A soft golden hue bathed the living room as the morning sun filtered through the sheer white curtains, casting calm ripples of warmth on the beige marble floor. The air inside was quiet but heavy with emotions, like something had been left unsaid for far too long. A faint tick of the wall clock was the only sound echoing against the silence, save for the distant chirping of sparrows from the balcony outside.
Zain stood by the French window, his arms loosely folded across his chest, gaze distant. He turned when he heard footsteps approaching - light, hesitant. Shehnaaz walked in slowly, dressed in a simple lavender kurta, her hair tied in a loose braid. There were faint shadows under her eyes, betraying a night spent in restlessness. She was still beautiful - but not the careless, sparkling kind. This beauty was the kind that had been carved from pain.
"I called her..." Zain said quietly, his voice low like he was afraid to disturb the stillness. "Since you were missing her."
A sudden wave of noise burst into the calm - laughter, small squeals, hurried steps on the wooden floor.
"Massi!" came a delighted scream, and little Shaina - dressed in a red frock, her two tiny pigtails bouncing - ran towards Shanaya who entered behind her.
Shehnaaz's guarded expression melted into joy. Her eyes softened, her hands went out instinctively.
"Shanu!" she whispered, rushing forward. She enveloped her childhood best friend in a tight, overwhelming hug - one that spoke of years of closeness and moments missed.
"I'm so happy you came... Love you, Shanu," Shehnaaz murmured, her voice hitching.
"Haan haan," Shanaya replied with a teasing smile, patting her back, "aur main bhi tujhe dekh ke khush hoon. Thoda zyada ho gaya acting ka?"
Shehnaaz laughed, a real laugh, warm and unguarded.
"Aaja..." she said softly, turning to little Shaina.
"Massi! Massi!" Shaina squealed, arms reaching up.
"Aww, baby!" Shanaya scooped her up, kissing her cheek. "Kaise ho?"
"Achhi...hun..." she struggled with her words, "Aap tao?"
Shanaya beamed. "Even I'm good, love. Chalo, khelte hain!"
"Yaaayyyy!" Shaina clapped joyously, her tiny bangles jingling, and the two disappeared down the hallway, leaving a trail of giggles behind.
The room fell into a comfortable silence again, broken only by the faint laughter echoing from the playroom.
Zain cleared his throat. "Chalein office?"
Shehnaaz's smile faded like mist under sunlight. Her expression turned serious, her gaze sharp.
"Haan," she replied, picking up her laptop bag. "Aur suno... files-viles sab kaam complete kar lena. Mujhe office mein kisi pe chillaana pasand nahi."
"Fine, Sana," Zain raised his hands in mock surrender. "Mai kar lunga sab. Par seriously... thoda enjoy karne mein kya jata hai?"
She turned, her eyes now distant. "Mujhe nahi karna enjoy. Tum chalo. I hate people who behave... childish."
There was a long pause.
Zain looked at her - really looked at her. She was standing tall, but her shoulders were tired, eyes weary.
"Strange..." he said slowly. "Shanaya was just telling me... you used to be like that too. Full of life. Pehle tum bhi aisi hi thi."
Something flickered in Shehnaaz's expression. Then, she turned to him sharply.
"Mind your own business," she snapped, voice colder now. "Aur rahi meri baat... toh dimag mein daal lo - duniya mein sabse zyada use innocent logon ka hota hai."
YOU ARE READING
can you mend the broken✓(Editing)
Fanfiction•°•°•★Cover by: @AmreenShaikh6 Sidharth Shukla married Shehnaaz Gill After one week of marriage, he left the city due to some important work at his office. When he came back after 6 months, he found his wife living like a corpse. From the doctor, h...
