Orphic

Episode 28

Her days were turned darker as time slipped out of her hold like sand from ones fist. There was no response from advocate merzia and a month was about to go by like this.

The wedding, the festivities and celebrations were long done and now going back to her routine she couldn't for the life of her keep her anxiety in control.

Thinking and praying was all she could do at all times. Yasir had not spoken to her and that killed her even more. All of this was a sign, she had thought.

Advocate merzia not replying, baba not helping her either. Who would she look up to?

"Zoya!" A thunderous voice boomed in the garden as she startled awoke from her day dream.

"Jhanzaib what's what's wrong with you?" She gasped at the sudden breakage of her thoughts.

"Why did you said no to the proposal?" He asked, eye ablaze and thunderous unlike ever before.

"Calm down jazzy. We can talk this through" she tried calming him down but his body only stiffened instead of relaxing.

"Why? I want my answers right now! Why did you say no?" He yelled making her raise an eyebrow at his irrelevant anger.

"Because I have every right to" she replied clearly pissed off at his obnoxious behavior.

"Right? Why what's wrong with me? Why can't you give me a chance Zoya? We've known each other since childhood" he heaved running a hand through his hair.

"jhanzaib it's not about us knowing each other. It's about me wanting it or not. Please be considerate and don't ruin our friendship" she sighed.

Trying to calm him down.

"Why? Why do you not want this? We've been friends our whole life. Is this how you'll repay me for my friendship and honest feelings Zoya!?" He seethed holding her arms in a steel like grip making her wince at his right hold.

"Just because we've been friends and are cousins doesn't mean that I owe you an affirmative answer about something that revolves around my whole life." She yelled pushing him back.

"I'm only twenty one for God's sake and this is not how I plan to see myself. Just because I know you or am decent enough to be friends with you doesn't give you an open invitation to present a proposal without originally consulting me."
Jhanzaib's face contorted into something disgusting as a mocking smirk took place at his lips.

"For an outsider who this family took in because of pity you sure do are selfish." He mocked making her narrow her eyes at him.

"What do you mean?" Her throat clenched knowing exactly what he meant.

"Yasir mamo took you in because he pitied you. A little homeless, nameless girl found on the sidewalk." He scoffed glaring at her making her muscles stiff.

"You're living off of our assets and still have the audacity to refuse to one thing we asked in return. Wow miss Zoya. Wow. That's some kind of attitude there" he clapped his hands with a laugh so vile she felt shiver run down her spine and tears gather in her eyes.

Was I really being selfish?

"Baba gave me the benefit of doubt. Adopted or not. Marriage is something no one other than the person concerned should have an opinion in." She narrowed her gaze at him and stepped closer making his stare falter a little.

"He understands that. He's sensible and good hearted enough to not use such cheap tricks on me just to say yes to a proposal I don't approve of. If you think all this hurts me then jhanzaib you're really at your lowest mindset right now" she said patting his shoulder.