Silent Quill Stories

  Haal Kya Hai Dilon Ka — Chapter 9 This story is a work of fiction. All characters and events are fictional. Falling Without Wanting 2 AM The house breathed in the deep, slow rhythm of sleep. Ceiling fans whirred behind closed doors. Somewhere, a tap dripped. The corridor stretched empty under the dim glow of a single nightlight. Haniya crept through it like a shadow. Bare feet silent on the cool tile, she reached the door to Sami and Aarib's room and pressed it open just wide enough to slip through. The hinges barely whispered. Inside, two beds. Two sleeping figures. Sami lay sprawled on his back, one arm flung over his face, already lost to the world. Aarib was curled slightly toward the wall, breaths even, features slack in a way they never were during the day. Haniya stood over him, hands on her hips. How dare he. How dare he sleep so peacefully after making promises he hadn't kept. She crouched beside his bed and shook his shoulder. "Aarib bhai. Aarib bhai....

  Haal Kya Hai Dilon Ka — Chapter 8 This story is a work of fiction. All characters and events are fictional. Dinner unfolded in an unusual hush. The clink of spoons against plates, the soft scrape of chairs over the floor, the faint scent of matar chawal and sharp red chutney in the air—everything felt louder because no one was speaking. Haniya pushed a pea around her plate, glancing up once, then quickly down again. Even Ammi seemed subdued. Sami stepped into the dining area and paused just inside the doorway, taking in the scene with visible suspicion. "Kya hogaya sab ko? Badi khamoshi se dinner chal raha hai aaj toh." (What's happened to everyone? Dinner's happening in such silence today.) He pulled out a chair and sat beside Aarib, nudging him lightly with his elbow. "Kya hua phir se? Ladkiyon ne ched diya tumhe?" (What happened again? Did the girls tease you?) Haniya straightened at that, irritation sparking instantly. "Nahi, aaj toh Aarib ...

  Oxygen to My Heart — Bonus Chapter: Accidental Romance (Part 3) This story is a work of fiction. All characters and events are fictional. Morning After The house had fallen into a deep, contented silence after Fajr prayers. Now, past noon, the only soul stirring was Naeema, flipping parathas in the kitchen with practiced ease, the soft sizzle of oil the only sound breaking the quiet. Maria appeared in the doorway, freshly washed and slightly sleep-rumpled, drawn by the sounds and smells. "Assalamu Alaikum, Aunty." Naeema's face lit up like sunrise. She crossed the kitchen in three quick steps and cupped Maria's face in her hands, pressing a kiss to her cheek. "Walaikum Assalam, meri beti." (Walaikum Assalam, my daughter.) Maria giggled at the unabashed affection. Naeema stepped back, hands still framing Maria's face, drinking in the sight of her. "Kitna acha lagega jab meri beti mere ghar aa jayegi." Her eyes went dreamy, already pa...

  Oxygen to My Heart — Bonus Chapter: Accidental Romance (Part 2) This story is a work of fiction. All characters and events are fictional. Dinner Diaries The door clicked shut behind Adeel uncle and Faiqa aunty, and the house exhaled. Naeema, Mahir, and Maria made their way back to the living room, Mahir and Maria already locked in some low-grade argument that had clearly been simmering since the driveway. Maria flopped onto the couch with a sulky expression, arms crossed. Aaryan looked between them, amused. "Kis baat pe behas chal rahi hai?" (What's the argument about?) Maria mumbled something unintelligible, still pouting. Mahir rolled his eyes, dropping onto the other end of the sofa. "Main keh raha tha baad mein raat ko jake le aaonga toothbrush aur kapde. Ye behas kar rahi hai ke abhi jaon—kyunke isko apna charger chahiye." (I was saying I'll go later at night to get your toothbrush and clothes. She's arguing that I should go now—because sh...