Echoes of Heartbreak- meerab and murtasim 's fate.

chapter -13

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The early years of Anwar and Meerab’s life together were marked by a profound sense of loss, but Anwar was determined to fill his daughter’s world with as much love as he could. He wanted to be both father and mother to her, knowing she would grow up without a mother’s presence. But jahara and Zaheer always succeeded in keeping them distant from each other and fearing meerab from Anwar.

One evening, when Meerab was just four years old, Anwar received a troubling phone call. His voice was raised, his words sharp as he argued intensely with the person on the other end. Meerab, watching from across the room, felt her small heart race as she watched her father’s face contort with anger. A side of him she had never seen. Her tiny frame began to shake, her innocent mind unable to process the scene unfolding before her.

Anwar slammed the phone down, his frustration overtaking him. But as he turned, he saw his daughter, wide-eyed and pale, staring at him from across the room. His expression softened, realizing she had witnessed his outburst. Before he could say anything, Meerab turned and ran down the hallway, her footsteps echoing as she fled.

“Meerab!”

Anwar called, concern overtaking him as he hurried after her. He found her a few moments later in the corridor, huddled in a corner, clutching her chest. Her breaths were coming in short, sharp gasps, her tiny body trembling uncontrollably.

“Meerab… beta, it’s okay. It’s just Baba.”

Anwar approached slowly, his voice gentle, but Meerab shrank back, her breaths growing even shallower. Just then, Saima , entered the hallway and saw the little girl’s distress.

“ya Allah, Meerab!”

Saima exclaimed, rushing over. She held Meerab’s hand, trying to calm her down, but Meerab continued gasping for breath, her small face pale.

“Anwar, I think she’s having an asthma attack!”

Saima’s voice was panicked, and Anwar felt his heart drop.

Without a moment’s hesitation, they rushed her to the hospital. Every second felt like a lifetime as Anwar sat outside her room, wracked with guilt, his hands clenched together in prayer.

“Ya Allah, please… let her be okay. I never meant to frighten her.”

He couldn’t bear the thought that he might have caused her suffering.

After a tense wait, the doctor finally allowed them to visit Meerab. When Anwar entered the room, he moved closer to her bedside, but as soon as he approached, Meerab’s eyes filled with terror. She clung tightly to Saima, burying her face in her  Saima ’s shoulder as if to shield herself from him.

Anwar stopped, pain flashing across his face as he watched his own daughter shiver in his presence. He took a step back, trying to mask his anguish.

The doctor, observing Meerab’s reaction, pulled Anwar aside.

“Mr. Anwar, your daughter is experiencing a lot of fear. She’s clearly traumatized by something. If her fear doesn’t ease, it may lead to recurring asthma attacks, which could seriously impact her health. It’s crucial that we address whatever is causing her distress.”

Anwar nodded, a heavy sadness weighing down on him as he looked over at Meerab, who was still clinging to Saima.

“It’s my fault,”

he murmured, regret lacing every word.

“She saw me angry… maybe she thinks I’m angry at her, and that frightens her.”