The short-story, also known as "afsaana," is one of the most important literary subgenres in Urdu literature, despite its relative youth. This was influenced by western and literary concepts and tendencies, as well as the contemporary industrial and mechanized environment. Hijab Imtiyaz Ali is famous for her romantic stories in the foremost era of Urdu fiction. Her fictions have been elevated both artistically and linguistically. The plot of her fictions was coherent, fast and strong, with the pleasures of juxtaposition and flavor of language. This book "Zaalim Mohabbat (Cruel love)" collects a selection of short stories written by Urdu fiction writer Hijab Imtiyaz Ali.