Must Read: The Silent Lover - Season 1 - Episode 33

7 years ago

Must Read: The Silent Lover - Season 1 - Episode 33

He lay on his bed and stared unblinkingly up at the ceiling. Not even the rythmic lapping of the waves could soothe his shattering senses.
It seemed impossible that only a short while ago he had been filled with such a delicious feeling of excitement, happiness and a sense of satisfaction. Now all he felt was a deep-rooted gloom.

He couldn’t even imagine that his own ‘modern’ broad-minded mother would turn out to be so typical and conservative on the question of his marriage. He simply couldn’t believe it. His mother was behaving like a narrow minded, religious fanatic instead of a highly educated professional that she was.

His mother had cursed him so much today that he couldn’t believe it. Breathing fire and thunder, and making threats he didn’t take seriously but which left him edgy and irritable.

She had become even angrier and shouted that he will not marry Komal as long as she’s alive.

He knew any further protest would seem foolish and cowardly and he didn’t want her thinking he was either. His mother had made him believe that he was practically one of her family, and her only child but it was becoming increasingly obvious that she was truly selfish when it came to her traditions and favor.

Yes, he thought painfully. For his mother, her customs, heritage and traditions were more important than her son, her own blood and flesh.

His mind whirled endlessly with questions he couldn’t possibly answer.
****************
Komal shut herself in her bedroom and called his phone. Aariz picked at first ring. Her heart was pounding so painfully when he came on the line, so much that for a second she couldn’t speak.

“We should forget each other Aariz.” Komal said with no preamble as soon as she found her voice. “I know it’s not normal to just walk out from one’s life but I can’t give you more time. We have to part from this moment.”

The words burst out like a despairing cry and there was silence for a minute before he said quietly.

“I know…….you don’t have to tell me the story.” Aariz said, feeling very much guilty for his mother’s reaction.
She remained silent.

“I never expected it even in my wildest nightmares that my mother would turn out to be this crude when it comes to her only son’s happiness.” Aariz almost cried with pain. “She has totally disappointed me.”
“So….what do we do now?” She breathed a cold sigh. “Should we say goodbye to each other now?”

“No way.” His pulse raced. “I’ve been an obedient son so far but that doesn’t make me a coward.”

He then took a little pause, as if gathering his breaths.
“I have made the plan.”
“What plan?”
“I’d try to pressurize her through my father.” He told her determined.
“What if that didn’t work either?” She asked in a low tone.
“Then….” He said firmly. “Then, we’ll do a court marriage.”
For a moment, Komal was shocked to her very core.
“You mean you’d leave your parents?”
“For you……” He breathed. “Yes, I can go even far than that.”
Although, this was not the moment, but his words showered her in a rain of weird satisfaction and possessiveness.
“Now, it’s your turn.” Aariz said in a deep tone. “Try to tell your parents about our decision.”
“What if they don’t agree?” Komal asked, her voice filled with worried tone.
“Then…..” Aariz took a long, shuddering breath. “Then, it would be your choice, whether you want to live with your parents or with me.”
“Don’t say that.” She cried out emotionally.”You know very well that I can’t even imagine spending my life without you. I love you Aariz.”
“So do I.” Aariz murmured, his voice thick and heavy with affection and feelings. “Okay, we’d wait and see for a week. Let’s see if our parents respect our choice and wish.”
“What if they don’t?” Komal inquired, her voice trembling because of some unknown fear.

“In that case…..” Aariz made his mind before he said. “I’d wait for you here. Get back to Karachi and we’d do a court marriage.”
Court marriage! Komal gasped and shuddered at the thought.
“Okay.” She said. “I will call you after I talk to my parents about it.”
She put the phone down straight away, only just hearing his startled exclamation as he rasped out her name, and then she pushed him out of her mind, not out of her heart though.
In his part of the world, Aariz had reached a certain decision after sleepless nights. They had to get married at any cost. He couldn’t leave her, couldn’t afford to lose her at any price.
************
Waiting at the cabin door was the Senior Attendant, a black-haired woman of about 38. As each passenger went by, she gave him or her the ritual farewell.

“I hope you had an enjoyable flight. Thank you for flying with us and hope to see you again soon.”
“Well….I hope to see you again too.” Komal gave her an equally refreshing smile. “In a flight to Karachi.”
She picked up her handbag and followed her mother toward the terminal lounge.
Well…….. She was back in London.

Spring was late that year. The weather had been wet and chilly for weeks; people made their hurried, frowning way to work in London’s crowded streets hunched under umbrellas in the drizzling rain, or gloomily contemplated the weather from indoors, wishing they did not have to go out.

Most people were still wearing winter cloths. That morning, Komal was wearing a full-skirted apricot wool dress, which gave a little warmth to her enticing hair and brown eyes, and gave a glow to her fair skin.

When she joined her father at the breakfast table, he eyed her with fond pride.
“You look very pretty—-new dress? It suits you.”
Komal smiled at him.

She wanted to tell him now. But she loved her father too much to tell him frankly how she felt. He wouldn’t understand; he would be baffled and hurt.
“Going somewhere special?” He asked her as she poured herself coffee, and she wished he wouldn’t have given her that hopeful look. Ever since she finished school, he had been waiting for her to get married, and questioning her eagerly about Sikander.
“I’m having lunch with Mawara.” She told him.
“Mawara.” He made a bad mouth. She knew her father didn’t like Mawara due to her ‘free, out-going and out-spoken’ nature.
“Where are you eating?” Arif Khan asked, sipping his morning tea delicately.
“West brooks.” Said Komal. She was spreading marmalade on her toast.

Her father gave a yelp, his eyes riveted on his newspaper.
“You know I never give up when I really want something.” He said complacently, proud of his own obstinacy.

He had a look in his eyes that she recognized, a dreamy yet determined look.
“Sikander is special, Komal. You’re young, you wouldn’t know what he really is.”
“Yes, I know very well what he really is.” She almost said to herself. “Sikander is just the type I don’t like.”
“Handsome fellow, isn’t he?”
She shrugged, “I suppose so. If you like the type.”
“You don’t?” Her father watched her narrowly. “Other women seem to like Sikander.”
“I’m not other women, Dad.” She said coldly.

She supposed he only wanted the best for her——-trouble was, his ‘best’ was Sikander Riza, a man she disliked intensely despite his apparent values being rammed down her throat.

She needed to relieve her heart before it was too late.
“I need to talk to Mum and Dad about Aariz as soon as possible.” She thought as she silently ate her breakfast.