Written by: Ishrat Zahid
Almeer contacted an old friend and gave him the office address to inquire if a person named "Shahab Sahab" still worked there. The reply came that he had retired several years ago and was no longer there. Hearing this, Almeer leaned his head against the back of his chair and closed his eyes. "Aunt Sofia! Wherever you are, I will find you," he whispered to himself. He thought his father's library must surely hold a picture of her. He was about to grab his phone and leave when the peon entered: "Sir! A gentleman named Shahab Sahab is here to see you."
Almeer froze at the name. "Did I have a meeting arranged with him?" he asked the receptionist via intercom. She informed him that he was Miss Tania's father. Almeer asked her to send him in. He greeted Shahab Sahab with great respect and offered him a seat, asking what he would like to drink. Shahab Sahab declined politely, "I'm in a bit of a hurry; I came to pick up Tania today. She is quite scared of you, so I came to request that you take it easy on her."
Almeer laughed, "Uncle! I am just a bit professional and disciplined in the office, so I'm the same with all workers. Outside the office, I am a different Almeer." Tania's father smiled, "I appreciate discipline myself." Almeer ordered juice over the intercom and asked about the reason for his visit.
A shadow of sadness crossed Shahab Sahab's eyes. "Today is Tania's birthday, and I always celebrate this evening with her. Previously, Tania's mother was with us, but since she passed away, the two of us celebrate it together. First, we go to the graveyard, offer prayers, feed the birds, and after placing flowers, we stop at a bakery for a cake to eat at home. Tania doesn't want to celebrate because her mother died on her birthday night. She was a cancer patient undergoing treatment. We were in the hospital that evening, and at her mother's request, I arranged a small birthday in the hospital room. She left us that very night. We pray for her anniversary first, then cut the cake. Her mother made her promise: 'Don't stop cutting the cake or celebrating after I'm gone.' And then, she held Tania's hand and fell into a sleep from which she never woke up."
Tears welled up in his eyes as he spoke. Almeer immediately stood up and placed a tissue box in front of him. Shahab Sahab wiped his eyes and said, "I apologize; I've said too much and taken your valuable time. You are such a big businessman." Almeer replied emotionally, "Uncle! Please talk to me like a son; it would make me happy. Even when I dropped Tania off, I liked you instantly, though we didn't know each other. Tania is very strong; surely you gave her this confidence."
Shahab Sahab said, "She also got that confidence from her mother, who gave up everything for me." Almeer smiled, "So, was it a love marriage?" Shahab Sahab sighed, "Yes! Her family didn't agree, and she paid the price for it her whole life. They cut off all ties. The pain of never being able to visit her parents' home haunted her until the end." As the juice arrived, Shahab Sahab stood up, "May I take Tania now?" Almeer said, "Come, I'll walk you out." Shahab Sahab invited him over, "Come to our home someday; I'll make you coffee with my own hands." Almeer thanked him and promised to visit on a weekend.
They walked out to Tania's desk. Almeer said, "Miss Tania! You are free to go." Tania turned pale, "Sir! What did I do?" Both men laughed. Almeer said, "It's your birthday, so you have an early leave today. Your father is here to pick you up. Close your work." Tania mentioned he had asked for the work today, but Almeer gently replied, "Miss Sarah will handle the rest. Go on. Wish you a very happy birthday!" Tania said thank you, packed her things, and left with her father. Almeer watched them go, thinking, "There is something about this father and daughter... why am I so drawn to them?" Just then, the peon informed him that Mr. Jahangir was calling him to the meeting room.
During the meeting, Mr. Jahangir noticed Almeer's absence but said nothing then. Once everyone left, he stopped Almeer. "Is there any trouble today?" Almeer shook his head. Mr. Jahangir asked about the new girl's training. Almeer explained she was under his supervision. His father then asked, "Who was the guest today?" Almeer told him it was Tania's father, the girl who helped him at the mall.
A question arose in Almeer's mind: "Papa! Did you not have any siblings?" Mr. Jahangir's face clouded with sadness, and he walked out without answering. His mother's words echoed in Almeer's head: "In this house, no one even likes hearing Sofia's name... great injustice was done to her."
Meanwhile, Tania and Shahab Sahab reached the graveyard, fed the birds, and offered flowers. After the prayer, they got into the car, and Shahab Sahab turned toward the bakery. Tania stopped him, "Baba! Don't buy a cake. I miss Mama too much. Why don't we use that money for orphaned children this time?" They bought supplies and went to an orphanage. After distributing the items, Tania turned around and bumped into someone. It was Almeer. He asked what she was doing there on her birthday. Tania explained their plan, mentioning that many children from her father's school also come from here. Almeer smiled, "I also find true happiness here. I come at my mother's request; she says the prayers of these children will protect me."
