Safar e Meraki

Naima and Rumaila were surprised to see Ibad.

“The meeting was cancelled before the flight boarded. So I flew back. After all, it's Hamid’s wedding.” Ibad said casually. He felt dejavu. Making the same kind of excuses as a child just for a glimpse of her. 

Entering the wedding hall with slow steps and deep breaths, his heart nearly stopped looking at the bride, mesmerizing in her maroon red velvet lehenga. 

“That's her!” Rumaila gasped. Her voice was almost bitter.

“Ammi, not here. Let's go out.” Ibad held his mother's shoulders to walk out with her, but she grabbed his hand and said,

“She's already married. How can she stand here like this? It's illegal and sinful.” His mother muttered.

“What do you mean?” Ibad was taken aback by her words. His brows furrowed with confusion. Rumaila looked at her son. She was afraid of this moment, but she knew this day would come.

“After what your sister has done to my parents, you expect me to accept this proposal?! Huhh!! What an audacity you have to come here and ask for my hand with your cunning sister!”

“Kinza!” Ruqaiyya shouted.

“Don't Kinza me!! You ruined my mother's life, almost killed my father, and expect me to behave as innocently as I did in my childhood. Never!! Never ever I'll forgive you two, especially her.” Kinza dared to look into the eyes of Ruqaiyya.

Rumaila tried to take this into her hands and said,

“Look, Kinza. Ibad loves you. He has since he first met you. Please don't break his heart.”

“Let me answer clearly, Rumaila Aunty. If I married him, I'd break his heart into pieces. I'll take my revenge for what you both did to my mother now, and when she was a newlywed bride. Every tear that dropped from her eyes because of you two in front of me, every tear multiplied will drop from Ibad's eyes. You should prevent him from meeting me.” Those words hit Rumaila to save her son. But Ruqaiyya was ready for the vengeful drama. Her smirk was visible.

Kinza took her steps to leave, but turned and announced,

“Moreover, you cannot make a married woman remarry,” Kinza smirked and left, fixing her ring.

“When did she get married?” Ruqaiyya was shocked by the news.

Rumaila looked confused at her and walked out.

Rumaila narrated the exact incident that happened years ago to Ibad. 

“So, she was already married when I went to propose to her again?”

“Yes, my child.”

“But why didn't she say that to me?”

“Maybe to protect you from heartbreak.”

“As if her rejection wasn't painful…” Ibad rolled his eyes and looked at the newlywed couple on the stage.

“They are married now, Ammi. Let's leave. I'll bring Naima.” Ibad said, looking at his wife, congratulating Hamid's mother.

“But I have to reveal this to people. It's illegal.” Rumaila was eager to make Kinza humiliate in front of the crowd. Her mind already planned the words she needed to speak out loud and even imagined the consequences. Little by little, this emotion turned to revenge. Rumaila was unaware of.

“It's their problem, Ammi, not ours. She's out of my life, and I don't care about her.” Ibad made himself clear.

“But Naima cares about Hamid. He is Kashaf's favourite Mamu.” 

Ibad heard his mother's words and nodded.

Rumaila walked past Ibad in seconds and shouted,

“This bride has been married for the past 2 years.” 

This announcement silenced the happiest occasion. The gasps and brooding were heard in the hall. The eyes judged the bride, which made Rumaila feel she had taken revenge for the day Kinza talked rudely to her. Her smirk dropped when she heard the groom laugh. People looked confused at his act.

“Seriously, you said this to them with our engagement ring?” Hamid asked Kinza, who shrugged.

Ibad and Rumaila were confused.

Naima walked to Rumaila and asked,

“How do you know Kinza?” 

Rumaila shushed her and asked,

“She was married. She told me herself.” Looking at Kinza, she said,

“Remember this line, Kinza, ‘you cannot make a married woman remarry’ ?” The raised eyebrows, the smirky smile, the revengeful heart, Rumaila was enjoying this drama.

“I wasn't married back then, but it was scheduled a month after our meeting, Aunty..” Kinza replied with a smile.

“But won't you ask Kinza why she is getting married tonight when it was scheduled 2 years ago, Aunty?” Hamid walked down the stage and asked.

“What are you talking about, Hamid?” Naima asked him, holding his arm. Rumaila felt all eyes on her. It was humiliating. Kinza felt bad at first, but she knew it was important for Ibad to know the real face of his mother. 

“Naima, you are really innocent. You didn't inform me about your in-laws until I attended your wedding. I saw your mother-in-law and understood the reason behind my Kinza's state back then.” He turned to Rumaila and continued,

“Should I help you recall, Aunty?” 

“Hamid!!” Ibad stood beside his mother and looked at Hamid with angry eyes.

