سرحدوں سے پرے محبت (Love Beyond Borders)

یادیں اور اندیشے (Memories and Doubts)

Over the next few days, Neha found herself lost in thought, unable to shake the turmoil within her. The wedding celebrations had come to an end, and now she was left with nothing but her thoughts and the endless possibilities of what could have been.

She spent hours wandering the Haveli's gardens, seeking solace in the quiet beauty around her. But no matter where she went, Aariz was never far from her mind. His words, his touch, his love—it all haunted her, pulling her in different directions.

One evening, as the sun set over Lahore, casting a golden glow across the city, Neha found herself standing by the edge of the garden, looking out over the horizon. She could hear the distant call to prayer, the sound filling her with a sense of peace she hadn't felt in days.

But that peace was shattered when Raza appeared beside her, his presence unsettling as always.

"Neha، میں نے سوچا کہ تمہارے ساتھ بات کرنی چاہیے،" he said, his tone surprisingly soft.

("Neha, I thought I should talk to you.")

Neha turned to him, wary of what he might say. "تم مجھ سے کیا کہنا چاہتے ہو، Raza؟"

("What do you want to say to me, Raza?")

Raza sighed, looking out over the city. "میں جانتا ہوں کہ تمہیں Aariz کے بارے میں شک ہے۔ میں نہیں چاہتا کہ تم غلط فیصلہ کرو۔ Aariz اچھا انسان ہے، لیکن اس کا ماضی بہت پیچیدہ ہے۔ اور میں نہیں چاہتا کہ تم اس کی وجہ سے تکلیف اٹھاؤ۔"

("I know you have doubts about Aariz. I don't want you to make the wrong decision. Aariz is a good man, but his past is complicated. And I don't want you to suffer because of it.")

Neha felt a surge of anger. "اور تمہاری تکلیف کی وجہ کیا ہے، Raza؟ کیا تم صرف میرے لیے فکر مند ہو، یا کچھ اور ہے؟"

("And what's your reason for concern, Raza? Are you really worried about me, or is there something else?")

Raza looked at her, a hint of something unreadable in his eyes. "تم بہت سمجھدار ہو، Neha۔ ہاں، شاید میرے دل میں کچھ اور بھی ہے، لیکن یہ سچ ہے کہ میں تمہیں Aariz کے ماضی سے بچانا چاہتا ہوں۔ وہ راز جو میں جانتا ہوں، وہ تمہارے لیے بہت مشکل ہو سکتے ہیں۔"

("You're very perceptive, Neha. Yes, maybe there's something else in my heart, but it's true that I want to protect you from Aariz's past. The secrets I know might be too difficult for you to handle.")

Neha's heart pounded in her chest. "کون سے راز؟"

("What secrets?")

Raza hesitated, as if weighing the consequences of what he was about to say. "Aariz کا ماضی صرف جرم تک محدود نہیں ہے، Neha۔ اس کے دل میں ایسے زخم ہیں جو کبھی نہیں بھر سکتے۔ اور وہ زخم تمہاری محبت کے راستے میں آئیں گے۔"

("Aariz's past isn't just about crime, Neha. There are wounds in his heart that will never heal. And those wounds will stand in the way of your love.")

Neha's mind raced. She wanted to demand more answers, to know everything, but a part of her was terrified of what she might learn. What was Aariz hiding? And could she really face it, no matter how much she loved him?

Before she could ask more, Raza reached out, gently taking her hand in his. "میں تمہارے ساتھ ہوں، Neha۔ اگر تمہیں کبھی لگے کہ Aariz کا ماضی تمہارے لیے ناقابل برداشت ہے، تو یاد رکھو کہ میں ہمیشہ تمہارے ساتھ کھڑا ہوں۔"

("I'm here for you, Neha. If you ever feel like Aariz's past is too much to bear, remember that I'll always stand by you.")

Neha pulled her hand away, her mind spinning. She couldn't think clearly, couldn't see past the storm of emotions swirling inside her. Raza's words had only added to her confusion, making it harder to see a clear path forward.

"مجھے سوچنے کے لیے وقت چاہیے، Raza،" she said, her voice shaky.

("I need time to think, Raza.")

Raza nodded, his expression unreadable. "جتنا وقت چاہیے، لے لو۔ لیکن یاد رکھو، وقت ہمیشہ کے لیے نہیں ہوتا۔"

("Take as much time as you need. But remember, time doesn't last forever.")

As he walked away, Neha felt a deep sense of unease settle over her. The decision she faced was one of the hardest she had ever made. And with each passing day, the weight of it only grew heavier.