Divorce - An end or a new beginning

"Shahwaiz, sir, and Hoorain, madam, both of you think again." The person wearing a black coat addresses the young man and woman sitting in front of him, saying, "If you sign today, both of you will be divorced, and your relationship will end forever."

Upon hearing the words of that person, Shahwaiz and Hoorain look at each other. They had never imagined that the conclusion of their love would be like this. However, despite hearing the suggestion to think again, without further contemplation, Hoorain speaks.

"Mr. Rana we have considered and understood before making this decision, which is why we are here today. The state of our relationship, even if reconsidered one, two, or three times, will not change the decision."

Turning to Shahwaiz, the lawyer addresses him, "What about you, Shahwaiz sir? Do you share the same thoughts?"

"Mr. Rana, Hoorain has always been the one making decisions, and she's making this decision too, so perhaps it's the right thing. You can bring out the divorce papers, and we both can sign them, freeing ourselves from this forced bond," Shahwaiz says, staring at the water jug placed on the table in front of him.

Following this, Rana, the lawyer, takes out the divorce papers and hands them to Shahwaiz to sign. However, Shahwaiz lifts the papers, holding a pen, and places them in front of Hoorain, as if wanting to convey that she is the one initiating this divorce, not him.

There were two or three papers, and without even looking at them, Hoorain hurriedly signs them. It seemed as if Hoorain was in a rush to get the divorce. Shahwaiz gazes at her with empty eyes, and after a few moments, the papers come back to him. When he looks at the papers and sees Hoorain's signature, a pain grips his heart. In his ears, he hears Hoorain's words from the time when their love was at its peak.

"Shahwaiz, my soul may leave my body, but your love cannot leave my heart. The day we have to part will be my last day."

Those words were so beautiful. Today, Hoorain had soul in her body, but love had already left her heart, and the day they were parting was not the end for her life; instead, she was thinking of it as a new beginning.

As Shahwaiz begins to sign the papers, even before his pen touches the paper, a few tears fall onto it. He wipes his eyes with his sleeve, quickly signs all the pages, and hands them to the lawyer. Hoorain observes every move Shahwaiz makes, thinking.

"Is all of this just a drama? This crying and appearing sad? If our relationship breaking apart affects him so much, then why did he let it come to this? Why did he doubt me again? Why didn't he try to improve his situation? Is this the real Shahwaiz, or is it the insecure and careless Shahwaiz, who didn't care to make his life better? The one I've been in a relationship with for four years and married for one year."

"Your divorce is finalized. I hope that both of you lead happy lives ahead, and there are no regrets in your future," the lawyer says, handing each of them a paper.

Picking up the papers, Hoorain stands up and glances at Shahwaiz, who is sitting with his head bowed. It seems as if everything he had was lost today. Hoorain leaves the restaurant, followed by the lawyer and Shahwaiz. As they step outside, Shahwaiz takes out a packet of cigarettes from his pocket, lights one, and exhales a long puff of smoke, as if trying to release the wounds in his heart through the smoke.

"Shahwaiz, were you right back then when you defied your father's wishes and married this girl, setting the property on fire, or are you right today when you are giving her a divorce?" the lawyer asks.

"Mr. Rana, I was right both back then and today because I am making decisions about my life myself, not dancing to my father's tunes," Shahwaiz says, taking another drag from his cigarette. "Tell my father that he shouldn't be too happy. Even after the divorce, I'm not going back home; my connection with that house ended a long time ago."

After saying this, Shahwaiz gets on his bike, starts it, and rides away. Rana, the lawyer, was also Shahwaiz's father's attorney. After Shahwaiz leaves, Rana takes out his phone and makes a call.

"Mr. Shah, I don't think Shahwaiz has any intention of returning home. The divorce is done, but as he left, he told me to inform his father that he won't be coming back home," Rana says as the call connects.

"Tell that boy to understand, this is just another test of my patience. What I have done so far means nothing. Don't force me to make things more difficult for him," Mr. Shah's stern voice comes from the other end.

"Mr. Shah, I will meet Shahwaiz again in the evening and try to explain to him once more. Please don't worry," Rana replies.