𝐀𝐘𝐀𝐓: 𝐀 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐐𝐮𝐫'𝐚𝐧

chapter 57

Ayaan prayed his Asr and then looked to his left, finding Aadam in prostration. A smile formed on his lips because he had never experienced the feeling of praying with his father. Aadam completed his prayer and, upon noticing Ayaan's gaze, turned to his right to find Ayaan looking at him with a mesmerizing look.

"Let's go, beta!" Aadam said, rising with a smile. Ayaan snapped out of his thoughts and nodded.

They both exited after putting on their slippers and took measured steps toward the apartment. "Ayaan beta!" Aadam called, capturing Ayaan's attention.

"I wanted to talk to you about Sabeeha!" he said, walking slowly alongside Ayaan. Ayaan twitched his eyebrows but nodded before replying, "Yes! Abbu, tell me!" He assured Aadam with a smile, and Aadam smiled back before continuing, "She seems disturbed." Ayaan nodded, remembering her silent behavior. "I think you should talk to her. She didn't speak at all during the journey back, and it's concerning," Aadam concluded. They took a turn, and Ayaan nodded again, feeling worried. He was confused about her behavior but chose not to say anything, wanting to give her time to settle down first.

"But I also suggest giving her some time. I'm sure she will eventually share everything with Ayat. You know their bond, right?" Aadam said, smiling as he placed a hand on Ayaan's shoulder. Ayaan hummed in response.

---

"It's because of Mr. Aaris Farooque!"

The moment Sabeeha spoke, Ayat twitched her eyebrows, recalling the person behind the name. As her mind raced with thoughts, she shot her eyes at Sabeeha.

"What? How? And?" She struggled to form her questions about what could possibly be happening. "Let's sit first," Sabeeha suggested. They both sat on the bed, dangling their legs as Ayat gazed at Sabeeha, waiting for an explanation. After taking a deep breath, Sabeeha began.

"Actually, before your marriage, I had an accident," Sabeeha said, catching Ayat off guard. "What—" Ayat started but was interrupted as Sabeeha continued.

"And when you both arrived in Mumbai, then..."

That day, after Ayaan and Ayat dropped Sabeeha at the madarsa, she entered to find Mr. Farooque's car parked in the lot. She went inside the madarsa and entered his office after taking permission.

"Assalamualaikum, Uncle!" Sabeeha greeted as she entered, and Mr. Farooque looked up and smiled.

"Walaikum assalam. Come, beta, sit!" he gestured for her to take a seat in front of him, and she complied.

"What happened, Uncle? Why are you here?" she asked, knowing he considered her like a daughter.

"First of all, tell me how you are. How did you get into that accident, beta?" he asked, genuinely concerned, and Sabeeha smiled warmly behind her veil.

"Just my carelessness, Uncle," she replied, looking down at her hands. He nodded, smiling.

"Actually, I wanted to talk about my son, Aaris!" Mr. Farooque finally got to the point, and Sabeeha raised her eyebrows in confusion.

"Do you know? He was the one who brought you to the hospital that day, and he stayed the entire night!" he revealed, deepening Sabeeha's confusion.

Why is he telling me all of this?

"Okay, Uncle, I'll thank him for that!" Sabeeha said with a forced smile, but Mr. Farooque shook his head, adding to her bewilderment.

"I don't think he wants your thanks," he elaborated, and Sabeeha felt a strange urge to run away, but she stayed put.

"What do you mean, Uncle?" she asked, unable to hold back her curiosity. Mr. Farooque smiled as if recalling something memorable.

"That day when he came home at 1 a.m., he looked so pale and worried. I had never seen him like that since the death of his mother. Sabeeha, beta, he is my son, and I know him. He doesn't cry easily, but that night, he cried so much in his room that I could hear him throughout the mansion!" Mr. Farooque continued, speaking without a break. Sabeeha struggled to comprehend.