Chapter 3 TALES BY MOONLIGHT

As Anarkali walked through the door of her family's small hut, she was greeted by the warm smile of her mother, Shazia. "Welcome back, dear," Shazia said, giving Anarkali a hug. "How was your day with Najma?"

Anarkali's eyes sparkled with excitement as she sat down on the couch beside her mother. "It was wonderful, Mother," she said. "We had such a great time together. But the best part of my day was when we ran into Imam Hassan at the market."

Junaid, Anarkali's father, looked up from the book he was reading. "Oh, really?" he said. "What did Imam Hassan have to say?"

Anarkali took a deep breath, launching into a detailed account of her conversation with the Imam. "We asked him about marriage and love," she said. "And he told us that the secret to a happy marriage is love and respect. He said that you must love and respect each other, not just as husband and wife, but as individuals."

Shazia nodded thoughtfully, her eyes shining with interest. "That's so true," she said. "Your father and I have always believed that love and respect are the foundation of a strong marriage."

Junaid smiled, putting his arm around Shazia. "We've been married for over 20 years now," he said. "And I can honestly say that our love and respect for each other have only grown stronger with time."

Anarkali's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Imam Hassan also told us that communication is key in a marriage," she said. "He said that you must listen to each other's needs and desires, and work together as a team."

Shazia nodded again, her expression thoughtful. "That's so important," she said. "Your father and I have always made a point to communicate with each other, even when it's difficult. And it's really helped us to build a strong and healthy marriage."

Junaid smiled, his eyes shining with love and admiration for his wife. "I don't know what I would do without your mother, Anarkali," he said. "She's my best friend and my partner in every sense of the word."

Anarkali's heart swelled with love and appreciation for her parents. She felt so grateful to have them as role models in her life. "I'm so lucky to have you both as my parents," she said, giving them each a hug. "You're the best parents in the whole world."

Shazia and Junaid exchanged a warm glance, smiling at each other. "We're lucky to have you as our daughter, Anarkali," Shazia said. "You bring so much joy and love into our lives."

As they sat there together, enjoying each other's company, Anarkali felt a sense of contentment wash over her. She knew that she was loved and supported, and that she had a strong foundation to build on as she navigated the challenges and opportunities of her life.

After a while, Shazia stood up, smiling at Anarkali and Junaid. "I think it's time for us to start getting ready for dinner," she said. "Who's hungry?"

Anarkali and Junaid both laughed, standing up from the couch. "I am!" they chimed in unison, smiling at each other.

As the night fell, Shazia yawned and stretched, smiling at Anarkali and Junaid. "I think I'm going to head to bed," she said. "I'm exhausted from the day's work."

Anarkali and Junaid nodded, smiling at each other. "Goodnight, Mother," Anarkali said, giving Shazia a hug. "Sleep well."

Shazia smiled and hugged Anarkali back. "Goodnight, dear," she said. "I'll see you in the morning."

Anarkali smiled and nodded, slipping out of the house and into the warm night air. She walked over to the grassy area in front of their hut and sat down, gazing up at the stars twinkling above.

As she sat there, lost in thought, Anarkali heard the sound of her father's footsteps behind her. She turned to see Junaid walking towards her, a smile on his face.

"Mind if I join you?" he asked, sitting down beside Anarkali on the grass.

Anarkali smiled and shook her head. "Not at all, Father," she said. "I love sitting out here at night. It's so peaceful."

Junaid nodded, gazing up at the stars. "It's one of my favorite things to do too," he said. "There's something about the stars that just puts everything into perspective, you know?"

Anarkali nodded, smiling at her father. "I know exactly what you mean," she said. "Sometimes I feel like the stars are trying to tell us something, but we just have to listen carefully enough to hear it."

Junaid chuckled, putting his arm around Anarkali's shoulders. "You're such a dreamer, Anarkali," he said.

Anarkali smiled, feeling happy and content in her father's presence. As they sat there in comfortable silence, gazing up at the stars, Anarkali suddenly turned to her father with a curious expression.

