They were all filled with regret—but why were their eyes brimming with tears?
Zoran's gaze locked onto Hakim. Without a word, he stepped forward and struck him hard across the face, sending his jaw sharply to the side.
"This is your fault," Zoran said, his voice shaking with pain and fury. "You're the reason this happened, Hakim!"
Azlan quickly held Zoran back.
Hakim stared at him, stunned. "What did I do wrong?" he asked, his voice trembling.
They were still arguing when Nawaf, tears streaming down his face, interrupted, "What are we going to tell Sultan Sahib now?"
Everyone turned to look at him. Nawaf's shoulders shook as he sobbed. "She trusted us… she believed in us… that we would never let her fall into the hands of unknown enemies…"
He broke down completely, burying his face in his hands.
Just then, the doctor entered. Her expression was grim. "The patient's condition is extremely critical. I don't think she'll survive. There's severe trauma to the head, her shoulder is fractured, and there are bruises and deep wounds all over her body."
A cold silence fell over the room. Faces turned pale.
"Doctor…?" Hakim asked, his voice barely audible. "Is there anything else…?"
No one understood what he truly meant—except the doctor. She took a step closer and said gently, "There are no signs of sexual assault, if that's what you're asking. But… she may not make it. I'm sorry."
With that, she turned and walked away.
The weight of Hakim's question hung in the air.
Shahram broke the silence. "That's the real question, Hakim. I know Sultan… she'll survive the pain. She'll endure the wounds. But even the faintest stain on her dignity—she wouldn't live with it. She'd rather die."
Azlan spoke up, "I'm calling Yusuf."
"No—don't tell him," someone protested.
"But we have to!" Azlan snapped. "Didn't you hear what the doctor just said?"
They began arguing again.
Zoran sat numbly on a bench nearby, his eyes blank. Shahram stood silently outside the ward. Hakim approached the doctor once more.
"Please… let me see her," he begged.
She shook her head firmly. "She's not stable. I can't allow it."
Then she left, leaving Hakim standing there, helpless.
That day, Hakim had never felt so powerless.
He remembered every word he had spoken to Mehr—and now he felt her pain. Her silence. Her regrets.
But what was the use now?
She was teetering on the edge of death.
Azlan had already called Yusuf.
Yusuf arrived in tears. He wept for Mehr, his voice breaking as he shouted, "Zoran! She was fine when I left! How did this happen?!"
He sobbed, then turned to Nawaf. Grabbing him by the collar, he shouted, "You were with her! She was your responsibility!"
Nawaf stood still, his head lowered in shame. He had no words.
All of them wept—for Mehr.
Her shoulder was still aching, but what affected her more was the scene unfolding before her.
"What's wrong with all of you? Why are you crying?" Mehr asked softly.
Maaf, through his tears, whispered:
"Forgive me, Mehr… it was my fault. I should've taken care of you."
Mehr gave him a faint smile.
"It's alright, Maaf."
She then looked at Zoraan, Shahraam, and Azlaan.
"And why are you three crying? I didn't expect this from you guys."
Zoraan wiped his tears while Aslaan spoke:
"It was our mistake. We should've been with you that day."
Mehr gently replied,
"Nothing happened, I'm fine, see? But… it hurts that I couldn't fulfill Hakim's wish. He wanted to eat biryani made in my name. That wish… remained distant."
She looked at all of them and asked curiously:
"Where is Hakim?"
At the mention of his name, all of them fell silent. Mehr's heart sank, and the smile faded from her face.
"Did something happen to Hakim?"
Even as she asked, tears welled up in her eyes.
Yusuf quickly interjected,
"No, no, nothing like that, my dear. He's fine."
Mehr wiped her tears.
"Then?"
"He's just busy with work, my child. There's a lot to handle at the Sultana company," Yusuf replied with a smile.
Mehr smiled faintly,
"Then say it like that! I was getting so worried."
They sat with her for a while before Yusuf stood up.
"Alright dear, you should rest now. We'll be just outside."
Mehr nodded in agreement.
Once they stepped outside, Zoraan asked:
"Why did you lie to her?"
Nawaf replied,
"What else could I have said? That my friend never came back? That he didn't even ask how she was? What could I say?"
His words silenced everyone.
---
It was night. Mehr was asleep in her hospital room. She had told everyone to go home and rest. It was 1:30 AM — the moonlight softly illuminated the room.
The door creaked open, and someone quietly entered. He stood beside her, gazing at her face. Taking a deep breath, he put his hand over his heart.
It was Hakim.
He had come to see her in the quiet of night. As he looked at her, he whispered thanks in his heart. But suddenly, Mehr spoke:
"Hakim? Is this any time to come into someone's room?"
Startled, he froze. His heartbeat quickened. He walked toward her and gently took her hand.
"Are you alright, Mehr Sultan?"
There was something different about Hakim that night — his voice was soft, yet intense.
Mehr smiled.
"I'm perfectly fine. But what's wrong with you, Hakim?"
Hakim sat in the chair beside her bed, still holding her hand.
"I was… scared, Mehr. Scared something might happen to you."
A wrinkle formed on Mehr's forehead.
"If something had happened, you would've finally been free of this foolish girl, right?"
Her words pierced through him.
"Don't say that. I'm ashamed of every word I've ever said to you."
Mehr smiled again. Hakim's gaze shifted to the IV in her hand.
Mehr covered her mouth as she giggled,
"I was joking, Hakim. Nothing happened. Everything's fine.
"Mehr, please forgive me… my words hurt you deeply. I never meant to say such things..."
For the first time, Hakim's voice held softness, remorse, and sincerity — something Mehr had longed to hear. She looked at him intently.
"It's alright, Hakim. Look, I'm fine,"
Mehr replied gently, then smiled faintly.
"But I'm still disappointed that your wish to make biryani for me remained unfulfilled."
Hakim chuckled lightly,
"To hell with that biryani! Now I'll cook biryani in your name and share it with the world!"
They both smiled at each other for a moment, as if everything was fine — just for that fleeting second. Hakim softly said:
"Alright then, you should rest now. I'll take my leave."
He had just reached the door when Mehr's voice called out:
"Hakim!"
He turned around, surprised.
"Yes? Do you need something?"
Mehr looked at him with a soft smile,
"No… just, thank you, Hakim."