“hate blooms, love dies. ”

°°°

▪︎ Delhi, 1999.

A warm body breathing in his arms, he still couldn't believe she was with him like this, legs entangled together, arms wrapped around him, her hairs spread out on his pillow. All of it is true and real, Saba's gloomy face, heavy lided eyes and that beautiful smile that Zakariya Islam had been whipped over.

"Subah ba khair."

Saba was getting up from the bed but Zakariya caught her and snuggled closer to her.

"Thanks for making my dull nights beautiful and mornings shinny." Her cheeks turned red, on his blatant compliment. Its been four years they have been living together, but he had never complimented her like this. A knowing smile appeared on her face, back then she was just his little cousin and an underage wife, but now, a night together really changed the dynamics of their life. She shooked her head and kissed Zakariya's cheek.

"Sorry but I've to get up on any cost, today's my viva and I'm not planning to fail."

Zakariya nodded his head and let her go, because he was also getting late for his meeting with the party office. He was an activist for Muslim rights commission.

"Zaki."

Saba was looking at him, worries return all over her face.

"I'll be alright." Zakariya smiled knowingly but his words didn't give any kind of peace to Saba, she was still standing their with her worries.

"Come here."

Saba sat beside him on his command.

"Why you're so worried for me? If i can fight with your greedy Mamu (maternal uncle) for you. I can also fight with the oppressor for the betterment of my community."

She sighed and looked at him with, love.

How can she forget it?

If it had not been Zakariya, she would be rotting in her Mamu's hell. Who was constantly fighting with her Taya for her Guardianship, he wanted to claim Saba's property and funds. Tried to abduct her, but it went all waste. Because Zakariya had already took her in his Nikkah, by that time. Saba didn't knew back then how lucky she was. Thinking about the past and her marriage, a smile made its way on her face.

"Ehh Saba Janan? One moment you're worrying and now smiling like a clown."

Zakariya's taunt brought her back from memories. She was going to hit him playfully but he caught her hands tightly, kissing her forehead gently, he whispered in her ear,"I will be alright, always. But for that you've to be myside for forever."

"Forever." They both said in unison and destiny laughed at them.

***

"Zakariya. Zakariya. Zakariya Sahab."

"Ya Allah. Why are you shouting Ahmed?"

Zakariya who had just come in the MHC, hearing the shouting of Ahmed got startled. When he came near him, he saw blood dripping from his knee, he made him seat on the nearby chair and worriedly asked him, " Ya Allah Khair, what happened to you Ahmed?"

"Zakariya Sahab, they betrayed us. Those bastards betrayed us. They were not going to befriend us."

"Ahmed what are you saying?"

"Zakariya Sahab, they were fooling us, just to win the election they've used us. Ranjan Siladati, that bastard has betrayed us. His Men has raided the city. They're raping our women and killing our children. Police forces are unable to control them, there's curfew in the city."

Ahmed's breathe was getting heavier and he fell unconscious. Zakariya couldn't believe his ear, what he had just heard!

How could it be possible?

He had thought that Ranjan Siladati was a good man, he will help him in making the peace between both the communities. But he was wrong!

All along he was wrong.

He was feeding a snake, and thought he wouldn't bite back.

How could he trusted him? Even though knowing that Politicians can even sell their souls to devil for money, fame and luxury. Initiating a communal fight and raid, was mere thing for them.

Politicians breathe in hatred and spew out Venom.

Ahmed's words were playing in Zakariya's head they're raping our women and killing our children. At the time he was just praying for the well being of Saba. He sat in his Car and drove off not knowing where to....he just wants to see Saba's smiling face.

***

"Ohho look at Saba, she's looking so different today."

"What?"

Saba and her friends were sitting on the stairs, waiting for the next lecture. When Jyoti started teasing her, she was doing it on purposely, because she had seen Zakariya at the college entrance gate. Saba has always come with her driver and its the first time Zakariya had dropped her off.

"Well its a very bad thing Saba. You didn't told us that your Zaki come here."

Natasha give her share of teasing & making Saba blush from head to toe. All of them were laughing and cracking jokes. It was a normal day in their college, when suddenly they heard chanting and shouting of girls & their teachers. Everyone started running here and there.

A group of men had entered their College, who were there of raiding. Saba and her friends also rushed to find a safe place and they all went to Chemistry Lab, it was nearest to them.

"What is happening?" Minahil who was a fragile hearted girl, got extremely terrified. Natasha was consoling her and others were busy blocking the door, so those barbarians won't enter.

All of them were terrified, Saba's eyes roaming around them. A moment before they all are laughing and now they're busy saving their lives and virtue.

Saba's heart skipped a beat, when she didn't see jyoti in all the familiar faces. Droplets of sweat were forming on her forehead even in the cold weather. Her heart was beating fast, her friend isn't here. Then where the hell she is?

