God's will

 Shama was my aunt's daughter. Unfortunately, her parents passed away in a train accident when she was just four years old. My younger aunt was well-off and had only one son. She took Shama into her care, and Shama grew up in Aunt Amina's house alongside her son, Muneeb. When my uncle passed away, he left behind a house and some shops, whose rental income sustained Aunt Amina.

She also had some savings in the bank that generated interest. Aunt Amina spared no effort in the upbringing and education of both children. When Muneeb turned sixteen, Aunt Amina married him to Shama. Many advised her to wait, suggesting that Shama was only fourteen and they could wait two more years until she was sixteen. But Aunt Amina had her own reasoning. She believed that if the marriage took place, Muneeb would be bound to Shama, ensuring that she wouldn't be left alone. She couldn't bear the thought of parting with Shama, whom she had raised as her own daughter, emphasizing the uncertainty of life.

Aunt Amina's logic was unyielding. Muneeb and Shama had grown up together like siblings and were suddenly tied in marriage, a concept they couldn't fully grasp yet. Despite being persuaded, Aunt Amina went ahead with the marriage. Shama and Muneeb continued to go to school together, but Muneeb showed little interest in the marriage, still seeing Shama as his sister due to his upbringing. Their new neighbor, Kiran, joined Shama's class in eighth grade, adding a new dynamic to their lives. 

One day, Kiran's mother visited Aunt Amina and requested that Kiran accompany Shama to school, as she was afraid to go alone. Aunt Amina agreed, and from that day on, the three of them went to school together. Muneeb's attention gradually shifted towards Kiran, who became an integral part of their conversations. Shama noticed Muneeb's growing interest in Kiran but didn't mind, as she valued her friendship with Kiran. Unbeknownst to Shama, Muneeb and Kiran developed a deeper bond, even spending time alone together in parks.

After completing their matriculation, Muneeb joined a boys' college while the girls enrolled in a girls' college. Their routine remained the same, with Muneeb dropping the girls off at their college before heading to his own. Shama eventually enrolled in a nursing program due to her interest in the medical field, opting to become a nurse when she couldn't qualify for medical school. Aunt Amina supported her decision, believing that any skill was valuable.

Aunt Amina eagerly awaited the day when Muneeb secured a good job so that she could formalize Shama's wedding. After two years of persistent effort, Muneeb finally landed a job at a bank. Aunt Amina then pressed him to proceed with the wedding, but Muneeb hesitated, asking for more time to save money. Two more years passed, during which Shama completed her nursing training and began working at a local hospital. Aunt Amina insisted on holding the wedding, expressing her desire to see Shama as her daughter-in-law before her health deteriorated further.

Under immense pressure, Muneeb revealed that he had already married Kiran. He confessed that he had always seen Shama as a sister and couldn't accept their marriage. Aunt Amina was devastated by this revelation. She loved Shama dearly and couldn't imagine parting with her. She had always envisioned Shama as the one to care for her in her old age. Mother and son frequently argued, with Muneeb steadfastly refusing to abandon Kiran, while Aunt Amina was determined to see Shama as her daughter-in-law.

Eventually, Muneeb showed his mother the marriage certificate, proving his marriage to Kiran. This only intensified Aunt Amina's resolve, leading her to demand a divorce from Kiran. Realizing that his mother would never accept Kiran, Muneeb decided to speak directly to Shama. One day, while she was working in the kitchen, he approached her under the pretext of getting tea and explained his predicament.

"Shama, Mother married you to me during our childhood. You know this, but at that time, you certainly didn't understand the significance of that marriage. We didn't comprehend such matters. We grew up in the same house as siblings and were always told that we were brother and sister. Now, Mother insists on completing the wedding rituals to make you her daughter-in-law, but I believe that you still love me selflessly and purely as a sister. 

After listening to this lengthy preamble, Shama responded, 'Say what you want to say clearly.'

'The clear truth, Shama, is that I love Kiran. We've come too far in our journey of love to turn back now; otherwise, Kiran's life would be ruined. I have married Kiran, with the consent of her parents. She has even become the mother of my child. Unfortunately, I have kept this truth hidden from Mother. Without a doubt, you also loved me selflessly, but from the daily quarrels between Mother and me, you must have realized that I have rejected her decision. I have come to terms with the fact that forcing someone to stay in a relationship is like choosing a life in hell. Now that the truth is out, I am completely disillusioned with marriage.'

