Chapter 46

We were at Saafia's place, I was holding her shoulders when we entered. She was already weak, passed out as well and I was not sure how I was supposed to handle her in this time of grief. The second we entered, the tears she suppressed so far began to spill out. Leaving my grip hastily, she ran to her Father's lifeless form. 'Saafia-" I tried calling but she was too devastated to listen. Falling on her knees beside him, she held his arms desperately. 'Papa? Dariel, my father… He- He.. he can't leave me like this." She began to sob, tears streaming down her face. My heart clenched miserably, I sat on the ground beside her, taking her free hand. 'Hey, it's going to be okay-" I whispered softly. I couldn't bring myself to witness this condition of hers. Such anguish was not made for her. Her tears were piercing my heart. 'No, It won't be!" Sobbing she slammed her hands down, shaking her Father. I glanced at Sarah, she had emptied her heart and was now looking at Saafia in compassion. 'Papa… Papa… don't do this to me. For how long are you going to punish me? I am sorry… I am sorry…" Baffled why she was apologizing, I didn't react and remained next to her, pulling her to my chest so she could find my support next to her. I couldn't believe how badly she was wailing, I didn't expect her to be this fragile about her Father after telling me that he won't make it. And now his death had destroyed her. 'Please forgive me, I am so sorry… Please don't leave me. I know I am a very bad daughter, don't do this to me, please…" She sobbed, hiding her face in my chest, clutching my shirt with tears scattered across her cheek. 'Saafia." Murmuring in a broken tone, I wrapped my arms around her, allowing her to be soothed in my embrace, reassuring her that I was still here for her. 'Dariel, he can't leave me like this. He- He hadn't even seen you. He doesn't even know I am married. How can he leave me like this?!" She cried, holding my collar. My chest clenched, narrowing my eyes in compassion, I cupped her cheeks, wiping the tears on them. Forgetting all my anger, all my complaints in a single moment I found her agonized. I couldn't bring myself to leave her in this state. 'Control yourself. This shall pass. We are here for you." Sarah also came, rubbing her back but she was no longer in her senses. 'Return my father, please, bring him back!" She sobbed, refusing to let me go, looking at me in hopelessness and I had no words for her consolation. I couldn't bring her Father back. 'He is gone, Saafia. He won't return, we knew it from the start. The sooner you will accept it, the better." Sarah whispered, giving her head a pat. A growl came to Saafia, slapping her hand away angrily. My mouth gaped in disbelief, I looked up, frowning at her. 'Sarah, you can't say this-" I didn't want Sarah to break her heart more, she was already anguished, I couldn't let her do this. 'I know what I am saying, Mr. Cannedy. Your embrace, your words or my words, nothing will fix her grief. There is nothing which could help her." Sarah replied coldly, looking down at her sister. I opened my mouth to argue but no words came out. She was right in her perspective also. He was not in the best condition, this was foreseen already. 'Papa…!!" Exhaling, I held Saafia, turning her to me so at least I could ensure the halt of her tears, keeping her near my heart. 'Hey, hey, it's alright. I am here for you. Here, drink some water." Murmuring, I gave her a glass of water, kissing the top of her head. I had no idea why my body was reacting on its own. I couldn't bring myself to watch her wail, witness her misery. I couldn't. 'Why are you saying this, Sarah?" I asked sadly, glancing at her. 'Ask her. I cannot answer that." She replied in the same tone, also shifting to the ground and holding her softly. But, soon the time for his burial came and she held him down, shaking her head in denial, refusing to let him go. Feeling dejected for her, I pulled back back, embracing her from behind to help her prevail. 'Come on, Saafia. Let's go. It is time to let him go." I whispered, pulling her away from him. 'No, no, no. Dariel, stop them. Don't let them take him away. Please, stop them from taking my father. Papa!" She sobbed, resisting to listen but I held her firmly, hugging her firmly. Not knowing how my body was reacting on its own to do everything it could to comfort her. Snuggling, I pulled her back, making her sit on the couch. 'Shh. Shh, let him go. You cannot die along with the dead one. It is time you should let him go." I whispered, keeping her down as they took her Father's body. Sarah came and held her down, replacing me as I got up. No matter what, I was his son-in-law so it was my duty to be at front during the burial. With a heavy heart, I didn't want to but I kept Saafia with Sarah and was about to leave. 'How can I when I don't know if had forgiven me or not?" 'He has. No parents stay angry forever with their child. You don't have to be agonized, Okay?" I whispered, kissing the top of Saafia's head. I knew I didn't have to but I couldn't stop myself from not doing it. I was about to pull away but she clutched my hands, sniffling to stop her cries for a moment. 'Really?" 'Yes." I nodded, forcing my lips in a soft smile as I left with everyone for the burial and managed the arrangement for the funeral as well so these sisters won't have to worry about anything. After the funeral, I rushed to Saafia's side. I entered her room for the first time. She was on the bed, hugging her knees close to her chest. Tears still glistened on her cheeks. Narrowing my eyes in compassion, I sat beside her, placing my hand slowly over hers. 'Saafia…" Crying silently, she shifted and put her head on my shoulder. I was hesitant but I couldn't stop my hand from not caressing her. Shifting closer, I rubbed her back. 'Dariel.." When she called my name, my heart skipped a beat. Closing my eyes, I let myself forget any boundary between being her partner. 'It's alright. Cry and empty your heart. I am here with you." I continued to console her, allowing her tears to soak my shirt, not knowing when was the last time I felt this immense compassion for anyone. I allowed her to rest in my embrace until she emptied her heart with salty tears and passed out due to exhaustion. The following few days, we stayed at her place but we couldn't stay there forever so we returned. Saafia was on the bed, clinging onto my hand. Ever since her Father's death, she started clinging onto me too much and since she was mourning, I also didn't stop her. 'I am here. I will be here." I whispered, running my fingers through her hair, letting her relax and fall asleep. When she was sound asleep, I walked out of the room. Sighing from the stress, rubbing my temples. What was happening to me was beyond my control. I didn't want to be too attached with her but leaving her in his grievous time- I was not that cruel. When Saafia fell asleep, I came down to do some work from home but unexpectedly Jacey came to see us. 'Dariel…" 'What are you doing here?" I asked coldly, folding my arms at my chest. 'I heard about her Father and I am not that heartless. No matter what happened that doesn't mean I would let her suffer. Especially when I knew how it feels to lose a parent." She whispered softly, making a crying face. 'She just fell asleep. Let her rest for now. You stay." I sighed, motioning to her as we both sat down.