The soft glow of dawn shattered the lingering darkness of the night, carrying with it the bitter memories and heartbreaks of the past. The distance that had been bridged in the darkness of the night was once again evident in the harsh light of day.
Both Shahana and Azlan were wounded by the betrayal of their hearts. They avoided each other's gaze, their silence a testament to the unspoken words that hung heavy between them. The love story they had woven in the heat of the night now seemed like a distant dream, replaced by an uncertain future filled with questions of love and hate.
A week had passed since their fateful night, and they had returned to Dhaka, accompanied by Shabnam, who was scheduled to fly to America the following Friday.
The past week had been marked by an icy silence between Shahana and Azlan. They were both lost in their own thoughts, unable to find the words to express the turmoil within them. They both knew that they had succumbed to a moment of weakness, a lapse in judgment that had left them both scarred.
Upon hearing of Azlan and Muiz's arrival, Ismat Ara, Azlan's grandmother, was the first to rush to greet her grandson and great-grandson. Despite her age, Ismat Ara exuded an aura of grace and dignity. Dressed in an elegant light-colored saree and adorned with a golden hijab, she embraced her grandson with a warmth that belied her initial shock and disappointment.
Ismat Ara had been away in her village when Azlan had returned from America. She had then traveled to London with her husband Tarek to visit relatives. This had prevented her from seeing Azlan upon his return. However, hearing from her daughter Maya that Azlan had taken Shahana and Muiz to Shahana's village, she was apprehensive.
The news of Azlan and Maria's divorce had been the first blow, and now this. She feared that Shahana might once again ensnare Azlan in her web of deceit. With great difficulty, she had helped her grandson move on from his obsessive love for Shahana, and she did not want to see him fall back into the same trap.
Shabnam, who had decided to stay in Dhaka with her son, did not accompany them to the house. She knew that her presence would only complicate matters.
Arriving at the house, they were greeted by Ismat Ara and Haya, who had been anxiously awaiting their arrival.
Muiz, upon seeing his great-grandmother, rushed towards her and embraced her warmly. Ismat Ara showered her great-grandson with love and affection. Muiz then went to his grandmother, Haya, who scooped him up in her arms.
Shahana, after greeting everyone, headed towards her room, her steps heavy with unspoken emotions.
Ismat Ara's face hardened at the sight of Shahana, but she turned to Azlan and embraced him with love. Azlan, with respect and affection, inquired about her well-being. The grandmother and grandson engaged in a conversation, their voices filled with warmth and reminiscence.
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Azlan was engrossed in his work when his father, Towsif, entered the office.
"Father, why did you bother coming here? You could have called me to your cabin," Azlan said respectfully.
"It was no bother at all. I'm not that old yet, young man," Towsif replied with a smile.
Azlan chuckled.
After discussing some business matters, Towsif gazed at Azlan with a penetrating look, as if trying to decipher his innermost thoughts.
"What are you looking at, Dad?" Azlan asked.
"I'm trying to see if you're truly happy or just putting on an act."
"And what did you find out?"
"Nothing. I can't quite understand you," Towsif Amin admitted defeat.
"Don't waste your time, Dad. Happiness has eluded me." Azlan's tone was laced with bitterness.
"That's not true," Towsif tried to reassure him.
"Dad, let's cut to the chase. I know you want to talk about something else, but you're beating around the bush."
Towsif took a deep breath and then spoke.
"Divorce Shahana, Azlan. Her father is returning from Turkey in a few days. He wants to take her back with him. And since neither of you wants to be together anymore, we all agree that she should leave. She's paid for her mistakes. It's time for her to move on with her life."
Towsif's words struck a chord with Azlan, his heart constricting with a painful realization.
"Alright, Dad. I'll give her the divorce," Azlan replied, his voice barely a whisper.
A storm raged within Azlan's heart, yet his outward composure remained unfazed.
