Dil hi toh hai na sang-o-khisht, dard se bhar na aaye kyun,
Royeinge hum hazaar baar, koi humein sataye kyun.
As she walked out of the room, her eyes widened in disbelief, catching her mother-in-law's words to her parents.
"Agar aaj na gai toh zindagi bhar yahin rakhna apni beti ko, Bhai. Kyunki mere Raza ne keh diya hai agar nahi gai toh doosri kar layega",she heard, and her heart sank, her eyes filling with tears as she looked at the people gathered around.
(If she doesn't leave today, then keep your daughter here forever, Brother. Because my Raza has said that if she doesn't go, he'll bring home another wife.)
Her parents tried reasoning with Behlaaj's wife, asking her to give them just two days to prepare and to come for a proper dawat (feast). But before anyone else could respond, she stepped forward, her heart pounding.
"Amma... mujhe jaana hai aaj hi", she said softly, her eyes cast downward.
(Mother... I want to leave today.)
Everyone was there except Raza, and that hurt her more than anything. If he had just told her himself last night, she would have left with him willingly. But today, he sent his parents to threaten her, warning that he would marry another if she didn't obey. She resolved silently-she would see how he could marry someone else while she was still here.
After a few hours, the atmosphere softened, and they shared a meal together. Finally, Behlaaj Chaudhary instructed Ahmed to take Rafia and Halima back home in his car.
Halima sat in the back seat, while Rafia settled beside her. Sensing her sister's tension, Rafia tried to strike up a conversation, but Halima merely whispered, "Mujhe sir dard ho raha hai... bas thodi si khamoshi chahiye",Respecting her wish, Rafia fell silent, though her heart remained troubled.
(I have a headache... I just need a little silence.)
Both Ahmed and Rafia were perplexed. How could Raza use such harsh words? What had driven him to make such a severe statement?
Upon reaching home, Halima walked straight to her room, her steps heavy with unspoken pain. Ahmed glanced at Rafia and motioned for her to go with Halima as their entered in their room, sensing her distress.
"I can't believe Raza would ever say something like that," he murmured, stepping closer to Rafia.
"Aap tension na lein, main dekhungi",she reassured him gently, picking up a bottle of oil to massage Halima's head.
(Don't worry, I'll look into it.)
Ahmed tried to smile as he drew closer, wrapping her in a comforting hug. After a moment, he kissed her forehead gently and let go, murmuring, "Mujhe pata hai meri sherni sab sambhal sakti hai"
(I know my lioness can handle everything.)
She gave him a faint smile and walked out. How could she even smile properly with her sister suffering like this? If Halima was unhappy, how could she feel at ease? She had to do something.
Walking inside, Rafia found Halima sitting motionless on the bed, her eyes fixed on the floor, lost in her thoughts.
"Halima..." she called softly. Halima looked up with empty eyes, trying to muster a weak smile.
"Rafi..." she whispered, and Rafia approached, sitting beside her.
"Chalo, jaldi se neeche baitho"
(Come on, sit down quickly).
Without a word, Halima slid to the floor and leaned against Rafia's legs, seeking comfort.
Rafia began loosening her hair, then poured oil into her hands and gently massaged her sister's head. Halima closed her eyes, feeling a sense of lightness that had been absent for too long.
When the massage was done, Halima smiled, finally feeling a little peace. She lay her head on Rafia's lap, then shifted to the bed, sighing. "Aap bohut acchi hain, Rafi... thank you"
(You're so kind, Rafi... thank you).
Rafia narrowed her eyes and playfully smacked her shoulder. "Ye thank you kab hamare beech aaya?"
(Since when did 'thank you' come between us?)
For the first time in a long while, Halima giggled, and Rafia held back her tears, realizing just how long it had been since she'd heard her sister's laughter.
"Sorry",Halima said, wrapping her arms around Rafia. Rafia sighed, her heart heavy with concern.
"Halima, please... mere saamne toh bilkul nahi. Mujhe nahi pata tumhare aur Raza ke beech kya hua hai, par ye do mahino mein tum itna kaise badal gayi ke tumhe mujhe sorry aur thank you kehna pad raha hai?",She took a shaky breath, holding back tears. "Par agar agli baar ye maine suna, toh mujhse bura koi nahi hoga"
(Halima, please... at least don't change in front of me. I don't know what happened between you and Raza, but how have you changed so much in these two months that you feel the need to say sorry and thank you to me?-But if I hear it again, there will be no one worse than me).
