live in a small house because your father's business went bankrupt? Or because my father didn't want us to get married? Which reason is it, Amir? Tell me!"

Amir evaded, "Let's drop this topic. What's past is past. It won't come back."

As they walked through the garden, the tension between them was palpable. Azka's voice was laced with emotion as she confronted Amir.

"You left me standing at the altar, Amir. You can't imagine the pain and humiliation I felt that day."

Amir's eyes dropped, unable to meet Azka's gaze. "I can imagine," he whispered.

Azka's laughter was a bitter sound. "You can't, Amir. You can never. You won't be able to understand what that day meant to me. If only you had told me why you didn't come..."