Atifa's pov:
The moment he asked me if I would stay with him there, in front of everyone, my heart cracked at the sight in front of me. I couldn't understand why he would do that, that too in front of everyone when he already knew my answer. Did I not answer him just a few moments back? Was my answer not clear enough? What was it? Why was he hurting himself so much? Why- Just why?
There was a reason behind my answer too. And it wasn't just trying to be there for ammi. It was much more than that. It was a promise. Maybe a long, almost lost promise?
._._._.
"Atifa, come down quickly. We are getting late." Abbu shouted from downstairs.
"I'm coming." Slamming the door of my room shut, I ran downstairs while trying to hold my abaya up.
"Now where are Safiya and Amira?" Abbu scowled while looking around, making me bite my lips to suppress my smile.
"They must be in ammi's room." My gaze flickered to the stairs to find them ascending down. Ammi was wearing a black abaya like me along with a niqab while Amira adorned a black and white jumpsuit and held ammi's purse, looking cute as ever.
"Yaar it's getting late already. Jaldi karo na." Abbu grumbled like a kid.
(Man it's getting late already. Be quick.)
"Aap to aise keh rahe hai jaise hamari train chutne wali hai." Holding Amira's hand, ammi got down the last step.
(You are saying as if we are going to get late for our train.)
"Aisa hi samajh lo, kam se kam jaldi taiyyar to ho jaogi na." It was a wrong move because just as these words left his lips, ammi glared at him murderously.
(Assume it. At least you guys will get ready early.)
"For your kind information, we got ready before you both but since you guys were taking so long, we decided to wait in our room."
"Accha yaar, samajh gaya mai. Ab chillao mat!" It was another wrong move, a part of our daily dose of entertainment.
(Okay man, I understood. Now don't shout!)
"Accha. Mai chilla rahi hu to masla ho raha hai, aur jo aap jabse chilla rahe the uska kya?" Ammi was furious.
(If I shout it's a problem, but if you shout then it's okay?)
"Mera chillana chalta hai…" Abbu murmured quietly while glancing at her.
(It's okay if I shout…)
"Accha ji?" Leaving ammi's side, Amira came to stand beside me and held my hand, looking confused.
(Oh yeah?)
"Maybe…" Abbu gave ammi a sheepish smile, only to earn a heated glare in return.
"Not at all. Now is it not getting late that you are standing here and arguing with me?"
"Oh yeah. I even forgot why I was shouting in the first place because of you. Let's go." Realising his reason for rushing so much, his expression went back to a frantic one as he looked at us, waiting for us to head out.
"Api, abbu bhullakad hote jaa rahe hai, haina?" Finally understanding something of what our parents were bantering about, Amira giggled while pulling at my hand.
(Dad is getting forgetful, isn't he?)
"Haa Mira, abbu ki age ho rahi haina, shayad iss liye!" I giggled too, knowing that he was listening to us enjoying his condition.
YOU ARE READING
Unexpected Promises
Spiritual(EDITED) "Ok ma'am, maybe you are right. But what do you want from me? Why have you even kidnapped me?" I glared at her, annoyed. I can't believe I'm agreeing with her right now. "Oh nothing much baby boy, I just want you to get married to my daugh...