Rafia tried not to cry in front of her sister, forcing herself to stay strong. Halima needed her strength more than anything right now.
Halima nodded and sat before her, and after a moment, Rafia gently guided her head to rest on her lap again. She continued massaging Halima's head softly until Halima drifted off to sleep.
Carefully, Rafia slid a pillow under her head, then stood up, brushing a few strands of hair from Halima's face. She brought over a comforter, tucking it around her sister with care.
Just then, the door opened, and Rafia looked up to see who had entered.
Her eyes held a flicker of hurt and disappointment as she looked at him. He noticed her expression with slight confusion, then glanced at the bed, realizing Halima was there. For a moment, he looked back at Rafia and asked, "Kya hua, aise kyun dekh rahi ho jaise maine koi gunaah kiya hai?"
(What happened? Why are you looking at me as if I committed a crime?)
"Gunaah ka nahi pata, par sawaab wale kaam bhi nahi kiya hai...", she replied softly, her gaze shifting back to Halima.
(I don't know about a crime, but it wasn't exactly a good deed either...)
With a sigh, he motioned for her to follow him outside so they wouldn't disturb Halima. A faint, knowing smile crossed her lips; at least he cared enough to keep his voice down around her.
Rafia couldn't help but feel a glimmer of warmth-he cared, even if in his own way.
As they walked toward the kitchen,sensing that she was preparing to make tea for everyone as evening approached.
Sitting down at the dining table, he placed his hand on the surface and asked, a playful glint in his eyes, "Apni mehboob biwi ko ghar laana sawaab ka kaam nahi hai?"
(Bringing my beloved wife home-isn't that a good deed?)
Seeing her in his room had improved his mood, lifting a weight from his heart. This was what every man wanted, wasn't it? -to have his woman, his wife, by his side, present in his space,in his room.
Finally, she was here. He knew things hadn't been well between them, but he believed it would get better soon. Distance only worsened things, and now she would be close, in front of him every day and night.
Rafia turned to him, her eyebrows raised in disbelief. "Uski haalat dekh kar toh nahi lag raha ki wo tumhari mehboob biwi hai. Badi ammi keh rahi thi ki tumhari marzi hai usse yahan laane mein, toh tum kahan the? Aur ab wo kitni tension mein hai ye sunne ke baad ki tumne tumhare parents se kaha hai ki tum dusri shaadi kar loge agar wo naa aayi toh...",Her words trailed off as he abruptly stood up, confusion etched on his face, his eyes narrowed and his face Paled-complexion drained of all the color.
(Looking at her condition, it doesn't seem like she's your beloved wife. Your mother said it was your choice to bring her here, so where were you? And after hearing that you told your parents you'd marry someone else if she didn't come...)
"Kya hua, tumne nahi kaha?", she asked, trying to suppress a smirk. She knew he could never utter such words, but she wanted him to grasp the gravity of the situation.
(What happened? Didn't you say anything?)
"Ye unlogo ne kaha hai Halima ke saamne?", he shot back, gesturing towards the door as if his parents were standing there. Rafia merely nodded, her brows raised.
(They said this in front of Halima?)
He squeezed his eyes shut for a brief moment, a painful chuckle escaping his lips. Frustration washed over him as he looked at Rafia. "You know what? They're going to suffer for this. Pehle toh meri shaadi karwai zabardasti sabne, ab us bichari bacchi ke saath ye kar rahe hai. Mai bhi insaan hun, aur ab ye... wo choti choti baatein zehen mein baitha leti hai. Ab mai usse kaise samjhaaun?"
(First, they forced me into marriage, and now they've done this to that poor girl. I'm human too, and now... she holds onto these little things. How do I explain this to her?)
He was unable to comprehend the whirlwind of emotions consuming him. Moments ago, he was feeling joy at her return, but now he was engulfed in shame. How would he face her now? How would he confront her parents now? All of this turmoil was the result of his own parents' meddling. Why were they so determined to make his life more miserable than ever?
Rafia looked at him, shocked by his anger. Realizing things were slipping out of her control, she stepped closer, pleading, "Raza... mat karo kuch bhi, please bhool jaao. Mai Halima ko sambhal lungi. Wo tumhare paas aayegi, mai guarantee deti hun. Please, don't do anything stupid."
(Raza... don't do anything, please just forget it. I'll handle Halima. She'll come to you, I guarantee it. Please, don't do anything stupid.)
