Chapter 40

Yasmeen's old eyes were fixed on the weathered gate marking the entrance to his house. She couldn’t predict the outcome of his decision when Majida and Fareed found out, but she couldn’t leave Zareena to face Majida's anger alone. She knew her daughter all too well, her reaction would be far greater than expected. Yasmeen's thoughts lingered on the consequences of giving Salaar preference over Fareed when Zareena brought her breakfast.

“Amma, take your breakfast so you can take your medication,” Zareena insisted, aware that her mother in law was too anxious about Majida to remember her medicines. She felt pity for Yasmeen, knowing how much she would have to endure because of this decision. Zareena herself felt caught in the middle, pressed between her daughter and her mother-in-law.

“Amma, everything will be alright. Majida is your daughter, after all. She will understand you. And Fareed is the humblest person I’ve ever met. It was Zarmeena’s misfortune to have him as a husband,  he will also definitely understand.”

With a loud bang, the front gate swung open. Majida pushed the wooden door wide, her bulky frame heaving as she stepped inside. She collapsed onto the frail wooden chair with a thud. The chair creaked in protest under her weight.

“Zareena, give me something to eat. My sugar levels are dropping. I left the house without even a bite of breakfast,” Majida complained, her voice carrying her usual tone of self-pity.

Zareena headed toward the kitchen.

“Zareena, wait! Sit here. I need to tell you something,” Yasmeen said, gripping her daughter’s hand.

“Zareena, where is Zarmeena? The tailor needs her measurements for the wedding dress. Oh, Amma, how can I finish all these wedding tasks alone? There’s only one week left till the wedding!” Majida interjected, ignoring her mother’s words.

“Zarmeena is at the university,” Zareena replied calmly.

Yasmeen took a deep breath and looked at both her daughters. Her voice trembled as she began, “Zareena, Majida, I need to tell you something I’ve kept hidden for years. A secret that has weighed on me my entire life. The story of my youth, of friendship and sacrifice. Once, I was young, full of life, and fearless. I loved helping and protecting my fellow students at college.”

Her voice faltered as memories from the past unfolded in her mind like a vivid movie. Zareena and Majida sat frozen, their attention fixed on their mother. This was the first time she had ever shared anything about her life before her marriage to Kareem Khan. She had always been terrified that someone might uncover her past.

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"Dad," Salaar came forward and hugged Faizan.
"Mubarak (congratulations), son. At last, you’ve joined our team. Now, the three of us will sit together, spread prayer mats, and thank our God for granting us such rare-breed wives," Faizan winked at Taimur and patted Salaar's back.
"Yes, the best got the best," Taimur retorted with a wide smile.
"Uncle, I can't say about Aunty and Bhabi, but Zarmeena is special enough to be a rollercoaster. Soon, this house will be in a whirlpool," Jawad chimed in, taunting Zarmeena. Salaar glared at him with warning eyes.
"Don’t worry, son. We already have a thunderstorm and a twister to deal with it," Faizan said mockingly, lightening the mood.
"Don’t forget I am here. Now stop praising us and get to work. Jawad and Fahad, quickly finish your tasks. There’s a lot of work lined up for you," Warda gave them a polite nag.
"Don’t worry, Aunty, we’ll do anything you say—just take care of our tummies," Fahad exclaimed with a naughty wink.
"I know about your obsession with food. I’ll fill your wells with the best food ever," Warda reassured. She knew how much Fahad loved food.

"Okay, son, I’m very happy for you. May God shower His blessings upon you," Faizan patted Salaar's back and headed out with Taimur and Warda.