"Where is Jyoti?"

Saba's panicked voice reached their terrified ears, and they all went on alert.

"We don't know!"

They all were looking at eachother, Jyoti isn't among them.

Saba stood still for a moment, she shook her head and went towards the door.

"I'm going to find Jyoti, till then none of you comes out. Protect eachother at any cost."

Natasha hold her hand and stopped her from going.

"Don't go Saba."

"I've to find Jyoti. She's our friend."

Saba went out of the lab and marched towards the stairs, she was on the last step when she saw jyoti laying down unconsciously. She sighed, when a group of men, started marching towards them. She was barely holding unconscious Jyoti.

Those men were now surrounding around both of them. Saba was now looking at them with pleadingly.

"Please leave us. We have not done anything wrong."

She didn't want to cry but tears were flowing down her cheeks and seeing her cry one of them harshly pulled Saba's hairs and the other ones took the unconscious Jyoti.

Saba was constantly pleading for mercy, but they've none.

"Don't you have mothers, sisters, daughters at home. For their sake please leave us. Don't touch us."

Saba was shouting and trying to runaway from their but it was of no use. Those Barbarians were laughing and taking pleasure in showing their so called masculinity on the daughters of Eve.

"Ya Allah Reham."

***

Zakariya was storming around the city like a madman to find Saba, his city was burning in fire and cries of innocent children, bloodshot screaming of Women and the helplessness of Men.

After checking in her college, he got to know the address of the hospital where injured Students had been taken too.

Zakariya was roaming from room to room, to find his Saba. He finally see her, sighing in relief. He walked towards her, but the doctor blocked his view.

"You cannot come here..."

"I'm her husband."

Zakariya said, signalling towards saba.

Doctor looked at him for a second, she placed a hand on Zakariya's shoulder. He looked at her in confusion.

"She was gang raped and.... she's not responding.... I'm trying my best....."

Zakariya didn't heard another word she said, his mind was struck gang raped, Saba....no...no....

"Saba, janan. Saba open your eyes. Your Zaki is here."

Saba opened her eyes slowly and looking at Zakariya's face one last time, she closed her eyes for forever.

That one last eye contact, Between them is enough for Him to know the pain his love has gone through and the love swarming in her eyes.

Doctor pushed Zakariya away seeing Saba's condition.

"It looks like she was waiting to see your face one last time, otherwise the girl who had been with her died even before coming here. She's dead. I'm sorry."

Zakariya fell down on his knees. He was crying silently.

In between the chaos of storm, love died a painful death.

***

▪︎ London, 2000.

Loud music and bodies moulded into each other. It was the scene of a club. Everyone relishing their pain away, trying to feel happy with booze. And their he was sitting lonely, overlooking the people around him. Those people seemed happy, but only he knows they all are fooling themselves. Happiness comes from within, not by force.

He got up from his seat and paid the bartender, who was an underage boy, he had to work hard to pay his tution fees. The bartender smiled and as usual he just nodded in return.

"This man never smiles." The bartender said and shooked his head.

If only he knew, why.

He walked out of the bar feeling cold, but only he knew how he was doing from the insides.

Walking on the streets aimlessly and feeling the silence of the city. When he heard a woman crying, he started walking and with every steps, he can here it more clearly.

When he reached their he saw a man cornering a heavily pregnant lady in ally, that man was touching her inappropriately, she was trying to stop him and seeing this, His mind went down the memory lane, she is gang raped.

"Saba"

"No....no....Saba your Zaki will protect you."

Zakariya without thinking twice jumped on that man and started beating him. The woman was staring at him in horror. When the man couldn't move an inch Zakariya moved and looked at the woman, who was staring at him in horror. He was going to say something but his eyes went to her legs which were dripping with blood.

"You. You're bleeding."

The woman looked at herself and panicked.

Zakariya holding her in his arms, started running. He had to save her at any cost.

***

Zakariya was pacing around the hospital corridors. He was praying for the lady and her baby.

"Congratulations its a girl."

The doctor said and patted his shoulder. He sighed in relief.

"How's the mother?"

Zakariya asked worriedly.

"We tried our best, but her wounds are too deep. I'm sorry we couldn't save her."

Zakariya stood still and in that Moment he realised, he was a loser.

He couldn't save Saba.

He couldn't save the lady, who died giving birth.

But what he realised is that death was written the moment a child opens his eye for the first time.

The doctor went away.

"Do you want to see the baby?"

A nurse came and said signalling towards the children's ward.

Zakariya nodded and went with her.

The moment he looked at the little baby girl and hold her in his arms, he felt at peace.

He smiled for the first time after Saba's death. And the little angel was the reason of his smile.

A tear fell down from his cheeks and he hugged the baby tightly.

"Anah."

"Anah. Zakariya Islam's daughter."

In Anah's Little eyes, Zakariya saw his lost Paradise.

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