Hold on, are you talking about the Urdu novel 'Aab-e-Hayat' by Umera Ahmed? It's a dense, philosophical one, not your typical romance. The main driver is a wealthy, cynical businessman named Zaki who believes he's seen everything life has to offer and finds it all meaningless. His world is upended when he encounters a poor, terminally ill woman named Ishq, who embodies a serene faith and love for life despite her suffering.
Their relationship is less a romance and more a spiritual mentorship. Zaki, initially repulsed then fascinated, is forced to confront his own spiritual emptiness. The plot revolves around his arduous, often resistant, journey toward faith and purpose, sparked by Ishq's unwavering example. It's a slow, introspective burn about redemption, the meaning of suffering, and where one finds true 'water of life'—the literal translation of the title. Honestly, parts felt like a sermon, but Zaki's abrasive personality kept me hooked even when the theology got heavy.