They often spoke in English when matters were serious, a shared signal between them.
Raza let out a bitter chuckle, trying to contain his frustration as he looked around the kitchen, then back at her. "You know what? Jahannam me jaao sab... meri jagah par tum aur Ahmed hote, tab pata chalta mai kya feel kar raha hun. And I swear...",He clasped his hands together in frustration, adding, "Allah ke waaste na hi tum, na kisi aur ko mere maamle mein padne ki zarurat hai ab... mujhse bura koi nahi hoga, bata dena sabko."
(You can all go to hell... if you and Ahmed were in my place, you'd have understood how I feel. And I swear...-For God's sake, neither you nor anyone else needs to interfere in my matters anymore. Let everyone know that no one will be worse than me if they do.)
She gulped, realizing there was no calming him now. She nodded, her eyes wary of his intensity.
Just then, Ahmed stormed into the kitchen, glaring at Raza. "Raza, kya kar rahe ho tum? Biwi hai wo meri aur tumhari bhabhi!"
(Raza, what are you doing? She's my wife and your sister-in-law!)
Raza returned his glare, then exhaled sharply, temper barely in check. He looked at her, and then retorted, "Biwi wo tumhari baad mein hai, pehle wo meri dost hai. Pichle che-saat saal se jo America mein ayyashi kar rahe the, tab se isko jhel raha hun mai. Aur haa saali bhi hai ye meri.",With that, he stormed out.
(She may be your wife, but first, she's been my friend for the last six or seven years. I've been putting up with her while you were out living it up in America,And yes She is my sister-in-law too.)
Ahmed stood there, stunned, glancing between his wife and the door. Rafia, blinking back her tears, suddenly burst out laughing, her laughter filling the kitchen. She clapped her hand over her mouth to muffle the sound, her eyes gleaming with amusement. "Aapko kisne kaha tha beech mein koodne ko? Mai usse acchi tarah jaanti hun... hahaha... sun li acchi khaasi,mere bechare shohar.", She reached up and pinched his cheek playfully, still giggling.
(Who told you to jump in? I know him well...hahaha...you heard it all, didn't you? My Poor Husband.)
Ahmed's eyes widened in disbelief, but as he looked at her flushed, laughing face, a reluctant smile crept onto his lips. Sometimes,for him, it was impossible to understand either his wife or his brother.
They shared a warm hug, her arms wrapped around his torso as they chuckled, reflecting on the chaotic scene that had just unfolded.
A mischievous glint appeared in Rafia's eyes,with a sly smirk, Rafia's mind started to spin with another mischievous plan.
She was determined to clear the air and remove the wall of misunderstanding that lingered between Halima and Raza.
Raza was on his way to his parents' room when, once again, the same girl bumped into him. Raising his hands in surrender, he looked at her, offering an apologetic smile. "I'm really sorry-it was a mistake."
But then, shaking his head as if realizing she might not understand English, he clarified, "Maaf kar do, wo maine dekha-"
(Forgive me, I didn't see-)
"It's okay. Actually, it was my fault-I didn't see you coming," she replied, surprising him with her response. His eyes narrowed as he took in her calm, smiling face.
"Tumhe Angrezi aati hai?", he asked, eyebrows raised, and she nodded shyly, her gaze dropping to the floor.
(You know English?)
"Okay..." he said, astonished, turning to leave but hesitating just a moment. He turned back as she was about to walk toward the kitchen.
"Suno... tumhara naam kya hai?", he asked, a hint of embarrassment in his tone, realizing he'd taken her in without even knowing her name.
(Listen... what is your name?)
She turned her head slightly, her voice soft but clear, leaving him momentarily stunned.
"Ji, Halima naam hai mera."
( My name is Halima.)
----
He stormed into his parent's room without knocking and locked the door behind him. His father was engrossed in paperwork, and his mother was folding clothes on the bed. The moment he entered, his mother narrowed her eyes at him, then glanced at his father.
"Aap logo ko kya lagta hai? Aap log kuch bhi karenge aur mai chup chaap dekhte rahunga?",he demanded, his voice laced with barely contained anger as he stood before them. Both of his parents looked at him in shock.
(What do you think? You'll do whatever you want, and I'll just stand by silently?)
His mother walked over to him, concerned. "Kya hua, baccha?"
(What happened, my child?)
He laughed bitterly, shaking his head. "Baccha? Agar mai aapka baccha hota toh aap bachpan se meri zindagi barbaad karne par na tuli hoti."
