2 - Given away.

Shadows danced with secrets and whispers carried the weight of destiny, a father's anguish echoed through the night. Khurram Shah, stood broken, his tears a testament to the cruel hand fate had dealt him.

Khurram Shah's heart shattered into a thousand pieces. For years, he had turned a blind eye to the injustices that plagued their society, content in his complacency. But now, as he stood on the precipice of losing everything he held dear, the harsh reality of their world crashed down upon him like a tidal wave.

The weight of impending doom descended upon the Shah household, Aynoor remained blissfully unaware of the storm brewing around her. To her, the world was a canvas of innocence and wonder, untouched by the harsh realities that lurked beyond their village's boundaries.

Shadaab and the twins, had shielded her from the darkness that plagued their society, their love a steadfast beacon in the tumultuous sea of tradition and expectation. But now, as the flames of fate licked at their doorstep, they found themselves consumed by a gnawing sense of helplessness and despair.

Their efforts to protect Aynoor had been in vain, their love no match for the cruel machinations of tradition and honor. As they watched their sister's fate hang in the balance, Shadaab and the twins were consumed by a firestorm of self-loathing and regret, their hearts heavy with the knowledge that they had failed to shield her from the merciless jaws of fate.

»»---->

Zemal's anguished cries filled the air, her heartache palpable as she wept for her beloved Shadaab. Aynoor, oblivious to the weight of her mother's sorrow, offered what comfort she could, her innocent presence a soothing balm to Zemal's wounded soul.

"Amma jaan, bass kardein na.. kitna royein gi aap?" Aynoor whispered softly, sitting beside Zemal and gently taking her hand in her tiny one. Zemal looked at her daughter, another sob escaping her lips.

"Bache, dua karo mera Shahi sahi sallamt ghar aajaye," Zemal murmured, enveloping Aynoor in a tearful embrace. It was the instinct of a mother, fearing for the safety of her son, her heart torn between the love for her children.

"Amma jaan, mai hu na, aap kyu chinta karti hai. Shah bhai bilkul thik hai. Waise b wo toh baba, Hami bhai aur Zari bhai k sath hain na? Aate he honge. Fikarmand naa ho aap," Aynoor reassured her mother, her voice filled with innocence and unwavering faith.

Just then, the front door creaked open, and Khurram Shah entered, flanked by Shadaab and the twins. Zemal's heart skipped a beat at the sight of her beloved son, and she rushed towards him, her face lighting up with joy. But as she drew closer, the weight of their silence hung heavy in the air, and her elation turned to dread.

Shadaab and the twins stood before her, their heads bowed in shame, their silence deafening in its intensity. Zemal's eyes darted between her husband and her sons, her heart pounding with a mixture of fear and desperation. "Why are you all silent?" she implored, her voice quivering with anguish as she sought answers that remained elusive.

As she locked eyes with Shadaab, tears glistening in his eyes as he looked at Aynoor, a chill ran down Zemal's spine, her very soul trembling with the weight of the unspoken truth. With a sense of dread gripping her heart, she turned to her husband once more, her voice trembling as she begged for reassurance in the face of the unknown.

"Khurram Shah, aap jawab kyu nahi dete?!! Kya faisla tha jarge ka?" Zemal's plea tore through the air, her desperation palpable. Khurram, unable to meet her gaze, turned towards Aynoor, who stood before them with innocence shining in her eyes.

Aynoor rushed to her beloved Shah bhai, concern etched on her young face. "Dekhe na Shah bhai, amma jaan kab se ro rahi hai. Kya inka Baba jaani se jagda hua hai? Aap ek daant lagayein Baba jaani ko, inse kahein meri amma ko na rulaya karein.." Her words, filled with trust and belief, pierced Shadaab's heart, leaving him shattered.

He sank to his knees, taking Aynoor's hands in his, his tears flowing freely. She was like a daughter to him, and the thought of her sacrificing herself to protect him filled him with overwhelming self-loathing. Brushing her hair aside, he whispered, "Mujhe maaf kardo, gudiya..." his voice choked with emotion.

"Mere naa karda gunaah ki saza tumhe milegi, mai tumhe wapis le aaunga. Lekin ho sake toh apne bhai ko maaf kardena....." Tears streamed down his cheeks as he poured out his heart to her, his anguish laid bare for all to see.

He was sobbing, and suddenly Zemal's voice rang out in a yell as she questioned Khurram, "Ye Shadaab kya bol raha hai?! Meri beti kaha jaa rahi hai....." Khurram looked at her apologetically, his heart heavy with guilt. And just like that, he narrated the whole story to Zemal, who was now wailing loudly in anguish.

