21.2- Painful Yet Captivating Emotion

He chuckled dryly, moving away and leaving her all alone to think about his words which were too shallow for her to grasp at that time. She returned to her room and Rayan noticed the sweat and heavy breaths emitting from her, "What happened?" He asked. "Nothing." She shook her head and went to the bathroom, not showing him about her encounter with Emraz. At dinner time, everything was silent by the sturdy strain, an unbearable tremble of the wall signaling to wrap it all up before a fire breaks out and burns the home of once love. It will all crumble and before they will know it, only ashes would remain in their fingertips as the alarm of what's lost couldn't be repaired again. To avoid upcoming conflicts, Rehman cleared his throat and gained everyone's attention and called them in the hall after dinner, "Hoorain. Go and call Emraz." "Okay, Papa." She nodded and left. Hoorain called Emraz, who came ashamed. "Yes, Dad?" He asked, standing in the corner. "What is happening in the house is no secret." He began to say, descrying at Rayan, Isra and Emraz one by one. "Our Father was very strict, we were not allowed to do anything by ourselves. We never had a life... things were hard but we all pulled through. What my Father possessed, it was passed onto his children.." Rehman began to tell his childhood story to the children, taking slow steps around the hall. "But, after seeing that toxic atmosphere, I wasn't ready to accept such a life so I decided to start my new life with Hania. For it, you guys know I even had to cut off contact with my family but I didn't want my children to fight, I wanted them to live happily." His steps halted, looking at them, "And as long as I am alive, I wouldn't let it happen." Announcing he took a deep breath before declaring his final decision about this awkward position. "Isra is now Rayan's wife and this is her home now as well. It's completely intolerable to find her troubled because of what happened. That's why I have made the decision to avoid future disputes." He paused, eyes tearing up a little and turned to look at Emraz who was ready for his judgment from the very start. Hands closed at his back, his head hanging low. "Emraz has to leave this place." Isra's eyes widened in horror upon hearing it that Rehman took such a drastic step because of her, banishing a piece of his heart all because she is uncomfortable in his presence. "I understand." He nodded as his lips began to quiver, steps slowly retreating. Rayan couldn't let it happen, it would leave a deep scar on his heart. "No, wait." He spoke. "It's about Isra. She is my wife, why does Bhai have to leave?" He reasoned, slightly shaking, the ordeal made him dejected and he never wanted it. "Then what choice do we have?" Rehman asked. "Uh.. We will leave." This moment confirmed the fact, their family was breaking apart and nothing could save it. "Why do you have to leave? It was my fault, I am the one who should-" Emraz was about to speak further but Isra cut him off, "Rayan is right... W-We.. should leave." The perturbation blended with her selfishness as she hated this place now, it strikes her with unwanted memories and staying here was difficult for her, with or without Emraz's presence. Rehman listened and thought about it for a few seconds before responding with agreement, "If that's what you want. You do deserve to live separately." He hummed and walked away. "But-" Emraz tried to speak but Rehman put his hand in the air to stop him, "That's final. Rayan and Isra are going to start their life and you are going to stay as punishment to remember what you did." He said sternly and left. Rehman and Hania went to their room and closed the door, Hania put her hand on his shoulder, calling him softly, "Rehman..." The strong posture Rehman put up in front of his children broke as he let out a tear, "Hania... was it a.. Right decision?" "We have to wait to know." She smiled, rubbing his arm as he abruptly hugged her, crying, "What the hell is happening..? Everything is falling apart." He sobbed, hugging her. "This shall pass, everything is going to be fine." "I have begun to question myself now... Am I a good Father?" He asked, sniffing and pulling away while Hania consoled her husband. "You are.. It's going to be alright." At the rooftop Rayan was smoking, looking at the crepuscular sight with faze, feeling the repulsion evoking in his heart. "Are you sure about leaving?" Emraz asked. "Yeah..." He sighed, taking a long inhale from his cigarette, "She doesn't want to stay either." he said, "And you?" He asked, putting his elbows on the railing just like him. "What about me? I am where she is." He chuckled, lowering his head. "But, I didn't know giving me a chance is the same as forgiving you for her." He whispered, biting his lips to contain his ache and continued to smoke. Emraz smiled a little and moved back, patting his back, "Take care of her." He said and walked away, leaving him alone . He went back to his room and saw she was sound asleep. Rayan walked to her, watching her sleep with a smile over his lips, wanting to touch her features. Even having all the right to remove the hair on her face, he couldn't bring himself to touch her delicate skin, only staring at her face mesmerizingly. Asking himself an absurd question whose answer he doesn't know himself... Why is love such a difficult and painful yet captivating emotion?