A short while after Hooreen left, there was a knock at the door. Ilyas Sahib was sitting, reading the newspaper and drinking tea. When Halima Begum opened the door, a handsome young man was standing there. She was confused and asked:
"Yes, son, who are you...? Who do you want to meet?"
"I am Kayan Zarar Haider... your daughter's husband..."
At his introduction, she looked at Kayan with astonishment and surprise. He had introduced himself as Hooreen's husband with such confidence. From his introduction, she understood who he was. He was her brother's son, and in that regard, he was very dear to her.
Since childhood, Kayan had heard about his paternal aunt from his father, and in his heart, he had respect as well as love for her. Halima Begum embraced him.
"My child... my brother's son... why are you standing outside? Come in."
Halima Begum brought him inside. Kayan thought she would express anger toward him, but her behavior clearly showed how much importance her brother and every relationship connected to him held for her.
"Halima, who has come...?"
When Ilyas Sahib asked, she said:
"Ilyas, look, Kayan has come, brother's son..."
Ilyas Sahib stood up in anger. When he looked at Kayan, for a few moments, Kayan's captivating personality stunned him. But then he spoke furiously:
"What have you come here to do? How did you have the nerve to come here after doing so much to my daughter?"
"I have come here to take my Hoor,"
He spoke in a calm tone as he sat on the sofa. Hearing his words, Ilyas Sahib's temper flared.
"She is going nowhere with you. Don't you dare take my daughter's name again and get out of here before I forget all courtesy."
"Ilyas, what are you saying...? He is my nephew and also the son-in-law of this house. Whatever the circumstances were, please sit and talk calmly; it's a question of Hooreen's life,"
Halima Begum interrupted him. To which he said angrily:
"Then Hooreen is also our daughter. Her condition was right before you, yet you are talking like this...? I cannot see Hooreen suffer anymore because of this person, nor will I let Hooreen go anywhere with him."
"Uncle! Hoor is my wife, and I can never think of causing her pain. And as for taking her with me, I can take her with me at any cost. Neither will be able to stop me, but I don't want to do that this time. I have come here to sit and talk calmly. I want to take Hoor with me, but only when your consent is included in it."
His manner was simple, but there was a rock-like strength and firm conviction in his tone that they would not only listen but also understand.
Hearing him, they both sat down. Then Kayan began his talk and laid out the state of his heart before them. After that, he said:
"I didn't want to lose Hoor, that's why I did all this. I know what I did was wrong, but my intention was not wrong. Hoor lives in my soul; I cannot even imagine my life without her. Even living a minute without her is no less than a century for me. Please let Hoor leave with me; I will take great care of her."
His eyes and his tone were witnessing his true emotions. Hearing him, Ilyas Sahib said:
"I cannot make any decision about this right now. You go from here. Hoor is also about to arrive; I don't want her to see you here. And if there is truth in your emotions, then you will stay away from Hooreen until a decision is made."
"You must have realized well from my words that I cannot stay away from her,"
He spoke in a serious tone, to which Ilyas Sahib also replied in a similar serious tone:
"That you will have to, because you have no other option."
"I have many options, but for Hoor, I don't want to do anything that causes her more pain."
He made them realize a lot.
Halima Begum, convincing him, said:
"Ilyas, why are you making things worse instead of handling them...? What was meant to happen, happened. Think about Hooreen's future life. He knows everything, even after that, he came here only for Hooreen, so how can you behave like this with him...?"
Looking at Kayan, he spoke in a harsh tone:
"Begum, have you become so blind in the love for your nephew that you cannot see your own child's pain...? My daughter has stopped laughing. Her happiness, her mischief, all seem lost, and all this is only because of this person. And for all this, I will never forgive him."
In the end, his tone became moist. Kayan exhaled a cold breath and stood up. He could understand his love for Hooreen.
"I know that whatever happened, you won't forgive me so quickly, but I am also certain that you will definitely forgive me. Just as I understand your love for Hoor, until I make you believe in my love, I will stay away from Hoor and won't even come before her. I am leaving for now, but I will come every day until you announce your decision in my favor."
Saying this, he met Halima Begum and left.
In this way, ten months passed. He would come to Ilyas Sahib every day and make him believe in his love. Finally, even his heart of stone melted.
