????.....✓

❝𝑬𝒌 𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒕𝒊 𝒔𝒊 𝒖𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒆𝒅" (1)

"Be sure we shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods or lives or the fruits of your toil, but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere - Who say, when afflicted with calamity: "To God, we belong, and to Him is our return." - These will be given blessings and mercy from their Lord, and it is they who are rightly guided."

2:155-157

•••••••|

Glancing in the mirror, she looked at herself.

Many thoughts ran through her mind.

Why am I like this!

Why can't I at least have a simple face, at least simple!

Who would even dare to accept me with this ugly face!

And to top it off,

I don't even have a brain nor beauty.

I am weak.

I'm not even intelligent.

Taking the lipstick, she applied it to her lips but it was too dark for her liking.

She looked like some slut.

She rubbed her lips harshly

While...

Tears made their way from her eyes.

"Aey Bakhtawar kahan mar gyi? Sara din bas bethe rehna upar se na shakal na surat! Pata nahi kon pasand karega aesi badsurat shakal wali ko?"

("Aey Bakhtawar, where did you die?

All-day long you sit idly doing nothing!!

On- Top -Of -That, You're not good- looking either.

How do you expect to get an alliance like this!?")

"Aayi Ammi" Bakhtawar replied rushing towards her mother but she stumbled causing the glass tumbler to fall and break into pieces.

("I'm coming Mom")

"Hai hi manhoos ek kaam dhang se na hoye is ladki se. badnaseeb se. Ab ye glass todh dia. Samet isey kambhakht kahin ki na jane kab picha chutega issay?" Her mother yelled in her face.

("You are wretched!

You can't do a single thing perfectly!

Now that you broke the glass, clean it up,

You unfortunate girl.

God knows when we will get rid of you.")

Tears were about to make their way down but she held them back.

"Ji Ammi, Abhi kar deti hu." She replied while picking a few glass pieces.

("Ok Mom, I'll clean it up right now.")

She collected the mess, then asked her mom:

"Ammi, you called me. Is there anything I can do to help?"

"Help and You?

Just go wear something presentable."

Her mother replied oh-so-rudely.

"What do you mean by presentable?

Ammi numaish nhi hu me."

Bakhtawar argued.

("Ammi, I'm not an exhibition!")

"Don't talk too much.

Just go get ready.

Do as I say!"

She rushed towards her room, taking a white dress to go on with the event.

"Koi rang dar kapde phen na. Safed na phen ke Beth Jana."

to which she rolled her eyes.

("Wear some colorful clothes, not something plain white.")

Ignoring her mother,

She wrapped her hijab and spread the prayer mat to talk to

HIM.

Her Allah,

The One who is As-Sami (All-Hearer).

She shares all her worries and problems with HIM while he comforts with the love her mother never gave.

She knew very well who was coming.

Someone's coming for an alliance.

She believes that once again, she'll get rejected feeling worthless once again.

Was it a sin to be ugly!!!!?

No, she is not ugly she is beautiful, but in everyone's eyes, she's an ugly duckling cause of the marks on her body.

She got these marks when she was only 5.

The pain was excruciating.

Well...

The external pain faded away with time leaving behind the internal pain which people threw on her face as words.

"Kabse awaz laga rahi hu.Chalo niche mehman aate honge.Or ye niqab or ye abayah hatao."Her mother told her while pointing towards her niqab.

("I've been calling you for so long. The guests might be coming soon. Let's go and before that, remove this niqab and abayah.")

"Mama, what's wrong with it!?

I don't feel comfortable without my niqab and abayah."

Her mother was about to reply with a snarky comment but the doorbell beat her to it. She took a sigh of relief.

She knew she would wear the niqab no matter what her mom said. So the argument wasn't worth it and would just be a waste of time.

"I'll call you when you have to enter the room. Wait in the kitchen." Nodding her head, she went to the kitchen.

"Bakhtawar, come here!"

Concentrating on the tray of tea and biscuits, she didn't realize where she was walking and collided with someone.

Uh Oh!!!

