Burn the truth (ENG)

| 45 |

Samira rubbed my back briefly. A concerned look on the face. "Taking over a child without experience is not easy, Zara."

I glanced at the sleeping Ela on my lap. "Ela is my daughter, Samira. Although I did not give birth to her, I consider her my own."

Samira held my hand. Her eyes shone proudly as she looked at me.

In the background, I saw Faid put the last morsel of porridge in Mira's mouth before clearing the bowl.

"What awaits now?"

I looked back at Samira and shrugged. "I had an appointment yesterday with the lawyer that Faid recommended to me. He will study the case and inform me about it."

"What about your unborn baby?" asked Faid with a frown as he sat down with Mira.

When Faid found out I was pregnant, he could strangle someone. He was so mad at Imran.

However, Samira was happy. She flew around my neck and started talking enthusiastically about our babies. How they will befriend and play together. She could end up going.

My eyes slid out where it was getting dark. "I'm going to raise him alone with Ela. Without a father."

Samira raised her eyebrows. "Does Imran know you are pregnant with his child?"

I avoided her eyes.

"Oh, Zara..." Her tone softened.

I ran my fingers through Ela's hair, ignoring their gaze. "Everything is still unclear, Samira."

Esma shook her head disapprovingly as she sipped her tea. Noor rolled her eyes as she approached. "Excuses," she sang as she plopped down on the couch.

I pressed my lips together. Clearly offended.

Noor glanced my way and raised her eyebrow. "What?" She rubbed her tummy and grinned. "Look, Zara. Almost the same size."

I rolled my eyes, but couldn't stop the laugh from leaving my mouth.

With my hand I signaled for Noor to come and sit next to me and she followed my command without hesitation. I pressed my lips to her cheek and put an arm around her.

She grinned happily and leaned against my shoulder as she started playing with Ela's fingers.

"I can eat you two," Samira said enthusiastically as she looked at us.

Mira jumped from Faid's lap and sat on Samira's.

With her small hands she held Samira's cheeks and looked at her with concern. "Mommy, don't yell." Her eyes looked at Ela. "Ela, sleep."

Samira gave her a few kisses on the cheek and hugged her. Mira gave a loud giggle as Ela moved slightly under the blanket.

Faid gave a small smile and leaned back against the couch. "Pain changes people. It decreases trust in others."

"So if I was with another-" Seeing Faid's tense jaws, Samira immediately shut up.

There was an awkward silence.

"Um," I coughed. "I think it's time we go?" My eyes rolled to Esma.

Esma nodded and stood up. "Yes, it's getting dark already."

Samira glanced at Faid. Faid subtly nodded his head toward her and she turned to us. "Why don't you stay here tonight?"

Faid nodded in agreement.

I held Ela against my shoulder and stood up. I shook my head abruptly. "Thank you for the offer, but we have to-"

"Can we?" Noor interrupted with twinkling eyes.

I looked at her in astonishment.

Noor looked at Esma and me hopefully. "Can we stay here tonight? Please?"

"Uh," Esma looked at me questioningly and I swallowed.

"Come on, Zara. Stay." Faid looked at me with warm eyes.

I felt someone pull my pants and I looked down. Mira pouted her lip. "Stay, auntie."

I bit my lip and nodded. Noor flew enthusiastically around my neck. "Thank you."

"Ela, Noor," I reminded her and felt the sleeping Ela chatter under her breath.

Noor withdrew and muttered angrily, "Oops."

I rubbed Noor's back and gave her a smile. "No problem honey."

Samira took over. "Come on, I'll show you the guest rooms."

Esma and Noor were dragged out of the living room by Samira, towards the bedrooms.

"I understand now why you wanted to stay with Esma." I looked to the side in surprise and saw Faid's eyes examining me. "Noor."

Faid gently took Ela from me and rocked her gently. "She makes you think of the young Zara."

A lump formed in my throat. "I can see how attached you are."

Over the past three months, the bond between me and Esma and Noor had strengthened. I got to see their lives from a different perspective and became more aware of their feelings. We shared our ups and downs and sought each other out for comfort. They just felt like family.

"Thank you for the offer to stay with you tonight, Faid," I muttered instead.

Faid frowned. "Zara, this is your home too." His jaws clenched as he murmured warningly, "Don't you dare thank me for that."

~

I stood nervously in front of the attorney's office. My fingers were shaking and my heartbeat was irregular.

The lawyer had called me this morning with the news that he had figured it out.

"Zara."

I looked up into my brother's green eyes.

"Breathe in and exhale."

Inhale and exhale.

The door was opened and a man in his forties stood before us. Gray tufts were between his hair and a pair of glasses rested on his nose. He was dressed in a black suit. Shoes shone under the light.

"Hello, welcome," the man greeted us kindly and let us in.

I took a seat next to Faid, opposite the lawyer. My fingers fidgeted nervously as I waited.

The lawyer took out a folder and leafed through it. "I've got news. Whether it's good or bad, I'll leave it up to you."

I nodded nervously.

He looked up from the folder. "Miss Zara, you want to know if the marriage between Imran Tahir and you was official or not, is that right?"

I nodded with a lump in my throat.