I’m a 26-year-old woman. When I was 17, my elders got me engaged to my paternal cousin, who was 19 at that time. We lived in different provinces then and barely talked. But, with time, we developed a deep bond. I began to trust him, and respected his presence and guidance in my life.

Then last year, our elders developed grave misunderstandings during our marriage settlements, leading them to break off our engagement. Within a month, his father — my father’s elder brother — got his nikaah done to another cousin from my family. I was in utter shock. I severed all ties with him. And I didn’t react in front of anyone, as I have a habit of bottling up my deepest feelings.

Two months ago, my paternal grandfather passed away. This tragedy broke the ice between........

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