Umeed

Chapter 22

As Shahzain and Noor entered the large hallway, they were met with the sight of Faris pacing back and forth, clearly anxious. His face was tense with worry, his eyes constantly glancing at the door, as if willing them to return. The instant Faris saw them, especially Noor, he rushed forward. Without hesitation, he enveloped Noor in a tight hug, his breath catching in his throat as he asked, "Are you fine, Noor?"

Noor, however, didn’t move. She stood there in silence, her body stiff, as if frozen in time. Faris noticed the change in her immediately. His hands loosened their grip, and his gaze drifted to her attire. Noor was dressed in a stunning joda, the intricate embroidery gleaming under the soft lights of the room. The deep red veil was still draped over her head, the edge lightly resting on her forehead, giving her the unmistakable look of a bride. The sight of her like this stunned Faris for a moment; his sister, whom he had known to be so strong and independent, was now wrapped in the symbolism of marriage, but her eyes—those were filled with something else.

“Why are you dressed like this, Noor?” Faris's voice was filled with confusion and concern. He wanted to ask more, to demand answers, but before he could press any further, they were interrupted.

Ayesha appeared at the top of the staircase with Ayaan and Hoor trailing behind her. The soft pitter-patter of the children’s footsteps echoed through the hall, bringing a temporary lightness to the otherwise tense atmosphere. Hoor, always the most exuberant, rushed down the stairs, her eyes immediately catching sight of Noor’s attire. Her face lit up with pure excitement as she exclaimed, “Phupho, aap bilkul bride ki tarah lag rahi ho!” Her little hands clapped in delight, completely unaware of the storm that was brewing beneath the surface.

Ayaan, running close behind, threw his arms around Noor, clinging to her legs. “Mamma, maine aapko bahut miss kiya,” he said in a small voice, filled with the innocence only a child could possess. Noor's heart clenched as she bent down to embrace both. She held them close, her trembling hands trying to find some sort of grounding amidst the chaos swirling in her mind. Hoor, her bright eyes still wide with excitement, skipped over to Shahzain and tugged at his sleeve.

While Noor continued to hug Ayaan, the tears that she had been holding back finally began to spill, silently cascading down her cheeks. Ayaan, sensing his mother’s distress, pulled back just enough to look at her face. “Mamma, aap ro kyun rahi ho?” His small hands cupped her face, his tiny thumbs brushing away the tears as he spoke softly, “Mamma, aap bilkul queen ki tarah lag rahi ho. Pretty please don’t cry.”

Noor tried to wipe her eyes, forcing a smile, but the tears wouldn’t stop. She was overwhelmed, not just by the situation but by the innocence of her child’s concern. Her heart ached, knowing how much he had already seen, how much he understood even without being told. Ayaan, despite being so young, was deeply intuitive, and she could sense that her pain wasn’t entirely hidden from him, no matter how hard she tried.

Shahzain, standing to the side, watched the interaction closely, his heart heavy with his own guilt. He had forced her into this, but now, seeing her like this, something stirred inside him. He knew he had to step in, not just as the man who had put her in this position but as someone who now wanted to make things right.

Shahzain signaled to Faris to take Hoor and Ayaan away to play. Faris, understanding the tension in the room, quietly distracted both children and led them to their room. He left them in the care of a maid, making sure they were occupied with toys before slipping back to join the others.

When Faris returned, the room was heavy with silence. Azaan stood near Noor, his expression dark with regret. He hadn’t anticipated how far Ayesha’s plan would go or the impact it would have. Noor’s pale and fragile state only deepened the guilt gnawing at him.