In the Depth of the Heart - Chapter 48: Chapter 48
You are reading In the Depth of the Heart, Chapter 48: Chapter 48. Read more chapters of In the Depth of the Heart.
Evening – Munir’s House
Munir rushed into the living room, a document and a key in his hand. The key belonged to Gera Coursine — a high-end restaurant built years ago by Kamal’s father, Rauf Gera. Today, Rauf had handed everything over to Munir: papers, capital, and full launch authority. All the documents bore Munir’s name — as if he were the rightful owner. But Munir knew the truth: Rauf didn’t trust Kamal to inherit anything, and this was just another subtle punishment wrapped in generosity.
Full of excitement, Munir met his parents in the living room just as his father was about to leave.
> Munir (holding the documents):
“Dad! Look what I got today! Uncle Rauf called me… and handed me this!”
His father took the papers, reading them carefully. On one hand, he felt proud of Munir’s achievement. On the other, a shadow of sadness passed his face — he couldn’t ignore Kamal’s place in this story.
> Daddy:
“That’s good. He’s generous, no doubt.
But remember — even if Rauf is running from the truth, Kamal is still his son.
He alone has the birthright to that legacy.
Even if today it doesn’t look that way… someday, it will.”
He paused, staring deeply at Munir.
> Daddy:
“I know you, Munir. Stay honest. Never let it seem like you love Kamal’s father’s wealth more than you love Kamal himself.
Make sure he’s included in everything — especially the launch.
If you do that, he will never forget you. He will trust you for life.”
Munir’s excitement dimmed. He clutched the keys and paper, and quietly walked toward his room.
His father turned back to Mommy and said:
> Daddy (frustrated):
“That man, Rauf Gera? He just keeps complicating everything.
Always claiming to be ‘fixing Kamal’.
I’ll speak to him again — though I feel like I say the same thing every time.”
And with that, he stepped out.
> “I’ll be back soon,” he said.
Zuhra’s House – 6:00 PM
Zuhra was in her room getting dressed for her night shift at the hospital. But her mind was elsewhere — at the SoulMic event happening at Hyderabad University. She was torn: her father’s words, Dr. Ragav’s warnings, and her own passion for poetry and expression all pulled her in different directions.
She finished dressing and came out to the living room where her mother sat with Amir and Ruhan watching TV. John and Usman stood at the door, waiting.
> Zuhra (quietly):
“Mommy, I’m leaving now.”
> Mommy (smiling):
“May Allah protect you, my dear. Come back safely.”
> Amir and Ruhan (shouting):
“Dr. Zuhra, bring us chocolates!”
She smiled faintly and stepped out, followed by John and Usman.
SoulMic Event – Hyderabad University
The hall was packed. Energy buzzed through the crowd. Lights flashed across eager faces.
At one corner, Kamal sat silently, a storm building within him.
Would Zuhra show up?
He couldn’t tell. But even if she didn’t, he had made up his mind.
He would say everything.
The MC stepped up and called out loudly:
> “KAMAL…!”
Hospital – Night Shift
Rohi and Rohit were lounging in the common room, chatting. Both were medical students doing clinical rotations, like Zuhra.
Zuhra walked out of a patient’s room just in time to hear Rohi shout:
> Rohi:
“Give me the remote! I want to watch the SoulMic event!”
Zuhra froze in the doorway. The name SoulMic struck her heart like thunder. She stood there, paralyzed. Rohit handed the remote to Rohi, who switched the channel.
The MC appeared on screen — calling Kamal to the stage.
> Rohi:
“Oh, Kamal again! Rohit, do you remember him? That Open Mic night… his poetry was fire! His girlfriend ghosted him though — poor guy.”
Zuhra focused her full attention on the TV. Her heart beat louder than the screen.
On Stage – Kamal
Kamal stood before the crowd. He took a long breath before speaking. Then he lifted his head:
> Kamal:
“I’ve lost the path that translates the voice of my heart.
I’ve written you into my fingers until my soul got tired.
I’ve called you in every unspoken word.
I’ve leaned on hope — or perhaps illusion —
Yet still… there’s no reply.”
He paused — then continued with a gentle finality:
> “I’ve realized…
There’s nothing quite like an answer that never comes.
If I call you again and you stay silent — I’ll understand.
If I beg to hear your echo and you refuse — I’ll let go.
If my voice reaches you, and your head doesn’t turn —
Then I’ll embrace silence as a way of honoring the end.
And I will leave… not because I don’t love you,
But because I believe in a kind of love that says:
‘Sometimes, silence is the purest form of love.’”
Each word Kamal uttered resonated in Zuhra’s chest — as if she were hearing her own heart speak back to her.
