Turaab by Sundas Fatima

دریائے نیل کا کنارہ

اُس پر بندھا ایک جھولا

وہاں پر موجود نفوس کی تمام ہوتی ہوئی زندگی

قدموں تلے تراب بے زبان بھی بول اٹھی۔

اپنوں کی نفرتیں اور عاداوتیں

غیروں کا اُس کی جانب بڑھتا ہوا ہاتھ

سب کمزور تھے کسی مکڑی کے جالے کی طرح۔

مگر کوئی تھا جو سب کی عداوتوں کے باوجود اُس کے ساتھ ہاتھ تھامے کھڑا تھا۔

اندھیری رات میں خاموش ماہتاب کی طرح

دھوپ میں ٹھنڈی چھاؤں کی طرح

وہ سہارا کسی قدیم پیڑ کی طرح تھا جس کی شاخیں پھل بھی دیتی تھیں۔

By the sacred banks of the River Nile, where the stillness of water mirrors the turbulence of human souls, hangs a silent swing — a symbol of forgotten childhoods and fading innocence. This evocative scene opens a tale that is more than just a romance; it’s a tapestry woven with themes of betrayal, silent pain, and unexpected redemption.

At the heart of this poetic Urdu-inspired tale is a girl surrounded not by love, but by hatred, envy, and isolation. Her own people, bound by blood, burn with hostility, while outsiders extend hands of friendship — hands too fragile to truly hold. Their intentions, like cobwebs spun in shadow, are deceptively delicate yet dangerous. Her world is cracking, yet the dust beneath her feet — the speechless earth — begins to speak in protest.

But in this universe of collapsing bonds and deceitful alliances, there stands one soul — unwavering, loyal, and steadfast. A man who, despite being bruised by life’s cruelty, becomes her shade in the scorching sun, her light in the moonless night. He is her quiet warrior, her silent savior — a protective hero archetype in the most soul-stirring sense.

He is not her prince charming from fairy tales, but rather a timeless tree — strong, rooted, nurturing. His presence is a lullaby in chaos, a deep breath when the world forgets to exhale. This romantic suspense story, rich in emotional tension, brings together elements of enemies-to-lovers, healing through love, and finding sanctuary in unlikely hearts.

This novel is crafted for fans of classic Urdu literary fiction, but it’s also wrapped in layers of modern-day tropes that readers adore:

• Slow burn romance that aches with longing

• Social commentary-based narrative exploring family, power, and the psychology of trauma

• Army-based loyalty themes subtly present through metaphors and strength

• Historical and geographical depth, invoking Cairo, the Nile, and Eastern poetic settings

• Fairy tale vibes twisted into something real and raw

• Enemies to lovers transformation, not just in the romantic sense, but in terms of self-perception and healing

Expect heartache. Expect beauty. Expect scenes that linger — like perfume from a passed stranger.
Expect a tale that speaks the unsaid, that weaves silence and words into one mesmerizing rhythm — the kind only found in true Urdu romantic fiction, where metaphors are swords, and glances carry histories.

Ideal for readers of:

• Romantic suspense Urdu novels

• Classic family-feud-based stories

• Tragic beauty romance lovers

• Emotionally intense psychological Urdu fiction

• Loyal love and undying companionship tropes

• Coming-of-age stories with spiritual undertones

Whether you’re a fan of Bano Qudsia, Umera Ahmed, or Nimra Ahmed, or you’re just discovering the richness of emotion-packed Urdu storytelling, By the Banks of the Nile will pull you in — with its quiet rebellion, whispered affection, and unwavering hope amidst cruelty.