The dining table was set beautifully with golden crockery, candles glowing softly, and a cake that read Happy Anniversary. Auntie Ayesha stood proudly beside it, adjusting the cutlery one last time.
Uncle Javed (looking around): "Ayesha, where are the girls?"
Ayesha (calling out loudly): "Zoya! Come, honey. Mom and Dad are waiting."
Footsteps approached.
Zoya: "I'm coming!"
She walked in with a warm smile and wrapped her arms around her parents in a loving hug.
Zoya: "Happy anniversary to both of you!"
Javed (kissing her forehead): "Thank you, my love. Where's Zara?"
The smile on Ayesha's face instantly faded. Her voice turned cold.
Ayesha: "Don't call that girl here. Have you forgotten how unlucky she is? Her parents died on her birthday. Every time we try to have a family moment, she ruins it."
Javed (sternly): "Mind your words, Ayesha. You should be ashamed of saying that!"
Ayesha (shrugging bitterly): "Should I?"
Zoya (angrily): "Mom, Dad! Why do you two always start fighting? We were having a wonderful evening, and now you've ruined it!"
Zoya pushed her chair back and walked away, frustrated.
From a quiet corner near the staircase, Zara had been silently watching the entire scene unfold—each word, each expression stabbing deeper than the last.
Zoya, storming out of the dining room, spotted Zara standing there—eyes wide, heart clearly broken.
Before she could say anything, Zara turned and ran. She rushed to her room and slammed the door shut behind her, locking it.
A heavy silence fell over the table.
Javed (bitterly): "Are you happy now? Go ahead—celebrate your 'special day' alone.
---
Zara locked herself in the room and fell to the ground. Her back against the door, her knees pulled to her chest.
Her mind slipped into the past—the moment that changed everything.
---
Flashback
Zara (cheerfully): "Mom, Dad! I want ice cream!"
Mom (smiling but concerned): "Zara, we should go back home. It's raining, and it'll be hard for your dad to drive."
Zara (pleading): "Mom, please… I want it, please…"
Dad (laughing): "Ah, not those baby eyes! Okay, I'll get it for you."
They laughed together as the car drove through the rainy street. Warm smiles. Sweet arguments. Joyful giggles.
Then—
HeadlightWhen Zara opened her eyes, the hospital lights burned her vision. She tried to sit up, confused.
Uncle Javed was standing beside her bed. His eyes red. He leaned down and kissed her forehead.
Javed (softly): "How are you, sweetheart ?"
Zara (groggy): "Where's Mom and Dad?"
Javed hesitated. His voice broke.
Javed: "Zara… they're in heaven now."
Zara (screaming): "No! No! That's not possible! They can't leave me alone! Mom! Dad! You can't do this to me!"
She cried helplessly, her body trembling.
Suddenly, Zoya came running into the hospital room and hugged her tightly.
Uncle Javed wrapped his arms around both girls.
Javed (choking up): "I'm sorry, sweetheart we could not do nothing.
---
Back to Present
Zoya stood outside the locked door, her heart heavy with guilt.
She raised her hand and knocked softly.
Zoya: "Zara… Zara, are you listening to me?"
Silence.
Zoya (voice low, but full of concern): "I know you're listening. If you want some alone time, I understand… but please, just say a word."
A pause.
Zoya (gently threatening): "Zara, please say something. Otherwise… I'll call Dad."
A few seconds later, the door creaked open. Zara stood there, her face pale but calm.
Zoya immediately hugged her tightly.
Zara (softly): "I'm okay. You should go to your bed."
---
Zoya (softly): "If you don't want to talk with us, it's okay. But… if you ever feel like talking to someone… you can talk to Al. Maybe he'll make you feel better."
Zoya gave a gentle smile and walked away.
Zara stood there in silence, watching the door close.
The moment Zoya left, the silence in the room became unbearable.
Her chest felt heavy. Her breathing got tight.