Her eyes brimmed with tears
Munir rushed into the living room, a document and a key in his hand. The key belonged to Gera Coursine — a high-end restaurant built years ago by Kamal’s father, Rauf Gera. Today, Rauf had handed everything over to Munir: papers, capital, and full launch authority. All the documents bore Munir’s name — as if he were the rightful owner. But Munir knew the truth: Rauf didn’t trust Kamal to inherit anything, and this was just another subtle punishment wrapped in generosity.
Full of excitement, Munir met his parents in the living room just as his father was about to leave.
> Munir (holding the documents):
“Dad! Look what I got today! Uncle Rauf called me… and handed me this!”
His father took the papers, reading them carefully. On one hand, he felt proud of Munir’s achievement. On the other, a shadow of sadness passed his face — he couldn’t ignore Kamal’s place in this story.
> Daddy:
“That’s good. He’s generous, no doubt.
But remember — even if Rauf is running from the truth, Kamal is still his son.
He alone has the birthright to that legacy.
Even if today it doesn’t look that way… someday, it will.”
He paused, staring deeply at Munir.
> Daddy:
“I know you, Munir. Stay honest. Never let it seem like you love Kamal’s father’s wealth more than you love Kamal himself.
Make sure he’s included in everything — especially the launch.
If you do that, he will never forget you. He will trust you for life.”
Munir’s excitement dimmed. He clutched the keys and paper, and quietly walked toward his room.
His father turned back to Mommy and said:
> Daddy (frustrated):
“That man, Rauf Gera? He just keeps complicating everything.
Always claiming to be ‘fixing Kamal’.
I’ll speak to him again — though I feel like I say the same thing every time.”
And with that, he stepped out.
> “I’ll be back soon,” he said.
Zuhra’s House – 6:00 PM
Zuhra was in her room getting dressed for her night shift at the hospital. But her mind was elsewhere — at the SoulMic event happening at Hyderabad University. She was torn: her father’s words, Dr. Ragav’s warnings, and her own passion for poetry and expression all pulled her in different directions.
She finished dressing and came out to the living room where her mother sat with Amir and Ruhan watching TV. John and Usman stood at the door, waiting.
> Zuhra (quietly):
“Mommy, I’m leaving now.”
> Mommy (smiling):
“May Allah protect you, my dear. Come back safely.”
> Amir and Ruhan (shouting):
“Dr. Zuhra, bring us chocolates!”
She smiled faintly and stepped out, followed by John and Usman.
SoulMic Event – Hyderabad University
The hall was packed. Energy buzzed through the crowd. Lights flashed across eager faces.
At one corner, Kamal sat silently, a storm building within him.
Would Zuhra show up?
He couldn’t tell. But even if she didn’t, he had made up his mind.
He would say everything.
The MC stepped up and called out loudly:
> “KAMAL…!”
Hospital – Night Shift
Rohi and Rohit were lounging in the common room, chatting. Both were medical students doing clinical rotations, like Zuhra.
Zuhra walked out of a patient’s room just in time to hear Rohi shout:
> Rohi:
“Give me the remote! I want to watch the SoulMic event!”
Zuhra froze in the doorway. The name SoulMic struck her heart like thunder. She stood there, paralyzed. Rohit handed the remote to Rohi, who switched the channel.
The MC appeared on screen — calling Kamal to the stage.
> Rohi:
“Oh, Kamal again! Rohit, do you remember him? That Open Mic night… his poetry was fire! His girlfriend ghosted him though — poor guy.”
Zuhra focused her full attention on the TV. Her heart beat louder than the screen.
On Stage – Kamal
Kamal stood before the crowd. He took a long breath before speaking. Then he lifted his head:
> Kamal:
“I’ve lost the path that translates the voice of my heart.
I’ve written you into my fingers until my soul got tired.
I’ve called you in every unspoken word.
I’ve leaned on hope — or perhaps illusion —
Yet still… there’s no reply.”
He paused — then continued with a gentle finality:
> “I’ve realized…
There’s nothing quite like an answer that never comes.
If I call you again and you stay silent — I’ll understand.
If I beg to hear your echo and you refuse — I’ll let go.
If my voice reaches you, and your head doesn’t turn —
Then I’ll embrace silence as a way of honoring the end.
And I will leave… not because I don’t love you,
But because I believe in a kind of love that says:
‘Sometimes, silence is the purest form of love.’”
Each word Kamal uttered resonated in Zuhra’s chest — as if she were hearing her own heart speak back to her.
Her eyes brimmed with tears
End of In the Depth of the Heart Chapter 48. Continue reading Chapter 49 or return to In the Depth of the Heart book page.