1 - A tragic start.

Please remember (wani) means girls given in marriage to settle the fued🌻

(Past)

"Begum!! mehman aagyein hain. Shadaab ko sehan mai bulwa lein," Khurram Shah's voice echoed in the Shah House.

Hearing her husband's call, Zemal Shah rushed towards her son's room. She climbed the stairs quickly while handling her long beautiful chaddar with her hands, and while on her way to call Shadaab Shah she stopped by Aynoor's room.

Opening the door to her only and dearest than her own life daughter she was shocked. The room was empty, it was a moment of shock for Zemal but soon she heard giggling sound of two little devils and a wave of relief washed over her. She quietly walked around the room until she reached the old worn out bed where the girl that held the lives of Shah family in her smile used to sleep.

Zemal bent down slightly as she reached the corner of the bed, her heart skipping a beat when she spotted Aynoor and Kamal. Aynoor was adorned in a simple yet stunning black and golden joda, not a designer creation but a humble garment from the local market. Despite its modest origins, Aynoor looked utterly enchanting, her locks cascading around her face in a mesmerizing dance.

Zemal couldn't help but marvel at her daughter's beauty, a radiant glow emanating from within. Aynoor's determination to adorn herself for her beloved Shah bhai's engagement had led her on a whirlwind journey through the household, rummaging and searching until she found the perfect jumkas to complement her attire. And now, as she stood before her mother, she resembled nothing short of a precious doll, her innocence and joy lighting up the room.

Yet, even as pride swelled within her, Zemal quickly averted her gaze, a silent prayer on her lips to ward off any evil eye that might threaten to cast a shadow over her daughter's happiness.

Sitting beside Aynoor was her constant companion, Kamal, the two inseparable in their mischief-making adventures. Zemal couldn't help but smile unconsciously at the sight of the pair, their bond as strong as ever despite their tender years. Clearing her throat, she addressed them with a mixture of amusement and gentle reprimand.

"Tum dono ne dawat mai nahi aana. Mehman bhi aaye hain," she reminded them, her voice laced with affectionate exasperation.

Hearing her words, both little girls paused in their giggling, turning their attention towards Zemal with wide-eyed innocence.

"Haan toh amma jaan, aapne ab yaad aaya hai hume bulana?" Aynoor quipped with the wisdom of an old soul, her playful tone drawing a chuckle from Kamal.

"Tayi aap bhi na. Mai toh kitna kehti hu badaam khaya kare, humari ustaani ji kehtu hai...badaam se yadasht tez hoti hai," Kamal chimed in sagely, offering her earnest advice as if it were the key to unlocking the mysteries of the universe.

"Aur nhi toh kya? Amma toh dekho budhi b kitni hogyi hai," Aynoor added innocently, her words causing Zemal to glance at her in mock indignation.

"Oyee Hoyee ladkiyo!! Zyada ye kenchi jaisi zubaan na chalao aur kaam pe lago. Jaake mehmaano k pass baitho mai tumhare bhai ko lekar aati hu," Zemal instructed them with a playful swat of her hand, signaling for them to be useful for once.

With a chorus of giggles and protests, both girls scampered out of the room, their animated chatter filling the air as they disappeared down the corridor.

Zemal shook her head in disbelief, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips, as she made her way towards Shadaab's room. Standing before the weathered wooden door, its once worn-out appearance now rejuvenated by Shadaab's recent efforts at refurbishment, she paused to collect herself. The sounds of boisterous laughter and lively chatter from within told her that her son was in good company.

Adjusting her chaddar with practiced ease, she knocked softly on the door and called out to him with a gentle tone, "Shahi bache, mehmaan aagye hain. Tum log bhi bahar aajao ab."

In an instant, the door swung open, revealing Hamdaan's beaming face. "Arey Amma jaan aayein na!! dekhe toh bhai kya ghazab dhaa rahein hain," he exclaimed, his excitement palpable.

Before Zemal could respond, Zartaab appeared, seizing her hand and pulling her into the room with a playful enthusiasm. "Meri pyaari Ammi jaan, bhai ko chorein hume dekhein aur batayein hum kaise lag rahe hain?" he declared, gesturing towards himself and Kazim, who stood nearby, engaged in a last-minute grooming session with Shadaab.

Taking in the scene before her, Zemal felt a sense of warmth wash over her. Despite the chaos and commotion, there was an undeniable bond of brotherhood that bound the four young men together, a bond forged through shared experiences and unspoken understanding.

Her gaze lingered on her eldest son, Shadaab, her heart swelling with pride at the sight of him. Yes, she loved all her children equally, but there was something special about Shadaab, her firstborn, the one who had first made her a mother. As she watched him, her mind flooded with memories of his infancy, his laughter, his tears, and the countless moments they had shared together.

