The trail and error of life

Chapter 35:

Amyra's POV

"Amyra!"
"Amy-"

"Ya Allah!"

"Zeenath!"

" I cant believe..."

I could feel light hitting my face and could hear multiple things while I was trying my best to get myself together. I slowly peeked open my eyes and it took few seconds for it to adjust to the light. As I was too focused on stabilising by breathing, it took me sometime to realise that a whole bunch of people are watching me and they are even talking to me, or maybe yelling. My vision started to get more clear only to fall on a mortified looking Zeenath aunty along with bunch of ladies and men around her age. I was suddenly conscious of the attention and my position so I quickly got up only to lose my balance again but thankfully Ayaan, who I didnt realise was standing by the bed caught hold of me. "Are you okay?" He asked, his expression and voice held a lot of emotions and I simply nodded a yes. My throat was feeling parched and mind was telling me I was in grieve danger. My eyes snapped to Dhrithi and Avi who seemed to have hurried into the room along with the others. They had horrified expressions on their face as well observing the entire room. "Why are you silent Zeenath? I cant imagine what would happen if word goes around" One of the lady said in disgust while aunty Zeenath stood there with her head held low. "I never would have dreamt that Zeenath's son would turn out to be.. Chi!" Another aunty in a burqa remarked. " Arre! Shouldn't this girl at least have some shame?" One of the uncles shouted at me. What is happening?! "I'm really sorry to be interrupting, but please trust me all of you are misunderstanding the situation" Dhrithi pleaded to the people. "Arre What misunderstanding beta? Look at the way he's holding her" The aunty in pink pointed out when I realised his arms were still around me and I quickly pushed out of his hold. "Exactly, now no matter how modern you say you are, all this has only one meaning" One of the uncles concluded. Tears started flowing down my cheeks as the grievness of the situation I am in seeped into my mind. I never even dreamt of being in this situation and here I am, my character being scrutinised. What will Ammi say? Why is this happening to me? "Is this why you called us over Zeenath Jiji? To show this?" One woman asked, there was more amusement in her voice than anything else. "Are you guys done?" Ayaan voice came out loud and angry. "I asked if you guys are done! You people being older than me doesn't mean you have the license to say whatever the hell you want!" He shouted , his voice even higher while my sobs got heavier with time. I just cant handle the disgust and judgement these people are holding in their eyes for me now. Dhrithi and Hannah slowly moved towards me and I broke down as they held my hand. Why Allah! Why is this happening to me? You know I had no such intention then why? Why am I being punished like this? " Haha.. and you think raising your voice silences people? I agree you might be a successful business man but beta you should understand that when you live in a society and carry on such deeds, you will be bound to such questions as well" A man ridiculed, he seems very much entertained by the atmosphere. "What the hell do you think you are talking about Ikram Uncle? Do you even-" "Enough!" Zeenath Aunty's clamour stopped Ayaan midway and silenced all the murmurs that was present all this while. "What Zeeath Jiji? Got something more to add to Ayaan?" The woman who was amused earlier asked in the same tone. "Yeah, got anything to say in your son's defence? And please dont say we've misunderstood the situation and disgrace yourself any further. All of us know what we have seen" Somebody said while I turned away as Hannah proceeds to cares my back. I dont even want to see these people.They disgust me. "Yeah Jiji, just accept it" Somebody chuckled and I could see Ayaan's knuckles growing white in his fist. "Yes! I accept that whatever you saw is true" Zeenath aunty said, her voice very much strained and angry and I couldn't help but cry hearing that. No! It's not true! But I couldn't voice it out. How can I be so useless. The murmurs and few chuckles here and there didnt go unnoticed. "But they are doing nothing wrong!" She said again confusing all of us. I looked at the girls to see that they shared the same expression. "Why Ikram? Were you humiliated like this when you wanted to spent some time with Aisha? Yes! Amyra is Ayaan's wife!" She announced. "Ammi!" I heard Ayaan exclaim and my head snapped towards Zeenath aunty. It took me a second to realise what she meant. What the hell is she saying! What is happening! "Yaan, you be quite now. Theres no use hiding it any longer. It will only do more damage" Her voice was strain as she stressed on each word while her eyes were conveying something intensely to Ayaan and he just stormed off the room followed by Avi and Harsh. "As my son asked, is there anything more for you guys to say?" She asked looking angrily at each of the people in the room who looked like they had the shock of their lives while I just stood there like stump. That question of hers were followed by a ton load of questions and a bunch of in direct apologies. I stood there with a blank face, not even uttering a word as aunty Zeenath proceeded to explain that Ayaan and I got married a week before in private to accommodate Ayaan's desire to not have a big wedding and that she had organised this party to also break this news to the immediate family. I honestly have lost track of what reality is. For the hundredth time, what is happening! I still kept numb with occasional nods as they tried to apologise and carry out small conversations with me. The only thing on my mind was how thankful I was to have Dhrithi and Hannah by my side. "Well at least I got to know what my husband's family thinks of my son and I. And please do have food before leaving" Zeenath aunty said before leaving. There was anger, pain and betrayal in her voice. Hearing her, some of them huffed and proceeded to leave the room. As soon as they left, I lost all the power that was holding me up and I plopped on the ground while the girls called out for me and sat beside me on the ground. "Dhrithi, I dont understand what is happening! Hannah, trust me we did nothing wrong, they are wrong" I cried hysterically. "Shush! Amu Shush!" Dhrithi tried to sooth me. "Yeah Amyra, just shut up! You dont have to explain we all know! Even Ayaan's mother, she was just trying to handle the situation. I just dont know if what she did was right" Hannah trailed off. "I want to go home. Please take me home. I dont want to be here anymore" I pleaded. "Shush! Its okay! Please relax Amyra, we can go but please just wait till everyone leaves. These people are nasty. For now, I think its best that we dont blow the cover" Hannah advised and I nodded understanding what she was saying. "The boys are there with Ayaan right?" Dhrithi asked Hannah. "Yeah, I just hope he doesn't do anything stupid. You be here with her, let me go check on aunty and how things are outside" Hannah said before leaving.