Towsif Amin nodded and left the room, leaving Azlan alone with his tumultuous thoughts. He leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes, his mind reverting to the past.
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Past:
"Azlan, I'm so nervous this time. I can't bear to see you go," Shahana said as she packed his bags.
Azlan approached her, standing just before her. "Then should I stay?" he asked, his eyes filled with love.
Shahana remained silent.
"Sweetheart, it's just for a week."
"Azlan, lives can change in the blink of an eye."
"If it wasn't important, I wouldn't be going."
"I'm scared, Azlan."
"Of what?"
"Of losing you."
A beautiful smile graced Azlan's lips as he heard her words. "I'm always with you. My every feeling, my heart, belongs to you."
Azlan tried to reassure her, and Shahana managed a weak smile.
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Shahana and Azlan were engaged in a video call, their faces illuminated by the warm glow of their respective screens.
"Where are you right now?" Shahana inquired, her voice laced with a hint of curiosity.
"Office, where else could I be?" Azlan replied with a playful smile.
"Alone?" Shahana's question carried a subtle undertone of concern.
Azlan raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise. "Alone among humans, perhaps. But if you count jinns, then I'm not entirely alone."
Shahana's expression turned serious. "Maria isn't there with you, is she?"
Azlan's initial amusement gave way to confusion. "Why would Maria be here?" he asked, his voice laced with bewilderment.
"Are you questioning my trust?" Shahana's tone remained guarded.
Azlan sighed, trying to ease the tension between them. "Look, Shahana," he began, his voice laced with a hint of exasperation, "Maria is no longer a part of my life. She never was, really. She's engaged, and her wedding is just around the corner. So, for goodness sake, don't let your imagination run wild."
Shahana remained silent, her gaze fixed on the screen.
"Where are these silly thoughts coming from, Shahana?" Azlan persisted, his voice filled with concern.
Shahana continued to maintain her silence.
"Listen," Azlan said, taking a deep breath, "Maria has no place in my life. She never did. She's engaged, and her wedding is just around the corner. So, please, don't let your mind wander to such unnecessary places."
A faint apology escaped Shahana's lips. "I'm sorry."
"As you should be," Azlan retorted, his voice laced with a hint of sternness.
"Okay, don't be angry anymore," Shahana pleaded, her voice laced with a hint of playfulness.
"Why do you always say things that make me angry?" Azlan chuckled, his anger momentarily fading.
"I've already apologized," Shahana reminded him.
"Well, then give me a kiss, and I'll consider your apology accepted."
Shahana yawned, feigning tiredness. "I'm feeling sleepy. We'll talk tomorrow."
"If you hang up now, I'm not answering another call from you," Azlan threatened, his voice laced with mock seriousness.
"You're threatening me," Shahana accused, her tone teasing.
"Take it as you will," Azlan replied, maintaining his playful demeanor.
"If you want a kiss, come and get it. I'm not giving it away so easily."
Azlan's eyes twinkled with amusement. "Very well. I'll come there myself and take it, and if you object..." he trailed off, leaving Shahana hanging in suspense.
"What will you do?" Shahana asked, her voice laced with curiosity.
Azlan's lips curled into a mischievous grin. "You'll just have to wait and see."
Shahana couldn't help but burst into laughter at his playful antics.
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"You said you'd be back in a week, Azlan," Shahana's voice laced with disappointment as she spoke over the video call. "It's been a month now. When are you coming back?"
Azlan let out a heavy sigh. "Shahana, please understand, the work pressure here is immense. I've just set up a new business, and I never expected things to get so out of hand here. Try to put yourself in my shoes, love." He rubbed his temples, the stress of the situation evident on his face.
He hadn't had enough sleep in weeks, single-handedly handling the entire workload due to his business partner's illness.
"I think work is just an excuse," Shahana retorted, her tone laced with bitterness. "You're up to something else there, aren't you? Work is just a cover-up."