"MashaAllah mera beta bohat pyara lag raha hai. Ek dum koi shehzaada," Zemal exclaimed lovingly, planting a tender kiss on Shadaab's forehead. His smile widened at her words, his eyes sparkling with affection as he inquired about his beloved sister.

"Noori kahan hai, Amma?" he asked eagerly, casting a glance towards the door.

"Kahan hona hai usey bhyi, Kamal k sath milke awaaragardi mai masroof hai," Zemal replied with a fond smile, well aware of Shadaab's deep bond with Aynoor, akin to her own affection for him.

"Amma jaan, dulhe raja ko chorein aur hum gareebon ko bhi dekhein aur btayein k hum naacheez kaise lag rahe hain?" Kazim interjected playfully, nudging Shadaab aside with a mischievous grin, nearly causing him to lose his balance.

"Khabees insaan!! teri toh.." Shadaab began, feigning outrage before Kazim swiftly sought refuge behind Zemal, wrapping his arms around her in mock defense.

"Amma jaan is Daaku se bachayein mujhe!" Kazim exclaimed with laughter dancing in his eyes, eliciting a smile from Zemal at their playful banter.

Turning her attention to Kazim, Zemal couldn't help but admire his impeccable attire - a crisp blue shirt paired with cream-colored formal pants, a testament to his refined taste and privileged upbringing. Despite his outward charm and elegance, Kazim possessed a warmth and kindness that endeared him to all who knew him, earning him the title of 'Shehzaade' in Zemal's eyes.

"Tum toh sahi maino mai Shehzaade ho bache," she remarked fondly, running her hand through his hair with motherly affection.

"Aur ye aapka Vikram ke vetaal jaisa beta, mujhe din raat khabees khabees bolta hai," Shadaab teased in jest, feigning annoyance as he playfully jabbed at Kazim.

"Jalta hai tumse ye," Zemal replied with a chuckle, exchanging amused glances with her sons as they continued to jest and tease each other.

"Chalein bhyi!! Bhai aapko nahi karni sagai toh mai karlu?" Zartaab interjected, reminding them of their impending engagement ceremony.

"Abey suar! mere bina shaadi ka socha bhi kaise tuney!" Hamdaan retorted, playfully teasing his twin brother as they engaged in their usual banter.

"In begairton yahi chord do aur tum dono neeche aao," Zemal interjected firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument as she directed Kazim and Shadaab to join the others downstairs.

"Jo hukum sarkaar!" Kazim replied with a playful salute, his eyes twinkling with mischief as they prepared to join the festivities below.

»»---->

The engagement festivities had finally drawn to a close, and the Shah family found themselves gathered in the small balcony-like area of their home, the weariness of the day weighing heavily upon them. Aynoor, exhausted from the excitement of the day, had already been carried off to her room by Hamdaan, her gentle snores a testament to her peaceful slumber.

"Chalo bacho, tum sab bhi sojao ab," Khurram Shah announced, rising from the creaky wooden chair with a sigh of exhaustion. Before the boys could make a move to retire to their respective rooms, Kazim interjected with a mischievous glint in his eye.

"Nahi Abba ji, maine ek raqs ki mehfil rakhi hai apne yaar ki sagai ki khushi mai, hum charon wahi jayenge," he declared with a grin, his enthusiasm infectious.

Khurram Shah smiled indulgently at his son's request, well aware of the jovial nature of such gatherings that often extended late into the night. While he himself may have preferred to retire to the comfort of his bed, he understood the importance of celebrating, even if it meant sacrificing a few hours of sleep.

"Thik hai toh tum aesh karo, subah tak ghar aajana," he acquiesced, granting them permission to indulge in the festivities as they pleased before making his way to his room, where Zemal awaited him, her presence a source of comfort and solace in the midst of life's chaos.

In the mehfil, (SHADAAB'S POV)

Six. Six girls swayed and twirled before us, their movements synchronized to the rhythm of the music, their attire a stark contrast to the modesty I had been raised to uphold. Despite the facade of enjoyment plastered on their faces, I couldn't shake the feeling that there was something amiss, a sense of discomfort that lingered in the air like a heavy fog. Perhaps it was the weight of their burdens or the silent cries of their souls, but I knew deep down that their smiles were but a facade, masking a deeper pain.

As I surveyed the scene before me, I couldn't help but notice the revelry that surrounded us. Kazim, ever the life of the party, had called upon his university friends to join in the festivities, their laughter and chatter mingling with the music in a cacophony of sound. I glanced towards Hamdaan and Zartaab, their faces alight with mirth as they danced along to the music, their joy infectious yet tempered by a sense of restraint instilled by our mother's teachings.

