12| the comforting bubble

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ZEESHAN'S POV:

"Kya halat bana rakhi hai? Time dekha hai tumne? Kahan the tum puri raat," As soon as I stepped through the front door, the sound of my brother's angry voice pierced the air, echoing through the dimly lit hallway.

(Have you seen your condition? Have you seen the time? Where were you the whole night.)

I hesitated on the threshold. It was late—far too late for the news I had just accepted.

The thought of Waniya marrying my rival crashed over me like a wave, leaving me breathless and reeling. I couldn't muster the courage to face anyone in the house.

The familiar hallways felt like a labyrinth, twisting and turning as I tried to escape reality. My heart felt heavy in my chest, each beat a reminder of the betrayal and despair consuming me.

The realization felt relentless; it was as if someone were taking a knife and continuously stabbing at my heart, but the strangest thing was that I had grown numb to it.

The sharp edge of the pain had dulled, leaving behind a hollow feeling that was just as torturous.

"Zeeshan," he shook me and I looked at him. "Kahan the tum? Farhaan ke sath wapis kyu nhi aye?" He shouted at me. Where was I? Lost.

(Where were you? Why didn't you come back with Farhaan?)

The comforting bubble that had encapsulated my life for the past six years finally burst, shattering the illusions I had come to rely on. I once again felt tears collecting in my eyes.

"I need to go," I left him behind and found myself standing in my dark hallowed room, the swaging of the curtains. And the lightly lit room because of the moon's light.

The shattering sound of the vase which hit the floor was soothing for me. I want to remove this pain from me. Why? Why was she getting engaged to not anyone but my enemy?

She needs to understand he ain't good for her and Ezzah. I failed, I failed as a boyfriend. I failed as a human being. I want to go back in time and stop her from leaving.

She was mine to love, not someone else. She was mine to keep, not for someone else.

The burning tears streaming down my cheeks are doing nothing. It hurts. I found myself seated on the chilly, hard floor of my balcony, the rough surface pressing against me as I gazed out at the fading light of the evening.

My mind was a swirling storm of thoughts, each one weighing heavily on my heart. I couldn't shake the memories of past choices.

Why hadn't I listened when she confided in me, declaring her love for Shayan? There was a flicker in her eyes that I brushed off as mere uncertainty.

And then there was Ezzah—my sweet, energetic daughter. How could I be kept unaware of her place in my life? When she said those words, "Ezzah isn't your daughter," it felt like a blade to my heart.

I should have recognized the truth of her laughter, the way Ezzah wrapped her small arms around me and called me "Grumpy Pants."

At that moment, those doubts felt like a cruel illusion, but they have since haunted me, leaving an ache that refuses to fade.

Why do I still hold onto the belief that Ezzah is my daughter? I find myself questioning how I could ever doubt Waniya's love for me, especially when I knew, deep down, that our bond was genuine and profound. Our love was real.

So, what went wrong? Why did she leave me at such a pivotal moment, just when I was preparing to propose? I had envisioned kneeling with a ring in my hand, ready to reassure her that my commitment was unwavering and that I would never abandon her.

I never wanted to see myself as just another guy who had taken advantage of her feelings; I adored her. I still hold that love close to my heart.

Overwhelmed by these thoughts, I buried my face in my hands, allowing the weight of my emotions to consume me. I couldn't contain my grief any longer; I sobbed uncontrollably until my tears ran dry, leaving me feeling raw and exposed.

I had been so aloof then, shying away from social interactions, retreating into myself. I was utterly alone, grappling with the heaviness of my loneliness and longing for connection.

I pushed myself to the washroom, stripped out of my clothes, and got into the shower. I wished the cold water could have washed away all my pain and my sorrows.

But I felt the same. I stood there in the shower for I don't know how long. I got out and I felt a bit better.

I slid down in my bed, grabbed my wallet from the side table, and opened it. A broken smile crept up on my lips. It was her picture. I caressed it with the pad of my thumb.

Only if I could go back in time and fix everything. I didn't know when the darkness engulfed me.

AUTHOR'S POV:

"Waniya, itni deir se ro rahi ho. Kya hua hai?"Mirha glanced over at Waniya, her heart heavy with concern. Since arriving home, the weight of sadness seemed to have settled over her friend.

(Waniya you have been crying for so long, what's wrong?)

"Ye lo pani piyo," she handed Waniya a glass of water. But she shook her head.

"Waniya," Mirha called her softly, Waniya looked at her.

(Have some water.)

Mirha took a step and took her into a warm hug. Waniya sobbed, making the cloth of her shirt all damp.

"Meri jaan, mujhe batao kya howa hai. Phele ye Pani piyo," Mirha comforted her and made her drink water. Waniya's crying fell off but it didn't cease.

(My love, tell me what's wrong. First, have some water.)

"Mirha," Waniya looked at Mirha with her blood-red eyes. Mirha bounced her head at her, wanting her to say something, to tell her what had caused her this pain.

"Ezzah?" Waniya was worried about her daughter. She didn't catch her after her engagement. She couldn't bring herself to do anything. She had grown numb to react to anything.

"I made her sleep," Mirha held her hand and caressed it. "Waniya, is something wrong?" Mirha noticed that she was still crying but this time she was crying silently. "I saw him," Waniya said.

