Chapter 16
Author's POV:
The room was quiet, only the faint rustle of curtains swaying in the night breeze broke the silence. Sonia aunty guided Aayat gently inside, her hand placed protectively on the young girl's trembling shoulder.
"Ab se yeh tumhara kamra hai, Aayat," Sonia said softly, her tone filled with both kindness and concern.
Aayat lowered her eyes, her voice almost a whisper. "Thanks... aunty."
Her steps faltered as she entered, like her very presence was a burden. The air around her carried a heaviness, a silence that spoke more than words ever could. Sonia watched her carefully, noticing how stiffly she held herself, as if afraid even to breathe freely.
Without hesitation, Sonia took her hand and guided her toward the bed. She sat down beside her, keeping her hold firm and reassuring. She tilted her head, her eyes searching Aayat's face.
"Aayat, tumhare saath kya hua hain?" Sonia's voice was tender but also pained.
"Jis ladki se hum chaar saal pehle mile thay.
.. uski ankhon mein ek chamak thi. Lekin aaj.
.. tumhari aankhen wo roshni nazar nahi a rahi.
Tumhari muskaan kahin gum ho gayi hai. please batao Kya hua tumhare saath, beta? "
Aayat blinked rapidly, her lashes wet, but said nothing. Sonia caught that hesitation and quickly added, "Dekho, agar tum nahi batana chahti, it's okay. Main tumhe force nahi kar rahi."
But Aayat's lips trembled. Words she had buried deep inside her began clawing their way out.
Her voice cracked. "Mere ghar walay... meri ammi Abu, mere dono bhai... aur Rayyan... koi mujh par bharosa nahi karta. Un sab ke liye main!!.... Unhe mere qirdar pr yakeen nahi hain."
She pressed her face into her palms, sobbing. "Koi meri baat par bharosa nahi karta..."
The sound of her broken cries sliced through Sonia's chest. She immediately pulled Aayat into her arms, hugging her tightly like a mother would soothe her own child.
"Shhh... chup, meri jaan..." Sonia whispered, rocking her gently. She placed her hands on Aayat's face, wiping her tears tenderly. "Meri taraf dekho. Mujhe sab kuch batao. Jo dil mein hai, sab keh do."
Aayat raised her watery eyes. The pain there was raw, unfiltered. She began recounting everything-her voice trembling with each memory.
How she had simply helped a man on the street, unaware he was Ramsha's pawn. How photographs were twisted into proof of betrayal. How Ramsha poisoned her image in front of the whole family. How no one- not her father, not her brothers, not even Rayyan-stood beside her.
Her shoulders shook violently as she sobbed harder. "Aur Rayyan... usne Ramsha se doosri shadi kar li. Aur mujhe... usne kaha... na main tumhe apnaoonga, na talaq doonga. Tum bas ek kone mein pari rahogi..."
The words turned to knives inside Sonia's chest. She clutched Aayat tighter.
"Aunty... wo kehta tha, main uski mangi hui dua hoon.
" Aayat's voice was barely a whisper now, choked with grief.
" usne mujhe apni mohabbat per yakeen dilaya aur jab mujhe mohabbat Hui.
. toh usne mera dil tod diya. Mujhe lagta hain jaise Mera dil seene se cheer kar nikal diya ho , mujhe saans laine mein mushkil hoti hai ab.
.. sirf kuch din hue hain, sirf kuch din, hamari shadi ko.
.. kuch din mein hi uski mohabbat dam tod gayi. "
Her sobs wracked her body. Sonia felt her own eyes burning with tears. She gripped Aayat's face and shook her head.
"Nahi, khabar daar! Maarne ki baat phir se muh se nikali toh..." Sonia's voice trembled with a fierce protectiveness. "Tum meri beti ho ab se. Tumhein kuch nahi hoga. Samajhi tum?"
She wrapped her arms tighter around the broken girl.
What neither of them knew was that someone stood just beyond the door, fists clenched, his heart pounding in his chest.
Ayaan.
