VENGEANCE

24

"What do you mean, Baba?" Raheem asked.

"I mean, get yourself prepared. Your future in-laws are coming to see you tomorrow," Farooq Shah revealed, staring into Amal's eyes. "And I want them pleased. No complaints whatsoever, or else the concept of beating some sense into you isn't new to me."

"I'm already married to Khizr. He hasn't divorced me yet," Amal spoke up hesitantly, her voice trembling.

"Oh, stop with the lies!" Farooq scoffed, clenching his fist and punching the table lightly. "I would have fixed your mind if not for the guests coming over to see you. But I can't have you ruin my reputation in front of them with a bruised face." His words dripped with malicious anger.

Amal stared at the floor, her eyes wide with fear. Her whole body seemed to lose color at her father's threat. It was the first time he had threatened her so directly. Usually, she was invisible to him; he spent his days outside and came home late, so their interactions were minimal. She felt a cold dread settle in her stomach, realizing just how far he was willing to go.

"Leave, Amal," Raheem told his sister, his voice urgent as he noticed their father's anger escalating. Amal stood up immediately, her legs shaky, and rushed away from her father's intimidating presence, her heart pounding in her chest.

***

"Hayee! Itna pyara bacha hai," Samira said, pulling Badr's cheek. The little boy stared at her with an awkward smile, his big eyes darting between Samira and his aunt, unsure of how to react to the sudden attention. Dina, seated beside Samira, smiled back at her mother-in-law, gently stroking Badr's hair to soothe him.

"Hayyan?" Samira called out as she saw her son passing through the living room. Dina's smile faded, her eyes narrowing slightly as she rolled them at the mention of Hayyan. The tension in the room grew palpable, hanging in the air like a thick, suffocating fog.

Badr stood up from his seat and rushed to greet Hayyan, his small feet padding quickly across the carpet. Hayyan, tall and imposing, picked him up effortlessly, his strong arms lifting the boy as if he weighed nothing. He greeted the ladies with his usual stoic face, his eyes briefly meeting Dina's before he took a seat on the sofa opposite them.

"What were you talking about?" Hayyan asked, his deep voice resonating through the room as he glanced at them curiously. Samira immediately started recounting the events of their day, her animated gestures contrasting with the underlying tension.

Dina excused herself to fetch some refreshments, her heart pounding as she eagerly escaped the strained atmosphere. She walked briskly to the kitchen, her mind racing. She needed a moment to breathe, to compose herself. The kitchen, though filled with the clattering of dishes and the hum of the refrigerator, felt like a sanctuary.

After a few minutes, Dina returned with a tray laden with fresh fruit and juice. She carefully placed it on the table in front of Hayyan, her movements measured and precise. She seated herself next to Samira, feeling a wave of disgust at herself for performing such domestic duties for a man like Hayyan. But she had to maintain the facade of happiness for Samira's sake.

"When are you planning on making me a grandmother?" Samira asked lightheartedly, her eyes twinkling with hope. Dina forced a tight-lipped smile, her gaze dropping to her lap. She had no answer for such a loaded question. Their relationship was far too complicated to consider bringing a child into it, especially when divorce was on her mind.

"Hmm?" Samira pressed, her voice filled with anticipation. But this time, her son responded.

"Soon," Hayyan replied coldly, his voice like a sharp blade cutting through the room. Samira's smile broadened with joy, but Dina kept her eyes fixed on her lap. Her heart sank at his answer, and she couldn't help but overthink his words. She knew his first wife, Natasha, had been seeing a gynaecologist for months, which only added to her heartache.