Aban's short journey is nearing its end, and it's time for him to depart.
Aban, you mentioned your flight tonight at 3 AM.
Yes, I'm aware of it.
May your flight be safe and filled with joy Aban . Maha added
Maha, I've been here before and left, but I've never experienced this kind of deep emotional connection. Right now, I don't want to leave.
Why?
What's anchoring you here? Your family is there, and everything you hold is there.
But, Maha, you're my sanctuary of love.
Maha is taken aback by this heartfelt admission and searches for the right words to respond.
Maha, let me share something with you. I don't know what sentiments you harbor, and I don't wish to impose any labels. But the truth is, I hold you in the highest regard, and when I first met you, I felt a powerful, unexplainable attraction. It was like a spark ignited in my heart. When I gaze into your eyes, I see a radiant light that warms my soul. I may not understand whether it's love, but I do know that I'm willing to shield you from every hardship. Any voice that seeks to harm you will find its echo silenced by me. If tears ever grace your cheeks, I pledge to be the one to lovingly wipe them away.
Aban, please !
Don't say a word Maha just listen please. I'm aware of your sentiments; I know you might not share the same affection. Yet, when I look at you, my heart finds solace. The profound melancholy in your eyes feels like a sea of emotions that threatens to engulf me. Your smile, all of a sudden, becomes the most enchanting vista in the world.
Maha listens attentively, her heart touched by Aban's heartfelt confession.
Maha, I'm sharing all this with you because I'm embarking on a journey, and in life, we can never predict what will happen with people. I want you to know that someone, even if it's a crazy person like me, cares deeply for you. I may not be here physically, but I will always watch over your every need. If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to ask, and it will be yours without delay. And remember, you need to focus on your studies, especially with the medical entrance exam approaching. Don't panic if you don't make it through the merit system; I'll make sure you get a self-financed seat to fulfill your dream of becoming a doctor. Just stay consistent and stay focused.
Hark, Aban, I beseech you, spare me the repetition of such words, for should they cross your lips once more, I shall indeed forsake this city without a backward glance," Maha declared, her vexation evident.
Very well, dearest, I shall not utter such sentiments anew, and you, in turn, shall refrain from contemplating such drastic actions. Pour your energies into shaping your destiny. And remember, should adversity raise its head, promise me that you shall confide in me. This sole vow I seek from you," Aban asserted.
"Very well, I shall ponder your request. Now, it is time for you to leave for Islamabad airport," Maha replied.
"Shall you not accompany me to bid farewell, Aban?" Maha teased gently.
"Maha, please, do not test my patience. Alright, alright, then. Farewell, until we meet again. Guard well the words I leave behind, and, if you ever so desire, grant me the opportunity to prove that I am not as wretched as you may fear. I give you my word," Aban spoke as he made his exit.
Maha bade her adieu with a simple "Allah Hafiz" and closed the door.
After Aban's departure, his words once led Maha down a haunting path, one where her husband had once painted a vivid tapestry of promises and love. However, he later veered away from that path, leaving her in a desolate emotional wasteland. How passionately he had loved her, only to see it all crumble into ruins. Now, she was left in this wretched state, her heart weighed down by the recollection of this harrowing past, tears cascading uncontrollably. Suddenly, a fear gripped her heart – what if those people, driven by the past, came searching for her and dragged her back into that abyss? Aban was no longer in the city, leaving her utterly alone. A sudden sensation of Aban's absence swept over her, and she wept bitterly.
Maha's trust in love had waned, forever haunted by her darker past, and the fear that those ghosts might resurface and leave her with an unfathomable dilemma lingered in her soul.