Forever His

Chapter 83: Kitten?

Mahnoor's POV:

The music and laughter hums all around me, but my mind feels a million miles away. I nod politely at whatever the woman next to me is saying, catching her words just in time.

"You and Shahmeer are the perfect power couple. And not to mention how much he adores you. It's like he can't even breathe without you."

Her compliment brings a smile to my lips, a soft, bashful thing. "Thank you," I murmur, my cheeks warming. But something feels off. It's been a while since Shahmeer left to get something from the car, and he still hasn't come back.

I pull my phone out of my clutch and type out a quick text.

"Everything okay? You've been gone for a while."

I press send and wait. One second. Two seconds. Five. Nothing.

Shahmeer always replies instantly, like he's waiting for me to text him. Always. But right now, my screen stays painfully blank.

A knot twists in my stomach. Maybe he got caught up with something? Someone needed his attention? But then why hasn't he replied?

I try calling him. Once. Twice. Three times. His phone is switched off. Shahmeer never turns his phone off. Ever. 

Panic scratches at my chest, clawing its way up my throat. Something's wrong. I can feel it like ice in my veins. I need to leave. I can't just stand here, pretending everything is fine when I know it's not.

"I-I need to go," I stammer out to the group of people around me, not caring about the puzzled looks they exchange. I don't have time to explain. I need to get home.

My heels click rapidly against the marble floor as I hurry outside. My hands shake as I raise my arm to hail a cab. The driver asks for the address, and I almost shout it out, my voice trembling.

I call him again. And again. My fingers hover over his name like the phone itself is my only lifeline. But the line stays dead. No rings, no reply.

My thoughts are a mess by the time the cab pulls up outside the house. I throw a wad of cash at the driver and bolt out of the car, not caring about the concerned looks from the staff as I rush inside.

I spot Kiran dusting the vase in the living room. "Kiran!" I call out, my voice breathless. "Have you seen Shahmeer?"

She looks up, eyes widening at my disheveled state. "Yes, Noori ji. He's in his room."

I barely let her finish before I'm yanking my heels off and running up the stairs, my heart pounding so hard I can feel it in my throat.

My fists knock on the door, hard and desperate. "Shahmeer?" I call out, voice tight with panic. "Are you in there?"

Silence.

A silence that crushes me.

I can feel him in there. His presence hangs heavy in the air, thick and stifling. Like a storm cloud ready to burst. But when I knock again, harder this time, there's nothing.

"Shahmeer?" My voice trembles as I say his name. "Please... Are you in there?"

Silence.

My hand presses flat against the door, my fingers curling against the wood. "Shahmeer? What's wrong? Talk to me, please."

Still, nothing.

The quiet is deafening. It seeps into my skin, poisoning every breath I take. I swallow, my throat aching with the effort of holding myself together. My mind is racing, panic clawing at me from every direction.