She sat on the floor, holding her head between her hands.
She didn't know what was happening. Her thoughts were spinning. Her heart ached. She didn't want to cry again. Not tonight.
"I just want someone… someone who understands me… someone who won't look at me like I'm broken…"
Without thinking, her trembling fingers reached for her phone.
She opened her messages.
And typed:
Zara → Chamo:
"Am I the reason my parents died?"
A few seconds passed.
Chamo → Zara:
"No, Zara. You are not the reason. You were a little girl who wanted ice cream — not a storm, not a curse. The accident wasn't your fault. It never was."
Tears welled up again. Her fingers moved across the screen slowly.
Zara → Chamo:
"Then why does everyone blame me? Auntie Ayesha said I bring bad luck… that I turn happiness into sadness."
She hit send, bracing herself.
Chamo → Zara:
"They're wrong. Bad luck and good luck are just words people use when they don't understand pain. What you have is something deeper — a soul that's been hurt but hasn't stopped feeling."
"You turn sadness into strength, Zara. You carry love, not destruction. You are not a shadow in this family — you're the quiet light no one notices, but everyone needs."
"You are not cursed. You are courageous."
Zara stared at the messages, the tearsZara stared at the screen, her fingers still resting on her phone.
For a moment, the room didn't feel so dark. The silence didn't feel so heavy.
It was like someone was sitting beside her. Quiet. Gentle. Understanding.
She didn't need to speak — yet somehow, she was heard.
She took a deep breath.
For the first time in a long time… it didn't hurt as much.
She curled up on her bed, her phone resting near her heart, and closed her eyes.
And for the first time in many nights…
She fell asleep feeling safe.
Morning secen from shah House :
Faisal Shah settled the table and made breakfast for his sons.
Zayan: Good morning, Dad! Wow — looks like you made breakfast for us.
Dad: Of course. Do you have doubt on my skills?
Zayan: No, Dad. Wail! Come eat — Dad made breakfast for us.
Wail: I'm not interested. You should eat.
Dad: Wail, that's so rude. I made this for you. By the way, today's Sunday. Where are you going?
Zayan: Wail, let's eat. Let's have a breakfast like a happy, sweet family.
Wail joined them.
Dad: You still didn't tell me — where are you going?
Wail: I'm just going for a walk.
Zayan: A walk? But you're dressed like you're going to a party. I mean… black pants, black hoodie — you look damn handsome.
Dad: Of course. My both sons are handsome — just like their father.
Zayan: Why didn't you get married again? I mean… after you got divorced?
Wail (in a lower voice): Who needs marriage when you have girlfriends?
Dad: Because I loved your mom so much. After that, I wasn't able to believe in love again.
Wail started laughing.
Wail: Nice one, Dad. I can't bear it anymore. I'm leaving. Zayan, you should enjoy your sweet family time with Dad.
He walked out, hoodie over his head.
Zayan just shook his head with a soft smile, while their dad stared at the empty chair Wail had left behind.
___
Wail went to the hospital — to visit someone very special.
He walked down the corridor and stopped in front of Room 209.
With a soft smile, he entered.
Wail: Hey buddy, how are you? Look what I brought for you — your favorite breakfast. Donuts and creamy puff cake. You really like it, don't you?
He set the table and made two plates — one for himself, one for his buddy, Ali.
As he sat down, a memory flashed through his mind.
--- Flashback ---
Ali: Wail, Wail! Wake up! Look, I already set the table for you — come on, man, wake up!
Wail: Hmm… why are you so noisy?
Ali: Ah, I'm noisy? I just set a table for you like a wife, and now you call me noisy?
Ali hit him with a pillow.
Wail (laughing): Ali, now you'll have to pay for this, wifey!
Ali: Oh, don't you dare call me that!
They both laughed and started a full-blown pillow fight.
--- Present ---
Wail took a bite of his food, but his eyes filled with tears. He couldn't hold it in. He gently held Ali's hand and started crying like a baby.