Shahab Sahab joined them. Almeer said, "Uncle! If you don't mind, can I call you 'Shahab Uncle'? I feel a sense of belonging when I see you." Shahab Sahab placed a hand on his shoulder, "We are going home. If you want, come along; I'll make coffee." Almeer replied, "I think we met again just so I could taste your coffee." Shahab Sahab laughed, "Tania's mother loved my coffee too."
Almeer followed them to their simple home. Seeing a picture of Tania's parents on the wall, Almeer asked, "Is this your mother?" Tania nodded. When asked about the family, Tania said her grandparents passed away when she was young. Her father was an only son, and her mother was an only daughter. Regarding relatives, Tania explained that her father's family boycotted them after he broke an engagement to marry her mother. Her mother's parents had died in a car accident when she was small, and she was raised by her uncle (Taya).
Before she could say more, Shahab Sahab brought the coffee. From the first sip, Almeer praised it, "Uncle! Even a professional chef doesn't make it this well." His phone rang suddenly. After the call, he stood up abruptly, "Call an ambulance... Okay, I'm coming." He turned to them, worried, "Sorry Uncle! My mother's condition has worsened; I have to leave immediately." Shahab Sahab offered help, and Tania joined Almeer as he rushed to the hospital.
At the hospital, Almeer ran toward the emergency department. Seeing his mother being taken to the ICU, he asked the doctor what happened. "It's a stroke; we'll know more after the check-up," the doctor replied. Almeer watched his mother through the glass door, looking like a helpless child. Tania held his hand and led him to the lounge, "Sir! This is the time for prayer." She felt Almeer's tears. Later, the doctor emerged, "The next 24 hours are critical. If she doesn't regain consciousness, she might slip into a coma."
Almeer tried calling his father, but the line was busy. He sent a WhatsApp message. A reply finally came: "I'm waiting for my boarding for Singapore; this business trip is vital. You are with her; she needs you more than me anyway. These 'fainting dramas' are becoming frequent; bring her home when she wakes up." Almeer's blood boiled: "Papa! Do you have no heart? First your sister, and now Mama..." Shahab Sahab arrived and comforted him, "You aren't alone. If you consider me an uncle, have courage."
The doctor called Almeer, saying his mother was asking for him. He rushed inside. Seeing her hooked to machines, his heart broke. Asiya Begum whispered, "Any news of Sofia?" Almeer lied to keep her calm, saying he was looking for her husband. Asiya asked about Jahangir Sahab. Almeer mentioned the meeting, but Asiya knew, "I told him I was unwell, but he called it a 'drama' and left."
Almeer clenched his fists. Asiya began to confess, "Years ago, Jahangir was furious when Sofia's name came up. He said she died to him the day she ran away. But Almeer! She didn't run away; she had a Nikah, and I was watching with your father. Jahangir was told she was demanding a share in the property, so he refused her even a penny. Your grandparents also wanted everything in my (Jahangir's) name. I was selfish too; I saw the injustice but stayed silent. Sofia was kicked out with nothing but the clothes on her back."
Asiya's voice faltered. She gave her final instruction: "Almeer! I don't know how long I have. In my wardrobe, there is a safe. Inside are locker keys, property documents, jewelry, and a letter. It all belongs to Sofia. If I'm not here, you must fulfill this duty. And never let your father know." Almeer promised his mother he would find his aunt and return the 'Amanat' (trust). The nurse entered to give an injection and asked Almeer to step out.
Almeer now holds the very address his mother sacrificed her peace for. But will Almeer realize that the 'Shahab' he is desperately searching for is none other than the father of his own assistant, Tania?
Will destiny lead Almeer to the forgiveness that has remained incomplete for decades, or will the ancient idols of wealth and ego stand as a wall once again?
Can Almeer fulfill his mother's final wish? Will Tania's hidden past rewrite her future?
To find out, stay tuned for the next chapter!
All Rights Reserved: All rights to this novel, "Bahaar Ke Sang," are reserved by the author, Ishrat Zahid. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means (including photocopying, recording, sharing on social media, or other electronic or mechanical methods) without the prior written permission of the author. Legal action may be taken against violators.
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction intended for entertainment purposes only. All characters, names, places, businesses, and incidents are products of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons (living or deceased) or real-life events is purely coincidental. The views expressed in this story belong to the characters and do not necessarily reflect the personal opinion of the author.