•𝐑𝐮𝐛𝐚𝐚𝐛| ✓

𝑻𝒉𝒊𝒓𝒕𝒚 𝑻𝒉𝒓𝒆𝒆|| 𝑮𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒈𝒐𝒐𝒅

Karma, an inevitable force, often unfolds its poetic justice in the tapestry of our lives. We take solace in the belief that those who wrong us will face the consequences in due time. This belief finds resonance in stories where wrongdoers meet their own reckoning.

Yet, Saima, wrapped in her cocoon of arrogance, wasn't prepared for her moment of retribution. The night her son faced imprisonment for the harassment inflicted upon Rubaab, it wasn't just justice served; it was a bitter taste of her own medicine. Charged with five hundred thousand rupees and sentenced under Section 509 of the Pakistan Penal Code 1860, he was condemned to endure three long years behind bars.

As if the grief over her son's predicament wasn't enough, the Shah haveli's expulsion unfolded another chapter of sorrow for Saima. Her daughter, Waniya, had vanished into thin air, leaving Saima in shock. The disappearance, coupled with the loss of Saima's gold jewelry and clothes, hinted at Waniya's elopement with someone unknown.

The unfolding tragedy didn't spare Adil Shah, already grappling with the shame brought upon the family by his son. News of his daughter's disappearance proved to be the final blow, triggering a fatal heart attack. Cardiogenic shock, a life-threatening condition, claimed Adil Shah's life, leaving Saima in a state of utter devastation.

Saima, who once believed herself immune to pain, was now left to grapple with profound regret and cascading tears. Her once secure world crumbled, echoing the somber atmosphere surrounding Adil Shah's funeral. The childhood she endured hadn't prepared her for the unforeseen turns life took.

As the only sister among five brothers in the small village of Tand-o-Allahyar, Saima's life took a dark turn after her parents' demise. Her brothers, once loving, turned oppressors, subjecting her to relentless toil on the fields and at home. Taunts escalated to beatings, creating an oppressive environment.

Refusing to accept her fate, Saima ran away from her village, seeking refuge in Karachi. Here, she encountered Adil, who offered her his heart and unwavering commitment. The truth of her past remained hidden, and surprisingly, her marriage was welcomed with open arms. However, as greed crept into her heart, she manipulated Adil's mind, leading to an eventual explosion of pent-up grievances.

Facing the consequences of her deceit, Saima found herself at the mercy of her own fate. Her daughter's actions left her humiliated and scorned, forcing her to confront the disapproving looks and mockery of those around her. Unable to bear the shame, Saima chose to leave in the dead of night.

With the inheritance money from her husband, Saima bailed out her embarrassed son and embarked on a journey to start anew. Boarding a train to Lahore, she left behind the tales of her cunning tactics. Surprisingly, no one made an effort to trace her when the news of Rizwan's bail reached them.

Saima had vanished, leaving behind the remnants of her devious tales.
__________

"Ye kya keh rahi ho, Haseena? Hum aisa kese keh sakte hain? Arey dekha nahi kaise wo apne aap ko defend nahi kar paayi, or ab tum chahti ho wo Germany chale jaaye?" said a frustrated Karim Shah. His wife was spouting nonsense, demanding that Rubaab should be sent to Germany to complete her studies.

(What are you saying haseena, how can we do it? She cant even defend herself and you want her to leave for germany?)

"Isi liye to bol rahi hun. Meri beti hai wo, usko udas nahi dekh sakti main. Samjhi agar wo Arsalan ke intezaar mein rahegi to kabhi mazboot nahi ho paayegi. Maana wo is waqt Arsalan se door hai, lekin main chahti hun wo khud ke liye jeey." Haseena explained, making him sigh. He somehow knew they wouldn't be doing the right thing for Arsalan, but it was the correct decision for Rubaab. After what happened last week, sending Rubaab into some kind of trauma, she was scared and wouldn't leave Arsalan's side for a minute.