She grabbed his collar, her screams echoing through the house, "Aap aisa karsakte hai?? Meri beti masoom hai, us par ye ghazab na karey." Her cries pierced the air, a desperate plea for mercy as she pleaded for her daughter's life. Hamdaan, unable to bear the sight of Aynoor's distress, gathered her in his arms and carried her to her room, shielding her from the chaos unfolding.

"Toh kya tum apne teeno beton ki laash dekhna chahti ho?!" Khurram's voice cracked with anger, his frustration boiling over as he lashed out in response to Zemal's anguish. "Khuda na karein!" Zemal's hand flew to her chest, her voice trembling with fear and despair as she prayed for mercy in the face of unspeakable tragedy.

"Meri bhi aulaad hai ye Zemal, Murshid ne teeno beton ka khoon maanga hai ya toh phir Aynoor. Aynoor meri beti hai mera khoon hai Zemal. Uske yaha se jaane k baad mai, tum ye ghar or iske saare fard jeete ji marjayenge. Mai jaanta hu zemal lekin mai majboor hu. Agar meri ek aulaad k jaane se meri baaki aulad ki zindagi mehfooz hai toh yahi sahi..." Khurram's voice quivered with emotion as he wiped away his tears, his heart heavy with the weight of his words.

"Tum Aynoor se kaho chaddar lele, Jarge mai murshid ji intezaar kar rahe hain." He whispered softly, his resolve firm despite the turmoil within him, and then he left, leaving behind a household engulfed in grief and despair.

AYNOOR'S ROOM>

In Aynoor's room, the air was heavy with a bittersweet melancholy as Hamdaan tenderly combed her hair, a task usually reserved for simpler moments of bonding. Yet, in this moment of turmoil, it became a poignant expression of love and longing.

As Hamdaan gently worked through her hair, he tried to etch every detail of their precious bond into his memory, his tears mingling with the strands beneath his touch. With each stroke of the comb, he whispered silent prayers, desperate to hold onto this fleeting moment of normalcy amidst the chaos.

Aynoor, oblivious to the storm raging outside her sanctuary, watched her brother with innocent eyes, her heart overflowing with love and concern. "Bas kar de na bhai aap bhi ro rahe hain, Kya aapki Shah bhai se ladai huwi hai? Wo bechare bhi toh kitna ro rahe they," she said, her voice tinged with empathy as she tried to make sense of the world around her. But all she received in response was the heavy silence from Hamdaan, his grief too deep for words to convey.

"Okay, dekhein dekhein, meri taraf..." Aynoor gently guided Hamdaan's gaze towards her, cupping his face with her small hands. "Mai hu na, mai aap dono ki friendship karwa deti hu firse. Mai samjhaati hu Shah bhai ko k aapse jaghda na karein, wo mujhse bohat pyaar karte hain aap jaante hain na?" Her words carried a wisdom beyond her years, her confidence in their bond shining through.

But Hamdaan, unable to bear the thought of losing his sister, hastily excused himself and left the room, his heart heavy with unspoken fears and regrets.

"Ab inhe kya hogya? Ek toh inke bhale ki baat karo aur phir inke nakhre bhi dekho, hmph!!" Aynoor muttered under her breath, frustration seeping into her tone as zemal entered the room along with Zartaab and Shadaab. Her nerves were stretched thin, but she forced herself to remain composed as she approached Aynoor's worn-out almirah.

With trembling hands, Zemal retrieved the new chaddar she had bought for Aynoor, her resolve steeling against the storm that threatened to consume them all.

Zemal gently took Aynoor from Shadaab's weakening grasp, her touch firm yet tender as she held her daughter by the shoulders. "Aajao ainee, tayaar hojao," she murmured, her voice a fragile mask for the turmoil raging within.

Confusion flickered across Aynoor's innocent face, but it quickly transformed into defiance as she sought refuge behind Zartaab. "Mai madrassey nahi jaaungi!!! maine ustaani ji se chutti li hui hai," she declared, her small frame brimming with determination.

"Madrassey nahi jaa rahi tum ainee. Tumhare baba tumhe kahi lekar jaa rahe hain," Zemal's words were devoid of emotion, her heart heavy with the weight of the sacrifice she was about to make. She was a mother, and now she was forced to choose between the safety of three of her children and the life of the fourth.

"Hein?? Madrassey nahi toh aur kaha Amma jaan?" Aynoor's voice held a childlike curiosity, her eyes wide with innocence as she blinked up at her mother.

