"Mujhe jhelna mushkil hai nader," she said with a smile while her gaze was fixed on the table.
("It's difficult to tolerate me, Nader")
"Main jhel lunga," I replied.
("I'll manage")
She looked up towards me, then continued.
"Mai khubsurat nahi ho...
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After the Fajr prayer, I sat on the bed, waiting for Aziz. It was already 7 o'clock, but there was no sign of Shahjahan.
Before my restlessness could increase any further, the door to the room silently began to open, and Aziz walked in with quiet steps. As he walked, his eyes fell on me, and he stopped in his tracks. Then, a slight smile lit up both of our faces.
"Why don't you go to sleep? Why do you wait for me, sweetheart?" Aziz said as he lay down on the bed, extending one arm so I could rest my head on it.
"kya karu? Tumhare bagair neend hein nahi aati, Nader," I replied, placing my head on his arm and moving closer, placing one hand on his waist, finally feeling peace. (What can I do? I can't sleep without you, Nader)
"If you talk like this, I'll go crazy, sweetheart," Aziz said with a laugh, pulling me even closer with his other hand.
"So, what do you suggest? Should I book an appointment with Rasha for you? You do need a psychiatrist, you know," I teased him.
"Why Rasha? You're here, aren't you? Aur waise bhi, mai toh dil ka mareez hoon, begam, and after all my wife is a heart surgeon. You must already know the condition of my heart, Sweetheart," Aziz replied with a smile, but my peace of mind was gone. (Besides, I have a heart problem, Begum).
"Uns, you will treat me, won't you?" Aziz asked, lifting my chin and looking into my eyes with great seriousness.
"No," I answered, lowering my gaze.
"Why?" he asked.
"I'm not going to continue my job, Aziz," I said with great difficulty.
"Can I know why?" Aziz inquired.
"Do you really want to know?" I asked.
"Yes," he said softly.
"Abbu has forbidden it, Aziz. I was trying hard to control my tears.
"Why?" he asked, puzzled.
"Just because he doesn't like it," I said, with a weak smile.
"Hassan uncle is such a modern-minded man. Why would he forbid it then, Uns?" Aziz asked in surprise.
"He may be modern, but his thoughts are not," I replied.
"Do you know, Aziz? He thinks a woman is only suitable for the home. That's why he also forbade Ammi from working," I continued explaining to him.
"Amira aunty used to work?" Aziz was shocked.
"Yes, Ammi was a heart surgeon too, Nader." I felt a pang of pain as I spoke, realizing how Abbu had taken away Ammi's dreams as well.
"When I was born, Hassan Reza told Amira to leave her job. And Ammi, who was so deeply in love with Hassan Reza, abandoned her dream," As I told him more, my heart grew heavier.