(A child? If I were truly your child, you wouldn't have been so intent on ruining my life since childhood.)
Stunned, his mother looked back at his father, whispering in disbelief, "Aji, maine kya kiya hai?"
(Dear, what have I done?)
His father stood up, his face dark with anger. "Apni maa se aise baat karte ho, beghairat...!", he shouted, raising his hand to strike him. But Raza caught his father's hand mid-air, stopping him.
(You talk to your mother like this, shameless boy...!)
"Mai apne maamle mein sabar kar lunga, Abba, par meri biwi ke maamle mein mai nahi karunga." His voice dropped to a dangerously low tone. "Woh jab chahegi yahan aayegi aur jab chahegi apne maa-baap ke yahan jaayegi...Mai zindagi bhar yahan aisa hi uske intezaar mein baitha reh sakta hoon. Jo aap dono ne mujhe uske saamne sharminda kiya hai, mai aap log ko kabhi maaf nahi karunga."
(I'll tolerate it in matters that concern only me, Father, but not when it comes to my wife.-She will come here when she wishes and go to her parents' house when she wishes...I could sit here my whole life waiting for her, I will never forgive you both for the shame you've caused me in front of her.)
His father, seething with rage, pulled his hand free from Raza's grip and pointed a finger at him. "Tumhe paida kiya hai humne, aur humse aise badzabaani aur nafarmaani karte ho."
(We brought you into this world, and this is how you repay us-with disrespect and disobedience?)
Raza let out a bitter laugh at his father's words and replied, "Sirf paida kiya hai aur kuch nahi kiya hai.Aaj keh raha hoon mai, meri biwi se dono door rahiyega, aur jaise ab tak meri fikar nahi thi, waise hi ab bhi mujhe akela chhod dein."
(You only brought me into this world-nothing more.)(I'm telling you now, stay away from my wife, and just as you've never cared about me, leave me alone now as well.)
His mother shot him an icy glare and shouted, "Tu paida hi na hua hota, aur agar tu hua hota toh teri wo badbakht biwi na hoti, toh abhi humari zindagi mein sab accha hota!"
(It would have been better if you had never been born! And if you had, at least if you hadn't married that cursed wife of yours, our lives would be peaceful now.)
Raza's expression turned colder as he chuckled darkly. "Paida hote hi gala ghot dena tha na? Aap aur aapki hastee kheli ideal family hoti. Afsos, nahi ho paya jo aapne socha tha", Feeling suffocated by their presence, he turned toward the door.
(You should have strangled me the day I was born, right? Then you would've had your perfect, ideal family. Too bad things didn't turn out the way you planned.)
His mother sneered, "Wahi kalmuhi... pata nahi kaise is duniya mein aa gayi, nahi toh hum sab khush hote aur sukhi hote."
(That wretched woman... if only she hadn't come into this world, we would all be happy and at peace.)
Hearing this, Raza halted abruptly, turned back toward her, and stormed forward, his eyes blazing with fury. In a fit of frustration, he kicked the small table by the bed, sending it skidding across the floor.
His voice dropped to a dangerous tone, his eyes red with anger. "Aapne Halima ke baare mein ek lafz bhi kaha toh soch lena... bohot jald haveli mein mai nahi rahunga aur yaha aapko meri zarurat hai mujhe nahi"
(If you say even one more word about Halima, just know... I won't stay in this mansion for long,I don't need you but you need me.)
Seeing the fury etched across Raza's face, his mother swallowed nervously, finally realizing the depth of his obsession and fierce protectiveness over Halima.
As he stormed out, his mother sank onto the bed, her face crumpling as tears slipped down her cheeks. "Yeh Halima paida hi kyun hui?"
(Why was Halima even born?)
“Kya kar rahi hai, bewakoof aurat? Kyun meri zindagi barbaad karne par tuli hui hai?” Behlaaj demanded, his voice seething with anger as he looked at his wife. She shot him a fierce glare in return.
(What are you doing, you foolish woman? Why are you so determined to ruin my life?)
“Kya kahoon main? Wo ladki toh azaab ban gayi hai hamare liye," she replied, frustration evident in her voice. "Maine socha tha ki Rafia akeli rahegi, toh Ahmed se uski shaadi karwa dungi aur use yahan le aungi. Aur Raza, jo apni biwi ka ghulaam hai, usko Rehman ko de dungi. Waise bhi, woh zyada tar Abba ke saath hi rehta hai. Par ye Halima... ye Halima ussi waqt paida ho gayi!” Her voice broke as she spoke, memories flooding back and bringing tears to her eyes.
