Preface
All praise is for Allah, the Master of the Glorious Throne.
“Estranged” is my first story in English, and it holds a special place in my heart as it is the official English translation of my Urdu novel Firaaq. In this story, I have poured my deepest thoughts and emotions into words.
It sheds light on a tragic reality of our society, one that silently burns everyone it touches, and that is revenge.
Revenge is not a game to be played for pleasure. It is a dangerous fire that can destroy generations.Whether it is great or small, when revenge becomes the purpose of one’s life, it leads only to ruin.
This is a story of two families—engulfed in the flames of revenge, torn apart by long-standing disputes.
It is the story of Zarar Shah, a man who vowed to avenge his mother’s death until his final breath, but life forced him to change… and guided him toward a better path.
It is the story of Aslan Demir, whose greed, jealousy, and desire for power led him to his downfall.
It is the story of Meeral Saeed, who proved that a woman should never compromise on her dreams, no matter how harsh the circumstances. Through her strength and character, she showed the world what it truly means to be a woman of dignity.
This story will inspire you with hope and teach you how to rise above life’s darkest moments. It will remind you of the power of forgiveness—that even when others offer nothing but cruelty, we should respond with grace. Because, truly,
“This world is not a place for revenge.”
Sometimes, choosing silence over retaliation can end countless conflicts.
Nature takes revenge in its own time, and far better than we ever could.
Leave your matters to Allah, and you’ll witness a peace entering your life that you never imagined.
I hope you find something meaningful in this small piece of my heart.
Thank you.
— Neha Fahim