(That's why I'm saying this. She's my daughter; I can't bear to see her sad. Understand, if she continues to wait for Arsalan, she will never become strong. I know she's away from Arsalan right now, but I want her to live for herself)

"Acha, bulao usse, baat karenge hum," Haseena smiled while nodding and immediately went out of the room. After a while, she came back with Rubaab, a confused and sleepy Rubaab. Upon seeing her, he asked Haseena, "Arey agar bachhi soi hui thi to nahi uthana tha," but he knew his words weren't making any changes in her.

(Okay, call her)
(Arey if she was sleeping, you shouldn't have woken her up)

"G abbu?" asked Rubaab, her eyes sleepy yet dripping with innocence, her face calm yet scared. Suddenly, Karim Shah remembered the first day he brought her home, claiming it as hers as well. Now, what happened with her in her home made him feel like he didn't keep his words.

(Yes baba)

"Bache, baat ye hai ki hum chahte hain ki tu bas apni parhai resume kare. Tune entry test bhi nahi diya, humne kuch nahi bola. Arsalan ka dukh hai humein bhi magar Rubaab, aisi zindagiyan nahi rukti. Allah na kare agar Arsalan wapas na aaye to tu kis par depend karegi. Hum chahte hain tu apne aap mein sahara dhoonde, kisi aur mein nahi."

(Child, the thing is, we want you to just resume your studies. You haven't even taken the entry test; we haven't said anything about it. We are also saddened by Arsalan's pain, but Rubaab, life doesn't stop like this. God forbid if Arsalan doesn't come back, whom will you depend on? We want you to find support within yourself, not in someone else.)

His words made sense to Rubaab. It was true; what if Arsalan didn't wake up? God forbid, then what was she going to do? She had to make her career; she was going to make him proud! "G abbu, main as a drop-out test dungi," to which Karim Shah said, "Nahi Rubaab, tu Pakistan mein nahi padhegi. Hum tujhe bahar bhejenge." Rubaab was shocked. She couldn't even go to the market alone, even after staying in Karachi for three years now. How was she going to manage living alone and that too without Arsalan? "Par abbu, main kaise rahungi akele, or wo bhi, k main Arsalan ko chhod kar kaise jaun?" she exclaimed. Her tone getting pitchy with the intensity of her words.

(Yes abbu, I will give test as a drop out)
(Nope, you will not study here. We will send you abroad)
(But abbu, how can I? I can live alone and how can I leave arsalan?)

"Yahi to baat hai. Tu akele manage karegi, or obviously aisa nahi hai ki hum tujhe bilkul akela kardenge. Fikar mat kar, tu wahan safe hogi. Ab batao, jaana hai?" her eyes suddenly started filling with tears. She can go, but what if Arsalan woke up, and she wouldn't be here? "Par abbu, Arsalan?" she asked in a broken voice. It was a hard decision; how was she going to make up her mind just standing there?

(That's the point. You will manage alone, and obviously, it's not like we will leave you completely alone. Don't worry; you will be safe there. Now, tell me, are you ready to go?)
(What about arsalan)

"Uski fikar mat kar, meri jaan. Hum hain na. Tum jao, study and make your Arsalan proud. Hum sab jaante hain ki woh chahta nahi ki tu apni padhai chhode, sahi?" this time it was Haseena. She knew she was taking advantage of Rubaab's weak point. But she could never bear to see her like this.

(Don't worry about him, my dear. We are here. You go, study, and make Arsalan proud. We all know he wouldn't want you to quit your studies, right?)

Rubaab was feeling the pressure. Of course, she was going to make Arsalan proud. "Ok, abbu," Karim Shah smiled in relief and gave her the permission to leave. "Apka intezam hum karlenge. Jao."

(Okay abbu)
(Go, we will take care of it)

Rubaab left the room and directly went to Arsalan. Sitting beside him, she told him everything that happened, even though she knew he wasn't listening. She still spoke. She cried; no, she didn't want to go. But maybe it's for the good? Whatever is happening isn't giving her any bad feelings. Maybe Allah Tallah is really giving her a chance to be strong while taking away all the hurdles in her way. For good!

Rubaab went away, leaving her Arsalan in the hands of Allah's protection. She left to give herself the treatment she deserved. She went away for good!