KHAARZAAR

۱۹: تماشا / Spectacle

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Miraal's phone was constantly ringing. She was currently in a cab ride. The moment she exited the restaurant, she hailed a cab. She doesn't want to spend another minute sitting with Mr. Tahir and Rohaan. She was all over the place as per by her emotions and she refused to show them just how much their words had affected her.

She knew Rohaan would definitely follow her out and she doesn't want to talk to him. She needs a couple of hours to herself. She's not in the mood to talk with anyone. Her emotional turmoils were too much and she wasn't in need of comfort. She just wanted to go home and called it a day.

She was heading home. It was already 9:00 in the night. She was already tensed because last time she was home late, Suleman tried to tie her marriage to a wife beater. This time, she was aiming for even worse. To add to the list, Rohaan was continously calling her. She hadn't received his call.

But he was not getting the hint. She was getting more agitated by it the more he kept calling. She finally hit her mile and turned off her phone. She slammed the phone hard on her lap. She looked outside the window not wanting the cab driver to see her miserable state. Her scarf was wrapped tightly around her face. But still, she faced away from the driver.

She kept looking as the trees and the people pass by. Everyone were living their lives to the fullest. She knew everyone must be dealing with their own problems and troubles at life. But still, she felt a bit of envy when she saw a girl, not any older than her age laughing and smiling while enjoying a beautiful dinner in a restaurant.

Miraal could see the reflection in the glass mirror. She wondered if her life would be like this if the past hadn't happened. If her father was still alive, she wouldn't be crying alone in a cab. She would be laughing and enjoying her life to the fullest knowing that she has her own protector. Yet, now, she was dull and completely wrecked out of hope.

Her mind was so exhausted that she just wanted to close her eyes and forget about the whole day. Sleeping never really sounded so good to her. She closed her eyes when the emotions became too much and she just hoped that she reached home sooner.

÷÷÷÷

As Miraal handed the cab fare to the driver, he drove away. She exhaled a deep breath before she started walking to the main door. It was almost 10 now. She got stuck in traffic for a while. Her mental energy was drained and she was walking like a robot. She needed rest. Her mind was so preoccupied with conjuring thoughts that she instantly wanted to shut it off.

Yet, when she entered inside, she heard the icy cold voice of her tayi

"Ye konsa waqt hai ghar ane ka?"
(Is this the time to come home?)

Miraal closed her eyes. She wasn't really in a mood to have an argument with her tayi.

"I'm sorry. I'll be careful next time."

She again started to head upstairs when she heard the gruff voice of her older Taya

"Miraal, ye kiya tareeqa ha bat karne ka?"
(Miraal, is that the way to talk?)

She turned around not expecting Suleman to be present as well. She looked at him in confusion. What wrong did she say?

"What do you mean, Taya?"

Suleman released a disappointed sigh

"I gave you a chance yet you choose to do the same thing again. Have some shame, Miraal."

Her eyebrows furrowed. What is he saying? But then it clicked. Of course. She was late. He would only assume that she was up to no good. Right now, she had no physical energy to fight so she muttered