Life Sentence

CHAPTER 13

Everyone looked at her as she descended the stairs after almost two hours, expectantly and cautiously as if she was a time bomb, waiting to explode. She wouldn’t let this get on her nerves. After all, they were right to be careful. Even she would be careful around herself.

She stood in front of everyone and rubbed her arm nervously. “Where’s Superman?” She couldn’t see him anywhere.

“He had to go settle some business. He’ll be back in a bit.” Shams answered her in his cold distant sort of way. Shams Uncle had always been serious. He didn’t joke much; he didn’t sit and chat if it wasn’t a topic that interested him. Kubra had always been intimidated by him. But now, she was downright afraid of him.

Maybe it was the way he always spoke the truth, hardly sugar-coated anything. Or maybe the fact that she knew he didn’t like her for his son now and just tolerated her for Saad’s sake. Or maybe because he reminded her of KB even when she left her alone for however long she was lucky.

God, you sound pathetic, Kubra. One day out and you already think people want to send you back. That wasn’t any of her alter egos. That was her own sliver thread of sanity that chastised her.

“Ah, he’s here now.” Ayesha pointed out, gesturing behind her where Saad had just entered the room.

She turned to look at him and saw his face light up immediately on seeing him. He looked worn out. He smiled at her and she involuntarily returned the gesture. From his office bag, he took out a file and gave it to Huma who took it and put it in her bag instead.

He came near her and his father asked, “Is the contract for the Safi Steel Mills ready?”

“Yes, Dad, it is. I’m sure it couldn’t have waited a day, right?” Was that taunt in Saad’s voice? For his father?

“No, it couldn’t have. That’s why I sent you. You came back early, you sure you’ve done everything right?”

She raised her brows. Why did they both sound like they were cross with each other? As far as she remembered, Shams Uncle never questioned Saad’s work before. Like, never.

“I’ve given the file to Huma, dad.” He rubbed his face. “Why don’t you ask her to check it for you, since you obviously doubt my work?”

“Don’t take it so personally, son. I-”

“I’m hungry. What’s for dinner?” The stare Shams subjected her to told her exactly what he felt her about cutting him. It was fine, though, since everyone else was glad their not so warm conversation was over. 

Sonia stood up excitedly and told her, “All your favorites, dear,” while going to the kitchen to order the servants to set the table.

They all sat at the dining table, with Kubra and Huma sitting beside each other while Saad sat opposite her. Everyone else engaged in conversations about something, probably to make a normal environment for Kubra __ Saad and Huma started discussing a case, Shams and Shahbaz politics and Ayesha partook in their discussions.

And Kubra?

She was lost in ecstasy. The servants were bringing in the dishes and all she could focus on were their aromas that filled the air, wafted through her nose and took hold of all her senses. If heaven had a particular scent, it would be this for Kubra. The comfortable smell of her home, her culture, food and freedom.

She didn’t even want to disturb the moment by moving a muscle to put the food in her plate and satiate her taste buds. She just wanted to breathe in this moment indefinitely.

Her mouth wasn’t the only thing that had watered. The sudden silence around her made her open her eyes, the guardian of whose were soaked in her tears. All attention was on her. Everyone was looking at her with such sympathy that she wanted to hit herself for letting this insignificant thing this get hold of her and lose control on herself.