RAYEES AHMAD KUMAR
In the quaint town of Qazigund, where traditions often dictated the course of life, Zubair found himself at a crossroads, torn between duty and desire. His heart belonged to Sadia, his high school sweetheart, whose beauty was matched only by her grace. She was the cherished daughter of affluent parents, raised in a cocoon of love and ambition. Her father, a respected company secretary, and her mother, a devoted school teacher, had spared no expense in nurturing her dreams.
Sadia’s aspirations led her across oceans to Europe, where destiny orchestrated a serendipitous reunion with Zubair in the bustling university café. As they rekindled their friendship, their bond blossomed into an unbreakable vow to unite their futures.
Yet, Zubair’s family had other plans, envisioning a union with Salma, the virtuous and kind-hearted daughter of a modest family. Salma, though lacking Sadia’s outward allure, possessed a soul as pure as the winter’s first snowfall.
Upon his triumphant return, armed with academic accolades and a coveted managerial position, Zubair crafted a life of luxury. But the walls of his grand abode and the comfort of his sleek car could not contain the yearning of his heart.
Despite his steadfast resolve to marry Sadia, the relentless persuasion of his kin swayed his course, binding him to Salma in a marriage woven from childhood promises rather than love.
The initial months were a silent storm of unspoken words and unmet needs. Zubair, trapped in a life he hadn’t chosen, sought solace in the company of friends, leaving Salma to dwell in the shadows of his indifference.
Fate, however, had its own design. A cruel twist of metal and asphalt left Zubair broken and bedridden. In his darkest hour, it was Salma who emerged as his unwavering beacon of hope. She became his strength, his caretaker, forsaking her own world to rebuild his.
Through the long, arduous days of recovery, Salma’s unyielding devotion ignited a transformation within Zubair. As he emerged from the cocoon of his convalescence, he saw the woman before him with new eyes. Gratitude and love blossomed where obligation once stood, and he vowed to honor Salma as his true partner.
Together, they found harmony in shared moments, simple pleasures, and the quiet gratitude whispered in prayer. Zubair’s heart, once divided, now beat solely for Salma, the woman who had proven that the truest beauty lies in the strength of one’s spirit.
And so, beneath the watchful gaze of the heavens, Zubair and Salma’s love story unfolded, a testament to the enduring power of loyalty and the unexpected paths of destiny.
(RAYEES AHMAD KUMAR
Writer is a columnist hailing from Qazigund Kashmir.)
