Ishq In The Air

•|Ahl-e-dil|• 2

𝑳𝒊𝒌𝒉𝒖...
𝒕𝒐𝒉 '𝒍𝒂𝒇𝒛' 𝒕𝒖𝒎 𝒉𝒐.

𝑺𝒐𝒏𝒄𝒉𝒖...
𝑻𝒐𝒉 '𝒌𝒉𝒂𝒚𝒂𝒍' 𝒕𝒖𝒎 𝒉𝒐.

𝑴𝒂𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒖...
𝑻𝒐𝒉 '𝒅𝒖𝒂' 𝒕𝒖𝒎 𝒉𝒐.

𝑺𝒂𝒄𝒉 𝒌𝒂𝒉𝒖...
𝑻𝒐𝒉 '𝑴𝒐𝒉𝒂𝒃𝒃𝒂𝒕' 𝒕𝒖𝒎 𝒉𝒐.

•||2||•

Scrubbing the plates with a dry cloth, Fariya stood on her tiptoes and slipped the plates into the cupboard. She washed her hands and wiped them with her apron. The moment she turned around to leave the kitchen, her frame froze.

Aasiya Begum leaned against the door, her hands folded and her face turned into a scowl. Her sharp eyes peered down at her, pure loathe swimming in them. One look in her eyes and Fariya lowered her gaze in a tremble.

"Playing pretty, aren't you?" She snickered, walking inside the kitchen.

"Maami-"

[Aunt—]

"How did you know they were coming at 6 in the evening? I never told you the exact time!" Aasiya Begum snapped at her, lips curling in a sneer.

"I-I didn't know, Maami!" Fariya didn't know where this conversation was heading towards. The dread of being late and getting yelled at feared her.

"Stop lying! Who do you think you are fooling, huh? I'm not Arshad to fall for your cheap tricks!" Aasiya took a threatening step forward and grabbed her elbow tightly. Her nails dug into her skin and Fariya whimpered.

"I swear I'm not lying!" Tears gathered in her eyes when her grip turned harsh. "I missed the bus and-"

"SHUT UP!" She screamed and Fariya jumped in her place. She tried pulling herself away from her, but the woman didn't let her go. Fariya desperately looked out of the kitchen for her uncle to save her, but failed.

"He isn't here! He won't come tonight to save you. He is sleeping" She grinned sickly and Fariya felt revolting.

"Next time you don't listen to me, I will kick you out of the house. And your dearest Maamujaan wouldn't do anything about it except rot in his wheelchair!"

[Uncle]

"I'm sorry!" Tears spilled out of her eyes when the old woman cursed her endlessly. It wasn't for her being late. It was entirely for a different reason, one which she was unaware of. It was hideous. She didn't want to disclose the reason to give her the satisfaction of impressing those people.

"Ainda" She hissed, jerking her back. Fariya stumbled on her feet, setting herself against the wall. "Unlogon ki maujoodgi mai apni manhoos shakal bhi dikhai, mai kisi ke samne tumhe apni shakal dikhane layak nahi chodungi!"

[Next time, If you show your face in their presence, I won't leave that face of yours worthy to be shown ever!]

Fariya watched her with fearful eyes, bleeding her soul. What has she done to deserve this hate? She didn't even know her fault. Broken sobs echoed in the kitchen when the furious woman stomped away, glaring.

Fariya crunched down on the floor, hugging her knees. Burying her face against her leg, she let her tears fall freely. Her hair sticking to her cheeks, red tint covering her noorani face.

The sound of the footsteps made her wipe away her tears in haste. Hesitantly looking up, her eyes locked with Sania, her cousin who was looking at her with an unexplainable expression. Fariya hoped for her to come to her and console her like every time. All those times when Aasiya Begum would verbally abuse her, the father and daughter would be helpless but they would be there to provide her hope and emotional support. Fariya's teary eyes were disappointed when Sania turned away and walked out. Not even sparing her another glance.