Unexpected But Mine

chapter 14

Sunday evening

The car came to a halt in front of the modest house. Emira's fingers fidgeted with the dupatta in her lap, her heart thudding in a nervous rhythm. Shaheer glanced at her from the driver's seat, his tone soft.

"You ready?"

She nodded wordlessly, unsure if she really was.

The door opened before they even knocked. Her mother stood there, arms crossed, lips pursed in an unreadable expression.
"You came," she said flatly
. "Didn't expect that after all the drama you created the other day."

Emira swallowed hard, offering a quiet "Salam." Shaheer followed her lead respectfully, greeting her with calm courtesy.

Inside, the air was heavy. Familiar walls. Unfamiliar coldness .
Her mother sat on the edge of the sofa like she didn't plan for them to stay long. "You brought your husband this time. Quite the bold step."

Emira opened her mouth but found no words. Shaheer stepped closer, offering a polite smile. "We didn't mean to intrude. She just wanted to check in... maybe talk things through."

"Talk?" Her mother scoffed. "You mean after insulting my brother in front of everyone? You've become too proud, haven't you? Just because you got married into a family that coddles your tantrums?"

Emira's hands curled into fists at her side. "I didn't insult anyone. I was just-"

"You always make everything about yourself. Playing victim like you've had the worst life in the world." Her mother's voice rose. "No gratitude. No shame."

Shaheer's jaw clenched. "With all due respect-"

"No need to act like the savior now," she cut in, eyeing him coldly. "You married her. That's your burden to bear now."

Emira blinked hard, struggling to hold back the sting in her eyes.
"I... I just wanted to see Abbu," she managed to whisper.

Her mother stiffened. "You're not going near him. Not after the mess you created."

Shaheer gently touched Emira's back, grounding her. "Maybe we should come back some other time-"

"No need," her mother snapped, standing abruptly. "There won't be another time."

The room stilled.
Her gaze burned into Emira. "Running off and living like some shameless girl, parading in front of people like you've suddenly become someone important... You've lost all your upbringing."
The word hit like a slap.

Shaheer stepped forward, voice low but steel-edged. "That's enough."

But Emira had already broken.
Her lips trembled, her eyes glassed over, and she turned away-unable to stand the weight of her mother's disgust.

"I never asked for much," she whispered to herself moving her way out. Shaheer was saying something in her defense but the words could not settle in her brain, her voice cracking. "Just... to be seen. To be loved a little."

Her mother's face remained cold as her voice gets louder.
"Don't come here again, Emira," she said sharply.

"You've made your choice."
Shaheer reached for her hand immediately, fingers curling around hers protectively dragging her out refraining her to listen any of her shit .