"Father, can I ask you something?" she said.

Junaid smiled and nodded. "Of course, dear," he said. "What's on your mind?"

Anarkali hesitated for a moment before speaking. "I was just wondering...how did you and Mother meet?" she asked.

Junaid's face broke out into a wide smile, and he chuckled, lost in thought. "Ah, that's a wonderful story," he said. "You know, your mother and I met a long time ago in Lahore, it was war-torn times."

Anarkali's eyes widened with excitement. "Really?" she said. "Tell me more!"

Junaid chuckled, remembering the details of their first meeting. "It was a difficult time," he said. "The Mughal empire was in war and Lahore was in the midst of it all. There was destruction and chaos all around us. But despite the hard times, your mother and I found each other."

Anarkali's eyes widened with surprise. "War-torn Lahore?" she repeated. "I had no idea."

Junaid nodded, his expression somber. "Yes, it was a terrible time," he said. "But even in the midst of all that destruction and chaos, your mother and I found a sense of hope and joy in each other."

Anarkali leaned forward, her eyes shining with interest. "Tell me more, Father," she said.

Junaid smiled, lost in thought. "Your mother was caring for wounded soldiers and civilians, and I was...well, I was doing what I could to help."

Anarkali's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "What were you doing, Father?" she asked.

Junaid hesitated for a moment before speaking. "I was part of a group of volunteers who were helping to distribute food and supplies to those in need," he said. "It was a difficult and dangerous job, but it needed to be done."

Anarkali nodded, her expression thoughtful. "I can imagine," she said. "It must have been very hard for you."

Junaid nodded, his eyes clouding over with memories. "It was," he said. "But your mother...she was a beacon of hope in the midst of all that chaos. She was so kind and compassionate, and she had this incredible strength and resilience that inspired me every day."

Anarkali smiled, feeling happy and romantic. "I can see why you fell in love with her," she said.

Junaid chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "I think I fell in love with her the moment I met her," he said. "But it took me a while to realize it."

Anarkali laughed, her eyes sparkling with delight. "What was it about her that made you realize you were in love?" she asked.

Junaid smiled, lost in thought. "I think it was the way she smiled at me," he said. "It was like the whole world had lit up, and I felt like I was the only person in it."

Anarkali sighed, feeling happy and romantic. "That's so beautiful, Father," she said.

Junaid nodded, his eyes shining with love and adoration. "Your mother is a beautiful person, inside and out," he said. "And I feel so lucky to have her as my wife."

After a while, Junaid spoke up again, his voice filled with emotion. "You know, Anarkali, I think one of the things that I love most about your mother is her strength and resilience," he said. "She's been through so much in her life, and yet she's still one of the kindest and most compassionate people I've ever met."

Anarkali smiled.

Junaid continued, putting his arm around Anarkali's shoulders he said. "Your mother and I have always tried to teach you the importance of kindness, compassion, and strength. And I think you're growing up to be an amazing young woman."

Anarkali blushed, feeling happy and proud. "Thanks, Father," she said. "That means a lot coming from you."

After a while, Junaid stood up, stretching his arms over his head. "I think it's time for me to head to bed," he said. "But I'm glad we had this talk, Anarkali."

Anarkali nodded, smiling at her father. "Me too, Father," she said. "I love you."

Junaid smiled, hugging Anarkali tightly. "I love you too, Anarkali," he said. "Sweet dreams."

As Junaid headed off to bed, Anarkali sat there for a while longer on the grass, gazing up at the stars twinkling above. She felt a sense of peace and contentment wash over her, and her mind began to wander to thoughts of love.

She thought about her parents, and how they had found each other in the midst of war and chaos. She thought about the way they looked at each other, with such love and adoration in their eyes.

Anarkali sighed, feeling a pang of longing in her heart. She hoped that she would find true love like that one day. She hoped that she would meet someone who would love her for who she was, and who would cherish and support her every step of the way.