LOVE WITHOUT DESTINY

part 54

Slowly… life had begun to soften again.

Zain’s presence in Amal’s house was no longer met with sharp silence or harsh eyes. The anger that once lived in every corner of those walls had started fading. Bit by bit. Day by day.

Dadi spoke to him again with warmth.

The family had begun to accept him — cautiously, gently — but still… they did.

Only one heart remained untouched.

Amal’s.

She did not fight.
She did not argue.

She simply ignored him — completely — as if he were nothing more than quiet air around her.

And Zain…
He did not give up.

Because he was not the kind of man who surrendered.

He stayed.
He visited.
He waited.

Even when her silence tore him apart.

It was early evening. Soft golden light filled the living room.

Amal sat on one side, working calmly on her laptop — elegant, focused, distant.

A little ahead, Dadi and Zain sat together. Quiet. Respectful. Watching her from a distance he didn’t dare cross.

Then Dadi suddenly spoke — a bit loudly, intentionally — so Amal could hear.

“Zain beta, today you are not going anywhere. You will stay here tonight.”

Before Amal could react, Sitara came from the other side, smiling.

“Yes, absolutely. You’re staying tonight. And anyway — I’ve cooked both yours and Amal’s favorite dishes.”

Amal’s head lifted sharply.
Her eyes snapped toward her mother.

Then — just for a second — her gaze slid to Zain.

Only her eyes moved.
Her face remained stiff.
But Zain looked right back at her…

…and smiled softly.

He spoke playfully — only to tease her.

“Well… since you’re all insisting this much… fine. I’ll stay.”

Amal rolled her eyes and shut the laptop.

She stood to leave.

But the moment she rose — the room tilted.
Her vision blurred.
Her breath slipped.

And before anyone could understand —

Amal collapsed.

Her body fell — limp — toward the floor.

Zain reacted before anyone else could move.

“Amal!”

He rushed forward — panic exploding through him — catching her just before she hit the ground. But her hand slipped from his sleeve… falling weightlessly.

She was unconscious.

Truly unconscious.

Something inside Zain shattered.
“No… no… Amal—”

He lifted her into his arms — as if she weighed nothing — shock and fear twisting inside him. It had been so long since he had touched her… and now she lay there helpless in his arms.

He didn’t waste a second.

“Call the doctor. Now!” his voice broke. “Please— hurry.”

Sitara’s hands trembled as she dialed.