In the Depth of the Heart - Chapter 35: Chapter 35
You are reading In the Depth of the Heart, Chapter 35: Chapter 35. Read more chapters of In the Depth of the Heart.
Zuhra’s House – Result Day
Today was the day the exam results would be released — but Zuhra couldn’t find peace. She paced back and forth in her room, consumed by fear. Her father, Brigadier Imran, stayed in his room but seemed to be monitoring her every move — which only deepened her anxiety.
Before she could gather her thoughts, her phone rang. Rushna’s name lit up the screen.
> “Zuhra, the results are out! Have you checked?” Rushna asked, laughing.
Zuhra answered with a faint voice:
> “I don’t have the courage, Rushna. I just know I failed. Baba is at home… I think he’s waiting to see the results himself. I just… can’t.”
Rushna responded:
> “Fine! I’ll check for you. Just wait.”
Zuhra ended the call in silence.
Moments later, Rushna called back. This time, Zuhra answered.
Rushna screamed:
> “You passed! Go check WhatsApp — I’ve sent you a screenshot!”
With mixed relief and disbelief, Zuhra quickly opened WhatsApp.
The result appeared on her screen. It wasn’t perfect, but it wasn’t bad either. She felt lighter, almost happy — at least she hadn’t failed.
Still caught in that mix of relief and nervousness, she ran into the parlour where her mother and younger siblings, Amir and Ruhan, were eating.
> “Mama! I passed! I passed my exams!” she yelled and hugged her mother tightly.
Just then, Brigadier Imran stepped out of his room.
> “What’s going on?” he asked sternly. “Bring me your phone. Show me.”
Zuhra hesitantly handed over the phone. He examined the result silently.
Though a small flicker of relief passed through him, his face remained stiff and unimpressed.
> “This is what you’re shouting about? Barely a pass?”
Zuhra’s heart sank, but she knew she had to face reality. There would be no praise, not today.
Munir’s House – Hyderabad
In the Himayat Nagar neighborhood — one of Hyderabad’s more cultured and modern areas — Munir’s family home stood surrounded by a serene garden. The air was peaceful, and the house was always filled with warmth and calm.
That morning, Kamal woke up from a long sleep. He was still recovering from the trauma inflicted by Usman and John. Munir’s parents — lovingly called Daddy and Mommy — had been taking care of him as if he were their own.
They all sat together for breakfast at the dining table. Mommy brought over his medicine with kindness in her voice:
> “Kamal, please keep taking your medicine. You’ll feel much better soon. Don’t worry — we’re here for you.”
Kamal accepted the medicine quietly, his eyes thoughtful.
Just then, Munir came out of his room, full of excitement.
> “Daddy, I passed the exam!” he shouted with joy.
Daddy and Mommy instantly turned to him, beaming. They hugged him tightly and praised him.
> “Alhamdulillah, Munir! You did so well,” Mommy said proudly.
“You’ve made us proud, my son,” Daddy added.
Kamal sat silently, watching this pure moment of joy and love — and something inside him ached.
In his heart, he wished Munir’s father were his. Someone who could understand him. Someone who showed care. His own biological father had never shown that — he had disowned him years ago. His mother had died when he was still young.
Kamal tried not to show the pain, but the ache remained. Still, in this house, under this roof, with Munir’s family… he felt something he’d never known before — warmth.
Mommy noticed the look in Kamal’s eyes. She walked closer, gently touching his hand.
> “Don’t worry, Kamal. We’ll help you recover fully — not just your body, but your dreams too.”
Daddy turned to him with deep sympathy.
> “We’re always with you, Kamal. Don’t lose hope.”
Kamal smiled faintly, as a little strength returned to his soul.
Today was the day the exam results would be released — but Zuhra couldn’t find peace. She paced back and forth in her room, consumed by fear. Her father, Brigadier Imran, stayed in his room but seemed to be monitoring her every move — which only deepened her anxiety.
Before she could gather her thoughts, her phone rang. Rushna’s name lit up the screen.
> “Zuhra, the results are out! Have you checked?” Rushna asked, laughing.
Zuhra answered with a faint voice:
> “I don’t have the courage, Rushna. I just know I failed. Baba is at home… I think he’s waiting to see the results himself. I just… can’t.”
Rushna responded:
> “Fine! I’ll check for you. Just wait.”
Zuhra ended the call in silence.
Moments later, Rushna called back. This time, Zuhra answered.
Rushna screamed:
> “You passed! Go check WhatsApp — I’ve sent you a screenshot!”
With mixed relief and disbelief, Zuhra quickly opened WhatsApp.
The result appeared on her screen. It wasn’t perfect, but it wasn’t bad either. She felt lighter, almost happy — at least she hadn’t failed.
Still caught in that mix of relief and nervousness, she ran into the parlour where her mother and younger siblings, Amir and Ruhan, were eating.
> “Mama! I passed! I passed my exams!” she yelled and hugged her mother tightly.
Just then, Brigadier Imran stepped out of his room.
> “What’s going on?” he asked sternly. “Bring me your phone. Show me.”
Zuhra hesitantly handed over the phone. He examined the result silently.
Though a small flicker of relief passed through him, his face remained stiff and unimpressed.
> “This is what you’re shouting about? Barely a pass?”
Zuhra’s heart sank, but she knew she had to face reality. There would be no praise, not today.
Munir’s House – Hyderabad
In the Himayat Nagar neighborhood — one of Hyderabad’s more cultured and modern areas — Munir’s family home stood surrounded by a serene garden. The air was peaceful, and the house was always filled with warmth and calm.
That morning, Kamal woke up from a long sleep. He was still recovering from the trauma inflicted by Usman and John. Munir’s parents — lovingly called Daddy and Mommy — had been taking care of him as if he were their own.
They all sat together for breakfast at the dining table. Mommy brought over his medicine with kindness in her voice:
> “Kamal, please keep taking your medicine. You’ll feel much better soon. Don’t worry — we’re here for you.”
Kamal accepted the medicine quietly, his eyes thoughtful.
Just then, Munir came out of his room, full of excitement.
> “Daddy, I passed the exam!” he shouted with joy.
Daddy and Mommy instantly turned to him, beaming. They hugged him tightly and praised him.
> “Alhamdulillah, Munir! You did so well,” Mommy said proudly.
“You’ve made us proud, my son,” Daddy added.
Kamal sat silently, watching this pure moment of joy and love — and something inside him ached.
In his heart, he wished Munir’s father were his. Someone who could understand him. Someone who showed care. His own biological father had never shown that — he had disowned him years ago. His mother had died when he was still young.
Kamal tried not to show the pain, but the ache remained. Still, in this house, under this roof, with Munir’s family… he felt something he’d never known before — warmth.
Mommy noticed the look in Kamal’s eyes. She walked closer, gently touching his hand.
> “Don’t worry, Kamal. We’ll help you recover fully — not just your body, but your dreams too.”
Daddy turned to him with deep sympathy.
> “We’re always with you, Kamal. Don’t lose hope.”
Kamal smiled faintly, as a little strength returned to his soul.
End of In the Depth of the Heart Chapter 35. Continue reading Chapter 36 or return to In the Depth of the Heart book page.