"What do you mean?" Azlan asked, his voice laced with confusion.
"You didn't tell me that your business partner is Maria's father," Shahana accused.
"Yes, I didn't. Is that something I needed to tell you?" Azlan replied, a hint of irritation in his voice.
Shahana remained silent, instead choosing to ask another question.
"Do you meet Maria every day?"
"Why would I meet Maria?" Azlan asked incredulously.
"Because you're interested in her," Shahana spat, her voice filled with anger. "You... you only married me because of Amira and Rafsan."
Azlan was momentarily stunned into silence.
"Who told you that?"
"That's not important," Shahana dismissed his question. "You only married me for your sister's sake. Because Rafsan wanted to marry me. And now that Amira is happily settled with Rafsan, you no longer need me. That's why you're running away from me. That's why you haven't come back. You're not taking my calls. You're ignoring me. Isn't that right?"
"You've lost your mind," Azlan's anger flared.
But he couldn't help but wonder who could have told Shahana such a thing.
Yes, it was true that he could only marry her because of Amira. But the truth was far more complex than Shahana could have ever imagined.
Azlan had been in love with Shahana since childhood. And as he grew older, his desire to marry her only intensified.
However, when he was in the US, Shahana's mother and grandmother had arranged her marriage to Riyaz without her consent while she was only 18 years old. Azlan could never have imagined such a scenario in his wildest dreams. When he found out, his heart was shattered. He had confided in his father, asking him how he could allow such a thing to happen. Towsif was helpless, explaining that it was Haya and her mother's insistence. They believed Riyaz was a good man who would treat Shahana well.
Devastated by the loss of his love, Azlan retreated into silence, vowing never to return to Bangladesh.
Shahana and Riyaz's wedding was just a formality. They barely had a chance to get to know each other before Riyaz's flight to Canada the next day. It was agreed that Shahana would join him later, and they would have their reception then.
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Perhaps it was Azlan's good fortune and Shahana's misfortune that Riyaz, upon reaching Canada, fell in love with another woman and divorced Shahana.
When Azlan learned of this, he returned to Bangladesh. This time, fate was on his side. As soon as Shahana's divorce was finalized, Haya started looking for a suitable match for her again. And she found an excellent proposal. Zarin, Haya's friend, was aware of the entire situation. She had known Shahana since childhood. Shahana was not only beautiful but also virtuous and pious. Zarin proposed her son Rafsan's hand in marriage for Shahana.
Their engagement was finalized.
However, when Amira learned about it, she turned the house upside down. She was in love with Rafsan and insisted on marrying him. When her demands were not met, she behaved like a spoiled child, even attempting suicide in a failed attempt to get her way.
Haya called off Rafsan and Shahana's engagement. But Rafsan was adamant. He had grown fond of Shahana and wanted to marry her only.
When Azlan learned about the entire situation, he decided to marry Shahana himself, telling everyone that if he married Shahana, Rafsan would have no choice but to back down. Then, after some time, he can convince Rafsan to marry Amira.
Ismat Ara was not pleased with any of this. How could she possibly marry her competent grandson to a divorced woman?
But only for her granddaughter Amira's sake, who was madly in love with Rafsan, took this bitter pill
And so, Azlan and Shahana were married.
Shahana couldn't hold back her tears. Seeing her tears, Azlan calmed down a bit.
"Shahana, why are you hurting yourself by thinking such things? If I were interested in Maria, I wouldn't be trying to explain things to you at this late hour. Believe me, there's a lot of work pressure. And the reason I didn't tell you that Maria's father is my business partner is because you never asked. Nor did I ever think you might be interested in knowing my business partner's name. I promise I'll be back this Sunday. We'll talk then. Until then, please don't burden yourself with these unnecessary thoughts."
Azlan didn't say "Insha'Allah". People forget what we want doesn't happen, what God wants happens.
