UNENDING

26- Blanket

Hi! I'm sorry for ghosting. I am a student before an amateur writer. The school year is over now, and I needed a few days to destress, so I went to London. I'm back now, so enjoy this mess. 

-AL-QASIM-

I sat across from my in-laws, the heavy weight of disgust settling deep in my chest as I listened to their pathetic attempts to justify their actions. The room was thick with tension, the air practically humming with the energy of unspoken words. I glanced at the clock on the wall, each tick amplifying my irritation. My wife, my sweet Asiya, was at home under the care of my cousin, Hannah. I couldn't risk bringing her here, not in her current state and not around these people who had caused her so much pain.

My father-in-law's voice droned on, but I barely heard him. I watched his lips move, watched his hands gesticulate as if he could somehow explain away years of cruelty. They were trying to paint themselves as the victims, the misunderstood parents who were only trying to raise their daughter the "right way." It was sickening. I'd heard enough.

"Stop," I cut in, my voice sharp and final. The room fell silent, the only sound now the faint ticking of the clock. I leaned forward, my gaze locking onto theirs. "I don't care about your excuses. I don't care about your twisted justifications. The fact remains that despite how vile and wicked you are, Asiya still cares about you. She still considers you her family. And only because of that—only because of her—will I spare you."

My mother-in-law opened her mouth to respond, but I held up a hand, silencing her. "But let me make one thing clear," I continued, my tone as cold as ice. "From this moment on, you will not receive a single penny from me. The life of luxury you've been enjoying? Consider it over. Figure out how to maintain the lifestyle I've provided without my help. And if you so much as think about coming near Asiya again, I will have you locked up. Do you understand me?"

The room was dead silent. My father-in-law's face had gone pale, and my mother-in-law looked as if she'd been slapped. I could see the gears turning in their heads, the panic beginning to set in as they realized the gravity of what I'd just said. But before they could respond, I stood, ready to leave this wretched place.

"Wait, please," my mother-in-law blurted out, rising from her seat. Her voice was tinged with desperation. "Asiya is lying to you. She's playing the victim! She's been torturing Jamila for years, and Jamila just wanted to retaliate once. That's all!"

Her words were like poison, and I felt a fresh wave of disgust roll over me. The audacity of this woman, trying to twist the truth in such a grotesque way. I turned to face her fully, letting her see the anger burning in my eyes.

"Do you take me for a fool?" I asked quietly, my voice low and dangerous. "Do you think I don't know what happened? Do you think I haven't seen the damage you've done?"

She opened her mouth to respond, but the words died in her throat when she saw the look on my face. I shook my head, no longer interested in hearing whatever lies she had left to spew. I turned on my heel and headed for the door.

"Please, Al-Qasim, listen to me!" Jamila's voice rang out, filled with a false desperation that grated on my nerves. "You're making a mistake! Asiya has been manipulating you! You have to see her for who she truly is!"

Each word she spoke fanned the flames of my anger, but I kept walking, refusing to let her get under my skin. I reached the door and stepped out, feeling the warm air hit my face like a welcome relief. Behind me, I could hear Jamila still begging, her voice growing more frantic, but I forced myself to block it out. I was done with these people.