Soon, the three of them were sitting around the dining table in Salaar's portion. Aslam brought their breakfast, specially made by the head cook of Malik Villas. It included steak, grilled fish, McDonald’s chicken, tandoori naan, parathas, and different kinds of sandwiches. Jawad and Fahad gazed at the lavish breakfast with their mouths agape. Aunty Warda was really true to her words.
"Aslam, do you have shopping bags?" Jawad asked, still unable to believe his eyes as he witnessed the heavenly feast that would soon fill their stomachs.
"Yes, sir," Aslam replied with professional obedience.
"Oh, please stop calling me 'sir,' or I’ll vomit. My father gave me a beautiful name, Jawad. Call me that," Jawad said, annoyed.
"Yes, that’s the only thing you inherited from your parents. But why do you need shopping bags, idiot?" Fahad teased, not missing a chance to mock his ordinary features.
"Yes, Prince Charming, I need them to pack the leftovers of this breakfast. This feast is enough for ten people. I don’t want such a beautiful meal to go to waste," Jawad said sheepishly.
"Now I’m convinced you must have been a beggar in your previous life," Fahad continued the banter.
"Yes, and you were definitely a fox in your previous life, Mr. Wicked," Jawad struck back with a sharp retort.
"Okay, you both, stop it! Get serious and tell me about your future plans since our university is over," Salaar said, exasperated by their banter.
"Dad wants me to join the army. I’ve already passed the written test and given the interview; I’m just waiting for the result," Fahad said pensively.
"Look at him! I was right about him. You’re almost selected without even informing us," Jawad exclaimed.
"That happened when both of you were sulking and boycotting me," Fahad retorted in the same high tone.
"And what about you, Jawad?" Salaar turned to him.
"What will I do? Nothing. I’ll wait for results and then find a job."
"Jawad, will you join me at work?" Salaar asked. Jawad assumed it was a joke, but seeing Salaar’s serious expression, he leaned forward a bit.
"Are you serious? Is this offer out of sympathy for me as a friend?" Jawad asked, sounding much more serious.
"No, not at all. I think you’re the best, and I don’t want your potential to go to waste. My dad is planning to make me the CEO of Malik Industrial Estate, and yes, I wanted that initially. But after meeting Zarmeena, my perspective changed. I mean, her resilience—she punches back at tough times. I don’t just love her; she inspires me. So, I decided to start my own business with whatever I have. If you want to sympathize with me as a friend, you can join me. I don’t mind," Salaar said playfully.
"Then I’ll join, even if you don’t pay me. The great Jawad Gillani will pity Salaar and join his forces," Jawad replied humorously.

Zubair entered as they were laughing and teasing each other. He glanced at Salaar, and a smile touched his face. After such a long time, Salaar was this happy, enjoying his friends’ company. Zubair prayed that this happiness would last forever.

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Yasmeen finished her story and gazed at Majida.
"Amma, what are you saying? I can't believe this, you sacrificed me and my son for your friend, who was once a partner in your crime." Majida's words hit like a knife.
"Majida, I thought you would understand," Yasmeen exclaimed, her voice tinged with disbelief.
"Mother, I was always like a card you used for sacrifice. You always loved brother Amjid more than me, and I had to sacrifice my favorite things for him. You didn't love me, it's okay but why did you sacrifice my son's happiness for a friend you didn’t even meet your whole life?"

"Majida, that’s not true. I loved both my children equally, and Fareed doesn’t even love Zarmeena in that way," Yasmeen tried to clarify. However, there was so much in Majida's mind that it blocked her sense of understanding.
"Amma, he himself gave consent for this proposal. How can you say he didn’t have any feelings for Zarmeena? He really liked her, yet you didn’t even bother to take our opinion before making such a big decision and ruining my son's life."

"Sister Majida, stop it. Amma is still not well," Zareena, who was also flabbergasted by Yasmeen's story, reminded Majida of her frail medical condition.
"Zareena, how could you let this happen? Or maybe you also prefer wealth over my son's life. Your daughter must have some kind of questionable relationship with that boy, that’s why you people arranged this marriage in no time," Majida accused, crossing all limits.

Zareena could barely handle the blame on her pure daughter and wanted to respond, but Yasmeen reacted much quicker than her.
"Majida, I will not tolerate any of your nonsense about my innocent granddaughter. God did what was best for His people. You didn’t deserve a diamond like Zarmeena," Yasmeen retorted, safeguarding her daughter-in-law’s dignity.

"Amma, what can I expect from you? You were not even faithful to your own husband. My innocent father didn’t know what you were doing behind his back, cheating on him." Majida was about to spit more venom when she felt a harsh slap across her face.

"Get out of here, Majida! You don’t even deserve my explanation. From now on, you are not my daughter, and I am not your mother," Yasmeen shouted amidst gasps.
"I am ending all relations with you. Don’t ever show your face again, not even at my deathbed," Yasmeen said with great effort.

Zareena came forward and took her collapsing body in her arms.
"Yes, Amma, you’re right. I lost my mother, and you lost your daughter over people who are more than strangers. This is my last time visiting this house, where I spent a tormenting childhood." With these words, Majida crossed the old wooden gate.

Yasmeen closed her eyes, and a final tear for her daughter rolled down her cheek.