CHAPTER 52

CHAPTER 52 : The family drama begins

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She slowly got up from the bed , and gave the space to her family to sit . With the left hand , she pushed her dishevelled hairs behind her ear . She rubbed her cheek wiping the little stains of tears which had gathered over them .

"How are you feeling ?" Her ammi asked worriedly sitting beside her . The news had undoubtedly travelled across her family .

"Fine"She managed to say through the dry throat.

"You see , we wanted to visit you but some work came up" Her father gave her a little sympathic smile . But Safia clearly knew he was lying , instead of any work , it was the bruises which were given by her past in laws to her father which he was covering up for her sake.

He didn't wanted Safia to know , so that she don't feel more burdened than she actually was .

"It's okay abbu, I understand you have work" Safia just scanned the face of her father which was fine now , she took a relief that her father was doing good now .

Her father just caressed her hairs .

"My daughter, don't worry much though , we are still here for you " Her mother sat on the side almost hugging her . Safia neared her body towards her mother and snuggled herself in the body of her mother . The soft warmth followed by a strange yet comforting scent made her feel relaxed.

"I know , and you both don't need to worry about me much, Kashaf di and Aditi had kept me a good company in the past month" Her parents knew her friends by their names. Despite not being able to meet on a regular basis they weren't unknown of their daughter's friends .

"Yes , I have heard about them , they sound like sweet girls" Her father added to the praise of her friends .

"Y'all stay here , I will make some tea for us all" Ismail went outside saying so . Limping with one leg , which was injured in saving Safia's father . But despite this , he hadn't actually mentioned regarding it to anyone or either Safia.

Ismail's departure was followed by a silence falling in the room with no topics to talk upon .

"It all feel so nice right? Just remember your life didn't ended after your marriage did . Me , your abbu , Ismail, your bua , your phuphi everyone is here for you" Her mother tried to again cheer her up . Seeing her emotionless face as her daughter stared in nothing in particular. If the situation was different, the silence would have never fallen in the company of Safia . She knew what to speak and when to speak—well not always . But yes pretty much all of the time .

Alas , she was silent now .

Before Safia could say anything , phuphi interrupted, "I am sorry to say bhabhi, but a women's life surely ends after divorce. This world is just like harsh winter and husband? They are like warm coats who protect the wife . But Safia's independence, and her will to just get everything done herself , made her lose all the support" . Despite the sharp tone , the lady maintained a small fake frown upon her face.

Deep inside she was happy . She was the same Safia who had taunted her son earlier and said she was enough for herself . Seeing her suffer brought peace to her heart.

"Well, If this world is like a harsh winter , I will just buy my own coat rather than depending on a man for that" Safia bitterly said . She was hurt , but that didn't meant that she will let her phuphi get away with the useless taunts she made.

"Haye , why are you talking in such a harsh tone? I just said that for your own benefit" Phuphi sighed sadly . As if her words weren't enough for Safia to get scolded by her parents , her bua decided to join in.

"Well , we really thought that the divorce will humble you , but even after waking up from a sleep your tongue is still like a sharp knife . We really thought you'd sleep forever, wallowing in your own misery."

Safia's heart raced as bua continued, "You see, Safia, we all knew this would happen. You were too proud, too stubborn. You thought you could make it on your own, but look where it got you - divorced and back home with your tail between your legs. You still are so stupid that you are talking back with your phuphi ,who only wants the best for you"

Safia felt a stinging sensation in her eyes as tears pricked at the corners. She knew bua and phuphi were trying to provoke her, but she refused to give in.

"What do you want, phuphi?" Safia asked, her voice steady. She knew that  although the words of venom were dripping down her bua's tongue , but the main reason was her phuphi behind it . Her bua had no personal enmity against her . She was the best friend of her phuphi and her provoking her like this surely had a deep desire.

"Oh, I just want what's best for you, dear. And what's best for you is to marry Murad here. He'll take care of you, provide for you. You won't have to worry about anything anymore."

Safia's gaze flicked to Murad, who was watching her with an expectant look. She felt a surge of defiance, knowing she would never go down that path again, and that too with Murad ? It was out of the question.

"No," Safia said firmly, her voice echoing through the room. "I'll never marry him. I'll make my own way, no matter what it takes."

The room fell silent, Phuphi's smirk faltering for a moment before she regained her composure. "We'll see about that," she said, her eyes glinting with determination.

"Will love to see what you do" Safia's words just provoked her phuphi even more.

"Why don't we calm down? I can understand you both just want the best for Safia , but I fear it's not the right time . She had just gotten divorce . Let her be like she is" Her mother told her aunts.

"We just wanted the best for her" Her phuphi sighed , "But if Safia wants to stick with the memories of her husband who just threw her away like a garbage , she's very much welcomed to do that" Her bua added.

"So~ I am here . Did I missed something?" Ismail asked coming inside with a tray of cups filled with teas and some snacks on the side.

"Not actually, just sit and give everyone company , I will take a quick bath and join y'all " Safia got up from the bed , she hadn't even overcame her pain of divorce yet her aunts were here , bombarding her with worries .

"The tea will get cold till then , it won't taste pleasant" Ismail advised her .

"Then let it be , it can't be more unpleasant than the faces and talks of people here" Saying so , Safia got inside to take a bath .

"Chimpo is gone so I will just be in the living room with grandma, maybe she's awake now" Ismail went outside.

Ismail went in the living area and sat on the floor near the couch she had slept on . She looked very peaceful while sleeping. The grandmother was an old widowed lady and despite being mostly ill with body aches when she heard about Safia's divorce she came into the city stubbornly.

He felt it was better to stay with the grandmother compared to the company of the aunts, where they will only taunt Safia's parents about her . But only if he knew that this time the taunts weren't just limited to mere words but schemes with hidden desires .

Phuphi and Bua sat in the room, their voices laced with concern. "Safia's divorce is a blessing in disguise," Phuphi said, her eyes wide with sincerity. "But if she doesn't remarry soon, she'll be a burden on you both. You don't want that, do you?"

Safia's mother hesitated, her brow furrowed. "We just want her to be happy, but we don't want to force her into anything."

Bua leaned in, her voice taking on a conspiratorial tone. "Exactly! You don't want to force her, but sometimes, parents need to make tough decisions for their children's own good. Murad is a great catch, and he'll take care of her. You know, for her own sake, it's better if you both encourage her to marry him."

"But what if she says no? We can't force her." Safia's father looked uncertain

"If you don't persuade her, she'll be stuck in this lonely, miserable life" Phuphi's expression turned grave

"Yes , just spare a glance at her . She had tear stains when she woke up and—and she looks so thin in just one month . She needs someone to wipe her tears"Her phuphi took a deep breath as if she was trying to hold tears back which were in worry or Safia's future.

"I will never let her be sad"Murad got in the conversation with a sincere look on his face , making Safia's father sigh 'Maybe she should really marry Murad' he thought to himself .

To be continued....