CHAPTER 67

81 12 4
                                    

Maryam Chaudhary
*********************

I can't comprehend why he is being so unkind when I have done nothing to deserve it. I even helped him by bandaging his hand and checking on him when he locked himself in the room. Despite my efforts to show kindness and concern, he continues to be mean to me. Why is this happening to me? Iam left feeling confused and hurt by his actions. As I sat on the couch, pulling my legs close my chest, tears streamed down my face as I tried to make sense of the situation.

"Gudiya aap itna kyu ro rhi ho; phone mil jayega", baba said as he approached me and sat beside on the couch. I instinctively embraced him from the side, feeling a rush of emotions. Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably as I buried my face in his chest. His comforting presence was a soothing balm to my troubled soul. In that moment, I realized how much I needed this hug. With every heartbeat, I felt a sense of relief wash over me, knowing that he was there for me.

"Never leave me baba", I said, between sobs, unable to control my tears and emotions. In that moment, I cried my heart out in his embrace.

"Where will I go leaving my little doll?", he asked, lifting my head to wipe away the tears and planting a kiss on my forehead.

Just then, mama's voice interrupted us, causing both baba and I to look at her. "What's going on here?", she asked. "Oh, nothing", we replied together, sharing a moment of laughter as we looked at each other's faces.

"Amna is calling you, she's in the garden", I nodded and stood up from the couch, giving baba a peck on the cheek.

I walked into the garden and saw Irfan bhai, Zoya aapi, and Amna sitting on the swing, engaged in conversation.

"Chale ab?", Amna asked as soon as she noticed me approaching.

"Yeah, let's go", I replied, but then hesitated, "but wait, is mama and baba not joining us?", I asked, raising my brow as I glanced at them. The garden was bathed in the soft glow of moonlight, adding a sense of magic to the night.

"No they said they had something important to discuss", Amna said while rolling her eyes. "Well that's interesting. I want to know what that important discussion is".

Just as Amna and I were talking, we heard a phone ringing. We turned to see that it was ringing. Both Amna and I raised our brows as we looked at the screen of the phone to see Ahmed bhai, her husband, calling. We teased while making noises, wondering what the conversation between them could be about.

"Tum dono boht hi besharam hoti ja rhi ho", Zoya aapi scolded us playfully, a mischivieous glint in her eyes as she reached to pull our ears. We couldn't help but to giggle while looking at each other.

"Hum toh bas puch rahe the", I replied, trying to defend myself with a pout while caressing my ear where zoya aapi had just released it. Despite her scolding, we couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth and affection towards her, knowing that her scoldings were filled with love and care.

"Karle aap baat karle", Amna said, wiggling her eyebrows at zoya aapi who was in the process of removing her slippers to throw at us. We both quickly ran outside the garden, laughter filling the air as we sprinted away from Zoya aapi who was hot on our heels with the slipper in hand. Reaching the safety of the car, we sat inside and locked the doors, sticking our tongues out at her in playful defiance.

We heard a gentle knock on our left side window, and when we looked, we saw Irfan bhai standing there, motioning for us to open the door lock. As we complied, Zoya aapi and Irfan bhai took the driver's seat and started driving. The car moved smoothly under the moonlight that was shining brightly in the night sky, casting a soft glow on our journey.

Junooniyat Where stories live. Discover now