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Azlan was at the hospital. Alamgir's health had suddenly deteriorated, and he had brought him to the hospital. Here too, he was pacing back and forth incessantly. In all the running around, he forgot that he had left his phone in the waiting room.
When he returned with the medicine, a little girl handed him the phone. Maria, who was standing outside the ICU, watched him take the phone. Then she turned away.
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Azlan couldn't make it back on Sunday. He had to stay here longer. During this time, he called and messaged Shahana several times. But she didn't respond. Azlan thought she was mad at him. Then, when Alisha's call came, Azlan's world came crashing down.
Rafsan had divorced Amira. And the reason Amira gave was enough to make him want to kill himself.
Amira was sobbing uncontrollably.
"Bhai (brother), Rafsan has left me for her. They've been having an affair for months, brother. I suspected it before. When I confronted Rafsan, he denied it at first. Then, he divorced me, brother. He left me, brother. He left me for that witch."
"Be quiet, Amira! Do you even know what you're saying? Who are you accusing? I know my wife well enough. She couldn't do such a thing," Azlan thundered into the phone, his head pounding with a growing sense of dread.
"Bhai, are you still trusting that woman? For your information, she's cheating on you with Rafsan!"
"What rubbish, Amira? You're talking nonsense. Shut up!"
"I'm telling you the truth! Your 'pious' wife has betrayed you and is having an affair with my husband."
Azlan couldn't take it anymore. He angrily slammed the phone down.
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In those same days, another blow struck Azlan. Amira had died in a car accident. She had gone to meet Shahana, and since then, Shahana had been missing. CCTV footage from a road camera showed Amira crying hysterically. She didn't seem normal. Then, a truck came from the other side. Amira couldn't balance the car and died.
Azlan wanted to come to Bangladesh at any cost, but all flights were canceled due to snowfall.
He reached Bangladesh a week later. Amira's funeral had already taken place long ago. He went to his sister's grave and wept bitterly. He couldn't even see his sister for the last time.
His love for his sister was one thing, but he still didn't believe Amira's words even merely for a second. He had known Shahana since childhood. She wasn't the way everyone was making her out to be.
A suffocating silence greeted Azlan upon reaching his childhood home. The absence of Shahana's laughter, the emptiness where her warmth used to reside, choked him with a sense of dread. He launched into a desperate search, his voice hoarse from calling her name, his heart hammering a frantic rhythm against his ribs. He questioned everyone, their hesitant replies and downcast eyes only fueling the churning fear in his gut.
"She's run away," they murmured, their voices laced with disapproval. "Probably gone to that Rafsan."
But Azlan refused to believe it. Shahana wouldn't abandon him, not like this. He scoured the streets they used to walk hand-in-hand, his hope withering with each passing hour. He visited their favorite places, the memories mocking him with their bittersweet joy. No Shahana.
With a heart heavy as stone, he approached the police, his voice cracking as he filed a missing person's report. The world seemed to tilt on its axis when Haya dropped the bombshell that shattered the last vestiges of his hope.
Haya, her face etched with a sorrow that mirrored his own, revealed a phone call from Shahana. Shahana wanted a divorce.
Azlan felt the world drained of its color. The woman he had entrusted with his heart, the woman who had woven dreams into the fabric of his soul, now sought escape. The air grew thin, his vision blurring as a primal pain ripped through him.
"If that's what she wants," he rasped, his voice barely a whisper, "she'll have to say it to me, herself. "
The following day, Haya placed the phone in front of him. He stared at the phone. His hand trembled for a moment. It was Shahana. The voice that he desperately wanted to hear now sent a tremor of dread through him. He took the phone and put it to his ear. But on the other end, only a chilling silence awaited him. A silence that spoke volumes, a silence that screamed of betrayal, of love turned to dust.
And then, the words, sharp as shards of ice, pierced his already wounded heart. "I want a divorce, Azlan Samiul Amin. I want to be free from you. Set me free."
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