Ishq ka Rang Lal By Sara Khan

About this novelette

Ishq Ka Rang Laal (Urdu: عشق کا رنگ لال) by Sara Khan is a short, complete Urdu romance about a runaway bride at a railway station. Dressed in red, she has left home for love, and she waits on the platform for a man who never comes.

The book opens with song-like verses about love being a magical life, a candle that melts and a moth that burns, a story that doesn’t end even with death. Then the story starts with a whispered apology: “Maa ji, mujhe maaf kar dena – I never wanted to do this, but I was helpless.” Sereen stops for a moment, looks back, and silently asks her beloved mother’s forgiveness, remembering the home where she spent her childhood and grew into a young woman.

Today she has left all of it behind and set out on a new journey, wanting to remember only Faraz and his love. She hurries out of the area as darkness spreads and the azaan sounds from a nearby mosque. A few men coming to pray appear in front of her, and she quickly adjusts her dupatta and walks faster. When she hears a train’s loud whistle, a beautiful smile spreads across her face.

لال جوڑے میں ریلوے اسٹیشن پر بیٹھی دلہن، اور ایک ایسا انتظار جو ختم نہ ہوا۔

At the station she sits on the steps and waits for Faraz. Time passes – it’s been four hours since she left home – and he still hasn’t come. “Hai Allah, where is Faraz? Why is he so late? The next train will be here soon.” A crying bride in a red dress becomes the centre of attention for every passing traveller. With tear-filled eyes and a trembling body she stays on the steps, unaware that a group of loafers nearby has started staring at her and moving closer.

Meanwhile, elsewhere on the road, Kabeer’s car breaks down. He has already missed his flight, it’s late at night with no mechanic in sight, and he’s furious at his Nano for sending him to a relative’s wedding in the first place. His path is clearly about to cross Sereen’s.

Sara Khan builds suspense and emotion quickly, leaving the reader anxious about why Faraz hasn’t come and what will happen to Sereen that night. A short read with a dramatic twist of fate.

You can read Ishq Ka Rang Laal online here or download the complete PDF for free. More by Sara Khan: Please Stop and Itani Achi Hai Meri Qismat Kia, or see all Sara Khan novels.