Zemal's gaze lingered on her daughter, her heart breaking at the thought of the impending separation. She tried to etch the sound of 'Amma jaan' into her memory, knowing that once Aynoor was gone, no one would ever call her that again.

»»---->

Dilawer Khan's call pierced through the silence, and Almeer's phone buzzed on the third ring. With a heavy heart, he answered, already anticipating the weight of Dilawer Khan's words. "Jaldi jarge mai pohncho Almeer Khan," came the curt command before the line went dead.

Almeer sighed deeply, the sound carrying the burden of the impending task. He knew that Dilawer Khan's summons meant trouble, perhaps even danger.

As he pocketed his phone, Almeer's thoughts churned with a mixture of apprehension and resolve. Whatever lay ahead, he knew he had to confront it head-on.

Dilawer Khan Aafandi and Khanum Dilawer Aafandi were blessed with three sons, each a source of pride and joy in their lives. Their eldest, Kazim Khan, had defied tradition by marrying his college sweetheart, Zoya. Despite the societal norms that dictated arranged marriages, Dilawer and Khanum Dilawer prioritized their children's happiness above all else. Zoya was welcomed into the family with open arms, her kindness and warmth earning her the love and respect of her new family. And soon, she would bless them with the gift of an heir, cementing her place in their hearts even further.

Next in line was Khan Almeer Aafandi, Dilawer Khan's second son. Freshly enrolled in college, Almeer embarked on a journey of higher education, eager to carve out his own path in the world. Dilawer and Khanum Dilawer watched with pride as their son took his first steps towards independence, knowing that he would bring honor to their family name with his determination and ambition.

Finally, there was Yazdaan Khan, the youngest member of the family. Still in the early years of his education, Yazdaan brought laughter and joy into their home with his youthful exuberance. Dilawer and Khanum Dilawer cherished every moment spent with their youngest son, reveling in the innocence and wonder that he brought into their lives.

The tragedy that befell Dilawer Khan's family had ignited a fierce fire of vengeance within him, transforming him from a compassionate man into a relentless force driven by the need for retribution. The loss of his eldest son had shattered his world, leaving him consumed by a burning desire to even the scales of justice.

While he could have easily taken Shadaad's life to balance the scales, Dilawer Khan opted for a more calculated approach. He demanded their daughter, the embodiment of purity and dignity, as restitution for his loss. By sacrificing their daughter to the blood feud, Dilawer Khan aimed to inflict a different kind of pain upon Khurram and his sons-a slow erosion of their pride and dignity that would haunt them for years to come.

For Almeer Khan, the prospect of trading women as commodities was abhorrent. Raised by a mother who instilled in him a deep respect for women, he despised the idea of using their lives as bargaining chips in a game of revenge. Now, he found himself caught in the midst of a conflict that went against everything he believed in, a victim of a cycle of violence that he vowed to break. Despite being born into the house of Murshid's, Almeer was determined to stand apart from their cruel traditions and uphold the values of dignity, respect, and equality that his mother had taught him.

»»---->

Almeer Khan Aafandi stepped out of his G-wagon, the epitome of understated elegance, clad in an olive kameez salwar adorned with a skin-colored shawl draped casually over his shoulders. His wavy hair tousled in the breeze, framing his chiseled features, while his piercing blue eyes surveyed the gathering with an air of quiet confidence. All eyes were on him, save for the one person who mattered most-the girl he was destined to be bound to for eternity.

As Almeer made his way towards his father, his presence commanded attention, drawing gazes and whispers alike. But amidst the crowd, there was one voice that captured his attention-a hushed plea, filled with innocence.

"Baba jani, waha dekhe na kitne saare khargosh hai, main in se khel lu?" The voice belonged to the girl, her eyes sparkling with childlike wonder as she gazed at the rabbits and ducks that roamed the Khan's farm. Despite the modest chaddar that covered her form, Almeer couldn't shake the unease that stirred within him at her presence-a feeling he couldn't quite place.

Turning to face her fully, Almeer's gaze softened as he regarded the young girl before him, her innocence a stark contrast to the complexities of the world around them. But before he could respond, his father's voice broke through his reverie, signaling the beginning of a fateful encounter that would change their lives forever.

"Almeer Khan, tum is ladki se nikkah karoge," Dilawer Khan's words hit Almeer like a thunderbolt, his eyes widening in disbelief as he stared at his father. The gravity in his father's tone left no room for doubt-there was no escape from this decree.

"Abbu, mai? Kon ladki? Ye aap kya bol rahe hain?" Almeer's voice trembled with genuine confusion, unable to comprehend the suddenness of his father's declaration.

