After a few hours on the highway, he spotted a bus and waved it down frantically. The driver applied his brakes and allowed him to board the bus. After a few hours, Syed reached Zaida’s home at Sadali. Two days later he moved into a new home nearby and began his life afresh with his adopted daughter. Time sped by, and, with that, to some extent, it also healed Bibi’s heart.

Syed looked after Bibi better than a parent. He brought her up without forcing her to change her name or religion. She began to be known by her nickname, ‘Bibi’, and mostly remained under the protective cover of a veil. Her new life was filled with simple, honest hill people and the small joys of life. This is when she realized how religious leaders abused and brainwashed the common man in the name of Islam for power, wealth and fame. She compared Syed, a pious Muslim, with the hundreds of Islam followers in Tadali who actively participated in riots in the name of Allah. She once overheard Zaida questioning Syed and demanding reasons for not attending the burial ceremony of his own sons. Her respect for her adopted father grew manifold.

Slowly but surely, her scars began to heal, and an occasional smile could be seen on her face. Over time, the bond of trust and faith between the two strengthened and they started looking after each other. Bibi began to accept the whole episode as part of her destiny and to recover from her painful past. Bibi spent most of her time looking after the ageing Syed, knowing that his health was deteriorating with every passing day. She knew that somewhere deep within, he was unable to forgive himself for not attending his sons’ funeral. She therefore left no stone unturned to keep her father happy. And soon, they started making new memories together.

About a year later, Syed married Bibi to his brother’s son. His own failing health was one of the reasons for hastening the wedding. Sakhiullah, a well-to-do, thorough gentleman, was made aware of Bibi’s background and the challenging conditions she was brought up in. He empathized with the pain she had suffered during and post Partition. Soon, the two began their life together. Within a year of their marriage, Syed passed away, bequeathing all his possessions to Bibi Amrit Kaur.