Ashes to Roses

Chapter 3

The clouds hung low in the sky, casting a soft veil over the October sun. A faint breeze whispered through the trees. Arish's house stood in solitude; the paint resembling the earthy palette of autumn. The walls witnessed silently the gloom draping over the hearts of its residents. Soha's condition had left everyone disoriented. In the room, Nawra sat on the prayer mat, her palms clasped together raised before the Almighty, whispering dua. Each word an echo of her devotion to her cherished friend. She had constantly been on this mat since yesterday, ever since the moment she had received the fateful news, only leaving to tend to Irha. Nawra had confined steadfastly in Soha ever since they had crossed paths. Without Soha's cheerful demeanour, Nawra would have struggled dealing with her divorce.

Nawra sat on the bed in her room at her parents' house, her knees pulled close to her chest, and her head nestled against them.

"Nawra", Soha whispered softly, standing at the door.

Nawra looked up. Soha's heart shattered as she looked at her red eyes. Nawra managed a faint, tearful smile.

"Soha." She whispered back. Soha threw her handbag on the table. The distance between them shrank as Soha rushed to hug her. Nawra leaned into her embrace, her tears flowing like a river.

Soha pulled back and cupped Nawra's hands squeezing them.

"I'm so sorry, Nawra. I – I can't imagine how difficult it would have been for you.", Soha stuttered as she struggled to find the right words.

"Staying in the marriage was the harder part, Soha. He was – he was abusive, and he made sure I was cut off from every dear one. I felt so worthless" Nawra gulped before she let Soha in on the downfall of her marriage. Soha felt a pang of sorrow hit her. Nawra was the epitome of an ideal wife, embodiment of virtue and garce. Soha couldn't grasp at the fact how could someone so kind and gentle be treated so inhumanely.

"Nawra, if I embarked on a journey across the world to find the most beautiful soul, it would lead me to you. You are wonderful. If he failed to know your worth, it's his loss." Soha consoled her friend whose tears hadn't ceased.

"He is the one who didn't deserve you," Soha continued, her voice steady. " You have a whole life ahead of yourself, filled with possibilities and opportunities. Don't waste your precious tears on someone who couldn't recognise the gem of a person he had." Soha gently wiped away the salty trails from her face.

"Abhi to mein ne tumse meri shaid pr na aane ka hisab bhi lena hai.", Soha feigned seriousness, causing Nawra to smile through her tears.

[You need to answer for missing my wedding.]

"That damned smile, How I missed it!" Soha giggling causing Nawra to smack her arm.

Irha's screams made Nawra to conclude her dua as she brushed her hands over her cheeks and rushed to the nursery.

* * *

Unspoken sadness lingered in the air making it difficult for everyone to swallow their food. Arish had gone to see Soha, but his visit had to be cut short because the hospital had strict rules about visitors for coma patients, and they didn't permit anyone to stay overnight. He, despite his reluctance, had been coaxed out of his room by his mother, reasoning he needed to be strong for Irha. Unbeknownst to her, her granddaughter still awaited her father's embrace. Affan, who had not come across her since last evening, was eager for an encounter with Nawra at the dinner table. Much to his dismay, she was unable to join them as she busied herself with the young member. The meeting could wait, right now lighting the atmosphere was his main concern. The melancholy felt suffocating and hung over their neck like a sword, ready to slice their jugular vein. Arish played with the food on his plate, clearly lost.