His father's next words shattered any hope of misunderstanding. "Wo...Khurram Shah ki beti, Shadaab Shah ki behan, khan haveli mai wani hokar aayegi. Tum isey apne nikkah mai loge. Abhi," Dilawer Khan's voice brooked no argument, his command leaving no room for negotiation.

Almeer's gaze flickered towards the girl, his mind racing to grasp the implications of his father's words. He understood the gravity of the situation all too well, but the shock of his father's demand left him reeling.

"Baba, mai aisa nah-" Almeer's protest was cut short, his father's authoritative voice overriding his objections. "Qazi Sahab, nikkah shuru karein," Dilawer Khan's decree echoed through the air, sealing Almeer's fate with finality.

"Aynoor Khurram Shah, kyaa aapko Almeer Khan Aafandi apne nikkah mai qubool hai?" Qazi Sahib's solemn voice cut through the tense atmosphere, directing his question to the young girl before him. Almeer's attention sharpened as he noted her name-Aynoor. It was her turn now, her moment to accept or reject the fate that had been thrust upon them both.

But Aynoor seemed oblivious to the weight of the moment, her gaze fixated on the farm as she continued to smile at the rabbits, seemingly lost in her own world. Ignoring the gravity of the situation, she turned to her father with a childlike innocence, her words filled with longing.

"Baba jani, jau kya mai? Mujhe khelna hai unse," she pleaded, her desire to play with the animals evident in her tone. But her father's response was firm, a reminder of the task at hand.

"Qazi sahab tumse ek sawal karenge aur tumhe Qubool hai kehna hai, phir tum chali jaana," he instructed, his tone leaving no room for argument. With a determined nod, Aynoor agreed, her acceptance sealed with a simple yet resolute response.

As Almeer observed Khurram Shah's stoic expression, a pang of unease settled in his chest. Despite the impending loss of his daughter, there was an eerie absence of emotion in the man's demeanor-a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing within Almeer himself.

"Aynoor Khurram Shah, kyaa aapko Almeer Khan Aafandi apne nikkah mai Qubool hai?" Qazi Sahib's voice broke through the silence once more, prompting Aynoor to respond with unwavering enthusiasm.

"Qubool hai, Qubool hai, Qubool hai," she exclaimed, her words echoing with a sense of acceptance that belied her tender age. Almeer's fist clenched involuntarily as he signed the nikkah papers, a weight settling upon his shoulders as he realized the gravity of the moment.

In a sudden burst of energy, Aynoor dashed towards the farm like a bolt of lightning, her laughter filling the air as she immersed herself in the simple joys of playing with the ducklings. And as Almeer watched her, a sense of resignation mingled with a flicker of hope.

As the proceedings in the jarga came to a close, and the attendees began to disperse, Almeer's shock deepened when he witnessed Khurram Shah's departure without so much as a glance in Aynoor's direction. The sight left him reeling, his mind swirling with unanswered questions and a sense of disbelief at the callousness of it all.

Lost in a tumult of emotions, Almeer found himself grappling with the weight of his newfound responsibility. Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined that his life would take such a sudden and profound turn. With a heavy sigh, he ran a hand through his hair, his gaze lingering on Aynoor-now his wife, his charge. She seemed oblivious to the weight of the world, immersed in the simple joy of playing with the ducklings, her laughter a poignant reminder of the innocence he had lost.

A pang of jealousy gnawed at Almeer's heart as he watched her, envy mingling with admiration for her carefree spirit. But before he could dwell further on his conflicted feelings, he was jolted from his reverie by the voice of Shadaab Shah.

(ALMEER'S POV)

"Maine tumhare bhai ka khoon nahi kiya, wo mere liye mere ghar ka fard tha..." Shadaab's words were earnest, but I couldn't shake the nagging doubts that clouded my mind. Every piece of evidence seemed to point to his guilt, and despite his sincerity, I found it hard to believe him.

"Sabit karo," I demanded, my tone clipped and devoid of sympathy.

Shadaab's nod was resigned, as if he had anticipated my skepticism. "Saboot nahi hai mere pass, lekin ek waada karta hu aaj mai tumse Almeer Khan." His voice wavered with suppressed emotion, and I couldn't help but feel a pang of empathy for him.

"Meri behan meri amaanat hai tumhare pass, jis din mujhe saboot mil gaye, meri behan ko is rishte se azaad karogy tum," he continued, his words ringing with conviction. For a brief moment, I allowed myself to entertain the possibility that he was telling the truth.

"Zarur," I affirmed with a solemn nod, a silent vow passing between us as we navigated the murky waters of uncertainty and trust.

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