Over the next three years, Bibi was blessed with two sons named Qasim Zaid and Karim Zaid. The presence of two beautiful children further helped Bibi lead a normal, happy life. Sakhiullah was gainfully employed and looked after the needs of his family well. Besides, he was also respected by his neighbours and others in the village as he was prosperous and contributed to the community. As a result, Bibi too was treated with respect. Married at a young age, her breathtaking beauty attracted many admirers. Her helpful nature and kind-heartedness made her a leader amongst the women in the community. Despite her troubled and devastating past, Bibi pulled her life together and started afresh.

3

In 1950, after three years of Partition, the prime ministers of the two warring nations, Liaquat Ali Khan and Jawaharlal Nehru, signed a treaty which gave freedom to the women of both countries to return home. Bibi opted to stay back in Pakistan as her world revolved around her two beautiful children and doting husband. But destiny had something else in store for her. Even though Bibi had mostly confined herself to the four walls of her home, word of her mesmerizing and breathtaking sharp features had spread in the region. Given her marital status and the enormous respect her husband commanded, no one had dared cast an evil eye on her. Yet, there were men who never missed an opportunity to look at her discreetly and sigh lustfully.

Following the government’s directives, the station house officer (SHO) of the district issued orders to all villages, directing the women of Indian origin to confirm in writing their decision—live in Sadali as Pakistani citizens or return to India. Sakhiullah was away on a business tour for a few days. Bibi read the circular and signed the documents, confirming Muzaffarabad in Pakistan as her choice of residence. The havildar, who came to collect the document, was awestruck by Bibi’s beauty—her sharp but delicate features, porcelain skin and petite figure. He found it difficult to take his eyes off her and was filled with desire. Sensing his intention, she picked up her children and rushed inside. Her behaviour rebuffed him for the time being. However, the havildar couldn’t stop thinking about her. Back in the police station, he recounted the incident to his colleagues.