The morning sun cast a warm glow over the Nawab Mansion, signaling the start of a new day. Asfand Yarr Khan prepared for his hunting trip, his cold blue eyes gleaming with anticipation. He entered Bibi Jaan's room, where she sat on her divan, embroidering a shawl.
"Bibi Jaan, I'm off for a hunt," Asfand said, his voice carrying a hint of excitement.
Bibi Jaan looked up, her eyes softening. "Asfand, be careful. The wilds can be dangerous."
He nodded, bending to kiss her hand in the traditional gesture of respect. "Don't worry, Bibi Jaan. I'll be back before you know it."
Asfand left Bibi Jaan's room and headed towards the garden where the family cars were parked. He noticed Mehro standing near one of the cars, waiting for Gul. She was dressed in her college uniform, looking both nervous and beautiful in the morning light.
Mehro's heart skipped a beat when she saw Asfand approaching with his rifle. The coldness in his blue eyes and the weapon in his hand made him appear even more intimidating. She tried to keep her eyes down, focusing on the ground.
Gul emerged from the mansion, her school bag slung over her shoulder. She ran up to Asfand and hugged him tightly.
"Asfand bhai, be safe," Gul said, her voice filled with concern.
Asfand smiled slightly, bending to kiss her forehead. "Don't worry, little sister. I'll be back soon."
As he straightened up, his gaze fell on Mehro. Their eyes met briefly, and Mehro felt a shiver run down her spine. Asfand's cold blue eyes seemed to pierce through her, leaving her momentarily paralyzed. He gave a curt nod to both girls and made his way to his car, where his hunting gear awaited.
Mehro exhaled a breath she didn't realize she had been holding as she watched him drive away. The tension eased slightly as Gul took her hand, guiding her towards their own car.
"Come on, Mehro. We don't want to be late," Gul said, her voice cheerful and unaware of the storm of emotions inside Mehro.
In the dense forests outside Peshawar, Asfand, accompanied by his friends Ali and Taimoor, moved silently, their senses attuned to the surroundings. The thrill of the hunt coursed through their veins. They were also accompanied by Asfand's loyal servants, who ensured their safety and helped carry their equipment.
Suddenly, the tranquility was shattered by the sound of gunfire. A group of masked men emerged from the shadows, attacking them from behind. Asfand reacted quickly, fighting back with all his strength. He landed a powerful punch on one of the attackers, but another goon pulled out a gun and shot Asfand in the side.
Ali and Taimoor tried to defend themselves, but Ali was also hit by a bullet. The attackers quickly fled the scene, leaving Asfand and Ali severely injured. Taimoor, though shaken, was unharmed and immediately called for help from the locals.
The locals, hearing the commotion, rushed to their aid. They found Asfand and Ali bleeding and unconscious and quickly transported them to the nearest hospital.
In the tranquil embrace of the garden, Bibi Jaan sat with an air of regality, her eyes scanning the sprawling expanse of greenery before her. Shahram stood nearby, his demeanor tense, awaiting his grandmother's commands.
"Beta," Bibi Jaan began, her voice carrying a weight of responsibility, "it is time for Asfand to fulfill his duties as the heir to our legacy."
Shahram nodded solemnly, understanding the gravity of his grandmother's words. "Yes, Bibi Jaan. Asfand must take on the responsibilities that come with his position."
Bibi Jaan's gaze turned towards the horizon, a hint of determination in her eyes. "We must find a suitable match for him, someone who will help him shoulder the burdens of our name and uphold our traditions."
At that moment, Bibi Jaan's phone rang, interrupting their conversation. She answered it with a graceful gesture, her voice firm yet welcoming.
Bibi Jaan: "Balaj Sahab, it's a pleasure to hear from you."
Balaj Sahab: "Bibi Jaan, it's been too long. How may I be of service?"
Bibi Jaan: "You remember our discussion about Hania and Asfand, don't you?"
Balaj Sahab: "Of course, Bibi Jaan. Hania would make a perfect match for Asfand. We will come to your house soon. Be ready."
Bibi Jaan's lips curved into a satisfied smile. "Thank you, Balaj Sahab. We await your arrival eagerly."
As the call ended, Shahram approached Bibi Jaan with urgency in his eyes.
Shahram: "Bibi Jaan, there's been an incident. Asfand has been attacked by goons. He's in the hospital."
