Tere sang ishq hua

Warna hai milta kahaan hum kaafiron ko Khuda

The next morning Sitara hurriedly adjusted her dupatta, gathering her bag while Sana fussed with her own belongings. They were running late to college, eager to check their exam results.

“Jaldi karo, Sitara!” Sana called out, her voice laced with urgency. “We’re already late!”

Sitara grabbed her books and followed Sana, her mind clouded with excitement and nervousness. As they passed through the hall, Suraiya’s sharp voice cut through the air.

“Ruk jao!” Suraiya said, arms crossed as she blocked their way. “Kahan ja rahi ho? College? Kya fayda?Ab toh tumhare shadi fix ho rahi hai, na? Uske baad toh sirf chulha aur ghar sambhalna hai. Yeh padayi-likhayi ka drama ab band karo. ( Where are you going? College? What's the use? You're marrying now and all you will be doing is looking after your husband's needs and household work. Stop this drama)”

Suraiya’s condescending tone made Sitara pause, her hands tightening around the strap of her bag. Sana, standing beside her, gave her a reassuring nudge. Sitara opened her mouth to respond, but before she could speak, the sound of car doors shutting outside drew everyone’s attention.

The front door opened, and Salar stepped in, his tall frame commanding attention as he strode confidently into the room. Behind him followed his nani, Saba, and Junaid, each carrying a tray laden with sweets and a shagun envelope. The sight of them stunned the room into silence. Suraiya’s eyes narrowed in suspicion as Salar began distributing sweets to everyone present.

“What’s all this, Salar?” Suraiya asked sharply. “Kya ho raha hai?”

Salar smiled warmly, ignoring the tension in her voice. “I just came back from Sitara’s college,” he announced, his voice proud and resonant. “Aur aapko pata hai aunty kya? Sitara ne apne exams bahut achhe marks ke saath pass kiye hain! Aaj hum sabko mithai khilane aaye hain iss khushi mein. ( Do you know sitara has passed her exams with a very good marks. So I thought to distribute sweets in this happiness)”

Sitara was surprised for a moment that how did salar know about her results then remembered that she had once mentioned him during the marriage functions how anxious she is about her exam results and how hopeful she was of her future studies. Her heart skips a beat realising how salar remembers even the smallest of things she had said to him.

He walked over to Sitara and Sana, handing them their mark sheets with a flourish. “Yeh raha tum dono ka marksheet,” he said, his eyes focused on Sitara. “Sana, tumne bhi achha kiya hai. Mubarak ho!”

Sana beamed, taking her mark sheet with gratitude, but Salar’s gaze lingered on Sitara, his smile softening. “Aur tum, Sitara,” he said, his voice dropping slightly, “I am so happy for you sitara. I know how much you value your education”

Sitara’s cheeks flushed as she murmured a quiet, “Thank you, Salar.”

Nani, Saba, and Junaid stepped forward, congratulating Sitara enthusiastically. “MashaAllah, Sitara,” Nani said with a kind smile. “Tumhare results dekh kar bohot khushi hui.”

“Bilkul,” Saba added.

Before the happiness could settle, Suraiya interrupted with a scoff. “Lekin iska faayda kya hai? Ab toh iski shadi ho rahi hai. Yeh marks toh kisi kaam ke nahi aayenge. Ghar sambhalna hai isne, bas.( What's the use of it? She is getting married now. This marks are of new use. She is going to sit at home and handle her house)”

The room fell silent at her words, but Salar’s expression didn’t waver. He turned to Suraiya, his tone calm but firm. “ Aunty,Aapko yeh kisne kaha ke Sitara shadi ke baad apni padhai chod degi?”( may I ask who said you after marriage, sitara will leave her studies)he asked, his gaze unwavering. “Woh jitna padna chahti hai, jitna bada banna chahti hai, woh karegi. Aur uska har sapna pura karne ka zimma mera hoga.( She will study as much as she wants. It's my responsibility to fulfill all her dreams)”