LET ME HATE YOU

Abbu

Amaan watched Asmaira, who was busy distracting Kabir with the view outside the car, and was surprised she wasn't asking where they were going. Asmaira, however, was pleased to see Amaan making such an effort to spend time with Kabir. It was as if he was trying to make up for his year-long absence.

As long as Kabir was happy and could grow up in a complete family, Asmaira was willing to do anything, including sharing a bed or a meal. Her smile faded when she recognized a familiar road, but she quickly dismissed the thought. Yet, the closer they got, the more anxious she became. It wasn't fear, but a reluctance to unearth old, painful memories.

"Where are we going?" she eventually had to ask, and Amaan simply smiled.

They both knew the destination. He didn't want to pressure her, but he also didn't want her to run away. He was determined to give her back what she had sacrificed to keep a promise to her deceased sister.

Asmaira's panic was obvious; her eyes darted around, and she nervously licked her lips.

As they pulled up to the place, Amaan finally said, "Kabir has never met your parents. It's time he should."

"H-he is still scared of p-people. H-he might panic," she quickly protested, trying to dissuade him.

"What is there to worry about? You and I are with him. He will calm down soon enough," he replied, stopping the car in front of the house.

Asmaira quickly looked at her father's house and then back at Amaan, "We didn't tell them we were coming. Maybe they aren't home."

Her excuse made him pause. He turned to face her. "Asmaira, Kabir is Raina's son. They deserve to meet him."

She was stunned by his directness. While she was still dazed, Amaan got out of the car. He opened her door, lifted Kabir into his arms, and offered her his hand. "Your parents are waiting."

She stared at his outstretched hand for a long moment. A plea was on her tongue, but when she looked up, something in Amaan's steady gaze stopped her. As if he was controlling her like a puppet, she slowly placed her hand in his, silently praying for a miracle.

Amaan's grip tightened around her cold, trembling palm. Holding her hand firmly, he walked forward. Asmaira's breath grew shallow, and she could only look down in anticipation. As if sensing their presence, before they could ring the bell, the door opened. The next moment, she was enveloped in a familiar, warm hug.

Taken aback, it took her a few seconds to register what was happening. She blinked, wondering if she was imagining it, but when her mother called her "Aashi," filled with longing, the rush of emotion was too much to hold back.

Biting her lip to stifle a sob, she closed her eyes and pressed into her mother's embrace. She didn't notice when Amaan released her hand, and she hugged her mother with all the pent-up emotion she had carried for months. The realization that this moment she had longed for was finally real broke her emotional restraint.

She would have stayed in her mother's arms if a throat hadn't cleared. Reality returned, and she immediately pulled away, remembering her last difficult conversation with her father. Expecting a reprimand, she moved closer to Amaan, bracing herself for her father's outburst, but he surprised her. "Suraiya, let them come in first."

Suraiya, smiling through her tears, ushered Asmaira inside. As Amaan was about to follow, Ehsaan blocked his path. "Thank you for bringing them. I'm sure you have a meeting to get to."

Asmaira's return had softened his anger, and though he had decided to forgive the past for his daughter's sake, he still couldn't look Amaan in the eye.

"Not at all, Abbu. My schedule is clear for the day. How could I miss spending time with my wife's family? Unless you don't want me t—"

"Of course not. Ehsaan was looking forward to meeting you, wasn't he?" Suraiya nudged her husband, who could only nod reluctantly.

Kabir, keenly observing the strangers with his parents, looked up at his father, questioning. "Dadda?"

Amaan smiled and set him down, encouraging him to walk toward Ehsaan. Surprised by Amaan's action, Ehsaan was about to protest when Kabir's innocent smile melted his heart. To his astonishment, Kabir walked up and grabbed Ehsaan's finger. Overwhelmed by a mix of guilt, sadness, and the regret of losing his elder daughter, Ehsaan crouched down and embraced his grandson.

Asmaira watched the entire scene, staring at Amaan in disbelief. First, her parents had welcomed him warmly, and then Amaan's respectful behavior toward her father. Ehsaan's reluctance was obvious, but Amaan didn't take offense. Instead, he proactively offered an olive branch. The old Amaan would have exploded at the clear disrespect and dragged her and Kabir away.

"It is so simple to be happy but so difficult to be simple," Suraiya's voice pulled her from her thoughts. She looked at her mother, who continued, "It's easy to talk and resolve things. But we let our ego or fear stop us, creating misunderstandings and ruining our happiness."

Throughout this time, Amaan's eyes remained on Asmaira. Seeing her carefree and relaxed for the first time, he couldn't stop staring. Her smile seemed genuine and innocent, her eyes twinkled as she watched Kabir's antics, and there was a lively bounce in her step, finally feeling at home.

"You'll drill a hole into her with your stare."

Amaan frowned and looked up at his father-in-law. What surprised him was that he hadn't noticed Ehsaan's presence until he spoke.

"I'm sure you're not here to lecture me on how I should look at my wife."

"I'm here to lecture you on how to take care of my daughter. If I ever hear you hurt her, I will kill you," Ehsaan stated, to which Amaan gave a calm reply.

At the Hashmi mansion, Feriha and Salar were on the lawn when she asked the house staff, "Did Amaan and Asmaira return?"

Before the staff could answer, she saw Amaan's Aston Martin pull up to the entrance.

"It seems they a—" her words stopped when she saw Amaan.

Kabir was nestled against his sleeping mother, who was also asleep, unaware that Amaan was carrying them both. Feriha felt a hand on her shoulder before she heard Salar say, "Didn't I tell you to give him time? Our son has moved on, Feriha."

"Raina can finally rest now," she whispered, wiping away her tears.

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