"Ek kaam thik se na ho is ladki se. Dekho sari shirt kharab kar di." Her mother commented.

("This girl can't do anything properly. Look, you messed his shirt. ")

"I'm sorry, I'll clean it up for you."

Bakhtawar said in a soft but sweet voice, not meeting the person's eyes. Fidgeting with her fingers, she stood still waiting for a reply. When she had enough of waiting, she looked up only to find the person already staring at her.

"Hazel against Honey "

Muttering Astaghfirullah, she quickly averted her gaze from him.

"Hashir, go with her. She'll help you in cleaning up"

Hashir went to the washroom following her.

"So, Bakhtawar right?"

He asked to which she only nodded her head.

"Isn't your name a bit old?"

"Huh?"Bakhtawar had no idea what he was saying.

Hashir dropped the topic and introduced himself;

"By the way, I'm Hashir,Naam to suna hi hoga " on which he earned eye roll from Bakhtawar. (In her mind though)

"Kahin ka celebrity hai naam to suna hoga. Hmph " she said to herself.

After gathering so much courage

She asked:

"Are you here for me to marry you?"

"Bingo"

Hashir cheered.

"Well then say NO, cause I don't wanna marry you!"

Bakhtawar replied.

Hashir's mouth hung wide open.

Did she just reject him on his face!?

"Why would I say no when I wanna marry you. It's my choice. I have a say in this. You can't say for me! And why would you want me to reject you"Hashir argued.

"First of all, I know you are going to reject me cause of my face. I'm not even beautiful.

So

It's better you reject me now and leave instead of giving me hope!!!"

"Who said I want a beautiful wife.

I want a wife who will love me, care for me, comfort me, not some showpiece!!!"

Hashir explains.

Dropping the topic, they leave for the dining hall.

"So, she is your daughter"

A woman in her late 50's said to which her mom nodded.

"I want to see her face. Why is she covering so much?"

"Yeah, why not. Remove your niqab, Bakhtawar. " Her mom insisted.

She rapidly shook her head stopping the tears that were about to make their way down.

"Aunty and Ammi, can you please come with me?" She choked out.

Both mothers agreed to leave towards the room. While Hashir was left alone thinking.

Bakhtawar was facing the back taking out her niqab then turned around only to hear a gasp.

"Ya Allah, how did you get these marks. They don't suit you. They look ugly on you." Hashir's mother commented.

She blinked back her tears. She was going to defend herself but didn't know if she wanted to because it's true, she's ugly.

"Waise apko to bohat mushkilo ka samna karna pada hoga iske liye." Her mother disgraced Bakhtawar. Bakhtawar thought she wanted her to go away so, why would she give ways for her to get rejected.

("Sister, you must have faced many problems because of her.")

"She was only five when she got these marks. We all were praying for her to die because we knew no one would accept her for marriage. Aur beti to bojh hi hoti hai" Her mother explained.

Tears started rolling down her eyes. She rushed towards her room not wanting to stay there anymore.

The two women left for the living room.

"Achcha behen Ji ab hum chalte he. Hum Apna jawab jald hi aapko denge. "

("Okay sister, we'll take our leave now. We'll give u our answer soon.")

____________________

"Hashir, have you seen her!? The way she covers herself!!?"

"So what, Ammi.

Her modesty is what I love about her."

Hashir reasoned with his mom.

"Have you seen her face!!!?

The way she looks!!!?"

"Ammi, I don't care about looks or complexion. I want someone with a beautiful heart."

"Hashir, please listen to me!!!"

His mother was too adamant about going forward with this marriage.

"No Ammi, You listen to me!!!

I will only marry her!!!

And I really lo....."

His mother stopped him from saying anything further.

"Jali hui he wo"

"She is burnt"



As'salamalaykum

Lovely readers.

Hope you all are doing well.

So, here is the first chapter of Life.

Hope you all enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed while writing it.

Do share my story, also don't forget to vote and comment.

I will update soon

Till then

Allah Hafiz.

May Allah bless you ❤️.