Episode 5: "Broken Dreams, Bitter Realities"
After finishing the Fajr prayer, Shanzay raised her trembling hands in supplication. "O Allah! Grant me the strength and guidance to find a place in their hearts, to find a way into Arsalan's heart, and ensure that my father's head is never bowed in shame because of me." As she prayed, tears involuntarily flowed from her eyes. She had never imagined the first morning of her marriage would be like this! She had cherished so many dreams and collected so many things to say to Arsalan, but the companion who was supposed to be her support had not even come to her all night.
Before the wedding, Arsalan's sisters had never given her a chance to speak to him over the phone, saying, "There will be plenty of time after marriage; it doesn't seem appropriate right now." Now, that same silence was becoming like poison for Shanzay. With heavy steps, she returned to the bed, and as soon as her head hit the pillow, she fell into a deep sleep due to exhaustion and mental stress.
Before she could even complete her sleep, Shanzay was startled awake by a loud voice. She saw Jamila Apa shouting at Arsalan. "What kind of strange marriage is this? It's ten o'clock and you haven't come out of the room yet! Come out and arrange the breakfast; everyone is hungry!" Shanzay got up in a hurry, washed her face, and came out. There was no bridal glow on her face; instead, shadows of exhaustion were emerging.
Jamila Apa, without any regard, grabbed Shanzay's hand and took her to the kitchen. "Look, this is your job now. You will prepare breakfast every day—parathas, omelets, and tea. Start washing the dishes and cleaning from tomorrow; today is the Walima reception." Shanzay stood frozen, looking at her. Jamila further asserted, "There's no need to go to the parlor; my daughter knows how to do makeup, she will get you ready at home."
Meanwhile, Arfa also chimed in, "Can't you hear? Make breakfast, we are hungry. Actually, today's breakfast should have come from your house, but anyway, start working now." Shanzay was not accustomed to such harsh tones; the sudden behavior change was unbearable for her. Just then, the doorbell rang, and Jannat Bibi entered with a driver carrying a lot of supplies, accompanied by Hammad Sahib's mother.
Seeing Jannat Bibi suddenly, the in-laws were flustered. When Jannat Bibi saw Shanzay's condition, her heart ached. "My child! What have you done to yourself? You should have been getting ready today." Shanzay barely controlled her tears and hugged her. Arfa quickly had the breakfast supplies placed in the kitchen. Seeing Halwa Puri, Nihari, Naan Channay, cakes, biscuits, and butter, Arfa's mouth began to water. "I'm going to enjoy this! After all, it is our right!" she thought to herself.
When Jamila came into the kitchen and saw Arfa pouncing on the food, she whispered, "Why are you opening it like you've never seen food before? What will people say if they see you?" Arfa replied with a smirk, "Apa! I can't act anymore. The wedding is over, no one can do anything to us now. This is their girl, and she will have to stay suppressed in our house. I'm going to eat this breakfast." Mean while, Jannat Bibi came into the kitchen and said, "Daughter! Where should I set the breakfast? I'll help you. Shanzay doesn't know how to cook yet; she has just finished her studies." Jamila replied with a sarcastic smile, "She will learn everything; girls learn only after marriage."
When Jannat Bibi started setting the breakfast in the lounge, her heart sank seeing the state of the house. The house, which Jamila had unsuccessfully tried to turn into a drawing room with old sofas and centerpieces, looked like a "shabby pen" to Jannat Bibi. She began to wonder how her darling daughter, who grew up in a palace-like home, would live in this small house where even the kitchen wasn't decent? Arfa boldly said, "Make the tea strong, just like the one Shanzay used to drink at your house; it was delicious."
After breakfast, when Shanzay came out ready, the paleness of her face could not be hidden even by makeup. When the grandmother saw her bare wrists, she asked what she had received as a "Mun-Dikhayi" (wedding gift). Jamila immediately fabricated a lie, "We have ordered a gold chain, but there was a death at the goldsmith's house, so it hasn't been delivered yet." The grandmother took a cold sigh and said, "Well, homes are built with love and respect, not things. We have given our daughter to you in the hope that you will take great care of her." But little did she know that the walls of this house were ready to swallow Shanzay from the very first day.
To be Continued....
Disclaimer: This story 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, or actual events is purely coincidental.