***

In a small village of Pakistan, a magical romance played between two people, Malik Zubair and Maryam Khan. Maryam was the daughter of Shahnawaz Khan, her role and status in the society was of a Princess. Young girls looked up to her, in Salma Begum's court Maryam's presence inspired young girls, she was the definition of an educated aspiring women who didn't went against their cultural norms, in a way she was the ideal. She was religious, studious and gracious in her every moment, holding up to the reputation of her background. One look at her and people could say, she was a royalty, and being all this Maryam was also a kind hearted girl.

Belonging to a well respected family, for outsiders that seemed like a fairytale, but the truth was Maryam was lonely. Her mother, Khan Begum seemed to care more about family's reputation and the women that came to her court, than her own kid. Maryam as a teenager, would gaze out of the window with a book in her hand that she used to distract her mind with. Salma Begum wouldn't let her cry, if she did then she would be sent back to her room. Maa Begum gave her tough love all her life, when all she had craved for was affection.

She didn't remember much about her father's death, but she had memories with her father. Him playing hide and seek with her, reading her fairytales and stories of his youth, he wanted Maryam to be a highly educated woman. He introduced her to literature, world history and archaeology at the mere age of seven. That's what made studies, her solace, if she ever felt lonely Maryam would open her book and get lost in the ancient or fictional stories.

Just like Maryam, Murtasim was going though his own issues, he was seven years elder to her making him eighteen and he got all the rights of the property, the moment his father died, he was declared as the owner of all the land. And that responsibility being headed by a eighteen year old who had never been introduced to this world changed him. Before his father's death, his father had requested him to take care of his family and handed him the pagdi- the weight of his responsibility crushed all the dreams and aspirations he had. And slowly Maryam lost her joyful brother, as he slowly became emotionless hardly smiling and his anger issues scared Maryam to a great extent.

When Haya and Hasan were brought to the haveli, Maryam saw her brother's exterior crack for the first time. She remembered Maa Begum had sent her to their room, to call the two of them, but she heard sound of muffled crying. She peeked in and saw her brother shedding tears, breaking down as he described their father's death.

"Bhai mai unke baazu hi baitha tha, pata nahi kab meri aankh lagi magar jab mai utha toh, Maa ne bola .... Ke Abbu ka inteqaal hogya hai", Murtasim was crying on Hasan's shoulder, Maryam remembered he hadn't shed a single tear at their father's funeral but now his emotions were all bursting out of him. Hasan too broke down, burdened by the accidents and responsibility, he never got the time to cry for his parents death. The two brother's bled out through their eyes, and comforted each other that night.

As months passed Hasan and Murtasim became inseparable, the same was the case for her and Haya. Finally Maryam had a person who played with her, whose hair she combed and whom she passed on the fairytales to. She was no longer lonely, until Maa Begum broke Haya's heart and the siblings departed.

***

One fateful day, when the world seemed to shimmer with possibilities, Maryam found herself in a predicament. Her driver had failed to arrive, leaving her stranded amidst a sea of unfamiliar faces outside her college campus. A sense of helplessness threatened to consume her until a figure emerged from the crowd, like a knight in shining armor. It was Malik Zubair, his eyes reflecting kindness and warmth.

"Kya aapko madad chahiye?" Malik Zubair's voice resonated like a gentle melody, capturing Maryam's attention. He was a tall man, wearing a traditional suit and a gentle smile on his face.

Maryam, feeling a surge of gratitude, replied with a smile, "Ji, shukriya... Woh asal mai mera driver nahi aaya aaj"

"Aap meri gaadi lejaye," Malik Zubair replied, with a chivalrous grace. Maryam didn't know how but she got attracted to his gentle ways, the way he talked and addressed her, in a good way this was something she needed all along. Someone to call her with love, smile at her from time to time and let her speak her mind freely without any judgement.

Intrigued by his presence, Maryam couldn't help but feel a mysterious connection forming between them. Days turned into nights, and conversations bloomed like wildflowers, painting their world with shades of affection. Malik Zubair, often a pillar of confidence, found himself stumbling over his words in Maryam's radiant presence.

"Nazar mujhse hatt nahi rahi aaj, Malik sahib. Aaj itne chup kyun hain?" Maryam playfully remarked, a mischievous glimmer in her eyes.

"Mere dil ki dhadkan apke liye tez ho jati hai, Maryam," Malik Zubair confessed, his voice filled with a hint of vulnerability.

Maryam's eyes widened, a blush creeping up her cheeks. "Aap bhi mujhe pasand karte hain?" she asked, her voice a delicate whisper, carrying a blend of hope and uncertainty.

Malik Zubair's gaze held hers, the intensity of his emotions shimmering in his eyes. "Tumhari aankhon mein woh chamak hai jo mere dil ko hamesha ke liye apne me mehfooz kar leti hai," he confessed, his words laced with sincerity.

