A Delightful Tragedy

25. Anger

U M È M A' S P O V

Did I hear that right? Ears, was that real?

Yes, you idiot.

"What? This is a joke right? Shariq, stop pranking. You had done the same on April Fools too. I am not falling for this trap again.This is not the right time to joke okay?" I demanded. What is this idiot even uttering from his mouth?

"Umèma," he said, stepping closer and gently holding my arms. "On that day when you were distressed about getting stranded because of Mantasha, the prank wasn't when I told you I loved you— that was the truth. The lie was when I said I wasn't in love with you."

"What?" I bellowed.

"Yes, Umèma. I am in love with you. If you like it or not." He finished.

My mind was shaken so was my state.

"What rubbish?" I swatted his hands away. "Nonsense! I don't believe this. What are you even talking about? You don't love me."

"Do not." Shariq jeered. "Do not doubt my love for you. Meri mohabbat mein koyi dohrai nahi."

(My love has no doubt.)

"I have laid out everything, you wanted to know. You know how I feel about you." He came closer entering my personal space. His voice reflected vulnerability.

"But Shariq, I don't think you understand thi-"

"Umèma, my love, I love you. I understand everything. It is you who is not trying to understand me." He looked me right in the eye as his palm gently held my cheek.

"No Shariq, all this while we argued like crazy!" I ventured trying to put my point across.

"I have confessed everything I had to. Yet, yet you just don't care." Shariq's dejected voice reached my ears.

"It's not that I don't care. I don't love you and will never do." That was harsh of me, however it was to be said out loud. I don't want him to give any wrong ideas.

"I KNOW!" He voiced out. "I know you don't love me. I never asked you to reciprocate. Yeh mere dill ka haal hai jo tumhare puchne par bata diya." He left the room leaving me alone with my puzzle mind and situation.

(This is the state of my heart, which I shared only because you asked.)

What do I do now?

S H A R I Q' S P O V

Can't believe I confessed to her.

I shouldn't have shouted her like that. Shouldn't have talked to her like that. However, I wasn't at fault. She was just being unreasonable.

My heart, my feelings. She cannot control what I feel. The things I feel for her were from a long time ago. This isn't a matter of past few days. I have realised I always had been inclined towards her. On top of that, the Nikkah has done nothing but ignited my feelings for her. I love the fact that she is my wife. I love that my name comes next to hers. I love that she is my responsibility. I love everything about this. I love- I love her.

But when are you going to understand that Mrs. Umèma Shariq?

I know she would never reciprocate my feelings. I would have to think about myself something.