Closer than we knew

Chapter 6

Salar pulled up in front of Sitara's house. He looked at her as she stared out of the window, her hands shaking as she held his jacket. She didn't say a word the whole journey, nor did Salar initiate any conversation and gave her space, However he kept looking over at her from time to time.

"We're here," Salar said softly, breaking the silence.

Sitara blinked and looked at her house. She didn't move and her grip on the jacket tightened. Salar turned off the car and turned to her.

"Sitara, if you're not ready to go in, we can wait here a little longer. I'll stay with you," he said.

Her eyes met his, and she felt a lump in her throat. She wanted to stay a little longer, she felt safe in Salar's presence but she can't be selfish right now. Salar was doing this out of kindness and he had already done so much when he was not obligated. She can't burden him more with her sufferings.

"I think I will just go inside," Sitara whispered, brushing off all the thoughts.

Salar nodded. "I'll walk you to the door."

At first, she thought about telling him not to but stopped. She didn't want to be alone, even if it is walking those few steps. Salar got out of the car and helped Sitara to get out too. He held her hand and maintained a visible distance so as not to make her uncomfortable.

As they walked to the front door, Sitara's heart raced uncontrollably. She had no idea how to tell her parents about what happened. Before she could reach the door, her mother opened it. She looked worried.

"Sitara? Why weren't you answering your phone?" Her mother looked between Sitara and Salar, noticing the jacket Sitara was wearing.

Sitara felt her throat tightening, and the moment she saw her mother's concerned face, she couldn't hold back any longer and finally broke down.

"Ammi..." Her voice cracked, and her mother came forward to hug her tightly.

"It's okay, beta. It's okay, relax," her mother whispered.

Salar stepped back, giving both of them space. He gave Sitara's mother a nod and spoke softly, "I'll leave now, but if you need anything, just call me, okay?" He glanced at Sitara one last time, who was still crying in her mother's embrace, before leaving towards his car.

"I didn't know... they took a picture... they posted it...I didn't....." Sitara managed to say between her sobs.

Her mother didn't ask questions. She simply held her and guided her into the house. Sitara's father appeared in the hallway, his face filled with confusion and worry.

"What's going on? Sitara, are you okay?" he asked.

Her mother blinked her eyes, signalling him to wait.

She sat down on the couch with her parents trying to explain what had happened, the photo, the boys, and how everyone had seen it.

Her father's face grew serious, "That's not right. I am going to find them and sue them."

Her mother hugged her again. "You did nothing wrong, beta. This isn't your fault."

Sitara nodded and leaned into her mother.

"I just want this to go away," she whispered.

"It will," her mother said softly. "We'll get through this together."

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Salar slammed the door behind as he entered his house, startling his parents who were sitting in the living room. His face was tense and brows forrowed. His father looked up from the book he was reading and exchanged a worried glance with his wife.