Unexpected Promises

Chapter 36 ✓

Atifa's pov:

"Assalamualikum ammi. Aa- aap jaldi aa gayi aaj?" I was shocked. What if she asked me about Amira? What would I do? It was the one question which was roaming in my mind, eating me up from inside.

(Hi mom, Yo- you are early today?)

"Walikumussalam. Haa, koi problem hai?" Opening the strap of her heels, she inquired.

(Hello. Yes, is there any problem?)

"Nahi. Bas aise hi puch rahi thi." Closing the door, I wiped the sweat forming on my upper lip.

(No. I was just asking you.)

"Accha. Paani dena mujhe." She headed inside.

(Okay. Bring me a glass of water.)

"Jee. Abhi leke aayi." I replied, rushing into the kitchen.

(Okay.)

Taking a glass of water, I glanced at the clock behind her. It was getting late. They should have been back by now but ammi was here before them. 

"Where is Amira?" Checking something on her mobile, she asked me the most dreaded question, halting my fidgeting game and making my breath hitch.

"She- is in our room." Although we couldn't deny the eerie silence of the house which was usually filled with her chatter, I hoped she would believe me.

"What is she doing?" Keeping her bag on the coffee table, she inquired.

"I don't know."

"Accha." Getting distracted by an incoming call, she headed to her room, making me sigh in relief. I rushed to the kitchen, worried about them. What if ammi caught them today? Would the results be as bad as I think of them to be?

(Okay.)

"Amira, I bought something for you." I was making tea when she returned to the living room, making me anxious. What was I supposed to do now? "Atifa, if she comes out, tell her it's on the table." Before I could reply, I heard the door of the washroom closing shut, making me sigh in relief.

Just as I let my muscles relax, the doorbell rang, making me jump up in my place. Placing a hand on my heart, I calmed myself down before rushing towards the door. If it's him, he is dead!

._._._.

My incessantly ringing alarm brought me out of my dreamland. Groaning, I moved my hand around to turn it off only to graze a stubble. My eyes shot open and I was about to scream when yesterday's events flashed in front of me, halting my actions.

Taking a deep breath, I touched his jaw lightly with a small smile. He looked so peaceful while sleeping. The continuous ringing of the alarm made me frown. Turning around, I turned it off.

Checking the time, a sigh escaped my lips. He should get going before ammi wakes up and catches him here. It was going to be Fajr soon.

I turned back around, realising he had one of his arms draped around my waist lazily. My cheeks heated up. Sighing, I tried to remove it before he could wake up but froze completely when he groaned. Maybe I disturbed his sleep, but before I could think much, I was pulled closer to him as he tightened his hold on me.

What just happened? Didn't I ask him to maintain his distance with me? Was I not clear enough? For God's sake, I hadn't forgiven him yet! Couldn't he have tried some more? Couldn't he have said sorry a few more times? Maybe I would have thought about it. But no! He didn't do that! He didn't even apologise when I asked him to! What kind of a man was he?! And now, he was what? Snuggling me? What was I? His pillow?