"Who? You saw who Waniya?" Mirha didn't get it but then it hit her.

"Zeeshan?" She questioned Waniya. Waniya nodded with constant saltiness streaming down her cheeks.

"He's Ezzah's teacher. I met him after six years. Ezzah loves him. He asked me if Ezzah was his daughter. I denied it," Waniya broke down into tears.

Mirha hugged her, knowing that time was harsh on her. Mirha, being her best friend, wanted to vacate all her pain, grief, and sorrows but she knew how much Waniya has ador— loved Zeeshan.

"Waniya," she called her. "It's okay. Main huna kuch nhi hoga," Mirha calmed her down.

(I'm here with you.)

"Mirha, what if he finds out? He would take Ezzah," her worries were valid. All these years Waniya has worked for no one but her dau— their daughter. But again, why would he even take her when he never wanted Ezzah?

Ezzah was the very essence of Waniya's life, the light that filled her days with purpose and joy. From the moment Ezzah came into the world, Waniya's heart swelled with an overwhelming love that surpassed anything she had ever known.

Every laugh, every smile, and even every tear from her daughter enhanced Waniya's existence in ways she had never imagined.

To Waniya, Ezzah was not just her child; she was her everything, the manifestation of hope, dreams, and an unbreakable bond that filled their lives with meaning and warmth.

"Waniya, chup. Ezzah is your daughter. No one has a right to take her from you," Mirha shook her and brought her back to reality. Waniya just nodded. "I need to sleep," Waniya said.

"You should take a bath and then sleep," Mirha suggested and Waniya made her way towards the washroom. She took a refreshing cold shower and covered herself in comforters before falling into a deep slumber.

Waniya didn't have the foggiest idea of how to react when she glimpsed him after six years. She comprehended it wouldn't take long for Zeeshan to acknowledge Ezzah is his daughter. She desired to tell him but her past was obstructing her to do so.

A past — where he fabricates her to leave him.

But sometimes things we witness or attend to are nothing but illusions, but they break us, shatter us, destroy us but when those illusions take a face of reality they do nothing but kill the being, and make them a living corpse.

~

NEXT DAY

"Zoya tum jao Zeeshan ko dekh ke ao abhi tak kamre se nhi aya," Saira turned to Zoya, her expression reflective as she spoke. It was a quiet Sunday afternoon.

Outside, the golden sun hung low in the sky, casting warm rays through the windows. Farhaan gathered his things and headed out the door, leaving the two women behind.

Meanwhile, Arhaan and Amjad Baig both had matters to attend to at the office. Their conversations were filled with the day's tasks, and soon enough, they too bid farewell before heading out, leaving a hushed stillness in the house.

The sun hung high in the sky, warm rays that danced through the curtains of Zeeshan's room. It was nearly noon, a time when he would typically be up and about, ready to tackle the day ahead.

Punctuality was one of his traits, a value instilled in him by his mother.

Zoya, feeling a mix of curiosity and worry, nodded and made her way upstairs. As she approached Zeeshan's door, knocked the door softly. Puzzled, she knocked again, a little louder this time, there was silence.

Zoya turned the doorknob and gently pushed the door open, ready to find out what was keeping her brother from waking up.

"Zeeshan," she called him. "Ye kya kar rakha hai?" She said glimpsing about the disheveled condition of the room. (What's this?)

The vase was scattered, and things were on the floor, making it look as if a tornado had erupted the room last night.

"Zeeshan," she called him. He was on his bed lying straight looking at the ceiling. He hummed.

"Uth ke baitho," she ordered. (Sit.)

He looked at her. A broken smile appeared on her face. "You met her, didn't you?" Zeeshan wasn't shocked to hear what Zoya was saying as someone could easily understand why he was this vulnerable. Seeing the love of your life getting engaged to someone that's not you but your rival.

"I met Waniya," Zoya revealed. Revelation made him sit straight on the bed. "When?" His voice was hoarse. "When you were in New York...." She narrated the whole story.

"She's married, Zeeshan. Now you need to move on," Zoya said. "She's not married," Zeeshan said.

"Then Ezzah?" Zoya questioned. "She says Ezzah is Shayan's daughter," Zeeshan said but deep down he Didn't believe it. Zoya was confused too.

"Tum utho fresh ho jao aur neeche ao," she went out and he nodded. Zoya asked someone to clean his room.

Zeeshan went to the washroom, did his business and when he came out the room was cleaned. He was about to move towards the door when he heard his phone ringing.

Ezzah's Mom.

His heart skipped a beat, nevertheless, he picked it up. "Mr. Grumpy pants," Ezzah got excited the moment she saw him appearing on the screen.

"Hi, little cute heart," Zeeshan said.

"Can you give your phone to Dadi, I want to talk to her," Zeeshan was taken aback by her request. "Where's your Mom, Ezzah?" Zeeshan questioned her.

"Oh, she just left for the hospital. She wasn't feeling well but she told me not to worry," Ezzah informed him. Zeeshan got worried.

Would it be wrong to go after her? But her health is important! He moved downstairs, and made Saira talk to Ezzah as she requested.

He wanted to go to the hospital but he couldn't even if he wanted to. He decided not to go after remembering their last interaction. He fought his urge.

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Zaar.