The Shah Gharana

||Pachtawah [Remorse]||

Why was she burning? Why didn't the water work its way? Saman felt herself burning, more and more with each passing moment. She had been standing under the ice cold water for too long yet it did not calm the flames.

She had lost the count of time way earlier but she hadn't realized that it had been an hour. She had spent an hour under the icy water. Peeling her eyes away from the wall clock Saman roughly rubbed her wet hair with the towel and threw it away. Without wasting any more time she switched off every light in the room and slipped under the blanket.

Closing her eyes she tried to shut the recklessly running thoughts in her head. She needed an escape, Saman could not take any more pain.

Soon, her heavy eyes closed and her breathing evened out. Saman slept in the darkness with the cold surrounding her like a blanket. Saman slept unconsciously, unaware of the consequences of her escape.

________________

"Ahad." Nadia called slowly, making Ahad look at her and raise his brows. They all were still in the front lawn and the after party discussion was going on.

Nadia gestured him to follow her, making him nod and get up without grabbing any attention. When both of them were at good  enough distance from the rest Nadia faced him with a worried look.

"What's wrong?" Ahad asked, watching her nervously forward her phone towards him. He took the phone which displayed a message from Saman.

Can you ask Mansha to sleep with you tonight.please.

Ahad frowned reading the message. He looked up and Nadia raised her brows in worry.

"What should I do?" Nadia asked. She had sensed that Saman was quite cut off at the end of the party. She didn't want to make her uncomfortable so she didn't ask anything.

"Maybe she is upset about Ihsan chachu. I think we should give her some space. Do as she had asked to. We will see what to do tomorrow." Ahad spoke, returning Nadia's phone.

"But Ahad she was really tensed in the function.." Nadia trailed. She knew Saman needed space but she also knew how badly affected she was from the fiasco. She had seen her cry that night and she could still remember the way Saman looked devastated.

"I'm worried too, but she needs her space too. Don't worry too much, we will handle this together." He spoke softly, making Nadia nod even though she was still worried.

Ahad didn't return back to where others were. He was worried about Saman, and his worry could be easily read. Ahad had so many things in mind as he walked towards his room Ahad. It felt like everything was spiraling down to worse.

He wanted to make things better but he was failing miserably. Saman did look better but he knew how she felt inside. His family was putting up a good facade but he knew better. They all were greatly affected by whatever had happened.

The Shah family had felt this kind of blow for maybe the first time. Ihsan chachu had cut everyone out. And it felt like the pillars of this very strong gharana were getting weaker by each passing day. Dada jaan seemed worried most of the time and he had seen his uncles and father too in the same state. They all tried to sweep it under the rug. But it would take only one small blow and everything would crumble down.