Serenity: A Journey Within

Chapter 2

The next morning, when Zaid and Ayra joined Asif at the breakfast table, they found him eating alone. As greetings were exchanged one-sidedly, Asif behaved as if they weren't even there, completely ignoring their presence. The couple sat down to eat, and it was Zaid who broke the silence, asking, "Where is Mubashira?"

Zaid wanted to express his gratitude to her for making such a significant sacrifice, knowing it wasn't in her nature. Ignoring the question, Asif continued to eat, prompting Zaid to press further, "I'm asking, where is Mubashira?" Asif looked at him with a blank expression and replied, "She is where she wanted to be."

Confused, Zaid questioned, "What do you mean?" Asif got up from his chair and remarked, "I think it's better if you concentrate on your wife. As far as I remember, you said she doesn't mean anything to you, right?" With that, Asif left the room, leaving Zaid in bewilderment. Ayra, irritated by the exchange, turned to Zaid and asked, "Why do you want to know?"

Zaid, looking troubled, replied, "No reason." He then left the room as well, leaving behind an atmosphere charged with unspoken tensions.

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Meanwhile, Jaffar sat with Rayan and Kashmala in the dining room, a palpable sense of confusion and shock hanging in the air as they listened to Mubashira's voicemail. Jaffar attempted to call her several times, but her phone remained switched off. Suddenly, Rayan, with a nonchalant tone, remarked, "Good riddance."

Jaffar, looking at him with anger, said, "Rayan! Don't forget that she is your sister, and consider what she is going through." Rayan rolled his eyes and retorted, "Why should I? She's the one who decided to let Zaid get married again instead of getting a divorce. Then she left, unable to handle the outcome." With that, he left the room, leaving Kashmala to exchange a concerned glance with Jaffar.

Entering his room with a storm of anger and frustration, Rayan found himself engulfed in the bitter memories of his strained relationship with Mubashira. The lingering echoes of incessant arguments, petty jealousy over their father's attention, and the persistent clash of their anger issues reverberated in his mind. Despite the animosity, an underlying worry for her welled up within him, a concern he refused to show to anyone.

Alone in her struggles, dealing with the aftermath of Zaid's second marriage, a decision she reluctantly made, Mubashira had disappeared into the unknown. "Dammit, Mubashira," Rayan exclaimed, the weight of his emotions evident in his frustrated tone. Unable to reconcile the complexities of their sibling dynamic, he took out his phone and made a call, seeking solace or perhaps a way to make sense of the tumultuous situation.

Kashmala decided to follow Rayan and, upon entering the room, found him cutting his call. Trying to ease the tension, she said, "Rayan, I understand it's difficult, but she's still your sister. Maybe try to empathize with what she's experiencing." Rayan, frustrated, replied, "Empathize? She made her choices, and now we all have to deal with the consequences."

Kashmala, maintaining a calm demeanor, suggested, "It's a complex situation, and emotions are running high. Give it some time, and perhaps you can talk to her later when things have settled." Rayan, still agitated, nodded dismissively, leaving Kashmala with a heavy heart as she contemplated the complexities of family dynamics.

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As Jaffar entered Asif's office, he found him engrossed in work, seemingly calm. This calmness irked Jaffar, prompting him to enter forcefully and call Asif's name. Asif glanced at Jaffar, sighed, and gestured for him to sit while passing a glass of water.

Once Jaffar had a moment to compose himself, he couldn't hold back his frustration. "What the hell is happening? Where is Mubashira? Why did you let her leave?" Jaffar demanded answers.

Asif maintained his composure, meeting Jaffar's gaze. "Yes, I know where she is. And no, before you ask, I'm not going to tell you. Trust me; she is safe, and she will return once she is in a better state."

Annoyance etched across Jaffar's face, he couldn't fathom the idea of sitting idly while his daughter's whereabouts remained uncertain. "You expect me to sit and do nothing while my daughter is god knows where. I'm unable to contact her," he expressed his worry and frustration to Asif.

Asif looked directly at Jaffar, emphasizing, "I need you to trust me and, more importantly, trust Mubashira. She needed this space, and I believe it's crucial for her well-being. She will reach out when she's ready."

Unbeknownst to them, Zaid, who had initially come to Asif's office to discuss Mubashira, had overheard the entire conversation. Silent and brooding, he left without uttering a word, making his way back to his own office. As he paced around in a mix of anger and worry, he couldn't shake the feeling that he should have sensed something amiss with Mubashira. Each time he believed he understood her, she proved to be unpredictable.

Deep down, a lingering doubt about her sincerity festered in Zaid's mind. He had thought she might be attempting to manipulate him or create chaos for Ayra in the house, and he had been prepared for those battles. However, he hadn't anticipated her giving up like this. The realization hit him hard—did he push her away to the point where she had completely given up on their relationship? Would she even come back? And if she did, would she seek to end their marriage?

As he grappled with these questions, a familiar pain resurfaced within Zaid. He found himself questioning why the mere thought of her leaving him again caused such profound stress. He had believed he had moved on from whatever complexities they shared in the past, so why did it feel like he was losing her all over again?

Attempting to shake off these thoughts, Zaid sat down, repeating to himself that he wouldn't, and couldn't, go down that road again. Despite his attempts at rationalization, he couldn't escape the emotional turmoil. To distract himself, he delved back into his work, though his mind continued to drift back to the unanswered questions surrounding Mubashira's sudden departure.

Unable to concentrate, he tried to convince himself that she simply needed a break, a holiday to enjoy and relax after the distressing events since her divorce. It had been a while since she had taken time for herself, so that must be the reason—nothing more. Yet, despite his attempts at self-assurance, an undercurrent of concern and confusion lingered, making it difficult for Zaid to focus on anything.

To be continued...

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Important note:-

In this story, Rayan loves Kashmala and maintains a negative opinion of Ayra, showcasing a classist attitude. There will be no inappropriate behavior from Rayan towards her. Additionally, Kashmala is not pregnant here, as I cannot recall the specific timeline of this track from the show. Further changes in the characters and their dynamics will unfold as the story progresses.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───