Author: team_buktree
Published: 15/06/25
Unfinished Verses: A Short Story Anthology is the result of the May 2025 Writing Competition. This collection features the heartbreaking stories and poems of talented writers who craft magical spells that are both emotional and thought-provoking.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Farheen Bano Shaikh is a Muslimah author and pursuing Company Secretary by profession, who weaves captivating stories in her free time. By day, studying law and by night, a story teller. With passion for reading and writing novels, she brings a unique blend of analytical precision and creative style to her story writings. When she's not navigating the world of corporate governance, she's crafting the tales that can transport readers into new worlds and ignite their imagination in a beautiful way.
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WO EK MULAQAT
Dil tumhara hai hamesha tumhara hi rahega murshid...
Kon kehta hai ishq mujhe dobara hoga?
(Question)
you'll get the answer in end of the story.
The foggy atmosphere in New Delhi giving chills to the people living here. Most people are Indoor sipping their hot cup of tea spending their valuable time with families. Some are taking their beauty sleep while Some of them are on road jogging to be fit.
Whereas Shama is standing in front of a reputed hospital to meet her cousin who called her yesterday on an urgent note. But, here she has worked night shift and now she has been stuck in an important meeting. So Shama herself came here.
Just 2 days ago she came India after long 7 years of depriving this place, Reason is only her Mother's blackmailing otherwise she wasn't gonna come.
She gone inside the gates, indeed the hospital is huge with a park outside, 3 floor building behind it forest which is giving a beautiful scenery to the people coming here the fog is cherry on top. But as people in hospital are worried for the life of the person admitted here, they don't focus on the beauty of scenario. However, Some do.
Shama is passing through the park to go inside but her eyes caught certain someone who is forbidden for her to look but she has no control on her eyes they are gazing the most beautiful sight which blurred the sight of nature to her.
She's seeing him after 7 years of longing and yearning for just one look. Damn 7 years!!! She lost it whatever she hold till date...She can't remove her eyes.
He is same... just gain some weight. Handsome, Brown hairs, those hazel eyes in whom she could stare whole day, that smile which was only reserved for her, those hands which always ready to fight for her also little did she knew these hands whenever raised in front of ALLAH (SWT) always ask for her happiness from the day they both parted their ways.
Feeling certain someone strong gaze Shoaib abruptly look around and found her!!! Is he hallucinating...It can't be true. His vision blurred on others he is staring her with wide eyes without even blinking.
Shama in haze came towards him her heart is not coordinating with her mind. Her body is moving accord to her heart which isn't good for both of them.
When she reach to him her eyes shifted and she seen that he is holding beautiful and cute little girl in his arm also beside him standing a girl may be same of her age she is also wearing hijab like shama. She is indeed looking beautiful more than her. His wife and daughter!!!
Shama blink her eyes to stop tears which are itching to come out but she stopped them in back of her head. Cause now she understood what she has seen.
Reality Slap on her face!!!
“As’Salamu’Alaikum” She said meekly controlling the beating of her heart.
“Walaikum’Assalam” Sarah (Shoaib’s wife) said whereas Shoaib still in haze.
Sarah tap on his shoulders confused on his State, she is seeing both of them with lots of thoughts in her mind, her body is shuddering from the impact of all negative thoughts which anyone could see on her face.
Shoaib came out of his trance and looked at Sarah. He know he’s in a big trouble. In the mean time Sarah got a call by a nurse and she need to go in with her 1 years daughter for whose check-up they came here. She silently took her daughter from her husband and gave a look to both Shama and Shoaib, which is screaming that they both are answerable to her.
Both of their eyes followed her till she gone inside. Shoaib is the first one to tore his gaze and look at her whom he was finding from last 7 years but couldn’t found.
“Kaisi ho? Or kaha thi itne din? Ek Khabar to de sakti thi na? Pata bhi hai maine kaha..kaha nahi dhunda tha tumhe “ He asked in one breath.
(How are you? Where were you from so many days? Should have given a message atleast? Do You even know how many places I searched for you?)
“Kyu?” That’s all she asked. He eyed her in disbelief.
(Why?)
"Mujhe fiqr ho rahi thi tumhari..paaglo ki tarah talash kiya tha mene tumhe. Phirr Rumi ne batay ki tum out of country ho aur safe ho aur mujhe address batane se tumne mana Kiya hai usse. Kyu aisa?" He asked with disappointment.
(I was worried about you..I was looking for you like a fool. Then Rumi told me that you are out of the country and safe and why did you refuse her to tell me your address? Why is that?)
Shama remained silent.
"Kya mera itna haq bhi nahi hai shama ke me ye jaan Saku ke.." He asked in heavy voice.
(Shama, Don’t I have that much right to know about…)
She just shook her head in negative.
