Ek_Rasm_e_Mohabbat

 Munha had gone towards her section of the dera (camp) after leaving the baithak (meeting room) to fetch some papers for Jahangir Sahib. Her mood was utterly ruined when her gaze unintentionally fell on Isfahan, who was standing with Haji Sahib, because it was none other than Isfahan due to whom Jahangir Sahib had changed his decision to bring her along to the dera. And only Munha knew how she had persuaded him to reverse that decision. This matter had added yet another reason to Munha's hatred for Isfahan Alamgir. Munha had no idea yet that after taking this step against her traditions, she would have to face numerous internal and external rebellions, the beginning of which was about to happen very soon. When she returned with the papers, the atmosphere in the baithak was extremely tense. All the sarpanches (village elders) were present there at that moment, and the topic under discussion was Munha Jahangir's decision to come to the dera with her father, on which Alamgir Rathore and Chaudhry Rahmat were silent, but Maulana and Malik Sarwar—two sarpanches—were strongly opposed. They absolutely did not approve of a woman's interference in the affairs of the dera and the village. Just a few moments after Munha entered and sat beside her father, Isfahan also arrived in the baithak, greeted everyone with handshakes, sat to one side, and casually began observing the proceedings while also scrolling on his phone.

"Has something happened?" Sensing the heavy atmosphere, Munha asked. Before Jahangir Sahib could say anything, Malik Sarwar cleared his throat and began speaking.

"Jahangir Sahib! Tell your daughter what decision has been made here." Upon hearing Malik Sarwar's words, Munha looked at her father with questioning eyes. Isfahan, who was sitting in front and focused on his phone, straightened up. He suddenly became interested in the matter. The excitement he had been waiting for was about to begin. But he did not know that much of what was going to happen there would be contrary to his—and everyone's—expectations.

"What decision, Baba?" Munha had already guessed, but she still wanted to hear it from her father's mouth, whom she had convinced that very morning and extracted a promise from. Jahangir Sahib had become tongue-tied. On one side was his daughter's stubbornness and the promise he had given her; on the other were the objections of the village elders, and to top it off, Isfahan Alamgir sitting right in front, whose emerging expression he had already read. It was a reflection of his own, so how could he not understand his intentions?

"I have decided that you will not come to the dera with Jahangir Sahib in the future." Malik Sarwar issued the order in a stern tone, and the expressions on Munha's face, hidden behind her veil, soured. However, even Isfahan, sitting in front, noted the furrowing of her brows.

"I respect all of you greatly, but tell me, who are you to decide whether I should support my father or leave him unsupported?" Everyone was startled by Munha's sharp-toned question and looked towards Chaudhry Sarwar, whose face turned red in moments. No one had expected such a tone from Munha. But she was not one to tolerate unjust words or baseless objections.

"You all know very well that my father's health is not good. In such a situation, the burden of work and village affairs could worsen his condition, and as his only child, I cannot tolerate leaving him alone here. This is both my right and my duty, so you cannot take away my right as a daughter. And I don't need anyone's instructions to fulfill my duty." Munha had left them no room for objection. Isfahan, sitting in front, was stunned by this girl's audacity. What he had thought and what was happening. He was familiar with the mindset of people in his area, but unfamiliar with Munha Jahangir's nature.

"Until today, no girl in our area has joined the panchayat (village council). It happened once, but it won't happen again." This time, it was Haji Sahib who spoke.

"I have no desire to join the panchayat, and I have already said this in very clear words. Not only the panchayat, but our business and land matters are also settled here, and I have come only to support my father in all these. You cannot object to that." Munha had once again silenced everyone present. Clear admiration appeared in Isfahan's eyes.

"You can settle your business matters while staying within the four walls of your home. It is not appropriate for a woman like you to sit and interact with men like this." Upon Chaudhry Sarwar's words, Munha remained silent for a few moments. This statement brought a vague smile to Isfahan's face. He truly wanted to know what Munha would reply now, but Munha gave that smile a completely different meaning and cast a piercing glance at Isfahan, who was now looking at her with deep eyes.

"If my memory serves me correctly, about a month ago, these very sarpanches passed a decision on an inheritance matter, Haji Sahib! According to which, not only was a daughter given her share in the inheritance, but by removing the family's unjust restrictions, she was also allowed to support her disabled father and work outside. That decision was made in the light of Islamic and Sharia law according to the circumstances, and it was you who signed it, who has presumably studied Islamic law. So why is the law being changed now? Do you all want another panchayat to be convened, and this time the panchayat will be against these very sarpanches of the panchayat? If that's your wish, I have no objection. It's good—the people of the area will also know that the principles you apply to settle others' matters, you do not apply to yourselves." Upon Munha's words, Haji Sahib and Malik Sarwar writhed in discomfort. Isfahan looked at this girl with admiring eyes, who was calmly silencing all these big names there. What he had thought, and what Munha Jahangir turned out to be. The one he considered a century-old stubborn girl was very wise and quick-witted. She had appeared before him twice so far, and both times she had surprised him.

"Fine, your business matters are settled in that part of the dera which is your father's property. Village matters are decided in the baithak, and your presence here is beyond our understanding. It would be better if you limit yourself to that part." Malik Sarwar was not one to accept defeat in front of this girl.

"I will limit myself only to my father. Wherever he needs me, I will be with him because I don't trust anyone in my father's matters. Anyway, now you all attend to your village matters; I came here just to give Baba these papers." Munha said this, emphasizing "village matters," and without casting another glance at Isfahan, she left the baithak. However, she had noticed Alamgir Rathore's silence, who had spoken in her favor last time but today remained silent and watched everything. On the other hand, Alamgir Sahib's silence was due to Isfahan. He did not want Munha to give any reply upon his speaking that would fan the burning embers in his son. He was already worried about her sudden arrival here.

...

Who all have finished reading this novel? 🤔🙌

#Ek_Rasm_e_Mohabbat  

Urdu Novel World Channel