Chapter: 07
Written by: Ishrat Zahid
Jahangir Sahab's words sliced through the air like poisoned arrows. Aasia Begum, already battling the threshold of life and death, was left paralyzed by her husband's brutal demeanor. Anguish flickered in her eyes, but her stammering tongue failed to support her. Almeer, who had been standing silently, witnessing his father's greed and disrespect, could no longer restrain himself. He stepped forward like a shield between his mother and Jahangir Sahab, speaking in a cold, resonant tone:
"Baba! That is enough. You seem to forget that you are not in an office; you are in the room of a wife who spent her entire life protecting the honor of this house despite your infidelities. As for that file, it has already reached the place where it belongs."
Jahangir Sahab's face flushed with rage. "Almeer! You are crossing your limits. Do you even realize the massive business loss I could suffer because of that one missing file? That company may be in Sofia's name, but I am the one who nurtured it. " A bitter smile touched Almeer's lips. "Nurtured it, Baba? Or usurped it? The empire you dream of building by stealing Sofia Phupho's rights will prove to be a wall of sand. I have already spoken to the legal advisor; the Power of Attorney is now with me, and I will handle Sofia Phupho's company affairs myself."
Jahangir Sahab froze as if stung. He stomped out of the room in fury, but the hatred lingering in his eyes suggested he would not back down so easily. Almeer pulled up a chair and sat beside his mother. Holding her trembling hand, he consoled her, "Mamma, do not worry. Shahab Sahab has kept the file safe. Now, I just need to reach Sofia Phupho."
The next day, when Almeer reached the office, his heart involuntarily turned toward Tania's cabin. Sarah informed him that Tania was on leave again as her father's health was poor. Almeer decided that sending a bouquet wasn't enough; he should visit in person to inquire about his health. When Almeer arrived at Tania's house that evening, Shahab Sahab was surprised to see him. "Almeer beta! You here?"
"Uncle, Mamma sent her regards, and I came to check on Tania's well-being." Almeer's eyes searched for Tania, who entered the room just then with tea from the kitchen. Seeing him, a blush of modesty crept onto her face.
Almeer was just engaging in a formal conversation with Tania's father when his phone rang, shattering the room's peace. 'Khalida Baji' was flashing on the screen. Almeer answered, only to hear her panicked, trembling voice: "Almeer beta!" For God's sake, come home quickly... Jahangir Sahab has lost control. He has broken the lock on Mamma's locker and is tearing the house apart! He is losing his mind with rage because the file isn't there either."
Almeer's face burned with anger, and his fists clenched. "I am coming right now, Khalida Baji. Stay with Mamma and don't let her leave the room." Hanging up, he glanced at Shahab Sahab and Tania, whose faces were etched with concern. "Uncle, I must leave; apologies. There is an emergency at home." Shahab Sahab nodded gravely, "Beta, may Allah protect you." Go, and let us know if there is any trouble." Tania silently walked Almeer to his car. Her eyes held immense worry for him, but no words could escape her lips. Almeer gave her a deep look as if assuring her he would handle everything, then quickly reversed the car and sped toward home.
When he arrived, the scene was horrific. Furniture was scattered in the lounge, and Jahangir Sahab's roars echoed from the study. Almeer headed straight there, finding his father throwing files from the cabinets onto the floor. "Where is that file?" Jahangir Sahab screamed the moment he saw Almeer. "Where has your mother hidden it? If I don't get those papers, I will throw her out of this house today!"
Almeer's patience snapped. He stood defiantly before his father, his eyes filled with such coldness that Jahangir Sahab's steps faltered. "You will never find that file, Baba, because it is far beyond the reach of your greed. And as for throwing Mamma out—remember, this home stands on Mamma's sacrifices, not your ego. If you cross the line, I will forget that you are my father. " Jahangir Sahab raised his hand in rage, but Almeer caught it midair. "No more, Baba! None of us will endure your tyranny anymore." Just then, Khalida Baji came running, "Almeer!" "Come quickly, Mamma's condition has suddenly worsened again!" Almeer's heart sank. Leaving his father there, he rushed to his mother's room. Aasia Begum was struggling for breath, her eyes fixed on the door as if waiting for him. Almeer took her hand. "Mamma, I am here; do not worry." Aasia Begum gestured for him to come closer and whispered in his ear, "Almeer... that file... tell Shahab... to keep it safe... it is your inheritance... and Sofia..." Her voice trailed off as her eyes closed.