He had come only to deliver a bundle of clothes for Aayat, but the sound of her muffled cries had stopped him in his tracks. Something compelled him to stay and listen. And then he heard everything-every wound, every humiliation, every betrayal she carried.
With each word that spilled from her lips, Ayaan's chest burned hotter. His jaw tightened, his knuckles whitened. Rage flooded his veins-not against Aayat, never against her-but against those who had crushed her spirit so mercilessly.
'koi aisa kaise kar sakta hain?'
Ayaan's breath grew harsh. In that moment, he made a vow deep within himself.
"ab se tumhare rone k din khatam aayat. Mein tumhare liye ladu ga toh nahi, pr tumhe is qabil banauga kay tum apni ladai khud lad sako.
Mein tumhare agay khada nahi hoon ga, tumhe bachanay k liye, balkay tumhare peeche khada ho kr tumhein unchaiyo m jata dekhuga , khud k liye awaz uthata dekhuga .
.... Aur jab b tum girne lago gy toh tumhe himat duga.
Dubara khade hone ki. Ta k tum phir se lad sako. "
He exhaled, trying to compose himself. After a moment, he knocked lightly.
Sonia glanced up. "come in."
The door creaked open, and Ayaan stepped inside. His face was calm, though his eyes betrayed the storm inside. He held out the neatly folded clothes.
" ye kapde...." he said quietly, his gaze flickering toward Aayat.
She didn't lift her head. Her tears still glistened on her cheeks, her hands clutching the edge of the blanket. The sight stabbed at him. For the first time in his life, Ayaan felt a sharp ache in his chest for someone else's pain.
He placed the clothes gently in his mother's hands. As he turned to leave, his eyes lingered one last time on Aayat's fragile figure. Silent tears still rolled down her cheeks, staining the pillow. He swallowed hard, his throat dry, and walked out.
After some time, Aayat changed into the fresh clothes. Sonia tucked her into bed as though she were her own daughter. She smoothed her hair and placed a quilt over her.
"Bas, meri jaan... ab so jao. Tum safe ho yahan."
Aayat nodded faintly, but her eyes still shimmered with pain as she curled into herself.
Sonia pressed a soft kiss to her forehead before leaving the room quietly.
~
In their own room, Sameer Khan was waiting. The moment Sonia entered, he could see the heaviness in her expression.
"What happened?" he asked immediately, concern etched across his features.
Sonia sat down beside him and recounted everything Aayat had told her. As her words unfolded, Sameer's expression grew darker. His usually composed face twisted in fury.
"Un logon ne is masoom bachi ke saath yeh salook kiya?
" he muttered through gritted teeth. He stood abruptly, pacing the room.
"Jo ladki sabki madad karta hain, bina kisi fayde nuksan kay.
.. jisne tumhari bhi zindagi bachayi thi.
.. aise ladki k sath koi aisa kaise kr sakta hain?
Bas ab Main aayat ko us ladke ke nikah mein ek pal ke liye bhi nahi rehne dunga. "
His voice thundered. "Ab se Aayat meri beti hai. Sameer Khan ki beti. Agar kisi ne us par ungli uthayi, toh main uska haath tod dunga."
Sonia rose too, tears glistening in her eyes. She placed a hand on his arm.
"Aur main bhi, Sameer. Main Aayat ko khud se door nahi jaane dungi.
Tumhe pata hai, hamesha se mujhe ek beti chahiye thi.
.. Aayat jaisi beti. Jab hum usse pehli dafa mile thay.
.. main sochti thi kitne lucky hain uske ghar walay.
Aur ab... dekho, Allah ne mujhe wahi ladki beti bana kr de di.
Main ab usey kabhi akela nahi chhodungi.
Aur jaha tak us k nikah khatam karne wali baat hain ye decision us se puch kar laina hoga humein. "
Sameer's jaw softened at his wife's words. He pulled her into his arms, holding her close.
Between them, unspoken yet firm, was a decision:
Aayat would never be alone again.