Bibi Jaan's heart clenched with fear, her eyes filling with tears at the news of her beloved grandson's plight. She wasted no time, immediately springing into action.
Bibi Jaan: "Munshi Shahab! Ready the car. Skindar Shahab, Shahram, we must go to him at once."
With swift determination, Bibi Jaan, Shahram, Skindar Shahab, and Munshi Sahab rushed to the hospital, their hearts heavy with worry for Asfand's safety.
In her opulent room, Zahara Begum received the news with a twisted smile. She had orchestrated the ambush, hoping to eliminate Asfand as an obstacle to her son's inheritance.
"Finally, the path is clear," she murmured to herself, her eyes gleaming with malicious glee. "May he never return."
In the hushed tranquility of the Nawab Mansion, Gul paced anxiously in her room, her worry for Asfand gnawing at her heart. She knew she had to reach out to Mehronisa, her closest confidante and friend, for comfort and support.
Gul: "Amna, go to the servant quarters and find Mehronisa. Tell her to come to my room immediately."
Amna, ever dutiful, nodded and hurried off to carry out her mistress's command.
Meanwhile, in the humble confines of the servant quarters, Mehronisa knelt in prayer, her forehead touching the ground in devout supplication. The soft glow of the oil lamp illuminated her serene face as she sought solace in her evening prayers.
Amna: "Mehronisa, Gul Bibi has summoned you to her room. She needs to see you urgently."
Mehronisa's heart skipped a beat at the unexpected summons. With a quick prayer for guidance, she rose from her prayer mat and followed Amna back to the main quarters of the mansion.
As Mehronisa made her way through the corridors of the mansion, her mind still reeling from Gul's distressing news about Asfand's injury, she unexpectedly crossed paths with Zahara Begum, the formidable stepmother of the Nawab family. Zahara Begum's piercing gaze bore into Mehronisa like a sharp blade, her disapproving frown sending a chill down Mehro's spine.
Zahara Begum: "You there, girl! What are you doing wandering these halls?"
Mehronisa's heart raced, but she maintained her composure, offering a respectful bow. "Forgive me, Begum Sahiba. I was summoned by Gul Bibi."
Zahara Begum's eyes narrowed with suspicion, her voice dripping with disdain. "Summoned by Gul? What business could she possibly have with the likes of you?"
Mehronisa's cheeks flushed with embarrassment, but she refused to cower before Zahara Begum's cutting words. "I am merely a servant, Begum Sahiba. It is not for me to question the wishes of my masters."
Zahara Begum's lips curled into a contemptuous sneer. "Servant indeed. Know your place, girl, and stay out of matters that do not concern you."
Mehronisa lowered her gaze, her hands trembling slightly at the sharpness of Zahara Begum's rebuke. "Yes, Begum Sahiba. I will remember your words."
With a dismissive wave of her hand, Zahara Begum swept past Mehronisa, leaving her standing alone in the corridor, her heart heavy with the weight of Zahara Begum's disdain.
As Mehronisa entered Gul's room, she found her friend sitting on the edge of her bed, her shoulders slumped with despair. Tears streamed down Gul's cheeks, her distress palpable in the air.
Mehronisa: "Gul, what's wrong? Why are you crying?"
Gul looked up, her eyes red-rimmed with anguish as she struggled to compose herself. "Mehro, it's Asfand bhai. He's in the hospital... in the ICU."
Mehronisa's heart clenched at the news, her breath catching in her throat as she rushed to Gul's side, enveloping her in a comforting embrace.
Mehronisa: "Oh Gul, I'm so sorry. Is he going to be okay?"
Gul shook her head, her voice choked with emotion. "I don't know, Mehro. It's all so sudden... I'm scared."
Mehronisa held Gul tighter, offering whatever solace she could in this moment of uncertainty. "We'll pray for him, Gul. Allah will protect him, Insha'Allah."
Gul nodded, her tears subsiding slightly as she found strength in Mehro's words of comfort. "Thank you, Mehro. I don't know what I'd do without you."
Mehronisa smiled softly, wiping away Gul's tears with a gentle hand. "You don't have to face this alone, Gul. We're in this together."
As they sat in the quiet of the room, the bond between Gul and Mehronisa grew stronger, forged by shared sorrow and unwavering support.
