It's quite strange how you always remain silent, but I need to find out the reason for your silence, Aban thought.
Many months have passed, Maha, and it seems you've settled here to some extent. I have very few holidays left, and I need to leave.
Aban, thanks to you, I've been able to adapt to this new city and understand things. If it weren't for you, I don't know what I would have done in this new city. You've been like an angel to me. Thanks to you.
Don't thank me, Maha. We're friends, and friends do this much for each other.
Alright, Aban, I'll handle things myself now. I've grown up and can take care of myself.
Okay, Maha, let's leave that aside. Did you prepare for the medical test?
Aban, it's difficult for me, but I'm still trying because my mind has finally settled, and I don't want to stop trying.
Maha, what caused all of this? Why did all of this happen?
Aban, didn't I tell you not to ask me any questions?
I just asked in general. Okay, I won't ask anymore.
Aban, I need to attend to some tasks here.
Well Maha I have to go somewhere else , goodbye.See you next time.
Maha then went to the pakora vendor and greeted him, "Hello, uncle, how are you?"
"I am fine, beti, and what about you?" the uncle replied.
"I am good too," Maha responded.
Uncle, do you ever get annoyed when I visit you frequently?" Maha inquired.
"No, beta, why would I be annoyed? Whenever you feel like it, you can come and ask for anything you need," he replied warmly.
"Uncle, the reason I keep coming here is that you're the only person I can talk to in this city," Maha explained. "You see, I left my home behind, and everything here is new to me. Thanks to Aban, who came into my life like an angel, I've been able to settle here."
"Why did you leave home, dear?" Uncle asked.
"It was just circumstances that forced me to leave," Maha sighed. "I was feeling suffocated in my relationships."
"Did you run away from family pressures?" Uncle inquired.
"Yes, that's exactly it," Maha admitted. "Actually, Uncle, I'm married. I married someone I loved dearly, someone I had admired since childhood."
"My father is a well-respected man in our area, and he initially opposed our relationship because my husband came from a middle-class family. But we managed to convince our families after a lot of effort, and eventually got married. My mother passed away when I was very young, and my brothers have settled abroad with their families. I have no sisters, so I had no one to turn to except my father."
"So why did you leave home?" Uncle asked again.
"Well, the situation at home became difficult," Maha explained. "My husband had promised to support my continued education after marriage because I wanted to become a doctor. But after our wedding, his family started resisting, saying that if I become a doctor, he'll leave me, and he'll find someone else. Eventually, we started fighting over this issue, and he didn't understand my perspective. I tried to convince him, but it led to arguments every time."
"Our relationship started deteriorating, and it got to the point where he began mistreating me emotionally and physically. I endured it because I had no other option. Finally, I couldn't take it anymore, and I managed to escape. When I returned home, my father said that I was responsible for what had happened and that I should face the consequences. He responded sternly, we are honorable people, and honorable people don't cast their daughters out of their homes. No matter what the circumstances, a woman must learn to compromise. Why do you need to become a doctor? Just listen to your husband; give up your education and focus on managing the household. That's what is suitable for a woman. I am not one of those fathers who expel their daughters from the house. I build homes; I don't tear them down. In society, I have a reputation to uphold, and what will people say about me? My daughter isn't being managed properly, and she left her home. What value will I have in the eyes of society? My name will be tarnished. My reputation will suffer, and I cannot risk damaging my reputation because of you. Now, go back to your home, and don't even think of such actions again, or else I will take matters into my own hands and silence you.
He sent me back to my husband's house."
"I cried and pleaded, but no one listened to me. I was sent back to the same hell I had escaped from. This time, their treatment of me was even harsher. They imposed strict rules on me, and my husband continued to torture me in various ways. I endured it for a while, but then one day, I couldn't take it anymore, and I managed to escape again. I wandered the streets, not knowing where to go, and ended up in Peshawar. I kept moving around, feeling hopeless, until I found myself sitting in a park, crying about my misfortune."
"Then, suddenly, Aban appeared and offered me support. I don't know why he helped me, even though he's not related to me. My family had abandoned me, but thanks to him, I'm slowly getting back on my feet."
"I'm sorry, Uncle; I got carried away and shared too much," Maha said, wiping away her tears.
"No need to apologize, beti. It's good to lighten the burden from your heart," Uncle comforted her.