Love? A Disaster

♪ 35 (b): Edge of a shard ♪

When his stay in Pakistan ended, Raed wasted no time packing his stuff and leaving for home. It was part and parcel of his work life, and he had no complaints. Be honest with the story you're going to tell, live every moment while it lasts and when the time arrives, leave with a smile—the mantra and the method.

But this time around, he knew with conviction that he'd have to modify his tried and tested reasoning. He did look back at the time spent in Karachi, and he did miss it.

A lot, if he was being honest to himself, and lying had never been his strongest suit anyway. The unease eased when he reached out to what he had left behind.

Amal stayed in touch with him, his every call was answered, every time he asked for her opinion on his draft, she gave him honest feedback.

By the looks of it, the association was purely professional. But was it? She was, in no way, obligated to hear his ideas for his manuscript, and never before had he felt the need for this validation.

Both acted oblivious to this very obvious loophole. By choice, as not everything should make sense. Some things just don't, not when the time for their comprehension hasn't arrived yet.

The constant contact had made him well-versed in everything Amal and tonight, using the same expertise, he was certain something was bothering her.

"Okay, that's it."

Amal stopped mid-sentence and pursed her lips, thankful for the diversion. Conversing with her today was tedious and she'd be totally okay if Raed ended the call. Her words were uttered absent-mindedly, her always-there conviction was nowhere to be found. She staggered through her day with a haywire mind.

"Yeah, I thought so. I'll talk to you later and give you a better opinion on this." She mumbled. "I'm not in the right headspace right now. Sorry about that."

She waited for his agreement but it never came. Instead, he sighed. "If I told you to share your problem with me, would I be overstepping?"

Amal was taken aback, but slowly, a slight smile reached her lips. "Not at all."

That was good enough for Raed. "What's wrong, Amal?"

She sighed. "I didn't think it was that obvious."

It was not. She'd had a packed day full of her standard social interactions and no one could pick up on her sullen mood, or her inner turmoil. Only the girls were privy to it.

She hadn't expected someone sitting in the other corner of the world to call her bluff.

"Nothing's wrong but nothing's right either."

Her troubled whisper made Raed's scowl deepen. "Amal—"

"It's about my parents." She ran an agitated hand through her hair. "They're after Ghar. They've been for quite a while now. Baba wants to sell it. Ammo was fierce regarding Ghar and its inhabitants, but she's not here now, which gives Baba the liberty to do as he pleases. The only obstacle in his way is, well, me."

"Knowing you, it's more than enough. If anyone can fight for the ladies in Ghar, it's you, Amal."

Staying next door to the house, Raed had met Azra, Ruki, Shamim, and Chandni a few times, and even a stranger like him immediately felt their warmth.

Amal's reply was a painful chuckle. "That's why they've pulled the big guns. Zahra has come forward to fight this battle for Baba."

Her voice cracked as she uttered the last sentence. Raed wished he were there next to her. Consoling someone over the phone was inadequate, he concurred.