YOU BELONG TO ME

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN : PUNISHMENT.

" Ashmaan what is going on ? why did you call for a family meeting ?" Ashmaan's uncle , sulayman makhtoum , asked.

" he normally does that when__" sulayman's wife , Atika started but was cut off by her son , Aahil.

" ammi I'm sure that's not the case " Aahil said.

" what is it then? You know for sure that he doesn't call for a meeting unless is about that " his mother replied haughtily.

" Atika just keep quiet and listen to what he has to say " Aliya chirped in while rolling her eyes.

" And what if I don't ?"

" then you will be the one to face the consequences. "

After that little argument, there was a minute of silence before Ashmaan started.

" Aamanee , humairah and Aryan . Can you three tell them the main reason behind this meeting please"

" Ashmaan__" Aryan started.

"Don't " Ashmaan cut him off.

" you all know that I don't like repeating my words , so start " he commanded.

" you three have heard what he said right ? So Aryan , start talking " their grandmother added.

" grandmother it was yesterday when me , Aamanee and humaira went to a small beach party , after the party , we came back home to change , so that we can go to mairah's friend's birthday party because Mairah requested us to accompany her. " Aryan explained.

" then?" Aasim asked.

" then I told them that I wanted to add a red rose to my black gown , I begged them to escort me to the rose garden to pluck some . We went there and plucked some roses , we were about to leave when we heard mairah squeal , I asked her what happened, and she..s..said that she saw a bloody knife while digging through the rose garden. And that was when akhie found us last night."
Aamanee continued.

The tension was so thick in the air that it could be cut through with a knife. Silence was eerie , looks were exchanged and postures were stiff.

After about ten minutes, ashmaan decided to talk.

" you all know the rules of this house then why the hell will you break them. You all know what happened the last time the rule was broken and today , the same punishment will apply to the three of you."
Ashmaan deadpanned.

" what ? No ashmaan you can't do that " ummie said , worry lasped in her voice.

" nobody stopped Rashid from punishing an innocent person for doing the same thing four years ago. And today , no one will stop me from giving them the same punishment."

" that person was not a part of our family but these three are. So their punishment will be different obviously " Rashid replied.

" its not about family . It's about humanity and that person was also a human being and it was not even that person's fault but now it is their fault , so they will face the consequences of their mistake. I don't want futher arguments to these matter anymore . My decision is final and no one would change it. The three of you should meet me at my villa around 3'O clock for your punishment " he said to aamanee , humairah and Aaryan, then started walking out.

" wait " his grandmother, who was quiet all the time finally stopped him.

" when it's time for their punishment, call me " she said , her face void of emotions.

" insha'Allah " he said and walked away.

*****

" Hey Ashmaan, can we talk ? " Roohina said immediately she entered his study room.