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Part 10: Like father like daughter

Sharjeena lay in bed, shuffling from side to side, trying to quiet her racing mind. Each turn only seemed to stir her emotions further, making sleep impossible. Her thoughts spiraled back to the conversation with Mustafa that evening. When she first saw his bike parked outside, a glimmer of hope had sparked within her—she genuinely thought he had come because he missed her. But then, his words—those accusing, bitter words—shattered her completely. She had no idea that a simple Instagram post could provoke such jealousy. A part of her had wanted to tell him the truth, that she saw Rehan as a sibling, someone who reminded her of the brother she'd never had. But the anger had silenced her; she refused to explain herself to a man who had leapt to the worst conclusion so easily.

Trying to read, she flipped page after page, the words blurring together, unable to distract her from the image of Mustafa's hurt, angry face. She remembered how it used to be, back when they didn't need to say much at all. They had a way of understanding each other without words, and those moments had made everything else bearable. She thought about how she had been Mustafa's anchor when his father forced them out, when his family's betrayal had left him lost and heartbroken. Sharjeena had stayed strong for him, pouring herself into lifting his spirits, and every time she managed to make him smile, she felt a surge of triumph, as if she'd conquered the world.

He used to complain about their cramped apartment, about the walls and the dingy state of everything. She had made it her mission to transform it, painting walls, decorating every inch, building a small jungle of plants in their balcony to make the space feel alive and welcoming. Mustafa had loved it at first, admiring her efforts. But then, as he grew more obsessed with money and material things, he started overlooking everything she'd done. The night she had finally finished their bedroom, carefully painting and adding her own touches, he had come home in a bad mood, snapping at her for no reason. She remembered that night vividly, feeling crushed and wondering if all her efforts had been for nothing.

As she lay there, tears began to well up, spilling down her cheeks. If only Mustafa had let her in, she would have given him everything. She had opened her heart fully to him, and yet, when she needed him most, he wasn't there. Her mind drifted back to the day she discovered she was pregnant. The excitement had filled her entire day, her thoughts racing with the possibility of this new beginning. She had believed it would bring them closer, give them a fresh start after all they'd been through. But Mustafa's reaction—that distant look, the way he avoided her gaze—left her devastated. She had clung to him, threw herself in his arms despite his cold reaction, trying to believe he just needed time to process, that he'd come around. But that moment never came. Not even now.

For the first time, Sharjeena felt an overwhelming wave of self-pity. She had been alone at her wedding, during the early months of marriage when love hadn't yet blossomed between them. But she never imagined she'd face this pregnancy in solitude, especially not with someone she had once believed loved her more than life itself.

Finally, she drifted off to sleep, though it was short-lived. Morning sickness hit her hard, waking her with a jolt, and she rushed to the bathroom. As she sat by the toilet, weak and trembling, she was hit by the reality of her isolation. In her most vulnerable moment, she had no one to lean on.

As Sharjeena stepped out of the bathroom, dawn light crept softly into her room, illuminating familiar pieces of her past. Her gaze drifted to her study table, still decorated as she had left it before her marriage, each detail a reflection of her pride in life's accomplishments. Her awards, medals, and certificates were neatly displayed on the wall—a timeline of moments she had once cherished deeply. She remembered how her parents would beam with pride at every achievement, how she would tell them confidently that marriage would only add to her ambitions, that her partner and she would share both dreams and responsibilities equally.