Almeer rushed his mother to the hospital immediately. After the examination, the doctor summoned Almeer to his cabin and said gravely, "Almeer Sahab, blood clots are forming in your mother's brain. We must perform a complex surgery immediately, for which we are calling neurosurgeon Dr. Mazhar. The success rate for this operation is only 5 percent. The patient either recovers fully or slips into a coma."
Almeer stepped out with heavy feet when Shahab Sahab's call came. With a broken heart, Almeer told him everything. Shahab Sahab promised every possible support. When Almeer returned to his mother's side, Aasia Begum whispered, "Almeer... call Tania and her father... now... I have something to tell them."
Shahab Sahab knocked on Tania's door. "Tania beta, hurry." Almeer's mother is unwell and wishes to see us." Tania quickly grabbed her phone, clipped her hair, and adjusted her dupatta as she came out. They both rushed to the hospital, where Aasia Begum lay helplessly amidst machines. Seeing Shahab Sahab, she said, "Shahab Sahab, you have played the role of a brother to me; now do me one last favor. I am asking for your daughter Tania's hand for my son, Almeer. I am a desperate mother; perhaps my time is near. Before I die, I want a true companion for Almeer."
Shahab Sahab replied, "Aasia Begum, I want them both to make this life decision freely." Aasia Begum looked at Almeer; he lowered his head, seeing his mother's state. "Mamma, I agree to whatever you wish, but your surgery is tomorrow. " Aasia Begum took Tania's hand. "Daughter, will you fulfill the final wish of a dying mother?" Tears flowed from Tania's eyes. "Aunty, do not say that. May Allah keep you safe. It will be as you wish; I have no objection."
At Aasia Begum's insistence, the Nikah was arranged right there in the hospital room. Almeer arranged for witnesses and the cleric, while his friend Rameez's wife brought a ready-made dress and jewelry for Tania. Around 4 PM, amidst the beeping of machines, Tania bint-e-Shahab's Nikah was solemnized with Almeer Jahangir for a dowry (Mahr) of 2 million rupees. When Tania said, "I accept," tears were in Shahab Sahab's eyes, and peace was on Aasia Begum's face.
After the Nikah, Aasia Begum blessed them both and turned to Shahab Sahab, "Brother, there is one more testament." Find Sofia and ask for her forgiveness on my behalf." "Sofia?" Shahab Sahab bolted upright. "Who is Sofia?" Tania spoke up, "Baba, she is the one whose inheritance you are guarding. She is Almeer's aunt (Phupho)."
A wave of anger and grief washed over Shahab Sahab's face. "Are you Aasia bint-e-Wajahat?" Aasia Begum was startled. "Brother, how do you know my father's name?" Shahab Sahab roared, "I am Sofia's husband!" And Jahangir is your husband, Sofia's brother, and Wajahat Sahab's son-in-law. So it was you who turned Jahangir against Sofia and slandered my virtuous wife?"
Aasia Begum began to weep uncontrollably. "I was misled... I wanted to win Jahangir over... I am a criminal, Shahab Sahab! Almeer, never tell Jahangir that Tania is Sofia's daughter; he will harm her." Shahab Sahab said bitterly, "I do not want your wealth. My Sofia died two years ago, battling cancer caused by the grief of her brother's cruelty. She died the very day you people threw her out of her home."
This revelation was nothing short of an explosion for Almeer. Tania was his own aunt's daughter? Shahab Sahab, broken, left the room with Tania's support. Tania helped him to the parking lot, sat him in the front seat, and took the driver's seat herself to depart. Aasia Begum's tears continued to fall. "Almeer... take great care of Tania..." Almeer held his mother's hand and promised to protect Tania more than his own life.
Will Shahab Sahab allow this relationship to endure? Will these two stay together or be torn apart? Will the bitterness of the past allow this new bond to breathe, or will Jahangir Sahab's hatred turn everything to ash? What will happen next?
Stay tuned to "Bahar Ke Sang" to find out!
To be continued...
Copyright & Disclaimer
Copyright © Ishrat Zahid. All Rights Reserved. All rights to this novel, "Bahar Ke Sang," arelegally reserved by the author, Ishrat Zahid. No part of this story may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form (including photocopying, recording, social media sharing, or PDF) without prior written permission from the author. Legal action will be taken against any copyright infringement.
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. The views expressed in the story belong to the characters and do not reflect the personal opinions of the author.