Unexpected Promises

Chapter 44 ✓

Atifa's pov:

"Atifa! Your mom-" Bhabi knocked on the door urgently, sounding breathless. 

Moving away from the kids, I quickly adjusted my hijab which had slipped down as Saad opened the door. Making sure my hijab was secured, I stepped beside him, worried. He too was looking at bhai, concern etched on his face. "Wh- What happened to ammi? Is she alright? I- I will go and check up on her."

"No no, she is fine. But she isn't agreeing to stay here. I- We were trying to stop her from leaving but- but she isn't listening to us... She is adamant on leaving and taking you both with her." 

"What is wrong with her!? Why can't she let me be at peace for a while? If she wants to leave, then she can leave but why is she taking Atifa with her? It was her who got us married in the first place, wasn't it? THEN WHAT IS THE PROBLEM NOW?" Before I could react, he was out of the room, anger radiating off of him.

"Saad. Stop! Listen to me. Please!" I couldn't let him create any scene here. Things might get worse. 

We had just reached the door of the living room when I held his arm, stopping him from going into ammi's room. It was a wrong move. All the gazes were directed our way. I felt like disappearing, going somewhere and hiding, away from these people and their judging stares. But I couldn't do that. At least not now. I had to stop him before this mess got any messier.

"What?! Why do you keep stopping me?" Pulling his arm back, he turned to look at me furiously.

"D- don't do anything right now. Y- You are angry…" I muttered, feeling highly conscious of the stares- no, glares sent my way.

"Does it matter if I'm angry?" He growled slowly, frustrated. His hazel orbs emitted fury, a hint of exhaustion already visible in them.

"Saad please." I murmured quietly. I had no doubt that the 'guests' were shocked at the new fiasco unfolding in front of them. And maybe, some of them might be enjoying it too.

"What happened now?" His mom interrupted, giving us her full attention.

"Even if I do anything, she isn't going to listen to me, right? So let me do whatever I want to do!" Ignoring his mom, and practically everyone else, he hissed while pushing the only ceramic vase kept in the lobby to the wall angrily.

The harsh sound of the vase shattering resounded in the house as the shards of the vase scattered around, one of them piercing his palm, making me gasp as I took a step back. Covering my mouth, I stared at him wide eyed, trying to comprehend what he just did. I was shocked. Yes, I had seen him angry, but maybe this was the first time that I was watching him this angry.

Tears rolled down my face once again as I realised that he hurted himself because of me. The words of that girl, Shanzay, and of those aunties who kept saying that he deserves someone better than me reverberated in my mind. 'I- I knew I didn't deserve him. He deserves someone better. Look what I was doing to him, to his emotional and mental well being.'

"Saad!" His dad exclaimed in worry. Looking up at him, I noticed for the first time how he looked. And it was safe to say that Saad looked almost like his father. There were some minor differences, like the colour of their eyes and the shape of their lips. I noticed him staring back at me, and surprisingly, his gaze held no grudge or judgement like others. In fact, they had a soft and gentle look in them, like he… like he knew? He didn't take any step towards us, and I still wonder why. Feeling uncomfortable, I quickly looked away, trying to wipe my tears. But it was all in vain.

"Now you are hurting yourself!" Bhabi chided, frustrated. She was standing behind me with bhai.

"Are you alright?" From the corner of my eye, I could see bhai taking a step towards us before standing back at his place. What was up with people and not coming forward?