Masoom si Larki Part 1 By Sabahat Khan

About this novel

Masoom Si Larki Part 1 (Urdu: معصوم سی لڑکی – حصہ اول) by Sabahat Khan is the first part of her army-themed Urdu family drama about Haya, an orphan. She lives with her brother and his wife and refuses a forced nikah because she wants to continue her studies.

The novel begins with a trembling refusal. “I don’t want to do this nikah,” Haya says with great difficulty, her lips shaking. Her sister-in-law Hina glares at her: “Why not? Is there any reason?” “I still… have to study,” Haya answers through tears, looking at her bhabhi with eyes full of pleading. Hina snaps that she has studied enough already – ten grades are no small thing – and looks angrily at her only sister-in-law, who stands with her head lowered, trying and failing to stop her tears.

Sabahat Khan describes Haya with tenderness: a pink-and-white complexion, big eyes brimming with tears, a simple purple cotton suit, and an innocent face that could move anyone’s heart – an innocence that makes Hina burn with jealousy. When Haya stammers that she doesn’t mean it that way, Hina cuts her off cruelly: does she plan to sit on their heads her whole life? Her brother has no one else, so she should leave, and let Hina have some peace. Hina walks out and slams the door behind her.

پڑھنے کا خواب، بھابھی کی سختی، اور ماں باپ کی کمی۔

As soon as she’s alone, Haya’s tears break free. “If only Mama and Papa were here,” she thinks while crying. Her parents’ absence has left her without anyone to speak up for her, and her quiet helplessness sets the emotional tone of the story.

The scene then shifts to a very different setting: a young man walks in with quick, firm steps, anger in his eyes, his hair falling across his forehead and a proud, straight nose – the kind of man many girls would consider their ideal. “Yes, sir,” comes a reply as he takes charge – the army side of the story is about to begin.

Sabahat Khan writes with strong emotion about family pressure, a girl’s right to education and the loneliness of losing one’s parents. The story continues in Part 2.

You can read Masoom Si Larki Part 1 online here or download the PDF for free. Continue with Masoom Si Larki Part 2, or read Naseebo Ke Khel and Dewana. See all Sabahat Khan novels.