"Kis haq ki baat Kar rahe ho? Kya kuch baki bacha hai dekhne ke liye? Isn't it you who loose all rights, Mera jism aage badh gaya hai zindagi me Shoaib!! Par shayad meri Rooh wahi 7 Saal pehle khadi tumhara intezar Kar rahi hai..jaha tum akhri baar milne tak naa aay. Wo hath jisse tum pakad kar mujhe saari duniya se chhupa lene ka wada kiya karte the..koi gam na aane dete the mujh tak par tum ne to khud hi aisa zakhm de diye jo mere liye NAASUR ban gaya hai or tum mujh se haq maang rahe ho??" She whispered shouted him interrupting his words.
(What right are you talking about? Is there anything left to see? Isn’t it you who lose all rights, my body has move on in life Shoaib!! But my soul is still standing there, where 7 years ago I was waiting for you.. Where you did not even came to meet me for the last time. The promise of yours that you’ll hold my hand and hide me from the cruelty of whole world.. but you did not even took a step for me whereas you yourself have given me such a wound that has become a sore for me and here you are asking me for the right??)
Both of them are pouring tears one is silently and another with sobs and hiccups. She sat on nearby bench holding her head.
“Ishq kamzor dilo ka kaam nahi hai murshid..
Roohe kaanp uthti hai jab Mehboob juda hota hai”
“Agar mere bas me hota to tumhe gale laga Kar Charo Taraf ek aisi ishq ki dewaar Bana leta ke koi gam, dard taklif tum tak na pahochti, tumhare saare khwab haqeeqat me Badal deta ..par main majbur tha yaqeen Karo..”He said in helplessness falling on his knees in front of her whose eyes are close with tears falling down for the person who promised her that He won’t let a single tear come out of her eyes ever in future.
(If it were up to me, I would hve hug you and build a wall of love around you so that no sorrow, pain or suffering would even touch you and I would turn all your dreams into reality. But I was forced to do that, please believe me….)
Taaluq khatam karne ka ikhtiyar tha usse par wo bahane jo wo bana raha tha wo ajeeb the..
“Majbur!! Sahi kaha tumne tum majbur the.. “ She said looking into his eyes which made him weak just her words are enough to pierce his heart into 2 pieces.
(Forced!! Right you’re forced..)
She became Harsh!!! The situations made her like this.
“Meri yaad nahi aati tumhe??” He asked her in low voice by looking into ground.
(Don’t you miss me?)
He can’t even look into her eyes which are showing hatred for him. She mockingly laugh..but her heart broke into million pieces just from this one question.
“Main kaise batau tumhe ke aaj bhi tumhare hatho ke hassasiyat Main apne aitraf mehsus karti hu..tumhari har ek baat mere kano me gunjti hai. Tumhari ki hui Har ek taarif ko mene apne dil se baandh Kar rakhi hu, tumhara aqs meri aankho se ojhal hi nahi hota…Main toh tumhe bhuli hi nahi to yaad kaise karugi. Yaad to unhe Kiya jaata hai na jinhe aap bhuljaate ho.” She thought in her mind but didn’t voice out her thoughts she doesn’t want to weak around him cause she know if She become weak she won’t let him go again. She can’t be separate again.
(How should I tell you that even today I feel my surroundings in the sensations of your hands.. Every word of yours still echo to my ears. I have locked every praise of yours in my heart, your face is never got out of my sight… If I have not forgotten you, how will I miss you?? We don’t miss the person whom we haven’t yet forgotten.)
Kissi se Juda hona agar itna aasan hota to rooh ko lene farishte na aate.
~ AHMED FARAZ
“Nahi aati!! Tumhe aati hai waise aani to nahi chahiye. Apni biwi ko razi or khush rakho usse naraz na karna kabhi hamari kahani adhuri reh gayi to kya? jo kahani Shuru hui hai isse dil se nibhao mera kya hai main thik hu.” She said with lots of courage only she knows how much she is controlling herself.
(No!! I don’t miss you! You miss me?,you shouldn’t anyways. Keep your wife happy and content, don’t take her for granted. What if our story is ever left incomplete? Start with the story that has begun, and live it from your heart. What’s wrong with me? I’ll be fine.)
Her lips are trembling from the impact. Her heart is sinking with each words.
Shoaib nodded agreeing with her words but…
“Mujhe aati hai yaad tumhari bahot taklif hoti hai..Shama…mujhe mauf Kar do please.” He said joining his both hands.
(I miss you a lot, I am in so much pain, Shama…please forgive me.)
Eyes on ground eyes are flowing tears sitting on the ground on his knees he is looking helpless. He couldn’t sleep peacefully from last 7 years knowing his Shama is not well and he is the reason of her pain.
Shama is sitting on the bench seeing his helpless state she can’t express her feelings to him now both of them would break with her true feelings.
This separation will become more difficult than previous no she can’t do this..Yes she forgiven him that day only, when she met his friend Asif who told her that his parents had blackmailed him in this marriage and for the sake of them he left with no option. His mother was in hospital when his nikah took place.
The same day when they promised to meet but he didn’t show up and at evening she got news that he got married.
