Sang e Marmar

19. imtehaan (part 1)

As the sun's final rays vanished beneath the horizon, Zohra stood barefoot in the garden, lost in the labyrinth of her thoughts. The gentle breeze whispered secrets to the flowers, which swayed softly around her. She wrapped her shawl tighter, feeling the evening air's gentle caress.

Suddenly, the familiar footsteps echoed behind her, footsteps that made her heart skip a beat. Bashar's deep voice resonated through the silence, "Salam."

Zohra's gaze remained fixed on the horizon, her emotions a tangled web of pain and betrayal.

Bashar approached her, his brow slightly raised at her blatant ignorance. "Hum jantay hain app ko bht c shikayatain hain hum say," he said softly, his voice laced with a hint of guilt.

"App ko Yahan nhi ana chahiya tha" Zohra's voice trembled. "Kuch kehnay ko Baki reh gaya tha."

"Us Raat app apnay Dil ka haal toh Keh ain thein, ajj humari taraf ki wazahat nahi sunaingi?" Bashar's eyes pleaded for understanding.

Zohra turned, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Kehnay or sunay k liya Kuch reh he Kahan gaya hai Bashar...hum app k pass majbor ho k ai thay sirf is guzarish k saath k rishtay say inkaar krdain...mhbt ki bheek toh nahi maangi the...Jo khairaat may app mil jatay."

Before she could leave... Bashar held on to her both shoulders firm... As he looked into her tear filled hazel orbs...Bashar's expression softened as he held her shoulders, his touch warm and gentle. "Zohra, app apni jagha durust hain." He guided her to a nearby chair.

"Abb app ijazat dain toh hum Kuch Kehna chahtay hain...phir Faisla app ka hoga..Dil dukhaya hai ik moka nahi daingi azlay ka? Mehboob toh jaan day detay hain" Bashar said, his voice filled with sincerity turned a little tease at the end.he stood beside her...his black shalwar kameez clad demeanor was shining under the setting sun...his arm folded behind his back as he looked at her...

He felt it again..A prick in his heart....

"Kahiya" Zohra's voice barely above a whisper, her eyes cast down as she played with the hem of her shawl,although her heart did flip at the mention of word that came out of his mouth, his deep baritone voice isn't helping either...after a pause she said again...."Lkn wada kijiya k ajj koi paheli nhi koi adhuri baat nahi ajj bs sach"

Bashar looked at her innocent appearance the hurt that she felt seeped into his conscience making it difficult for him to look away .lately he felt himself searching for her more....as if on his own... He came out of his thoughts when the wind blew again rustling the nearby trees...
His blue eyes holding her in them he spoke...trying his best to let sincerity reach her...
"Us Raat hum nay app say kaha tha k har inkaar ki keemat Hoti hai... App ko yad hai na?" Bashar's gaze searched hers.

Zohra nodded reluctantly, and Bashar sighed in relief that she agreed to listen he continued, his words pouring out like a confession.

"Dadda jaan ko..inkaar k liya ya toh koi mazboot dalil ya phir koi behtr or acha rishta...humay sb Kuch manzor tha lkn app pr ungli uthti yeh manzoor nhi tha...toh hum nay Keh diya k humay app say mhbt hai or hum nikkah krna chahtay hain....issay mazboot dalil or behtr rishta dadda jaan ko nhi mil skta tha...." He paused as He took a breath his voice wavered as he began to speak again.."lkn yeh hargiz Mt smjhiya ga k u forced me into this... Jo rishta app k liya is say pehlay aya tha woh hr atebar say behtreen tha...humara apna gharz na hota toh hum kabhi app ka inkaar na puhanchatay "

"Kesa gharz? Or Bashar app ko Kya lgta hai mhbt hogae, esay he Keh denay say sb Sach hojata hai, app ka jhoot humay app k Sach say zyada takleef day raha hai" Zohra's brow furrowed...as her eyes held the anger..her fist clenched tightly...

Bashar gaze met her accusing one and then diverted towards where the sun had almost set.

"Hum nay app say kabhi mhbt nahi ki pr abb lgnay laga hai k barha zulm Kiya hai...app pr, khud pr or app ki ankhon pr"...he took a silent pause as if contemplating whether to say it or not...but just like she pour her heart out...she too deserve the same sincerity...