Bewitched

•thirty•

Mahira stood in the kitchen, dancing to an old 80's song that was playing on the radio. Popping a waffle in her mouth, she grabbed her  plate and headed outside to the patio.

Her mother lay on one of her favourite chairs, soaking in the summer sun.

"Is Zaroon coming over today?"

"Yes," Mahira smiled, "He's taking me to that theatre play that he's been going on about since the past week."

"Hmm," Ghazala opened her eyes and looked over at her daughter, studying her for some time, "It's so good to see you happy."

"Yes," Mahira said, only now seeing the dark circles under her mother's eyes and her drooping shoulders. She had often come across Ghazala at night, who lay awake, staring into nothingness. Something was troubling her and it was only now that Mahira realised its apparent intensity. Her train of thought was broken, however, when the doorbell rang a moment later.

"I think he's here," Mahira checked the time on her wristwatch, "Hmm, he's early. He's never early."

Shrugging it off as a mere coincidence, Mahira hurried to get the door. The air seemed to be sucked out of her when she opened the door and saw who stood outside.

•

Wringing her hands together in her lap, Mahira stared at the ornate crystal piece that glinted on the coffee table, refusing to make eye contact with the woman who was seated before her.

As always, Sonam looked ethereal, what with her doe eyes, creamy complexion and long wavy hair.

No wonder Fawa- Mahira forced herself to stop mid sentence, wincing at the searing pain that panged  through her heart.

She had put this all behind her, hadn't she? It had took her a long time to move on but she had done so. Now that the past had finally caught up with her, she wondered if all her efforts in these past five months were in vain.

"I'm sorry for dropping by so suddenly," Sonam finally said, her face soft, "I didn't mean to..." She rubbed a spot on her finger, and Mahira took a double take when she noticed how empty her fourth finger looked. The faint line of lighter skin indicated the presence of a previously worn ring, one that Mahira remembered all too clearly.

"I know you've been upset about what happened at the Manzil," Her eyes drooped, "If I had known I'd-."

"Was." Mahira cut her off abruptly, "I was upset. I'm not anymore." She took a deep sigh, suddenly wondering why Sonam had come all this way.

"What was in the past stays in the past. It's of no relevance to me now."

"Oh but it is," Sonam said, a certain desperation in her voice. She clasped Mahira's hands in her own, "There are so many things that you don't yet know. Things that will help you understand everything in a different light."

Mahira felt claustrophobia rising up her her throat. Removing her hands from Sonam's gentle grasp, she made her way towards the window.

"Like I told you, Sonam, it doesn't matter to me now. I've moved on."

"But he hasn't," Sonam whispered, her eyes glazed.

Mahira abruptly turned around to look at her, shock and confusion evident on her features.

Seeing her resolve break, Sonam continued, "He still loves you, he always has."

The words tore through her, forcing her to crumble but she kept her resolve.

"And that should concern me, why?" Mahira shook her head, "This is absurd."

There was a long silence. The tension in the room was palpable, choking. But Mahira stayed, knowing that this might be the only closure she would ever get. If only she knew how wrong she was.

"I broke off the engagement," Sonam finally whispered. Mahira had already made a rough guess, but hearing it out loud made it all the more surprising. Turning to look at Sonam, she saw that her face was not solemn as she had expected. Instead, it held a wonderful glow.

"And before you start assuming things," She sighed, "No, I did not do it for you. I did it for myself."

Confused, Mahira heaved a heavy breath, "I'm sorry but I should..."

"Please," Sonam pleaded, "Just hear me out. I won't take a lot of time and I won't force you to make a decision. That would be entirely up to you after you hear what I have to say."

Whether it was the desperation in Sonam's eyes or her own curiosity, Mahira did not know. All she knew was that once Sonam was done, Mahira stood in stunned silence, her head whirling with everything that she had told her.

Mahira could barely form a goodbye when Sonam finally left. All she could do was sit down and process.