'Don't worry,' Shama said, feeling a deep sense of sorrow. 'I will resolve this issue with Aunt myself.' Obviously, any girl would feel disturbed if the person she has known since childhood and expected to marry changes. But she also hated the daily conflicts. She told Aunt, 'If Muneeb doesn't agree, don't force this marriage on me, or I will leave the house.'

'Where will you go?' Aunt asked. 'Tell me, which home can you go to?'

'I will ask the hospital officer for a quarter,' Shama replied. 'I'll explain that I have no home and nowhere to stay. I am hopeful they will approve my request. If not, there's always the hospital's nursing hostel.'

The next day, she spoke to the doctor and explained her situation. He immediately forwarded her request, and fifteen days later, she received the good news that she would soon be allocated a quarter. When she informed Aunt of this, she said, 'Because of me, there are constant arguments between you and your son. I am moving back to the hostel. I can't live in the middle of this conflict. You can stay with me if you want. If Muneeb doesn't agree to my terms, I will not stay here either. I will come to live with you.'

Aunt decisively announced, 'I will stay where you stay, daughter. I won't leave you alone. I have no ties left with that disobedient son.' As she left, she didn't say goodbye to her son. Instead, she said, 'You disobedient child, until you divorce that lowly girl, I will not return to this house.'

Shama thought it was good that Aunt was coming with her, as it would have been difficult for her to live alone in the quarter. The hospital quarters were allotted to families. Shama and Aunt started living together in the quarter. Shama found peace, but Aunt did not. She was still restless, now not because of grievances with her son but because she missed him. She became ill and gradually deteriorated, constantly longing for her son. Eventually, she became bedridden. When Shama saw Aunt's condition worsening, she called Muneeb at his office and explained, 'Don't neglect your mother because Aunt loves you very much.'

'I didn't tell her to leave,' Muneeb replied. 'She left on her own. Whether marrying Kiran was a mistake or not, what can I do now? We have a child together, and she's expecting another one. Shama, please find a solution to this problem. Convince Mother to stop being so stubborn.'

Okay, Muneeb, but what about our marriage? What are your thoughts on that? Will you keep me tied in this relationship forever?'

'No, no, I will do whatever you say. If you want a divorce, you can have it. I won't be upset. But how can I divorce you now? Mother is already stubborn. If I take such a step, she will pass away.'

'She is already on the verge of passing away, Muneeb. God forbid, but her condition is dire. Don't leave her at this time. Come and see her.'

Shama gave him the quarter number. The next day, Muneeb came to visit, but Aunt turned her face away and covered it with a cloth. Seeing this, tears flowed from Muneeb's eyes as he repeatedly begged for forgiveness, but Aunt remained unmoved. After he left, Aunt cried profusely. Shama fabricated a story, saying, 'Don't cry, Aunt. The issue you are fighting over isn't even real. I never wanted to marry Muneeb. I always saw him as a brother because I have no siblings. You can find any other relation, but not a brother. I told him to marry Kiran because I only needed a brother in him.'

Upon hearing this, Aunt became even more upset and stopped talking altogether.

Two weeks later, one night while Aunt was sleeping, Shama returned from her duty at midnight to find Aunt struggling to breathe. Quickly, she dripped a few drops of water into her mouth and called out, "Aunt, Mother, what happened? Please tell me," but Aunt could not respond. The angel of death was already at her bedside. Within moments, her soul departed from her body.

Shama immediately called Muneeb, who was at the hospital because his wife was about to give birth to their second child. Leaving Kiran at the maternity home, he rushed over. They had to take Aunt's body home, so they arranged an ambulance to bring her there. The next morning, they prepared for her burial. Kiran's mother stayed with her during this time.

After returning from the burial, they received news that Kiran had given birth to a baby girl but was still unconscious due to the anesthesia. The baby was delivered safely by surgery, but Kiran slipped into a coma and, a month later, passed away. Muneeb was devastated, torn by the grief of losing both his wife and mother and the worry of caring for his two small, motherless daughters. He had never appeared so despondent and helpless before.

Finally, my mother, who had come from Lahore for Aunt's funeral, persuaded Shama and Muneeb to complete their marriage formalities. She urged them to provide a nurturing environment for the two little girls. Muneeb was willing but too ashamed to bring it up with Shama. However, my mother managed to convince Shama. The wedding ceremony was held at our house, and thus, Shama became a bride and moved into her new home, as it was destined by God's will.