THE END OF LOVE

The End Of Love (part 07)

EPISODE 07

It had been a month since Hammad's death.

Qasr-e-Sikandar was filled with an atmosphere of joy today-everyone was cheerful. There stood a tall young man, his hair neatly combed back, slightly stubbled, wearing a navy blue shirt with a round collar and white pants. He was extremely charming-not as handsome as Suleiman, but certainly not any less either. This was Arsalan Sikandar. The residents of Qasr-e-Sikandar were enjoying a day off today, and everyone was happy, except for Samreen (who was still terrified by Carl's behavior). She was sitting next to Suleiman, whispering something to him. "Brother, what sin did you commit to deserve that witch latching onto you?" he murmured. Suleiman suppressed a smile and just looked at him. After a short while, he replied, "Well, I'm so handsome that even witches are attracted to me." They both shared a quiet laugh. Then Arsalan added, "By the way, in this family, there are only two male cousins and around 12 females. Isn't that unfair, brother?" He wiped away imaginary tears, and they both laughed again. Hina and Rehana were doting on Arsalan, while everyone was asking Sikandar Usman what he had been doing (even though they had kept an eye on him). Samreen just watched the two whispering, knowing exactly what they were talking about.

Meanwhile, far away at Ibrahim Villa, the residents were busy. Ibrahim Sahab was at the office, Mala was at the university, and Ulfat Begum had gone to Bareerah's house in the afternoon. She looked stunning in a red frock, her head covered with a red hijab. She was sitting alone on the steps of the institute, lost in thought, when suddenly Humaira sat down beside her.

"What's wrong, Laiba? What are you thinking about?"

"Nothing, just lost in thought. What brings you here?" After that incident, everyone had been avoiding her.

"Nothing, just dropped by," Humaira replied.

"Well, I have to go home now. I'll see you later." Laiba said her farewells and got up. As soon as she sat in her car, she was overwhelmed with emotion and started crying. "Oh Allah! Is this my life now? Will nothing ever be okay after that one incident?" She wept, her head resting on the steering wheel. Then she straightened up, wiped her tears, and drove off. She hadn't met Suleiman since that incident. With everything that had happened, she hadn't even had the chance to thank him, but she had made up her mind to do so whenever she saw him.

Once again, let's take you back to Qasr-e-Sikandar. After dinner, everyone had scattered. As usual, Samreen was in her room. Hina had taken Rehana shopping, and Ali Usman and Sikandar Usman had gone to meet some old friends. They were invited. This left only Suleiman and Arsalan, who were hanging out in the same room. Arsalan had a habit of talking too much, and Suleiman only seemed to catch that habit when he was with him.

"Brother, are you really happy with this marriage?" Arsalan was teasing him.

"Do you really think I'm happy?" Suleiman moved closer to him and said, "Man, find a way to get me out of this."

"Do you like someone else?" Arsalan looked at him with wide eyes.

"No, you fool, I just don't want to marry her," Suleiman replied.

Just then, the door slightly creaked open, and she walked in. She had come to see Suleiman for something but had overheard the last sentence at the door. She stepped inside and, in a stern tone, said, "You know what, Suleiman? I don't want to marry you either. You have no idea how much I despise you." She knew she had to say this with a heavy heart, but her pride wouldn't let her back down. Both Suleiman and Arsalan instantly stood up, suppressing their laughter.

"Samreen Bibi, if you hate me that much, why don't you just kill me by eating me alive?" Suleiman shot a sly smile at Arsalan and walked closer to Samreen, his eyes showing displeasure. The atmosphere was tense. "The problem, Samreen Bibi, is that you know I don't like you at all, but you still won't reject this proposal. And you know that I also can't stand you," he said, hands in his pockets.

"Suleiman, why don't you just call off this engagement?" Her heart was heavy with the pain of past loves.

"Yes, but you agreed to it, not me, so you call it off yourself."

"Suleiman, I can't do that."

"Oh, but you agreed to it so easily, Miss," he said, casting a disdainful glance at her. He then turned back to Arsalan, who was watching him with amusement.

Suleiman suddenly remembered that he hadn't met Laiba since that incident, but he quickly shook off the thought. "Brother, let's go to the café. I'm starving," he said and headed out. Arsalan was his younger brother, and he always indulged him.

They were sitting at Café Flo, and just a few tables away sat a girl in a red hijab, all alone. At first, Suleiman couldn't believe it was her (how did she change so much?), but then he recognized her and told Arsalan he'd be back in a moment. Arsalan watched him approach her (Oh, so she's my brother's girlfriend?).

Suleiman had mentioned Laiba to him briefly before, and his eyes had sparkled with curiosity. "Assalamualaikum, Laiba," Suleiman greeted her.

Laiba looked up, startled, "Oh, Suleiman, Walikum Assalam. Please, have a seat."

He sat down. "How are you?" he asked, gazing directly into her eyes with a soft tone.

"I'm fine, Alhamdulillah," she replied, her eyes downcast.

Suddenly, both of them were startled when Arsalan walked up and sat in the chair next to Suleiman. "I hope I'm not disturbing you two," he said with a faint smile. Laiba gave Suleiman a look that said, "Who is this?" Suleiman introduced them, "This is my brother Arsalan. He just arrived from England yesterday." Laiba's lips formed an "Ohhh" as she nodded in acknowledgment.

"Suleiman, thank you so much for what you did for me that day. I will always be grateful," she said, her eyes brimming with tears. "If you ever need my help, please let me know."

Her eyes were teary, but she was smiling. Arsalan, noticing her emotional state, interjected, "Brother is in a bit of trouble. Maybe you can help him." Both Suleiman and Laiba looked at him in surprise, and Suleiman gave him a questioning glance.

"You could marry my brother," Arsalan suggested.

Suleiman and Laiba looked at each other, both reacting as if they didn't quite understand. "Do you mean I should marry Suleiman? But why?" she asked, confused.

"Like I said, my brother is in trouble, and you could save him," Arsalan replied.

"Arrr..."

"Brother, why don't you just keep quiet?" Arsalan shot an annoyed look at Suleiman, then turned back to Laiba.

"Miss Laiba, the problem is that a witch has latched onto my brother, and only you can get him out of it," Arsalan said, with a mischievous glint in his eye.

"You know my past. You're a good man, Suleiman, but I can't marry you," she said, tears welling up in her eyes as she got up to leave.

Now, Arsalan felt his life might be in danger, so he moved items like knives, glasses, plates, and forks out of Suleiman's reach and threw a sheepish "Sorry" look at him.

"You know, Brother, sometimes being too nice can be really bad," he said, casting a regretful glance at Suleiman. Arsalan's mind was now brewing up another scheme.