“Watch your tone. She is my mother.” Ibad was protecting his mother, but his heart was curious about what happened to Kinza that Hamid blamed his mother. Ibad gave up on his answers when everyone around him stayed silent. He even tried contacting Kinza, but she never picked up his call or agreed to meet.

“And what about her poisonous love?”

“What do you mean?” Ibad asked, confused. He looked at his mother with wide eyes, her head bowed in shame.

“To prevent our marriage, black magic was done on her. Her aggressive, irritating behaviour, angry red eyes, I saw everything with my own eyes. I knew what she had been through. When I heard about the request to delay our wedding, I went to meet her parents and found Kinza in a state I cannot put into words. She was unrecognizable. Her glow was gone, she grew skinny, besotted. I was certain something terrible had happened. So, I made her parents agree to an Umrah to help her heal. Slowly, she began to recover. But she was fragile. Through constant prayer and the recitation of verses, she started to get better. It took an entire year for her to truly heal. And do you know who did this to such a beautiful soul?” Hamid came face to face with Ibad. Ibad gritted his teeth, asking, “Who?”

“Your aunt and your mother...” Ibad couldn't accept what he heard. Naima gasped out loud.

“Hamid, no..” 

“It is the truth, Ibad. Ask your mother.”

“So, this was the reason you asked me to think again about my wedding and wanted to talk about it, but she hurried to get married soon.” Naima asked Hamid and looked at Rumaila with shocking eyes.

“But how did you know?” Naima asked in shock.

“Kinza wasn't the only one under the spell, Naima. You, and even your mother, were under the spell.” Hamid informed her. 

“The way you two behaved at your wedding was clearly a sign of a spell. Through some verses, I knew who did it. But I couldn't save you because of Kinza's worsening health.” 

Kinza closed her eyes, clutching her dress tightly. The past events came rushing back. From her reflection in the mirror, her fading appetite, to her monstrous bursts of anger. Each moment replayed vividly in her mind. She sipped a few drops of water, controlling her sobs. She remembered a mysterious item found beneath the same sofa Ibad’s aunt had once sat. Hamid confirmed the spell through it.

This confession opened the past, pushing the son to stand against his own mother. All the incident replayed in his mind. From Kinza’s rude reality to his mother’s conversation with Ruqaiyya. The fragments finally forming a terrifying truth. Ibad was furious.

“Is it true, Ammi? You and Khala did all this to ruin Kinza's life? And even Naima…” Ibad asked her as his gaze shifted to Naima, who stood holding their newborn.

Watching him shatter, Rumaila placed her trembling hand on his back and said,

“It was for you and for your love, son. You wanted Kinza, and Baji gave this idea. She could have been yours if Hamid hadn't intervened with the spell.”

“For me? For my love?” Ibad asked with disbelief. “What love, Ammi? You tried to destroy her life!! I loved her, and because of you and Khala, she rejected me. She talked to you rudely when you clearly knew how she was in childhood. And what about the incidents Kinza knew that happened around Abba’s accidents, ruining her mother’s life? I haven't even asked you about that.” Ibad’s words tore her heart. Rumaila broke down, weeping, ashamed of all the acts she had done. The weight of judging eyes gazing at her made her feel hollow. She wanted to leave the hall when Ibad continued,

“ And what guarantee that you won't do this to me, my wife, and my daughter!!” His voice turned colder now. Standing beside Naima, he held her hand and walked past his mother. 

As he crossed her, he whispered, “I'm not your son..” before leaving the venue.

Rumaila felt every gaze fixed on her. People questioning a mother’s love. An embarrassing moment for her. She regretted it. She had lost her son. And in her heart, she blamed only one person.

Kinza approached her, standing beside Hamid.

“I’m sorry, Aunty. But it was important for Ibad to know.” Kinza said softly.

“Yes, it was important for him. I’m sorry for everything you went through because of my foolish agreement with my elder sister. It’s my responsibility to make this right. She’ll pay the price for whatever you, your mother, and my son have suffered…” Rumaila looked at Kinza and gave her a faint smile before leaving the venue. 

The hotel where she was staying was a short walk away. From a distance, she saw her son leaving for the airport. Guilt stuck in her heart. She was packing her bags in the hotel room when Ruqaiyya messaged her, “Okay..”

Rumaila scrolled up to read the message she received before getting ready for the wedding.

“I heard you are in Bangalore. You should visit our new house. Iqbal got a promotion.” 

“Moreover, Gulnaz can deliver anytime soon. I’ll need a helping hand. It will be fun.”

“I’ll visit tomorrow. We might return late from the wedding.” This was Rumaila’s reply before leaving for the venue.

Rumaila smirked, reading it. Taking a cab to her sister's home in the outer Bangalore, she couldn't help but call an emergency number.

