Chapter 11: Haji Kareem's Decision

That evening, after returning home, Haji Kareem Qureshi asked everyone to gather in the living room.

Poornima had just returned from school and was helping Ayat and Aarhan with their homework.

Poornima: "Abbu, did you call us?"

Haji nodded.

Haji Kareem: "Yes, beta. Everyone, please sit down."

Shabana Begum, Poornima, Ayat, Aarhan, and the other family members took their seats.

The atmosphere was unusually quiet.

Haji looked at Poornima with affection before speaking.

Haji Kareem: "Poornima..."

She looked at him.

Poornima: "Ji, Abbu."

Haji took a deep breath.

Haji Kareem: "In one week... your marriage will take place."

The room fell silent.

Poornima stared at him in disbelief.

Poornima: "Abbu...?"

Before she could say anything else, Haji raised his hand gently.

Haji Kareem: "Enough, beta."

His voice was calm but firm.

Haji Kareem: "You have lived with guilt for six years, even though you did nothing wrong."

Poornima's eyes filled with tears.

Poornima: "But Abbu..."

At once, Shabana Begum stood up.

Shabana Begum: "What are you saying? Remarriage?"

She looked at Haji in shock.

Shabana Begum: "Who will marry her? And what if this man also leaves her?"

Her words became harsher.

Shabana Begum: "She couldn't keep our son Shamir happy."

Before she could continue, Haji's voice echoed through the room.

Haji Kareem: "Enough!"

Everyone fell silent.

It was rare for Haji Kareem to raise his voice.

He looked directly at his wife.

Haji Kareem: "Not another word against Poornima."

Shabana lowered her gaze.

Haji continued firmly.

Haji Kareem: "Our son made his own choices. Stop blaming this girl for his mistakes."

He turned back to Poornima.

Haji Kareem: "I have already told the boy's family everything."

Poornima looked at him with tears streaming down her face.

Poornima: "Everything...?"

Haji Kareem: "Everything."

He counted slowly.

Haji Kareem: "That you are divorced."

Haji Kareem: "That your husband abandoned you while you were pregnant."

Haji Kareem: "That you have two children."

Haji Kareem: "That Ayat and Aarhan are your first priority."

He smiled gently.

Haji Kareem: "Nothing has been hidden."

Poornima whispered,

Poornima: "And... they still agreed?"

Haji Kareem: "Yes."

He looked at her with fatherly affection.

Haji Kareem: "I believe you will be happy, Poornima."

She wiped her tears.

Poornima: "Abbu... why?"

Haji walked closer and placed his hand on her head.

Haji Kareem: "Because every daughter deserves a home where she is respected."

His voice softened.

Haji Kareem: "I am growing old, beta."

He smiled sadly.

Haji Kareem: "Today I can stand beside you. Tomorrow... only Allah knows."

Poornima held his hand tightly.

Haji Kareem: "I don't want you to spend your entire life paying for someone else's mistakes."

He looked at Ayat and Aarhan, who were quietly watching.

Haji Kareem: "And I don't want these children to grow up believing that they were never worthy of a father's love."

Poornima broke down in tears.

Poornima: "Abbu..."

Haji gently wiped her tears.

Haji Kareem: "I'm not asking you to forget the past. I'm asking you to give the future a chance."

The room remained silent as Poornima stood torn between the painful memories she carried and the hope her father-in-law was trying to place before her.