EHSAAN

Exposed

“Why tonight? Why not any other night when Hazem actually agrees?” Sumayya asked, her patience wearing thin after 25 minutes of relentless begging.

“Because she can’t sleep alone, and she’s terrified of lizards!” Samira blurted out, her voice laced with urgency.

Sumayya's frown deepened as she absorbed Samira's words, her curiosity piqued. Anya's eyes widened in shock, a flush of humiliation creeping up her neck. If Hazem had ever respected her, it was surely slipping away now.

"Alone?" Sumayya repeated, her tone a mix of confusion and concern. Samira nodded eagerly, thinking her plan was working. Anya wished the ground would swallow her whole.

Sumayya closed her book in disbelief. “How irresponsible of him! Leaving his wife alone when he knows she's afraid to sleep by herself.”

Samira dramatically shook her head at her brother's carelessness and agreeing with her mother's reaction, satisfied with the effect. Anya saw how Samira was stoking the flames and knew she had to intervene before things got worse.

“Ammi, she meant alone as in without her company, not without Hazem,” Anya stammered, grasping at anything to undo the damage.

Samira nodded eagerly and tried again, "Please, Mama!"

Sumayya acknowledged Anya's explanation with a nod, but her skepticism lingered as she noticed how anxious Anya became when Samira talked about her sleeping alone.

"If you really want a sleepover and Hazem won't allow her to stay here, then why don't you ask if you can go with them to their house instead?" Sumayya suggested, eyeing Samira, who appeared to be considering the idea. Anya's anxiety spiked at the thought. Samira was unaware of the underlying tensions—her previous words had simply been a slip of the tongue.

"And remind your Baba to come to bed. Does he need a nudge every time he overworks himself?" Sumayya added, closing her book and rising from her seat. "I'll talk to him about cutting back on these business trips, okay?" She smiled warmly at Anya, who returned a nervous nod.

'This isn't how it was supposed to go,' Anya thought, her worry deepening as she wondered how Hazem would react.

As soon as Sumayya left, Samira grabbed Anya's hand and pulled her into the hallway. "Why didn't I think of this sooner?" Samira exclaimed, excitement in her voice.

"Mira, I think it's pointless. He's angry—what if he takes it out on you?" Anya warned.

"Don't worry, he won't. Especially not in front of Baba. All I have to do is ask him first, then run and hug Baba," Samira said confidently, while Anya stifled a laugh at her own situation. She had no one to run to, so she would have to face whatever came her way.

They walked down the corridor in silence until a thought struck Samira. "By the way, why do you always turn so red whenever Hazem bhai is mentioned? Look, you're blushing like a beetroot right now."

"No, I'm not!" Anya denied, her face flushing even more.

"But you are," Samira teased with a laugh, prompting Anya to shoot her a playful glare. She lunged to grab Samira, but Samira quickly dodged and ran ahead, giggling.

"Bhai, can I have a sleepover at your house?" Samira’s voice interrupted Hazem's focus on his work. He looked up with a sigh, his gaze shifting from Samira to Anya, who stood nervously in front of his desk. Frowning, Hazem glanced around the room and spotted Samira on the couch, clinging to their father, Zafar.

Hazem shook his head, realizing this was yet another one of Samira’s tactics to diffuse his anger. His attention returned to Anya, who was staring at the floor, her hands trembling slightly. He tapped the table in front of him, indicating the chair opposite his desk. Anya understood and quietly took a seat, while Samira remained on the couch on the other side of the room.