Arsal watched Noor walk away, his heart heavy.
Arsal knew he'd seen the truth, Noor was trapped.
He felt a pang of guilt.
For agreeing to this marriage.
For not fighting for her happiness.
Arsal returned to his university, lost in thoughts.
He couldn't shake off the feeling that he'd just sealed her fate.
Then he went to his home, talked with his mother about Noor's faltered eyes.
His mother decided to talk about it to his father.
That night he struggled to sleep, thinking about Noor.
Next morning he asked his mother, "apne Noor ke bare mai baat ki abbu se?"
(Have you talked about Noor?)
"han beta maine ki."
(Yes, I did)
"vo bol rhe hai ki aj sham hum phirse unke ghar jaye ge baat karne." his mother replied.
(He told me that we'll go to her house again, and talk about marriage.)
In the evening they went to Noor's house.
The families discussed about Noor's future.
Arsal's father spoke, "humne socha hai ki Noor ko thoda samay diya jaye."
(We thought of giving Noor some time.)
Noor's father replied, "bacho ki Mangni kra dete hai, nikah baadme hota rhega."
(Let children engage first, marriage would take place later.)
Arsal's father and Noor's uncle approved this request.
Everyone giggled and finalized the date of engagement.
And the date was 12 July.
Noor was smiling, because her father told her to.
She was unhappy with the decision but was pretending to be happy.
Arsal's family went back.
Arsal's heart swelled seeing Noor happy.
He thought he'd made her happy.
But Noor's eyes betrayed him.
A faint glimmer of sadness lingered as Arsal's family left.
She felt trapped.
Her father's words echoed, "mushkil se yeh waqt guzar raha hai, Noor"
(These times are difficult, Noor)
"Noor, tumhe khush rehne hai."
(You have to stay happy.)
Noor nodded, forced smile returning.
July 12th loomed, a constant reminder.
Arsal, oblivious to Noor's turmoil, eagerly awaited the engagement.
He envisioned their future together.
But Noor's heart whispered a different story.
Thank you for reading!
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«Fated To Lose»
Romance"A poignant love story of Noor and Arsal, forced into a child marriage in Lahore. Despite initial reluctance, they fall deeply in love. Tragedy unfolds when Noor dies after giving birth to their daughter at 19, leaving Arsal to navigate grief and si...
