Normal With You

Chapter 47

His father's arm was wrapped around his mother's waist as they walked in carrying what looked like a cushioned chair covered by a thin blanket. He heard a tiny, hoarse wail come from beneath the blanket and it was sheer curiosity that carried him over to where his parents stood. "Say Hello to your sister." Claire winced as she knelt, still sore from the stitches beneath her navel, watching Zaheer walk back to the car for their things.

"What's her name?" Riaz looked down in awe at the sight of the little, red human before him. She had a tuft of dark hair and as her yells grew louder and louder, her face became more and more red with exertion.

"Farhana."Claire gently grabbed Riaz's hand, pulling him a little closer. "She won't hurt you, don't be scared." She smiled, amused at his hesitant movements.

"But," he looked down, reaching his hand ever so slowly towards the little person.

"But what?"

"Dammit Claire! Stop wasting time and feed her." Claire jerked at the sound of her husband's voice behind her.

"I'm sorry." She said quickly, standing up without a second glance at Riaz as she snatched the car seat in her hands and rushed to her room.

Riaz watched his father walk away, trembling still at the anger he heard in his voice. He wondered if Zaheer was always like that. Or was he like Riaz once upon a time?

He didn't ever want to grow up and be like his father.

But what if his father grew up never wanting to be like this either.

He could hear his sister's wails coming from behind his mother's closed door, wondering what it could be that caused her to cry as she had. What if he ever made her cry like that?

"What if I hurt her?"

He asked, questioning the empty walls of his kitchen. They saw and knew everything and if he ever hurt her, they would remember that as well.

Tasneem was already sleeping when the door creaked open silently. A soft glow from the hallway bathed the room in light before he closed it gently behind him. He shed his clothes as he walked closer and closer to their bed, intent only one thing.

Being with her again.

He had just pushed off his jeans and socks before he reached the small wooden pedestal, covered in all her tiny knick-knacks that she insisted on keeping. He looked at the tiny pendant glowing beneath the lampshade, picking it up delicately between his large fingers. He had bought it for her on a whim- he had seen the little sunflower glinting at the very corner of a second-hand store and thought of her. Money was still an issue but he wanted her to have it.

He could still remember the look of sheer delight when she saw it dangling from a thin golden chain, immediately fitting it over her head. It had gripped a few strands of her hair on the way down but she barely even noticed as she looked down at the little flower, sitting squarely between her cleavage.

There was hardly a day that went past when she didn't wear it, always reminded of him as she looked down at it.

He set it down softly before pulling back the covers. He could make out the tell-tale shivers that raced down her back as it met with the icy air within their room. She had taken advantage of his absence, utilising the entire bed as she slept across the mattress. He nudged her gently, shifting her just enough to make space for himself before he settled in behind her warming her up almost immediately. "You're back." Her voice was soft, still immersed in her sleep as she reached for his hand behind her.