Chapter 18
The silence permeating the lawyer's chamber was heavier than the stillness of a graveyard. Tania sat on the opposite side of the desk, where a solitary streak of sunlight filtered through the window, illuminating stacks of dusty files. Before her lay her phone, vibrating intermittently. Notifications of unread messages from Almeer struck her heart like the rhythmic pounding of a hammer. She lacked the strength to even dare open them. She feared that if she read even a single word, her remaining courage might finally crumble.
The lawyer adjusted his glasses while discussing the legal intricacies of Khula with Shahab Sahab. However, to Tania, the voices were merely echoes clashing against her ears. She felt her very existence shattering like fragile glass.
"Tania, daughter? Are you listening to me?" the lawyer asked gently.
Tania looked up with a start. The dark circles surrounding her eyes bore witness to several nights of sleeplessness. She gave a subtle nod. Seated nearby, Sherroz, who had remained silent until now, sensed Tania's state. He was present not just as a friend but as a pillar of unwavering support. He noticed her hands were trembling.
"Tania," Sherroz said in a very soft tone, "if you are feeling exhausted, we can step outside for a while. No one is forcing you here. Your will is paramount."
Tania looked at Sherroz with eyes full of gratitude. "No, Sherroz! The sooner this burden is lifted, the better. Taking Khula is not just about being liberated from papers; it is about extinguishing the pride I once associated with Almeer's name. It is painful... agonizingly painful."
Shahab Sahab took his daughter's hand. "Child, the law gives you this right. After the way Almeer conducted himself, this is the only path left."
A tear escaped Tania's eye and fell onto the file. "Baba, the law gives the right, but what about society? They will only see a woman who failed to sustain her home. No one will ask who murdered this woman's emotions. Opting for Khula feels like tearing the soul away from a living body."
On the other side, Almeer was enveloped in the haunting silence of his home. His mother, Aasia Begum, lay in her room, having just been administered a sedative by the nurse. Seeing her pale face, Almeer realized for the first time that his ego had not only tormented Tania but had also caused suffering to his mother. He prepared to leave for the office, but the thought of Tania followed him like a shadow. He had decided he wouldn't give up so easily. He called his lawyer, "Advocate Sahab! I need to prepare a legal notice. I will prove that Tania has been kept by her father and Sherroz through manipulation and that they are forcing her to seek separation." He wanted to speak bluntly to his lawyer about this matter.
As he drove, Almeer's eyes were on the road ahead, but his mind was replaying all those moments when Tania was ready to sacrifice her life at his mere signal. Today, that same Tania was running away from him. He recalled his manager's words about the German client canceling the deal—a loss of millions. "I wish Tania were with me; she always used to encourage me," he thought involuntarily, but anger quickly took over. "No! She has left me; now she will suffer." Meanwhile, he received a message from his lawyer stating that the original papers of Sofia Phuppo's will had been received. He had to reach the advocate's chamber today to oversee the property matters.
Upon reaching the office, Almeer summoned the manager to his room and asked for the account files. After checking the files, the manager handed him a document. "Sir! This is a copy sent by the advocate for you. You have a meeting with him today at 11:00 AM. He has specifically requested that you visit his chamber, as a notice has also been sent to Miss Tania to arrive there today. Sir, your meetings are pending; it is essential to attend them."
Almeer thought for a moment and said, "Schedule the meetings after 3:00 PM today. I will handle all the matters today. I am heading to the chamber now."
The manager hesitated. "Sir, one more thing. Jahangir Sahab is withdrawing money from his personal accounts very rapidly. I thought you should be aware. Sir, Madam Sofia's accounts are currently frozen as per court orders. They will only be accessible once her daughter appears and presents her mother's death certificate."
Almeer thanked the manager. "You have handled everything quite well in my absence. Anyway, I will be back; arrange the meetings."
Walking toward the car, a storm of thoughts brewed in Almeer's mind. "I will meet Tania today. She thinks I want her back for her money—how wrongly she thinks of me. Mama and I have been looking for Sofia Phuppo's family for so long just to return their rights. Sherroz! The way you've stepped between us and escalated this issue... I'll see how Tania takes Khula from me. Now I will show everyone! Now it's about my honor and ego. I loved her with a sincere heart and asked for her companionship. If my parents did something wrong, will Tania punish me for it? Did she not feel an ounce of mercy for me? She even chose a new friend, a new companion. Such mistrust, such a quick change? Is wealth the only standard to measure a relationship? Today, I will ask her how much Sherroz bought her for." He put on his sunglasses, sat in the car, and started the engine. His destination was the Chamber House.
On the other side, Shahab received a call. "Sir! The advocate has summoned you to his chamber at 11:00 AM. There needs to be a discussion regarding the will of Miss Tania's mother. Please ensure you come." The call ended. Shahab met Tania's lawyer and then went to Sherroz. "Sherroz, we have to go to Chamber House. It is mandatory to meet there today. Tania has been called. Almeer will be there too. You must not leave Tania alone."
"Yes." Sherroz nodded in assurance. He then took Tania toward the Chamber House.
As they entered the Chamber House, Tania's eyes met Almeer's. In one gaze lay regret and anger; in the other, agony and weariness. They entered silently, and both parties took their seats on the right and left sides.
The lawyer took a deep breath and began, "Almeer Sahab and Tania Bibi! Perhaps both of you are unaware that Sofia Begum herself was oblivious to the fact that her parents had transferred all property, factories, and company shares directly into her name during their lifetime. This file has been in my custody as a trust for years, with explicit instructions that in the event of Sofia Begum's passing, this property would automatically be transferred to her only daughter, Tania. Now, by court order, Tania is the sole legal heir to all this property."
Tania looked at the lawyer in disbelief. "What? You mean even my Mama didn't know?" Her voice trembled. Almeer's face turned pale. With trembling hands, he picked up the file, which stated clearly that Jahangir Sahab had no right to this property, and he could neither sell the company shares nor make any business deals.
Tania rose from her chair and stood directly in front of Almeer. The Tania standing there was no longer the one who would get scared. "Almeer! You always considered me a lifeless doll, but look today—my mother, even in death, has provided me the support that you could not give while living. I no longer need any Mahr or any favor from you."
Almeer had nothing left to say. The man who had come to humiliate Tania had himself fallen into a pit of disgrace from which escape seemed impossible.
The End of Chapter 18
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All rights reserved © 2026 Ishrat Khanum (Ishrat Zahid). No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author. Legal action will be taken against any unauthorized use.
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, or actual events is purely coincidental. The purpose of this story is not to hurt the feelings of any individual or group.