Broken desires

25

"Get ready," the cameraman called out, drawing everyone's attention to the camera. The whole family was now ready for the photo, all wearing smiling faces.

Huzaifa glanced at his mother, father, Arbaaz, and Rabia. His father and Arbaaz stood with their arms draped around their wives' shoulders.

He then looked sideways at Moomal, who was standing a short distance away, staring at the camera with a shy smile. Unbeknownst to her, Huzaifa suddenly lifted his arm and drew her closer in a side hug.

Moomal looked startled by his sudden action, and at that moment, the cameraman captured this beautiful moment.

"Done," the cameraman said, signaling everyone to leave the stage. Mueez Sahib departed with the others, and Huzaifa followed, but Moomal, still in shock, stood there watching him go.

She couldn't believe she had been so close to him. She could still feel his presence, the scent of his distinctive perfume lingering in her breath. Her face felt hot, and her heart raced, trying to escape its cage.

"First, you pulled him in front of everyone, and then Huzaifa hugged you like that. You're moving at the right pace, sweetheart," Rabia said, noticing her condition. She couldn't resist teasing her sister-in-law but then, seeing Moomal's shy, bowed head, she smiled and said, "Let's go."

Rabia led her back to the others.

After the photo session, when it was time for Maham to leave with her husband, the women of the house behaved as if Maham were departing for Antarctica. Initially, the men allowed them to cry, but when the bride and the guests continued to shed tears, their grandfather rebuked them.

They all made their way home. After sitting in the living room for a while, they went to their rooms to sleep. Despite taking a long time to settle in bed, sleep eluded Moomal.

Her mind was filled with thoughts. Her heart was heavy, first because of Huzaifa's anger and now because of Maham's departure.

For days, she and Maham had been sleeping together and talking for hours before bed, but she had still kept her feelings hidden.

Now that Maham was gone, no one could stop her from talking for hours, and as a result, her mind was restless and deprived of sleep.

She didn't know how long she had tossed and turned in bed. Frustrated, she gave up on sleep, picked up her scarf, and quietly exited her room, careful not to disturb anyone.

The mansion was eerily silent at this hour. Only one light was on in the living room, casting its glow around. Feeling trapped in the house, she decided to go to the roof. She moved quietly toward the stairs.

As she passed the boys' room, she shot an annoyed glance at the door. "After disturbing my rest, he must be sleeping soundly," she muttered, then turned away.

She was relieved to find the roof door already open.

Stepping outside, she was greeted by the cold night air, and a faint smile spread across her lips. She sat down on one of the chairs and closed her eyes, embracing the calm atmosphere.

Since childhood, she had loved the village nights. The pollution-free cold winds always had a soothing effect on her mind and heart.

In these quiet moments, she would close her eyes and imagine her life as she wanted it to be. A life where Huzaifa would talk to her, sometimes hold her hand, or play with her loose hair. In these moments, there would be no third person between them, not even Ruby.

In her dreams, he would express his love to her. But even as she dreamed, her heart ached more and more. Yet, she couldn't stop herself from repeating this process because this was the only place where she could confess her feelings, where she could call him her own.