“Ruqaiyya Baji…” The call of her sister made Ruqaiyya concerned, and she stepped out of her room.

“Rumaila, what are you doing here? Didn't you say you'll meet me tomorrow? You should be at the wedding.” Ruqaiyya asked worriedly.

“I have confessed everything. Arrest her, officer.” Rumaila said coldly. Ruqaiyya froze. Police officers with their team entered, pointing guns at her.

Startled, Ruqaiyya called out her son. Iqbal ran downstairs, confusion written on his face.

“What is going on here?”

“Your mother uses black magic to destroy the lives of people she doesn't like. She tried to ruin Kinza's life, and because of that, my only child has left me. I won't be able to see my Kashaf grow up in front of me. And I won't let you live in peace while my life is ruined!!!” Rumaila shouted and slapped Ruqaiyya. A sharp, loud sound echoed through the house.

“What nonsense is this, Khala?” Iqbal asked, holding his shocked mother.

“It's all because of you.” Rumaila shouted, pointing at her elder sister.

“Ohh, come on, you wanted Ibad to be happy. You wanted Kinza as your daughter-in-law as well. You are overreacting, Rumaila. And Ibad, I’m promising you he’ll come running to you in 2 days.” Ruqaiyya explained and sat down on the couch, relaxed. This infuriated Rumaila, who revealed another secret,

“But the property part..” Rumaila’s voice was confident this time. Crossing her hands over her chest, she looked at Ruqaiyya with raised eyebrows.

“What property part?” Iqbal asked, alarmed.

“It's nothing..” Ruqaiyya said, showing her hand to him.

“The property belongs to Kinza's parents. You wanted that. By marrying her to Ibad, you planned to make her transfer everything to you and Iqbal.” This secret was heavy on Rumaila’s heart. How could she forget the consequences that led to the death of her husband? And Kinza’s father was in a coma…

“Remember, my husband’s death? Kinza’s father left in a coma?”

“What??” Iqbal was shocked. He stared at his mother with big, shocking eyes and asked,

“What is this, Mom? What is she talking about?”

“And sometimes I wonder, did your husband really die of a heart attack or was it your magic?” Rumaila blurted out her thoughts, feeling disgusted by her elder sister.

“Mom, is it true? Did you kill Dad because he never took your side?” Iqbal asked, his voice trembled.

Ruqaiyya didn't answer.

“So, it was true.” Iqbal gasped and sat down on the floor.

“ Why did I even agree with you for all this? How did I follow all those sinful orders of yours? Because of that property, you ruined our lives…” Rumaila broke down, blaming Ruqaiyya now and then.

“Iqbal came up with the plan, using Ibad’s love for Kinza.” Ruqaiyya revealed. Rumaila gasped and turned to him widened red eyes.

“But you executed it.” Iqbal shot back.

Before anyone could speak further, a scream rang out from upstairs.

“Aarrghhhh!!!” 

“Gulnaz!!” Iqbal ran upstairs. Ruqaiyya ran behind him. 

“My grandson…My grandso..” She gasped at the sight of blood staining the bedsheet.

“You lost the baby again? You couldn't bear a grandson to me… and miscarried every time. Look at Naima, she bore one within a year, and you useless witch…” Ruqaiyya shouted, taking out her anger on Gulnaz, gripping her hair.

“Ammi!” Iqbal shouted, rescuing his wife.

“Arrest her.” Rumaila requested the officers.

The case was registered. With Hamid and Ibad’s help, Ruqaiyya was found guilty. 

Walking in handcuffs to the jail, Rumaila said to her quietly,

“Justice has been served, Ruqaiyya, but the price of a sin is never paid by the sinner alone.” 

Back by a quiet lake in Indore, Ibad knelt watching the sunset, his wife’s hand trembling in his. The news of the arrests began to spread, but he paid it little attention. Though the scars of his heart bled with the love of his mother, that left him an orphan of the soul. 

Ibad turned to Naima and smiled.

“It's all over now.” Naima smiled back, worried for Ibad. She knew he was unhappy. It was a fake smile to reassure her.

“I won't let Kashaf go through what Kinza did. I just hope she forgives me.”

“She will, Ibad. It wasn't your fault.” Naima hugged him from the side.

“She did say that right, if it weren't for this bloodline, she would have accepted my proposal.”

“And yet, because of that, we found each other.”

“And that's a beautiful blessing…” Ibad smiled widely at her, the glow of sunset reflecting on her face. His words and calmness on his face found peace in Naima’s heart.

Even love can become dangerous when it loses its kindness. Sometimes, it is not the absence of love that destroys people, but what love has become over time and through different phases of life.

The End