As Gul wept for Asfand's condition, her heart heavy with worry, Amna, the faithful servant, entered the room with urgent news, her eyes wide with relief.
Amna: "Gul Bibi, I have news! Asfand bhai is out of danger. The doctors say he will recover!"
Gul's tears halted in an instant, her eyes widening in disbelief at the unexpected turn of events. She blinked, processing the information, her heart racing with a newfound hope.
Gul: "What? Are you sure, Amna?"
Amna nodded vigorously, her face breaking into a relieved smile. "Yes, Gul Bibi! The doctors just called with the news. Asfand bhai is going to be okay!"
A wave of relief washed over Gul, her earlier despair replaced by a surge of gratitude and joy. She clasped her hands together in prayer, offering thanks to the Almighty for answering their pleas.
Gul: "Alhamdulillah! Thank you, Amna, for bringing me this news."
Amna smiled warmly, her heart lightened by the sight of Gul's renewed hope. "You're welcome, Gul Bibi. I'll leave you to celebrate this good news."
As Amna left the room, Gul's tears now flowed not from sorrow, but from the overwhelming emotion of gratitude and relief. She closed her eyes, sending up a silent prayer for Asfand's swift recovery, her faith in Allah's mercy reaffirmed.
In the quiet solitude of her room, Mehronisa sank onto her bed, exhaustion weighing heavily on her weary shoulders. The events of the day had left her drained, her mind swirling with a tumult of emotions. She gazed out of the window, where the silver glow of the moon bathed the world in its ethereal light.
As she stared at the moon, Mehro's thoughts turned to Asfand, the enigmatic figure whose presence had cast a shadow over her day. She recalled the coldness in his eyes, the aloofness of his demeanor, yet there was something about him that defied explanation, something that tugged at the corners of her consciousness.
Mehronisa's Thoughts: A cold heart person, a man whose very essence seems shrouded in ice... And yet, those eyes... There is a depth to them, a silent plea that speaks volumes without uttering a word. What secrets do they hold?
Lost in her musings, Mehro found herself reciting the timeless verses of Mirza Ghalib, his poetry echoing the whispers of her soul:
"Dil hi to hai na sang-o-khisht, dard se bhar na aaye kyun, Royenge hum hazaar baar, koi hamein sataye kyun."
Translation: "It is but a heart, not stone or brick, why shouldn't it fill with pain? We will cry a thousand times, why shouldn't someone torment us?"
The words resonated with Mehronisa, echoing the ache within her own heart, the longing for understanding in the face of life's complexities.
As she continued to gaze at the moon, its serene beauty offered her a moment of solace amidst the chaos of her thoughts, a gentle reminder that even in the darkest of nights, there is always the promise of dawn.
In the dimly lit hospital room, Asfand lay still, his form a silent testament to the trials he had endured. Bibi Jaan sat vigilantly by his bedside, her weathered hands clasped in silent prayer, her eyes never wavering from his pale face.
Bibi Jaan: Softly, in a voice filled with love and concern "Ya Allah, grant him strength. Bring him back to us, whole and hale."
Skindar Shahab, Asfand's uncle, sat nearby on a plush sofa, his gaze alternating between Asfand's still form and Bibi Jaan's bowed figure. His heart ached with worry, but he remained resolute, a pillar of support for his family in their time of need.
Skindar Shahab: Speaking softly to Bibi Jaan "He will pull through, Bibi Jaan. Asfand is strong, like his father before him."
Bibi Jaan nodded, her faith unshaken, even in the face of uncertainty. "Insha'Allah, Skindar. We must have faith in Allah's mercy."
Meanwhile, Shahram and Munshi Sahib worked diligently to ensure that all the hospital bills were taken care of. Shahram's brow furrowed with concentration as he reviewed the documents, his mind consumed with worry for his brother's well-being.
Shahram: Addressing Munshi Sahib "Make sure everything is settled, Munshi Sahib. Asfand's care is our top priority."
Munshi Sahib nodded in agreement, his expression grave. "Of course, Shahram Sahib. I will ensure that all expenses are accounted for."
As the minutes ticked by, the tension in the room remained palpable, each member of the Nawab family silently praying for Asfand's swift recovery. They knew that the coming hour would bring with it the promise of hope, a glimmer of light in the darkness that had engulfed them all.