Suffocation ھوٹن (A Pakistani Romance)

Part 4

Omair gripped the steering wheel tight as he drove home. The sun had barely been out the entire day, so whether or not it set was inconsequential. The sky outside was dreary, foreboding a strong storm yet nothing could detract from the hurricane of thoughts that served as peril for his anxious mind.

Since their fight in his bathroom nearly a week ago, Omair and Nina had taken to not speaking to one another. Nina had no trouble doing exactly that, but Omair did. He yearned to hold her and tell her that everything he'd once said had felt like a lie even back then. That he was sorry.

But he was also so angry with her. So angry that she couldn't see the love written on his face. He'd held her close, cherished her body. He hadn't discarded her or set her aside.

He had made a mistake in his ego and hatred. A grave mistake. But he was also a man in repentance. Did he truly never deserve forgiveness?

Turning on to the driveway, he finally parked, making his way inside with the files in his hand. If Nina didn't want to talk to him, then he'd give her the space she needed.

His room was empty, which was strange primarily due to the fact that Nina usually used it to hide away from his family. Something she never used to do. In fact his sister and her had been best friends for ages. She should have been more comfortable around them all if she hadn't felt the alienation he's subjected to.

So if not here, then where?

He hesitated before entering the bathroom only to find it empty.

"Nina?" He called, anxious if anything. Even before he had ruined everything between them, Nina hated going out and would usually let him know before she did. He grabbed his phone, finding her contact and hitting the call button. It rang for about ten seconds before he worriedly hung up and called again.

She didn't pick up. He sat down on the bed and rubbed his temples, surveying the room for any signs of her getting ready to go someplace. Except the dresser was empty of her things like always. Ever since she'd come back, she'd refused to set up her things, claiming he could change him mind at any time.

Even her clothes were still packed.

Omair breathed harshly before grabbing his keys and yanking open the door, coming face to face with Nina. She looked up at him briefly as he stepped aside to let her come in.

"Where were you?" He seethed, hot on her heels as she tossed her baby blue dupatta onto the armchair and got into bed.

Nina pulled the comforter over her. "Downstairs."

Omair stood there as she turned off the lamplight and closed her eyes, ignoring his presence. Tugging loose his tie, he threw his keys onto the dresser as he climbed in next to her. With a heavy sigh, he pulled her to him.

"Naraz ho?" He traced over her cold hands, tucking her head into his chest and placing his chin over it.

"Nahi."

He tried keeping the emotion out of his voice but failed miserably. "Mujhe batao Nina. Tell me how I can fix this."

She didn't say anything in response for a long time, leading him to believe she had fallen asleep.

"You already are." She whispered tentatively.

He felt hope flare up within him. Omair tilted her face upwards, touching his forehead with hers. "Really?"