When they came to school after summer vacations, the school's map had completely changed. Tiles were laid everywhere. All classes had AC and new, well-furnished furniture. The Director's office was completely changed. The office walls were all grey, and light grey and white curtains were hanging on them. A large glass table was placed in the middle, and on the opposite wall, a large LED was installed through which the outside scene was clearly visible with the help of all the cameras. On the left wall was a large black-colored book rack. After that, very comfortable and modern-style sofas were placed in the room. Everything was very beautiful. They all liked this office very much, especially Hooreen and Amna. Their Principal held a meeting in the same office, in which she told them about the arrival of the new Director after two days and gave all the preparations for his welcome to Hooreen, Amna, and Sir Arham. Hearing Arham's name, Hooreen made a face because she didn't like him, nor his way of looking. Hooreen felt his gaze piercing through her body. She was not ready to work with him at all, but Amna convinced her and said that if he said anything, she would break his face. Hearing this, she smiled.
The three of them fulfilled their responsibility very well and made very good preparations for the Director's welcome. Arham tried many times to talk to Hooreen, but Amna didn't let that happen. She was truly a sincere friend to her.
"Hooreen, buddy, come quickly; Sir is about to arrive. Ma'am has asked us to reach the reception area and take this bouquet too."
Amna came into the staff room and spoke to Hooreen, who was writing something on a paper. In a grey-colored short frock with capris, a heart-shaped pendant, and earrings around her neck, her hair was tied, and her face was free of makeup; she was looking very beautiful and decent. Amna spoke in her praise:
"You're looking amazing. Only one thing is missing."
Hooreen looked at her with questioning eyes, then she let Hooreen's hair loose and said:
"This is perfect."
"Amna, give me back my clip. I don't want my hair loose,"
She spoke irritably because she knew Amna wouldn't listen to her.
"No, Madam, no! Go just like this, and when you go to give the bouquet to Sir, be careful lest Sir faints upon seeing you."
She spoke mischievously. She glared at her angrily and said:
"Amna, I don't like such jokes, so please don't make them."
"Fine, this was the only thing left to hear! I don't know what has happened to you; you've changed so much, Hooreen,"
Amna spoke sadly, so she said with a smile:
"Nothing has happened to me; it's just that I ran into Sir Arham, so that's why the mood is off. We can't even say anything to Ma'am because she can't hear anything against her son."
In the end, her tone was full of boredom.
"Miss Hooreen, Ma'am has said that you will welcome Sir together."
They were still talking when Arham came to them and said.
His eyes were fixed on Hooreen, filled with nothing but lust. He was surveying her from head to toe. Hooreen shivered at his gaze. She felt like scratching his face. She would have done it if she were the old Hooreen, but that one incident had destroyed her self-confidence, her courage, and her pride, and fear had taken their place. She had kept herself busy and had removed the thought from her heart and mind that she would ever face that person, but despite all this, fear filled her heart.
"Hooreen will stay with me; you will welcome Sir with Miss Sumaira. As for Ma'am, I will talk to her. Now, go from here,"
Amna spoke quite rudely.
"I'll see you..."
He left from there in anger.
The school building was constructed in such a way that after the main gate, there was a ground, and on one side was the parking area. On the left side of the ground was the girls' entrance, and on the right was the boys' entrance, while the center was the entrance for parents and the rest of the staff. Beyond that was the reception area; to its right was the Director's office, followed by the Principal's office, and a little further on the left was the accounts office. After this area, there was a glass door, on the other side of which were the classrooms. The entire staff stood in a single line. Hooreen and Amna stood at the very end on purpose so that she wouldn't have to stand next to Arham.
As soon as the car came to a halt, uniformed guards stepped out and stood in a row. Seeing this, Amna whispered into Hooreen's ear:
"Such protocol for our 'Sir'! Now, if only he'd show his face quickly, we could also see what kind of personality is arriving with so much fanfare...?"
At her remark, Hooreen looked at her and began to smile.
He stepped out of the car. As soon as he emerged, the guards opened the reception door. The moment he stepped inside, the fragrance of his cologne spread throughout the area. How could she ever forget this scent...? Hooreen lifted her gaze and looked ahead.
Kayan was looking directly at her.
Upon seeing her, he gave a slight, lethal smile—one that took away the peace and rest of many people. Hooreen stood frozen in shock. She closed and opened her eyes two or three times, as if this were some terrifying nightmare. Amna recognized him immediately; he was the kind of man who, if seen even for a fleeting moment, would be remembered for a lifetime. Amna spoke:
"Hooreen, isn't this the same man whose wedding we went to by mistake...?"
Hooreen, trembling with dread and fear, spoke:
"No... this...?"