(What should I even say? That girl has become a curse for us. I thought that if Rafia remained alone, I could marry her off to Ahmed and bring her here. And Raza, who is already his wife’s puppet, I’d give to Rehman. Anyway, he mostly stays with his father. But Halima… Halima had to be born at the worst time!)
FLASHBACK
Back then, Ahmed and Raza were approaching their seventh birthday, and Halima and Ramsha were around four. Rehman had nearly given up hope of ever having children again.
Out of pity for their childless brother, Behlaaj and his wife had decided to give Raza to Rehman. They loved Ahmed more than Raza anyway; Ahmed was affectionate, always eager to spend time with them. Raza, on the other hand, was quiet, keeping mostly to himself, spending his days with Rafia and Bakhtiyar Chaudhary in the fields after his School.
One evening, when Raza returned to the haveli, he overheard his parents discussing their plan to send him away. He was shocked—how could his parents even think of giving him to another family, even if it was his uncle and aunt? It wasn’t fair; he had always known they favored Ahmed over him, but this was too much. For the first time, he confronted them, crying and fighting, refusing to go anywhere. It felt like abandonment, a deep wound to his young heart.
From that day on, Raza started writing in diary every morning in Bakhtiyar Chaudhary’s room. Everyone knew Rafia would one day become Ahmed’s bride and that Raza would remain as her “brother.” But that very idea suffocated him—he didn’t understand love then, but he knew he couldn’t bear the thought of being her brother. The idea crushed him, and he wept over it, though he could never express why.
In those days, Raza would confide in Bakhtiyar, sharing his deepest feelings, which Bakhtiyar would carefully write down,when raza didn't knew some spellings–he told Bakhtiyar to write.
One day, as Raza spoke, he uttered the words that shook Bakhtiyar to his core: "Mujhe Rafia ka bhai nahi banna hai." Startled, Bakhtiyar looked at the small child, realizing the intensity of what he felt. Though Raza was young, Bakhtiyar understood that his emotions ran deep.
(I don’t want to be Rafia’s brother.)
He kept silent, deciding he would support this child’s wishes when the time came. But little did Bakhtiyar know that in the future, he would find himself helpless. When he discovered that Rafia and Ahmed were in love, his heart broke—not for himself, but for the little boy who had once whispered his wish, a wish that could now never be fulfilled.
It seemed as though Allah had heard his silent cries, but he was still never meant to be Rafia’s choice; he was just her friend.
Some time later, they found out that Rehman’s wife was pregnant. The news shattered Raza’s parents, who blamed him for the change of fate. "Agar ye itni bawaal na karta shuru mein, toh ye na hota. Socha tha ki isko unka saara hissa mil jata aur Fawad Chaudhary ki behen ke saath kar dete. Ab sab khatam. Unko ladka hoga aur jaayejaad gayi haath se",they said bitterly.
(If he hadn’t created such an uproar in the beginning, none of this would have happened. We could’ve given him the full inheritance and married him to Fawad Chaudhary’s sister. But now everything’s ruined. They’ll have a son, and the inheritance is lost)
Eight months later, Rehman’s wife gave birth to Halima. Somewhere deep down, Behlaaj and his wife were relieved it wasn’t a boy, as she could no longer bear children. But when they heard that Rehman had started drinking heavily and was rapidly losing his properties to his habits, their resentment toward the newborn Halima grew.
They began calling her “manhoos”—a bad omen—and blamed her for everything. "Ladki manhoosiyat laai hai", they would say. They saw her as a curse, a burden that would bring nothing but sorrow. Determined to keep the family’s wealth intact, they resolved that one day Halima would be Raza’s wife, yet feared her presence would bring only misery to their lives.
(This girl has brought bad luck into our lives)
And so, the fate of a newborn Halima was sealed with the life of an eight-year-old Raza.
END OF FLASHBACK
Behlaaj Chaudhary stormed out of the room, fury simmering in his eyes, as he made his way out of the haveli. Meanwhile, his wife sat weeping in the dim room, her mind swirling with dark thoughts. "Lagta hai usne kuch kaala jaadu kar diya hai mere Raza par… yeh hamare saath aisa kaise kar sakta hai?",she muttered through her tears, feeling the weight of betrayal.
(It seems like she’s done some black magic on my Raza... how else could he act like this toward us?)
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