Mujhe Pyaar Hua Tha

Ch. 15: Family Dinners

Alizey's P.O.V.

I quickly parked Amaira Api's car that I borrowed and rushed through the bushes to our secret spot in the hills.

He hasn't been answering his phone, and I was sure I would find him here.

My eyes darted from the bench to the railing, my lips parting with the intention of calling his name.

But no one was here.

Then?

If it's not here that he comes to when he wants to be alone, then where does he go?

I went over to the railing, inhaling deeply as I admired the dazzling view of Los Angeles.

Seeing the sparkling lights usually made me feel happy, but the sting of Papa's words were still fresh, and now the pain of him hurting my husband's feelings made matters worse.

Where are you, Fawad? I'm so sorry. I'm sorry for what he said and I'm sorry that you had to hear all of that because of me.

My eyes watered, blurring the sight in front of me.

It doesn't take long for things to flip upside down.

I wish circumstances were different. I wish I made you happy, Fawad. I wish you knew you could turn to me for anything. I wish you knew how much it hurts me to see you upset.

I wish I made Papa happy. I wish I was never the cause of his anger, the anger that inflicts distress on Mama, that trickles down and causes my sisters anxiety, pushing them away from me.

I wish I made myself happy because it seems that I only cause others to distance themselves from me.

"Alizey."

My head turned in the direction of the familiar baritone voice.

"What are you doing here?"

"Fawad!" I breathed, running towards him and engulfing him in a hug.

The thought of just not knowing where you were was like a slow death. Then what is to be my plight when we part ways once this is all over?

His arms grasped me lightly before he stepped back. He smelled like cigarette smoke mixed with his cologne.

I quickly wiped my tears before he could see. "Where were you? I came here looking for you."

"I-" he paused, thinking about his words before he sighed silently, "I needed to be alone."

I gazed up at him solemnly, "I'm sorry for what Papa said, Fawad, really-"

"Don't, Alizey."

"Please don't take it to heart. He-"

"I didn't. He doesn't even know me. His claims have no basis. He doesn't know how we got into this marriage nor why."

Right.

"Something he said- it- I- it reminded me of something... and I started to feel suffocated."

Suffocated.

Then it surely had to do with his accident.

"I'm sorry," I expressed sympathetically.

"It's not your fault... I saw your calls after some time. My phone was on silent when I left the house. I went back home and found out from your sister that you took her car. I called you, but you weren't answering. I thought you might have come here."

I patted my pockets to find them empty. "I must have left my phone in the car."

"Your mom doesn't know you're out. We should head back."