Destiny

Chapter 22

Staring into complete darkness she was sitting still in her seat, her mind and heart were fighting a battle of their own and she failed to pick a side. Sometimes we loose our understanding of right and wrong, we just find ourselves engulfed by the shadows of pain.
Earlier Izah felt bad because of what she had heard Ayesha saying but now all her thoughts were around Salaar, and about what he said.
They were both now sitting next to each other in the airplane and silence was all that could be heard. Salaar haven't spoken a word to her after what happened in the garden, when she returned to the room she found him packing his stuff and she heard him informing Ayaan that they will not be able to attend the reception as they were leaving for the airport immediately. After five hours of waiting at the airport here they were in their flight to Pakistan.
Salaar was pretending to be asleep while she was looking out from the window into the darkness and sun was about to rise.
She was not able to comprehend the entire situation, her brain was unable to process anything, she was numb. And finally the sun rose, filling the sky with shades of orange and pink, amber and rose, radiating hope, a new beginning. Another chance to live. The start of a brand new day. With the coming of this new day she wished for the breaking of dawn in their lives too.

After reaching home Salaar still hasn't spoken to her, both of them met the entire family without making it obvious that something is off between them. After freshning up and settling their luggage Maama asked them to rest as they must be tired. Back in their room Izah was sitting on the bed when he entered and slowly came towards the bed without looking at her, picked up his pillow from there and went to the couch and started to arrange his pillow there. In Dubai they were sleeping on the same bed but now they were back home so back to old habits. Gathering all her courage she took it on herself to start a conversation and also she didnt like him going to sleep on the couch.

"You can sleep on the bed."

She said hesitantly, he laid down on the couch and without looking at her spoke in a distant manner.

"I am used to sleeping here."
His voice lacked all kinds of emotions, there was nothing in his voice.

"But in Dubai we slept on the same bed so we can do the same here as well. I don't have a problem."

"But I have a problem.There We had no other option, but now we are back." 
He said bluntly, and placed his hand over his eyes as if telling her to shut up and sleep.
Was he punishing her, he was clearly very angry. Did her words hurt him so much but she was hurt too. He took it all wrong she didn't mean it that way, but deep down in her heart she knew what Salaar said was right. And now he was not talking to her, and she had no clue how to handle him.

The next few days passed withouht either of them trying to talk to each other. Izah was further engulfed by guilt, she couldn't find a way to get Salaar talk to her. Salaar Sikandar was not someone who would get angry on petty issues but once he is offended, or he is hurt, then he becomes very stubborn. He would come late from office and would leave early in order to prevent any possible conversation between them. Days were passing with this hazy atmosphere between them.

Izah woke up due to the ringing of the alarm she had set on her phone, it was 9am, as it was a Sunday everyone was home. She saw him at the breakfast table with everyone and joined them. They pretended to be fine in front of everyone, but lately Salaar's unusual office schedule didn't go unnoticed by his parents. After breakfast baba asked Salaar to join him in his study.

"Salaar how is everything at work?"

"Everything is fine baba. What happened you look worried?"

"Should I not be worried?"

"I....uh....no, I mean why would you be worried?"

"What is going on between you two?"

"Who?"

"Don't try to be oversmart with me, you know I am talking about you and your wife."

"Ohh you are talking about us! Everything is fine baba, nothing you need to be worried about."

"Salaar Sikandar! I want you to tell me right now about what has happened, and about why do I see you so rarely at home."

"Baba please, even if there is something going on between us you don't have to worry about it. We will figure it out, we are not kids."
Salaar looked at his father as if requesting him to not talk about this issue anymore.

"Are you avoiding each other? You barely talk to her? What is it Salaar?"
He stood up from his chair and came towards Salaar and sat next to him on the couch. With utter seriousness in his tone, clearly intimidating his son and resulting him to finally give in.

"We had a fight."
Salaar told him with a blank expression.

"About what?"

"You know what baba, your decision was wrong. I shouldn't have married Izah."

These words fell upon the ears of the intruder who was listening to their conversation standing behind the closed door of the study. She couldn't control herself from eavesdropping. Izah's ears were glued to the door. She could clearly sense regret in his words. He regretted marrying her. Tears were brimming from the corners of her eyes.