Broken desires

23, He's back

Man makes so many mistakes in his life, but every time he ignores them, thinking that he won't make another error. Yet, he forgets that he is only human, and sin and error are his second nature.

Huzaifa knew he had made a significant mistake. But his mistake wasn't marrying Ruby; it was hiding that marriage from everyone.

To hide it from Moomal.

In the midst of the function, when the important marriage ceremonies were being performed on the stage, he stood alone at a short distance from the stage, watching everyone in silence.

His father, mother, Rabia, all the cousins, and Moomal-how happy everyone looked. Abrar and Ahmar took him on stage with them, but Huzaifa returned as soon as they were distracted by someone else.

It wasn't that he wasn't happy; he was also very happy to see Maham happy. But the heavy burden on his chest prevented him from mingling with everyone. Even in the shadows, he could not lighten the weight on his chest.

Zayn's words kept ringing in his ears, and he was terrified. Then his own scattered emotions, which for some reason had rebelled against him, ruined all his peace of mind.

If he smiled for two minutes, the next two moments would be tangled in his thoughts again. Anyone looking at him could tell he was upset about something, including Moomal.

Since her arrival, she couldn't stop herself from glancing at him from time to time. But the dark shadows on his face made her anxious.

She knew Huzaifa felt this way because of her, but she couldn't tell him that Zayn had forced her that day because she knew he would likely go to Zayn's house and confront him. She didn't want that at all.

But she couldn't let it show, so she wanted to talk to him and clear up his misunderstanding. Yet, because of the important occasion, she hid her concerns and forced a smile.

"What's wrong with him? And why is he standing so far away?" Ahmar, who was standing next to her on the stage, said softly.

"What?" Moomal looked startled and glanced at him-he was looking at her.

"Maybe he's worried about his late arrival?"

"It's his own fault, but he's made it look like he's been wronged. Since he was a child, he has only thought of himself. As if thinking of others will lead him to sin," Ahmar said sarcastically.

Moomal looked downward. But she couldn't stop herself from defending Huzaifa.

"He's not like that. He must have gone to Karachi for some reason. Otherwise, he wouldn't have done it at all. And you know that too." Ahmar looked at her with interest, then with a faint smile, shook his head and turned his attention back to the ongoing rituals.

After the ceremony, the bride and groom were seated on the royal-style sofa on the stage, and the photo session with the family members began.

When it was Mueez Sahib's family's turn, Huzaifa was nowhere to be seen. Moomal had been watching Huzaifa, who was standing far from the stage, talking to someone on the phone.

"Wait, I'll get him." After saying this, Ma'am Sahib, upset with Huzaifa, hurried towards him. As she approached, her hesitation returned. Huzaifa, unaware of her presence, was talking softly on the phone.

She knew everyone on stage would be waiting for her, and she could not waste time. She couldn't understand why she felt so nervous to face him; after all, she was his childhood friend, and this wasn't the first time he'd been angry with her. So why was she reluctant to take the initiative this time?

Thinking this, she mustered the courage to take a deep breath and, instead of calling out to him or saying something, boldly grabbed his arm and said, "Come with me; uncle is calling you." Without waiting for his response, she led him towards the stage. Despite his surprise and astonishment, he followed her silently.

Most of the guests had left, except for close relatives who watched with interest and smiles on their faces.

"I wish I could find such a brave wife too," said a cousin standing there, sighing, and everyone else nodded in agreement.

Reaching the stage, Moomal took Huzaifa with her and stood next to Rabia, quickly removing her hand from his arm as if it had been burned by his touch.

"I didn't know my brother was such an obedient child," Rabia teased in a soft voice.

At her words, Moomal blushed with shame.

Huzaifa continued to look at her. Back there, he was answering an urgent call a while ago, but the call had been cut off from the front due to his constant silence. Instead of becoming angry, he was just surprised.

And in these few moments, the nagging emotions inside him resurfaced, making him even more restless.

"Get ready."