But amidst the revelry, I couldn't ignore the sight of Kazim, his demeanor becoming increasingly reckless with each passing moment. The alcohol flowed freely, clouding his judgment and blurring the lines of propriety. I watched in dismay as he grew dangerously close to one of the dancers, her eyes betraying a silent plea for help as tears welled up in her eyes. The mood around us shifted, the laughter fading into a somber silence as the gravity of the situation dawned upon us all.

But Kazim remained oblivious to the discomfort he was causing, lost in a haze of intoxication and arrogance. My heart sank at the sight, for I knew that I could not stand idly by and watch as a woman was made to feel powerless and vulnerable.

"Kazim!! Pagal hogye ho? Chord do usey!" I yelled, my voice laced with urgency and desperation as I pulled him back from the brink of his own reckless actions. His eyes burned with rage as he turned to face me, the effects of alcohol evident in his demeanor.

"Tum kon hote ho mujhe rokne waale? Chord do, let me have some fun tonight," he spat, his words dripping with lust and disregard for the consequences of his actions. I felt a wave of disgust wash over me at the sight of my brother's degradation, his once noble character tarnished by the poison of alcohol.

"Chalo yaha se!!" I commanded, my tone leaving no room for argument as I forcibly dragged him away from the scene unfolding before us. He resisted, his anger boiling over as he lashed out with a blow to my face, sending me crashing to the ground.

Hamdaan and Zartaab rushed to my side, their expressions a mix of concern and apprehension as they helped me to my feet. Despite the pain throbbing in my cheek, I reassured them that I was fine, my focus consumed by the escalating situation before us.

"Bhai aap thik hai?" Zartaab inquired, his worry palpable in his voice.

"Haa, mai thik hu..." I replied, my mind racing with a mixture of anger and fear for the girl whose dignity hung in the balance.

"Bhai rehne dein na issey in sab ki aadat hai," Hamdaan interjected, attempting to diffuse the tension with his pragmatic reasoning.

"Mai jaanta hu lekin-----" I began, only to be interrupted by the shrill scream of the girl, her distress echoing through the air like a haunting melody. My blood boiled as I watched Kazim's hand move to unzip his pants, the final straw that shattered my restraint.

"Aisi begairti karega tu ab?! Kya tere nazar mai aurat itni hakeer cheez hai?!" I shouted, my words a desperate plea for him to recognize the gravity of his actions. But his response only fueled my fury further.

"Tu toh aise bol raha hai, as if it was your sister or mother underneath me begging for mercy," he taunted, his words a cruel mockery of the values I held dear.

In that moment, all semblance of control slipped from my grasp as I lunged forward, my fist connecting with his gut in a futile attempt to knock some sense into him. But before I could react further, he drew his gun, the metallic glint sending a chill down my spine.

Instinct took over as I reached for my own weapon, the tension thick in the air as our friends scrambled to intervene. But amidst the chaos, a single gunshot pierced the silence, its echo reverberating through the night like a thunderclap.

Time seemed to stand still as Kazim fell to the ground, his lifeblood staining the earth beneath him. I stared in disbelief at the scene unfolding before me, the weight of what had transpired settling like a heavy burden upon my shoulders.

Though I may not have pulled the trigger, I knew in that moment that I would bear the consequences of this tragedy for the rest of my days.

»»---->

"Hume khoon k badle khoon nahi chahiye!!" Khan Dilawer's voice cut through the tense silence of the jarga, his words dripping with venom as he addressed the assembly.

"Agar khoon nahi toh kya aap Khurram Shah se muawza chahte hain?" An old, wise member of the jarga interjected, his voice carrying the weight of authority and wisdom.

"Khurram Shah ki beti, Khan Haveli mai wani ho kar aayegi!" Dilawar declared, his tone resolute as he laid out his demand.

Shadaab Shah, unable to contain his anger and disgust at the discussion of his sister's fate, rose from his seat, his voice trembling with emotion as he addressed the assembly.

"Murshid ji, pehle toh mai ye khoon ka jurm qubool karne se inkaar karta hu," he began, his words laced with bitterness and frustration. "Unfortunately, as I have no evidence to prove my innocence, I am willing to let you kill me and end this here."

"Badbakht!!! Apni bakwas band karo! Sunlo Khurram Shah, tumhare paas do raaste hain, ya toh khoon baha mai tumhare teeno beteon k sar, ya phir tumhari beti wani mai aayegi," Dilawer Khan smirked, his eyes gleaming with malice as he laid out his ultimatum.

But before Hamdaan could respond, Khurram Shah intervened, his voice calm yet firm as he made his decision known to all.

"Thik hai aap hum teeno-" Hamdaan began, only to be silenced by Khurram Shah's decisive declaration.

"Aynoor Khurram Shah wani mai Khan haveli jaayegi," he announced, his words carrying the weight of authority as he made the difficult choice to sacrifice his own daughter to appease the demands of justice and tradition.

»»---->

WWhat did I just write?! Is there anyone reading this? If yes, do you like it?