ACTION SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS!!
She got to know her place in his life without asking any explanation she gone UAE where she started her career, business which is now successful she has given her 100% efforts these 7 years were very difficult for her. Physically, mentally and her heart all were in pain but she came near her CREATOR!! HE was and HE is the only ONE who took care of her.
Indeed, Rab ka sath ho to Har mushkil se nikalna aasan hota hai!!
When she got to know about Shoaib's parents blackmailing and forced nikah, She somewhere felt relief that he didn't betrayed her voluntarily but he couldn't also keep his promise.
May be just may be if he had told his parents a little early they would have agree for their marriage.
She is disappointed by him.
But we can't change destiny which done is done now. Can we??
"Mauf Kar chuki hu main tumhe!!" He look up at her face which is not showing any emotions now she wiped her face with here abaya sleeves.
(I have forgiven you.)
A habit she never gonna change. He softly smile at her.
She look at him eyes puffy red with tears rolling down. His lips are showing beautiful smile which she is seeing after years which feels like decade to her!!!
She got up from her place Shoaib also abruptly stood scared might she will runaway.
"Jo hona tha wo ho gaya na galti tumhari thi na meri na us ki jo tumhari biwi hai ab... zindagi me aage badhna hi hoga ab! Meri dil se dua hai tum hamesha khush raho. Is Jahan me na sahi par maut ke baad uss Jahan me apne RAB se main sirf tumhara hi sath maangugi phirr waha koi hume alag nahi karega. Ab maut ka hi intezaar hai mujhe." She said with smiling lips and pouring eyes.
(What was meant to happen has happened, it was not your fault, nor mine, nor ours, nor whom, who is your wife now… We have to move forward in life now! I pray from the bottom of my heart that you will always be happy. No matter we didn’t get each other companionship in this life but after death, I will ask my Lord to our companionship and then no one will separate us there. Now I am waiting for death.)
He also agree with her by nodding his head up and down by same smile and eyes pouring all his feelings.
Maut ko youhi badnaam na kar Murshid...
Asal me taklif to zindagi deti hai..
"Ab mujhe chalna chahiye." She said with utmost difficulty her heart sank deep down, eyes closed, legs trembling with fears.
(Now I should leave.)
He listened to her and for a moment both felt that their rooh came out of their body but they has to face this reality!! They know ALLAH has better plans ahead for them they have strong belief on HIM.
Shama's cousin meeting long gone she is now going home it's too much for a day to her.
Both stare at each other for the last time. Look up at sky and said in unison in their heart, “we know you are the best planner, Give us patience to go through this phase. Indeed you have the knowledge which we don't have. You can see what we can't.." And loudly said ALHUMDULILLAH.
THEN, one last look
Zakhmi dil, behti aankhe or wo honto ki muskurahat…Haay, dil cheer jati hai.
Shama turn around Shoaib fall on the ground sobbing. Now, she can’t turn. Her heart cried listening his sob they have remained 5 years in friendship. Love between them was pure they never crossed their limits except holding hands.
But destiny played hard and separated their beautiful bond before even they can make it halal.
The day when they were going to plan their journey, everything devastated.
Now they are again met but after clearing all misunderstandings, they are separating on good note to be united in that world in which there won’t be any separation.
“Hamesha khush rehna…Shama meri dua hamesha tumhare sath hai…jab bhi zarurat ho ek baar aawaz lagana main aa jaauga. Mujhe mauf Kar dena warna meri ye be sukuni kabhi khatam nahi hogi ALLAH HAFIZ” Shoaib said sobbing very hard.
(Always be happy…Shama.. my prayer is always with you… Whenever you need me, just call me once and I will come for you. Forgive me please, otherwise my heart will never be at peace ALLAH HAFIZ)
“Maine tumhe mauf Kar di hu. Shoaib tum bhi khush rehnaa hameshaa…meri duaon me tum hamesha..rahoge. ALLAH HAFIZ.” She said without turning towards him. If she turned she won’t be able to go.
(I have forgiven you. Shoaib you also stay happy always…you’ll always be there in my prayers. ALLAH HAFIZ)
“Shama aakhri baar dekh lo…plsss aakhri baar” He cried.
(Shama, just please turn for once..plss see me once.)
“Nahi! Ab nahi, Fi Amanillah Shoaib.” She cried and runaway from the gates of hospital.
(No! Not now, Fi Amanillah)
He remained there putting his hands on ground he cried and cried all the pain of 7 years pour out...
The sound of thunderstorm echoes and soon the sky started pouring heavily!!
Indeed their love is true but they needed to go ahead in life with their life Partners choosen by their CREATOR! Because, this life is a test. We need to pass this test to get ease and happiness in that world for eternity.
Kinaara karne walo se Kinaara ho bhi sakta hai...
Ye majazi ishq hai murshid..
Dobara ho bhi sakta hai.
(Answer)
As'Salamu'Alaikum everyone!!! Thanks for reading my story.