Malik Zubair, unaware of Maryam's true identity as Murtasim's sister, had been captivated by her radiance and grace. He found himself drawn to her, his heart skipping a beat in her presence. As days turned into weeks, their chance encounter transformed into daily meetings, where shy smiles and stolen glances danced between them.

One day, Malik Zubair's eyes caught sight of Murtasim, and curiosity ignited within him. He mustered the courage to ask Maryam about the man, to which she replied that he was her brother. In that moment, Malik Zubair realized the severity of the enmity that separated their families. He knew they had to stay away from each other, but his heart couldn't bear the thought of losing Maryam.

Each day, Maryam attended college, her eyes longing for a glimpse of Malik Zubair. And one day, her patience paid off as she spotted him. But this time, his eyes refused to meet hers, and when she expressed her love, he remained silent, avoiding her gaze.

Their clandestine meetings continued, unbeknownst to Murtasim until one day, he discovered their secret. He attempted to handle the situation, but Malik Zubair took matters into his own hands. He brought his parents to Maryam's house, facing the wrath of Maa Begum. However, to Murtasim's surprise, he found himself supporting his sister, realizing the depth of her longing for love and acceptance, he realised how much his sister craved for love and acknowledgment. Their mother never showed any form of affection, as a brother he too didn't intervene much in her life and she lost her father when she was a mere kid. Malik Zubair was a breath of fresh air for her, someone different in a way similar to her, he was sweet expressive and actually cried infront of her.

Maryam's heart was in turmoil as she pleaded with Malik Zubair, tears glistening in her eyes. "Mujhe aapke saath rehna hai, Zubair. Aap bhi mujhse pyaar karte hai na?"

Malik Zubair's gaze faltered, his heart heavy with conflicting emotions. "Maryam, mujhse nazar mila kar mujhse ye sawaal mat poocho. Tumhare liye pyaar mere dil ki gehraiyon se behte aansuon se zyada hai."

Though the path ahead seemed treacherous, Maryam's spirit remained resolute. She yearned for the freedom that love promised, even if it meant forsaking the world she knew.

As the moonlit night embraced their stolen moments, Maryam made a daring decision. With her heart whispering tales of liberation, she resolved to elope, chasing the freedom she had longed for all along.

The journey, however, would not be easy. Unbeknownst to Maryam, her mother, Maa Begum, possessed knowledge of the ruthless nature of Malik Zubair's family. Ignoring the warnings, Maryam chose to follow her heart, determined to embrace her newfound independence.

"Maa Begum ne mujhe Malik khaandan ke baare mein bataya tha," Maryam confessed, her voice laced with a mixture of fear and determination.

Undeterred, she continued, "Meri dil ki ahmiyat ek zameen se kam thi Mahjabeen, yahi meri asli dastaan hai."

He had once called her his Queen, and in those fleeting moments, Maryam's heart fluttered with the enchantment of love. But as the reality of their circumstances unfolded, she found herself standing at the precipice of a difficult decision.

Determined to be with Malik Zubair, Maryam had contemplated eloping, disregarding the warnings of Malik Zubair's family's brutal reputation. Her heart yearned for the freedom and love she believed he could offer. However, fate had other plans in store for her.

Maa Begum, ever vigilant and protective, learned of Maryam's intentions. Concerned for her daughter's well-being and aware of the potential dangers, she intervened, taking Maryam away to the safety of their ancestral village.

It was there, in the rustic embrace of the village, that Maryam witnessed a different side of Malik Zubair. He stood amidst a gathering, his words laced with venomous hatred for the Khan family, hoping for Murtasim's restitution of his land. The sight shattered the illusions Maryam had woven around their love, unveiling the stark reality of their divided worlds.

"Woh zameen Khan khud wapis karega, kyuki uski behen ke dil par mera kabza hai..."

In that moment, a realization dawned upon Maryam. It was not Malik Zubair's love that she truly sought, but rather the liberation and independence that had eluded her. The longing for freedom from the shackles of family feuds and expectations grew stronger within her, overpowering any remnants of affection she held for Malik Zubair.

With newfound clarity, Maryam made a daring choice. She defied the expectations placed upon her, refusing to be bound by the circumstances dictated by her family's enmity. It was a leap of faith, an embrace of her own desires and aspirations, as she stepped forward on the path towards self-discovery and independence.

Maryam's elopement was not an act of recklessness, but a testament to her courage and a pursuit of her own happiness. She had realized that true freedom lay not in the arms of Malik Zubair, but in carving her own destiny, unburdened by the expectations of others.

***

A/N: I wanted this to be like a fairytale, and those dialogues I hope they felt natural, Pakistani serials have beautiful dialogue exchanges, the scenes are poetically narrated through storyline and characters, I tried to imitate it.