Before Kayan's boldness could escalate any further, there was a knock on the door, and Jailani Sahib's voice echoed from outside.
"Kayan, come to my room. I need to speak with you this very moment."
He released Hooreen and spoke with a wink.
"Sweetheart, we'll talk about the rest when I get back. Wait for me, I'll be right back."
Saying this, he pressed his lips to her forehead and left. His departure felt like a breath of life returning to Hooreen. Her mind, which had been numbed by the rapid succession of events, began to function again. She caught her reflection in the mirror and was stunned. For a few moments, she even doubted if the image before her was truly her own. She finally understood the meaning behind Kayan's words—why he had said that if she had seen herself, she wouldn't have walked in front of him.
She immediately went to the washroom, washed her face, and upon returning, took off all the jewelry and threw it aside. She spotted her dress on the sofa, the one she had specifically made for Sehrish's wedding. She changed into it and tiptoed out of the room. But before leaving, she wrote something on the mirror with lipstick and stepped out.
Looking around, she saw no one. She moved forward with great caution. She could hear voices coming from the rooms downstairs. There were no guards outside, which clearly meant everyone was busy. She slipped away quietly and ran.
"Dad, you are very cruel. You interrupted my beautiful moments,"
Kayan said as he entered the room, pouting like an innocent child making a complaint. Despite his serious mood, Jailani Sahib couldn't help but smile at Kayan's antics, though he quickly turned stern again.
"Have some shame and mend your ways; you are a married man now."
Kayan replied with a grin.
"Dad, I was perfectly fine; it's your daughter-in-law who spoiled me."
"I saw today just how 'fine' you are. Whatever you did was very wrong."
Jailani said in the same tone.
"Dad, I didn't want to lose my love. I did what I felt was right to make Hooreen mine... and you all know everything about this. If you're only going to talk about this, should I leave then...?"
Seeing his obsession, Jailani Sahib had already understood how much that girl meant to him. Changing the subject, he said:
"No, sit down... I wanted to say something to you, and I hope you will listen."
"Yes, Dad! Just give the command,"
Kayan said cheerfully. After thinking for a moment, Jailani spoke:
"Kayan, do not misuse your rights. You have forced this relationship upon her. But you must give this relationship some time."
Understanding his point, Kayan replied:
"Dad! Don't worry, I won't do anything of the sort. You won't have any more complaints about me."
Having said his piece, he pressed a bell. At the sound of the bell, all the guards entered with permission and stood before him, bowing their heads respectfully. He addressed them:
"From this moment on, it is your duty to obey your mistress's every word blindly. Take care of her and carry out her every command just as you carry out mine. I will not tolerate any negligence regarding my wife. And take special care that she does not leave the house; otherwise, you will have to answer to me. Now, go."
"Yes, sir,"
They said and left. Jailani Sahib placed a hand on his shoulder and teased him:
"Wow! So much concern for the wife? Why do I feel like you're going to end up being a henpecked husband?"
"What can I do, Dad...? I am your son, after all, so I was bound to take after you,"
Kayan said with a mischievous wink, making Jailani Sahib burst into laughter.
"It was a mistake telling you my and your mom's story... anyway, go to your room now."
Kayan wished him goodnight and returned to his room. Upon entering, he saw the room was empty and the lehenga was lying on the bed. His eyes fell on the dressing table mirror, where something was written in lipstick:
"You've had the Nikah, but now spend your whole life searching for me. You will never find me. You will long for my proximity."
Reading her words, he rushed outside.
"Naeem... Khan Baba... Sheru... where have you all died...?"
Hearing his furious voice, everyone came running and stood in a line. Jailani Sahib also joined him upon hearing the commotion.
"How could Hoor get out of the house while you were all here? Where were you all hiding...?"
They all stood silent and terrified at his thunderous voice.
"Go, everyone, search for her outside. She couldn't have gone far. And Kayan, you were the one who called them in; it's not their fault,"
Jailani Sahib sent them away before Kayan could unleash his wrath on them.
"Dad! She can't just leave like this...! She underestimated me. I will find her from anywhere; she belongs only to me."
Fuming, he took his car keys and was about to leave when he received a call from Waleed. He answered immediately.
"Sir! I just saw Madam near the Polo Ground by the house. I tried to stop her, but she started running. Right now, she's getting into a car with someone. I am following that car."
Hearing Waleed, Kayan spoke with a slight smile.
"Well done, Waleed. Not only are you my loyal companion, but you are also my best friend. And today you've proven it. Give me the address; I'm coming."
Waleed gave him the address, and as Kayan moved toward the car, Jailani Sahib said:
"I'm coming with you."
"No, Dad! You stay at home. I'll go alone."
"The way you're going to get her, I don't like your intentions. That's why I'm coming along."
Despite his anger, a faint smile appeared on Kayan's face at his father's words. He left with Jailani Sahib.
When she grew tired of running, she stopped for a moment to catch her breath. Suddenly, someone standing a short distance away addressed her.
