20- Survive

After bursting the silent chaos of her mind finally on the person who led her to the day where her life was tangled in a web of misery, she went to her room, slamming the door behind, she stumbled upon the bed, covering her mouth with her hand to halt the roaring sound of sobs coming automatically from her mouth by suffering hurting her. She couldn't understand why this happened, what could possibly let it happen but she continued to let out her watery sadness. Her heart turned to dust when she saw him. After leaving her in this condition, how dare he show his face to her?! Sorrow couldn't express her feelings, the falsity. Rayan entered, looking at her compassionately, not knowing what to say to ease her pain. He slowly walked up to her. I never wanted you to cry. He thought, standing in front of her. She didn't dare to lift her head and meet his pitiful eyes, prompt to alleviate her heavy heart but all his efforts would be fruitless; he knows it. "Isra..." He whispered her name, bending in front of her, not proceeding further, just espying her destruction. "Please... leave me alone." She whispered, removing her hand, confronting his eyes reflecting the hurt given to them by her pain. Sniffling, she stared at him for almost five seconds with pitch-silence in the room. Narrowing her eyes, she broke the gaze, focusing on the pain rather than his eyes. "Isra..." He called her again, putting his hands on either side, "Please don't cry." His voice came out croaked. "Why does my despondency affect you? Why do you feel hurt?" She asked, turning to him. "You know why. That's why please don't cry." He only repeated his words, voice low but holding in-depth emotions. The longer she stared at his face, the more it elicited an undesirable emotion of distraction."You know it hurts me." Do you... still love me.. This much? A question aroused in her heart by seeing him like this but that's something they left behind years ago. Her sadness vanished, replaced by seethe as she got up without talking to him further and went to the bathroom. Why can't you move on like I did, Rayan? Rayan looked down with a sad smile, whispering to himself, "Why is my presence too much for you?" It has always been a perplexity why Isra felt such disturbance and spacing whenever he tried to proceed. He could never comprehend why she impedes every way which could lead her to his heart. Later Isra came out, pretending nothing happened, wearing her casual clothes and asking combing her hair, "Where was he?" "He didn't tell." "Did he say why he ran away?" She asked, putting her comb down and turning to him. "I.. don't know..." He told her vaguely. Furrowing her brows in irritation she jeered, "Did you even try to know?" "I did but Bhai didn't respond." He shrugged. "Don't you feel embarrassed?" She in disbelief, getting up. "For what?" "I was supposed to be the bride of your brother, doesn't it bother you?" She asked angrily. Rayan chuckled and counter-questioned, "Don't you feel bothered to marry the brother of your groom?" Making a 'tsk' sound, she rolled her eyes, setting her couch. "And this lone factor is going to pull us apart. I don't think I could give us a chance, are you fine with it?" She asked, plopping on the couch. His lips curved upward, getting up and sitting beside her. "What will you say if I ask you the same question?" Her lips formed a thin line, turning to look at him tentatively, "If.. I was in your place. I might be.. disheartened." She replied honestly, looking away and biting her lips in nervousness. "But you are not and my answer is- I have vowed to be your partner in every condition and if you are my first trepidation then why not accept it and try to solve that matter?" He said softly, a smile not leaving her lips, making her heart beat rapidly by his reply. "Even if I can't?" "Since when you were afraid of the start?" He asked, giggling a little. She looked at him innocently, not knowing what to tell her, curling her toes, feeling bad that he has to face all this because of her. "Shall I bring dinner here? If you don't want to-" "No, I am not hungry, you can go." She shook her head, "Are you sure?" "Yeah." She said with a faint smile, laying on the couch, covering herself. "Okay then. Good Night." He said and left the room without exchanging further conversation. He went to the main hall and saw everyone. "Where's Isra Api?" Hoorain asked. "She is sleeping." "How's she?" Hania asked. "Same." "Emraz." Rehman called his son in a firm tone, "I can't tell you anything now." He spoke up. "Why!? What was the reason that you can't tell us?" Rehman said angrily, displeased at his demeanor. It was hard to believe the person who took such risks and broke the anticipated couple is none other than him. "Please... believe me, I didn't mean to but I had no choice." He said in a croaked voice. "I.. I am so sorry for breaking your trust, for treating the kindness you guys gave me with my disgraceful act but I had to. I apologize for acting like an ungrateful brat who failed to return the mercy given when no one was beside me-" Before Emraz could speak further Rehman slapped him hard, earning gasps from everyone, shocked by his action. Emraz was terrified they might not taunt him for being adopted so he took the blame and mocks himself so if they even scorn him, it won't hurt as much as it should but Rehman's action was very telling of what his status was in everyone's eyes. "I thought you were mature, Emraz. How dare you say things no one is allowed to." He snarled, grabbing his collar, "You are my son! Whatever the reason you had, It can't justify your legitimacy, you hear me!? You are my son!" He shouted and was about to hit him again but Hania stopped him, "Rehman stop, what the hell are you doing? You can't raise your hand against your child!" Both siblings pulled Emraz away who had tears in his eyes by now, not daring to lift his fragmented gaze. "I just want to know the reason! Tell me and don't you dare to mention it again!" Rehman yelled as a tear rolled down his cheeks, hurt after growing up together he still doesn't consider himself as a part of the family but he was just overwhelmed by fright. "I am sorry..." Emraz cried, not lifting his gaze and meeting him. "I don't want this apology, I want an answer. Why did you leave Isra right on the wedding day? Don't you love her? You could have declined the proposal. Why pull such a stunt?" His voice demanded an answer Emraz couldn't provide, eyes fixed on the ground he remained motionless. "Answer!" He roared. "I don't love her, it took me a long time to realize but I never did." He blurted out. "What the hell are you saying? You never stopped talking about her and suddenly you didn't love her? Was it a game?" "Yes, It was. I never felt anything, I never wanted to." He replied coldly, wiping his eyes to clear his tears, acting stoic. Rehman looked at him for a while and shook his head in disappointment, moving back at the lack of honesty coming from Emraz, "Emraz, you could have kept this to yourself but I didn't expect you to take side of lies to hide the truth." He said and left him alone to immerse in his darkness. "It's going to be okay, Bhai." Rayan whispered, rubbing his arm. Hoorain passed him a faint smile, nodding a little. Emraz looked at them for a second and asked, "Do you hate me?" "What are you saying, Bhai!? Of course not! We can never hate you." Hoorain said sadly, hugging him tightly. "Don't you dare to think about it." Hoorain said, crying a little, holding him securely, "Okay.. okay." He uttered, startled by her sudden cry, rubbing her back to ease her, "Leave everyone, I love you! I am with you!" Hoorain said, sobbing in his arms, "I get it, Hoorain. Shh.. Don't cry." He whispered, kissing the top of her head. Rayan smiled a little and was about to walk away but Emraz gave him shoulder and pat. When Rayan turned Emraz was only hugging Hoorain, trying to console her. Smiling faintly to himself, Rayan went back to his room and went to sleep. The next day, Isra woke up with determination running through her veins, mentally preparing herself that she has to live in this house as the Sister-in-law of the person who was supposed to be her groom. You can do this, Isra. She told herself in the mirror, trying to control her shaky hands and irregular breaths which trembled just by thinking what will happen if her path crossed his but she has to do this. Getting ready for the series of afflictions, she knew she had to survive.