CHAPTER 53

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Minha Ali
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I gradually awoke to the gentle warmth of sunlight streaming through the partially drawn curtains of the room. The clock on the wall hinted that it was around 7:15 in the morning, as the golden rays were still soft and not overly bright. With a large yawn, I instinctively stretched my arms overhead, but a sudden sharp pain shot through my body as I lifted my left arm. I couldn't help but hiss in response, tears prickling at the corners of my eyes from the unexpected intensity of it.

Biting my lips to stifle any further sounds of discomfort, I glanced over to Shahmeer, who was lost in his dreams. Trying to ease the throbbing in my left arm, I gently wrapped it around the bandaged area on my right side, seeking some sort of comfort admist my physical agony. As I lay there cradling my injury, a wave of concern flooded over me with thoughts of Shabbir.

I felt a wave of anxiety wash over me:

Is he alright?

Did he take his own life too?

Where could he possibly be at this very moment?

My heart raced with concern; all I could do was hope--no, pray that he hadn't harmed himself in any way. The consequences of such an event would inevitably lead to fierce conflicts between ammi and dadi jaan if anything were to happen to him.

There was nothing else left but a desperate wish for his safety; honestly, it filled every corner of my mind with fervent dread about whether he had indeed followed through on his disturbing words about taking such drastic measures.

Dadi will definitely insult ammi as she always does, and my so-called baba will support her. Oh Allah, please don't let him take his life. So many thoughts were running inside my head as I bit my lip and closed my eyes to stop the pain from my arm.

I didn't understand one thing; if he says he loves me, how could he want to take my life? When we truly love someone, we cherish, protect, and respect them- we don't try to harm them. This isn't love, it's just him wanting me for my body, to use me. Love is about caring some one, not using them for selfish desires.

It's important to recognize the difference between true love and manipulation.

Why does Shabbir act this way?

Could he have a mental illness or has he lost his mind?

The nerve of this man! How can he say I belong to him and then attempt to kill me without any shame? It's unbelievable and unacceptable.

What if I had given him a chance?

What if he had changed after marrying me?

Love can drive people to do unexpected things, making them feel like they're losing their mind. Love is a powerful force that can turn a person's world upside down, making them do things they never thought possible. Love is a wild, untamed beast that can bring out best and worst in us.

The three words 'I love you' scare me. They have the power to bring a smile on someone's face, but they also have the power to destroy that smile in the journey of love. These words hold immense weight that can evoke a range of emotions, from joy to fear.

Love is a rollercoaster of emotions, and those three words can be both a blessing and a curse.

I believe Shabbir's love is a curse. His love is empty, he is hollow inside. He is a heartless, cruel man who believes he entitled to do as he pleases. But one thing is clear: if he claims to love me, how could he attempt to harm me? Is this what true love is? Is love just a guise for selfishness? Love should be pure, selfless and kind, not filled with malice and deceit.

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