Their Last Season

The pages of the diary bore witness to her hiccups and sobs as her tears spilled onto them.

She pressed her palm against her lips, trying to suppress the sobs.

She heard a knock on her door.

Composing herself, she gave permission.

Sumaiya entered, carrying a tray with tea for her.

"Ammi, you didn't have your tea today," she stated while keeping the tray on the table.

Nayyara nodded.

Sumaiya handed her the cup.

But her eyes roamed over Nayyara's face.

She noticed the faint tear marks, her eyes glazed with tears, and the corners of her eyes were red.

She fathomed that Nayyara had been crying.

But she chose not to say anything.

She was about to leave the room when her eyes found the old vintage diary.

Again.

She had an intuition that Nayyara was writing in it.

---

Sumaiya was sitting in the staff room with her colleague, Anaya.

It was lunch break.

She heard Anaya gasp.

She looked up at her.

"What happened?" she inquired.

"You won't believe it, Sumaiya. A brother merely killed his sister because she wanted to marry a guy of her choice," Anaya exclaimed.

Sumaiya remained composed.

"There is nothing unbelievable here, Anaya. Some people think they own their children, or that their honour is more precious than them. They commit heinous crimes like this," Sumaiya stated.

"But still, Sumaiya, in this day and age, it's unbelievable. We are in 2026," Anaya said in disbelief.

"It doesn't matter, Anaya. In every era, we had evils, we have evils, and we will have evils."

Just then, the lunch break ended.

Sumaiya entered the classroom.

"Today," she said, writing on the board, "we'll discuss women's education and financial independence because today is Women's Day."

The students nodded.

She started teaching. Her shoulders were relaxed.

Her lips were curled into a smile.

Her forehead didn't have a single line of tension.

This was the place where her heart resided.

She was passionate about teaching, and it always showed on her face.

After the lesson, a girl raised her hand.

"Ma'am, why do we have to be independent? Can't we just depend on our husbands?"

Sumaiya smiled.

"Bachcha, girls should definitely earn-not for people, but for themselves-because financial independence gives confidence. There is nothing wrong with relying on our partners, but sometimes our partners may not be able to fulfil our wishes. At that time, you should have enough money to fulfil your own wishes. And when you have potential, use it, nurture it, and ace it," she replied.

"Happy Women's Day," she wished the class.

---

Sumaiya was at home.

After having lunch with Nayyara, she was in her room preparing the examination paper.

She heard her phone ringing.

She glanced at the screen.

It read:

Amina Aunty is calling.

Her lips curled into a smile.

She answered the call.

"Assalamualaikum, Aunty."

"Wa Alaikum Assalam, Choti Bahu," she heard Amina Aunty reply.

She scrunched her nose.

"Aunty, how many times do I have to tell you not to call me that?"

She heard Aunty laugh.

"I got the money from Sabiha Bahu," Aunty informed her.

"Why have you sent me money, Choti Bahu? You have already done so much for me," Aunty asked.

"Aunty, aren't I your daughter? Can't a daughter take care of her mother? I know Uncle is not well, and your son..." she paused, "...has run away from home. It would be difficult. Please accept it," she said.

Before Amina Aunty could argue, Sumaiya added, "It's a token of love, Aunty."

There was silence on the other side.

"May Allah bless you, Sumaiya."

She smiled.

Then, not knowing what came over her, she asked, "Why did your son run away, Aunty?"

She was met with silence.

She bit her lip, fearing she might have crossed the line.

"Sumaiya, when you can't face what you have done, you run," Aunty said, her tone clipped.

"But Aunty, whatever he has done, can't you forgive him and help him face it?" Sumaiya asked.

"Some actions can't be forgiven, Beta."

She paused before continuing,

"Everyone has to face what they have done. How long will he keep running? One day, he will have to stand before the Almighty and face it. Your fate can't be squandered."

Sumaiya was speechless.

She was silent.

"Okay, Beta. I have some work," Aunty said politely.

"Ji," Sumaiya answered.

---

Sumaiya was getting ready.

Hamza entered the room. They had planned to go for a family dinner today.

"What are your intentions, Mrs. Khan?" she heard Hamza say while standing very close to her.

Sumaiya looked at him, raising an eyebrow, as if asking, What?

He shook his head.

"If you look this glamorous, how will my heart maintain its rhythm?"

Putting his hand on his chest, he acted as if he were about to faint.

Sumaiya looked at him with a done expression.

"If you are done with your flirting session, Mr. Khan, then get ready," she said, pushing him towards the bathroom.

"This is an insult to my sentiments," he said while going inside.

Not before pecking her forehead.

Leaving her all red.

She glared at him.

They were at the restaurant.

When Hamza turned towards Nayyara, asking her to order, Nayyara looked at him as if he had said something out of this world.

"Ammi, order. I am starving," Sumaiya exclaimed.

Hamza nodded.

"What will I order, Beta? Order whatever you both like," Nayyara said warmly.

Hamza shook his head.

"Ammi, order your choice." He stressed the words your choice.

When was the last time someone asked for my choice? Nayyara thought.

She nodded and placed her order.

Hamza and Sumaiya shared a glance.

As if saying,

The first step is done.

" Sumaiya was about to sleep when she received a message from Rahila.

She opened it.

"Guess what? I am in Fatehpur, your in-laws' area, and I've been here for the past twenty-five days for a case. And here I met an infuriatingly charming guy, Danish. And guess what? I want to kill him, but I think I like him."

Sumaiya looked at the message with wide eyes.

Then her mind joined the dots.

Fatehpur.

Her in-laws' area.

Danish.

Is he Mahira's Danish?

If he was, then Rahila Siddique was in a mess.

A mess that couldn't be cleared so easily.

Her heart pounded.