Chapter 13: A Promise That Will Never Break

Poornima slowly wiped her tears.

She looked at Haji Kareem with eyes full of love and gratitude.

Poornima: "Abbu..."

He smiled gently.

Haji Kareem: "Yes, beta?"

Poornima held both of his hands tightly.

Poornima: "I believe you."

Haji's eyes became moist.

Poornima: "If you believe this is my happiness... then I trust your decision."

A gentle smile appeared on Haji's face.

Haji Kareem: "Thank you, beta."

He affectionately stroked her head.

Haji Kareem: "Now go and get some sleep. You've had a long day."

Poornima didn't move.

Instead, she looked at him with childlike innocence.

Poornima: "Abbu..."

Haji Kareem: "Hmm?"

Her voice trembled.

Poornima: "After my marriage..."

She paused, unable to continue.

Haji gently encouraged her.

Haji Kareem: "Speak, beta."

Tears rolled down her cheeks again.

Poornima: "Please don't cut our relationship."

The room fell silent.

Poornima: "Promise me... I'll always remain your daughter."

Haji immediately held her face in his hands.

Haji Kareem: "Who filled your heart with such fear?"

Poornima lowered her eyes.

Poornima: "Many people say that after a daughter gets married, her relationship with her parents changes."

Haji smiled warmly.

Haji Kareem: "Then listen to me carefully."

He kissed her forehead.

Haji Kareem: "The day you entered this house, you came as my daughter-in-law."

He smiled proudly.

Haji Kareem: "Years ago, you stopped being my daughter-in-law."

Poornima looked at him in surprise.

Haji Kareem: "You became my daughter."

His voice was filled with love.

Haji Kareem: "Marriage will change your address, beta... not our relationship."

Poornima cried harder.

Haji Kareem: "This house will always be your home."

He continued,

Haji Kareem: "Whenever you miss me, come here."

Haji Kareem: "Whenever you're happy, come and share it with me."

Haji Kareem: "Whenever you're sad, come and cry on my shoulder."

He smiled through his tears.

Haji Kareem: "No one—not even your husband—can stop you from meeting your Abbu."

Poornima hugged him tightly.

Poornima: "Promise?"

Haji wrapped his arms around her.

Haji Kareem: "I promise."

He gently placed his hand on her head.

Haji Kareem: "As long as I breathe, you will always have an Abbu waiting for you."

Ayat and Aarhan smiled through their tears and hugged both of them.

Watching the scene from a distance, even Shabana Begum lowered her eyes.

For the first time in years, she saw not a daughter-in-law and father-in-law...

She saw a father and his daughter, bound not by blood, but by unconditional love.