Waleed, who lived with Kayan, was on his way home when he spotted Hooreen. He approached her and said:
"Sister-in-law, you here? And that too, alone? Sir Kayan will be very angry. Let's go back home..."
Without giving him any answer, she pushed him aside and ran. He was initially stunned, then began chasing her.
She had no idea where she was going; she was just running. Suddenly, she collided with a car. The driver slammed the brakes just in time, and she was saved. Inside the car were Amna and Zaid, who had been searching for Hooreen everywhere because she wasn't answering calls and there was no news of her.
Seeing Hooreen standing in front of the car like that, they both stepped out. Amna rushed toward her with concern and hugged her.
"Thank God you're okay and I found you! We've been looking for you for so long. Where were you...?"
Pulling away, she started questioning her:
"You were with Rabab...? Then what are you doing here like this? Where is Rabab? Your number is switched off, and what happened to your hands...?"
"Rabab was in a hurry. She dropped me back at the hall and left. As I was coming to you, there were some dogs on the way. They started barking at me and chased me. While running from them, I fell, the bangles pierced my hands, and my phone fell somewhere too."
She spoke panting and started crying. Even if she wanted to, she couldn't tell Amna the truth because no one would believe her; everyone would think she was the one at fault.
"Crazy girl, stop crying. How many times have I told you to control your fear? And I told you not to wear bangles, but you never listen. Sehrish is also upset, and Uncle called so many times to talk to you while I kept making excuses. Now, let's go home."
Seeing her with them, Waleed stopped. Once they left with Hooreen, he called Kayan, told him everything, and followed them in his car.
They set off toward Sialkot. Throughout the journey, she kept thinking about the events that had transpired and cried silently. Amna thought she was sleeping. In Hooreen's heart, hatred, anger, and dread for Kayan had taken a firm hold, but above all, the fear of Kayan dominated her mind and soul.
The car stopped outside her house. She got out and ran inside, keeping her hand pressed on the doorbell. Seeing her like this, Amna followed her, but not before sending Zaid away. Though he wanted to stay, Amna thought it best for him to leave.
"What happened...? Who is it...? Have patience, I'm coming,"
Halima Begum said irritably as she opened the door. Seeing Hooreen outside, she was about to say something in anger, but Hooreen ignored her and ran toward Ilyas Sahib, who had come out into the hall due to the continuous ringing of the bell. She hugged him and began to sob uncontrollably. Halima Begum, stunned and worried, approached her, forgetting even to close the door. Amna came inside and seeing her friend in such a state, she rushed to her side as well.
"My Princess... Hooreen, what happened...?"
He spoke with concern.
"Papa... he... with me... Papa... to me..."
Muttering broken words, she fainted.
"O Allah, have mercy..."
Escaped Halima Begum's lips involuntarily.
Seeing his daughter, who was dearer to him than his own life, in such a state, Ilyas Sahib was devastated. They laid her on the sofa and called Dr. Aafia. She was burning with a high fever. After checking Hooreen, the doctor immediately advised admitting her to the hospital. They did exactly that.
Kayan, who had come to take Hooreen, was about to step inside when he saw her faint, but Jailani Sahib grabbed his hand and stopped him. He was in deep shock himself after seeing Hooreen's parents. He didn't let Kayan move past the door and took him away from there before they were spotted.
"Dad, didn't you see my Hoor's condition...? Why did you take me away from there? I'm going to get her,"
Kayan spoke somewhat rudely, and for the first time, Jailani Sahib spoke to him with equal anger:
"You are going nowhere. You alone are responsible for her condition. Now you will not cause her any more pain, nor will I let you do so... let's go home."
"Dad, you know very well that I will never leave without taking her..."
He spoke stubbornly.
"Kayan, this time I will not listen to a single word of yours."
"She is my wife, Dad. I won't go without taking her."
As he spoke, Kayan looked toward his father and was taken aback to see tears in his eyes.
"Dad, you...?"
"Kayan, just let's leave from here for now; we'll talk later..."
He said in a moist voice. Kayan sat in the car just as an ambulance arrived at the house to take Hooreen. Kayan grew restless, sitting there biting his lip. Seeing his state, Jailani Sahib said:
"Kayan, drive the car toward the hospital. But don't do anything wrong in haste. We will just see her and return."
Without a word, Kayan followed the ambulance. He was in a state of conflict—why were there tears in his Dad's eyes... and what had happened to his Hoor...?
They were both sitting in the car when Jailani Sahib spoke:
"Go and see her; I'll wait for you in the car."
"So you won't come with me?"
"No, not now... I can't meet her yet. You go,"
He said sadly.
"Dad, you go. I will stay here with Hoor."
"But how can you stay here when her parents are also here? Kayan, don't create any trouble."
In response to his question, Kayan smiled and said:
"Dad! Don't worry, I am Kayan Zarar. All of this is very easy for me. Don't be troubled; I won't do anything that causes anyone any distress. You go home without a worry."