Wail: Please wake up, bhai. I miss you so much. Why are you doing this to me? To your friend… to your brother? You can't do this to me. Please come back. Please… I beg you…
A voice came from the door.
Sara: Wail… what are you doing here?
Wail quickly wiped his face.
Wail: I come here every day. To spend time with my buddy.
Sara: Hmm. The doctor told me that. Anyway… I'm glad. At least you fulfill your friendship. He's lucky… you're lucky, bro. Because you're the only person truly loved by Wail Shah.
Wail: Look, Sara, don't create a scene. We're in a hospital.
Sara (bitter): Wow, so I'm the one who creates scenes now? What about you? You made my whole life a drama!
Wail (coldly): That's enough. Don't act like a fool in front of me. You already know this was all part of our revenge. I'm not the one who committed to you — so stop blaming me.
Sara (hurt): Yeah… I forgot. I'm not talking to a human. I'm talking to a robot. A robot who doesn't have feelings.
Wail turned to Ali — his eyes locked on his hand.
Wail: Sara… look! Ali's finger is moving!
Sara: What?
Wail: Stay with him. I'm calling the doctor!
He rushed into the corridor, yelling.
Wail: Doctor! Doctor! Someone, please call the doctor!
---
Scene: Shah House – Zayan's Room
Zayan was folding his clothes, stacking books on the shelf. Auntie Fatima was dusting beside him.
Zayan (curiously): "Auntie… by the way, who used to live in this room before me?"
Auntie Fatima (pauses): "Wail."
Zayan (blinks in shock): "Seriously? Wail? Mr. I-don't-share-anything Wail gave me his room?"
Auntie Fatima (smiles faintly): "Actually… this room was originally designed by your mom — for you and Wail. When Wail misses you or feels down… this is where he comes."
Zayan stopped cleaning, slowly sat on the bed, and looked around the room with new eyes.
Zayan (softly): "Auntie… please. Tell me everything. I want to know the truth. I deserve to know."
Auntie Fatima sat beside him.
Auntie Fatima: "When your parents got divorced… your mother chose to take you. Wail stayed with your dad. He cried a lot that day, Zayan. Not just because he lost his mom… but because he lost you. His twin. His other half."
"He was only five. He couldn't understand. He used to cry in the middle of the night. Your dad… he didn't know how to deal with him. One night, he locked him in a dark room for hours."
Zayan's heart sank.
Auntie Fatima (voice heavy): "After that, your dad sent him to a hostel. That place broke Wail. He started Faisal (firmly): "Fatima bibi, leave. I need to talk to my son."
Auntie Fatima quietly stood and left.
Zayan turned to face his father — his eyes burning with anger.
Zayan: "How dare you. I always thought only Mom suffered because of you… but now I know — you destroyed my brother too."
Faisal (stern): "Zayan. Don't forget I'm your father. And don't act like your past is so clean either."
Zayan froze. His breath caught in his chest.
Zayan (whispers): "What… do you mean?"
Faisal looked at him — cold and calm.
The room felt heavy.
And in that silence… the past wasn't done with Zayan either.
> Zayan's breath caught.
He had buried that memory deep — but his father Faisal (firmly): "Fatima bibi, leave. I need to talk to my son."
Auntie Fatima quietly stood and left.
Zayan turned to face his father — his eyes burning with anger.
Zayan: "How dare you. I always thought only Mom suffered because of you… but now I know — you destroyed my brother too."
Faisal (stern): "Zayan. Don't forget I'm your father. And don't act like your past is so clean either."
Zayan froze. His breath caught in his chest.
Zayan (whispers): "What… do you mean?"
Faisal looked at him — cold and calm.
The room felt heavy.
And in that silence… the past wasn't done with Zayan either.
> Zayan's breath caught.
He had buried that memory deep — but his father just dug it back up.