A Wound Deeper Than Blood

Without caring for the blood seeping from his wound, Zaron kept driving along the routes Noor guided him through, steeling himself for what was to come.
“Stop here, Zaar—look, that’s my house!” Noor, excited to see her home again, pointed outside when she saw him lost in thought behind the wheel. Coming to his senses, Zaron hit the brakes.
“Noor, listen to me…” he called out as he saw her opening the door to step out.
“Yes? What is it?” She paused and turned back toward him.
“Please take care of yourself, and tell your family everything honestly. I’ll be right here—if anything goes wrong, just call me,” Zaron said, the worry in his heart showing through despite her bright smile.
“No, you go! Your family must be worried too. I’ll handle it—I’ll tell them everything myself. My Baba is very kind. When he finds out how those horrible men tried to scare me, just watch how he’ll deal with them,” Noor replied determinedly. She stepped out, rang the bell by the gate, and Zaron parked the car at the side and got out too.
“Zaar, I told you—go home. I’ll tell them myself,” Noor reassured him again when she saw him walking toward her.
“No, I’ll tell your family everything myself and leave only when I know you’re safe with them,” Zaron said firmly as the gate opened.
“Aunty! When did you get here?” Noor chirped as she hugged the woman who stood there, stunned.
“Where’s Mama? I know she must be so worried!” Noor stepped away and called inside for Naila Begum.
“My Noor, my child…” Hearing her voice, Naila Begum and Raza came rushing out of a room, arms wide open to hug her—but froze when they saw Mr. Zaheer standing between them.
“Baba…” Noor ran to him, burying her face in his chest as tears fell freely.
“Baba, those men were horrible. They killed the driver uncle and shot Zaar too. They tried to take me away but Zaar saved me. He took me to the jungle. I was so scared—I missed you and Mama so much. I knew you’d be worried but…” Her voice faltered as she lifted her head and wiped her nose with her dupatta.
“But Zaar fainted because he’d been shot and I didn’t know what to do. I prayed to Allah and then an uncle helped us and took us to his home…” Noor glanced at everyone’s silent faces, then stepped away from Mr. Zaheer to go to her mother. Naila Begum was torn between relief and fear at her husband’s cold expression.
“Mama, please don’t cry—I’m home now, and I’m safe,” Noor said, wiping her mother’s tears as she pulled her into a hug. But Naila Begum couldn’t hold back her sobs.
“Mama, please don’t cry or I’ll cry too,” Noor whispered, trying to hold back her own tears. She reached for Raza’s hand and pulled him close—he looked terrified.
“Baba, please don’t…” Noor gasped as Mr. Zaheer pulled out a gun from his pocket. Raza dropped Noor’s hand and grabbed his father, but Mr. Zaheer shoved him aside onto a sofa and turned the gun toward Noor.
“After disgracing my honor and spending the night with a strange man, did you really think I’d forgive you? I’m not one of those shameless fathers who hide their daughter’s sins!” Mr. Zaheer hissed through clenched teeth. He fired, but Zaron arrived just in time, deflecting his aim—the bullet hit the ceiling instead.

“Uncle, please—listen to me! How is it justice to punish your daughter without even understanding what happened?” Zaron, ignoring his bleeding wound, grabbed the gun from Mr. Zaheer’s hand with all his strength.
“And who are you to lecture me? How dare you interfere in my family’s matters?” Mr. Zaheer roared, grabbing Zaron by the collar and shaking him violently.
“Please, just hear me out calmly—I’m Zaron, the one who was with Noor,” Zaron said, trying to steady himself. His words made Mr. Zaheer even more furious.
“How dare you set foot in my house?” Mr. Zaheer’s eyes blazed with rage as he tightened his grip around Zaron’s neck.
“Baba, stop! What are you doing?” Raza and Adil (who had just arrived) rushed forward and freed Zaron from Mr. Zaheer’s hold.
“I’ll kill them both—standing here shamelessly spinning lies after disgracing my honor! Noor, why didn’t you die before doing this? Did my upbringing fail so terribly that you’d do something like this?” Mr. Zaheer’s mind, poisoned by rumors, was blind to right and wrong.
“B-Baba…I-I’m telling the truth…” Noor’s voice choked in her throat at his words.
“Uncle, please—if you just listen calmly, all your doubts will be cleared,” Zaron tried again, stepping closer.
“I don’t want to hear anything!” Mr. Zaheer raised his hand, stopping him.
“Noor is innocent! She returned as pure as she left—at least trust your own upbringing if you can’t trust her. Your daughter could never bring you shame,” Zaron pleaded despite Mr. Zaheer’s cold refusal.
“Pure? Daughters are like glass—fragile. Their honor is more delicate than glass. If a girl comes home late, people talk—she spent the whole night out with a man…” Mr. Zaheer’s voice dripped with contempt, each word hammering Noor’s heart.
“I told you—your daughter is innocent! Everything was planned against her. If I hadn’t saved her, who knows what would have happened? And yes, I understand your pain. When a daughter goes missing, a parent’s mind fills with fears. But that doesn’t mean you deny her even a chance to explain herself—does your honor demand you punish her for something she didn’t do? Please, uncle, I’ll swear any oath you want—just don’t punish Noor without hearing the truth. Come with me—I’ll show you the driver’s body and the people who helped us,” Zaron argued, ignoring the blood soaking his bandage.
“I don’t care! I never want to see her face again—nor yours. Take her and get out!” Mr. Zaheer declared, casting a harsh look at Noor, who stood frozen in disbelief.
“Baba, I did nothing wrong—kill me if you want, but I won’t leave my home!” Noor cried, blocking his way.
“My heart wants to bury you alive, but killing your own child isn’t easy. So for God’s sake, leave—if you care for us even a little, never come back,” he said coldly, gripping her face harshly and shoving her away. Noor’s courage shattered.
“Fine—if that’s your decision, then please marry me to him in front of you. At least your conscience will be at peace knowing your daughter left in a pure bond. And maybe one day, when your pride and ego lift, you’ll see the truth: daughters aren’t so untrustworthy that a single mistake—or suspicion—deserves exile from her family and home,” Zaron said, stopping Mr. Zaheer as he turned away.
“Marriage? Wow. You two spent the whole night together without it!” Nabeela Begum mocked, fanning Mr. Zaheer’s rage.
“Aunty, that’s enough—you should be ashamed to say such vile things. If you can’t stand with us, at least don’t rub salt in our wounds!” Raza snapped, no longer able to hold back his anger.
“No need to talk back—your sister’s ‘great deeds’ have already brought enough shame. Now you’re adding to it with your insolence!” Nabeela Begum sneered.
“Enough, sister. One more word and I’ll forget you’re older than me,” Naila Begum interrupted firmly. She grabbed Nabeela Begum’s arm and dragged her out.
“From today, there’s nothing between us. You’re dead to me and I’m dead to you—don’t ever try to come back here,” Naila Begum said, hands folded, her patience finally breaking. As Adil closed the door behind her, Mr. Zaheer turned to Zaron and coldly said he’d allow the nikah within the hour before locking himself in his room.


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