Serenity: A Journey Within

Chapter 5

As Mubashira stepped back into the house, she was greeted by Jeannette, one of the housekeepers, who had been patiently waiting for her arrival. With a weariness evident in her voice, Mubashira exchanged greetings, conveying the emotional and physical toll the therapy session had taken on her. Sensing her exhaustion, Jeannette offered her a refreshing drink, a gesture of kindness that was deeply appreciated.

After placing the drink in Mubashira's hand, Jeannette's voice, soft and caring, broke the silence. "Ma'am, would you like to have lunch right away, or would you prefer to take some rest first?" she inquired, her concern evident in her gentle tone.

 Mubashira, grateful for the offer but still lost in her thoughts, took a moment to collect herself before responding. She paused, her mind racing with conflicting emotions, before finally finding her voice. "I'm not particularly hungry at the moment, thank you," she replied, her words measured yet tinged with exhaustion. "A cup of black coffee would be perfect for now."

.As Mubashira made her way to her bedroom, she settled near the window, eagerly anticipating the arrival of her coffee. Gazing out at the captivating view before her, her mind drifted back to the therapy session, where the doubts she had long ignored began to ease. Despite feeling drained and hollow, she couldn't deny the weight that had been lifted from her shoulders. For the first time in a while, she felt light, as if a burden she had carried for too long had finally been released.

She recognized that this was just the beginning of her journey, knowing there was still a long road ahead. Yet, despite the uncertainty of what lay ahead, a sense of calm washed over her. Somehow, in the middle of the chaos of her thoughts, she couldn't shake the feeling that everything was going to be okay.

As Mubashira's mind wandered, thoughts of Zaid crept in, casting shadows of uncertainty upon her thoughts. She pondered how he might have reacted upon discovering her absence. Was he consumed with worry, or perhaps relieved to be freed from the burden of her presence? Could it be that he was too preoccupied with Ayra to even notice her departure?

A pang of longing tugged at her heart as she entertained the idea of him missing her. Was it wrong for her to desire acknowledgment of her pain, a recognition of her humanity? She yearned for him to understand the depth of her hurt, to realize that beneath her stoic facade, she too was vulnerable to the sting of his harsh words and demeanor.

A solitary tear trickled down Mubashira's cheek, its silent descent echoing the turmoil within her. With a heavy heart, she closed her eyes, succumbing to the overwhelming weight of her emotions. Little did she realize, exhaustion wrapped her in its gentle embrace, drawing her into the comforting embrace of a restless slumber.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

Zaid, who had been engrossed in his office work, suddenly felt a pang of unease wash over him, a sensation he recognized all too well from the past when Mubashira was distressed. It was as though his unconscious was trying to alert him to something amiss, something he couldn't quite grasp.

Suddenly, he couldn't ignore the feeling any longer. Pushing back his chair with a sense of urgency, he rose to his feet and made his way towards his father's office. Bursting through the door, he blurted out, "I need to talk to Mubashira."

Asif glanced up from his desk, his expression bemused as he regarded his son. "And why, may I ask," he inquired, injecting a hint of skepticism into his tone, "do you suddenly need to speak to her?" He paused briefly before adding, "After all this time, you've been content to ignore her presence until now."

Zaid's frustration simmered beneath the surface, his words tinged with a hint of exasperation as he spoke. "I don't want to delve into explanations right now," he began, his tone clipped yet urgent, "but please, just let me talk to her. Something's wrong, I can feel it."

With a shake of his head, Asif regarded his son with a mixture of pity and exasperation. "Ah, how convenient," he remarked dryly, his voice heavy with sarcasm. "Now you feel her pain, but when she was suffering right in front of you, you couldn't be bothered." He paused, his expression hardening with resolve. "I need some clarity first. If I deem you worthy of knowing, then maybe I'll consider calling her."

Zaid's restlessness surged within him, a whirlwind of emotions threatening to overpower his composure. "You can taunt me later," he retorted, frustration evident in his voice, "but right now, please, just let me speak with her. Or at least allow me to reach out and ensure she's alright."

Finally relenting, Asif picked up the phone and dialed Mubashira's number, but there was no answer. Trying the landline, he was met with Jeannette's voice on the other end. "Hello," he greeted, his tone weighted with concern. "May I speak with Mubashira?" he inquired. "Ma'am is currently resting," Jeannette replied calmly, "but I'll forward the message when she wakes up."

Opting against leaving a message, Asif concluded the call and redirected his attention to Zaid. With a measured tone, he informed, "She's currently resting." Pausing briefly, he locked eyes with his son, a silent demand for clarification lingering in the air. "Now," he continued, his voice holding a note of insistence, "care to explain what's going on?"

Zaid eased into a nearby chair, the urgency he had felt moments before replaced by a deep sense of resignation. With a heavy sigh, he allowed himself to be enveloped by the uncertainty that lingered in the room. "I don't know what's happening," he confessed, his voice betraying a hint of doubt. "But I just need her to be safe," he murmured softly, his concern evident in his words.

Asif's gaze bore into Zaid with unwavering intensity, his eyes holding a depth of conviction. "You need to take a moment to sort through your feelings and thoughts," he advised, his tone firm and resolute. "Because something tells me that when Mubashira returns, she won't tolerate your behavior any longer." Pausing for emphasis, he continued, "I may have intervened to prevent your marriage with Ayra, but it was ultimately your pride and ego that led you to marry Mubashira." His words carried a weight of truth, underscored by the gravity of the situation. "And then," he added with a hint of reproach, "you directed my anger at her with your harsh words and demeanor, especially considering all she's already endured because of Mohib, not to mention her ignorance about Ayra."

Zaid felt a pang of guilt stab at his heart as the weight of his father's words sank in. He had been unfair to Mubashira, he realized, but instead of facing his guilt head-on, he chose to push it aside. With a heavy sigh, he stood up and left the office, the burden of his unresolved emotions weighing heavily on his shoulders.