Shattered Chains

6.0

"In a world where roles and responsibilities blur, it is our empathy and compassion that guide us towards supporting one another."

~ Unknown

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As the sun rose on the horizon, a new day had begun. Ali found himself alone on the bed once again. He sat up lazily after messing the bed properly. 10 am was just the perfect time to wake up on a Sunday morning. Taking his dress for the day, he vanished inside the washroom to freshen up. After a refreshing shower, Ali emerged from the bathroom, feeling ready to tackle the day. He glanced at the clock and realized it was already late morning. He quickly dressed himself in casual attire, opting for comfortable jeans and a plain white t-shirt. As he ran a hand through his damp hair, he pondered on how the dynamics had shifted in his life recently.

The events of the previous evening had left a profound impact on him. The unexpected turn of events, the double date, and witnessing Amira in a different light had sparked something within him. It was as if a door had been opened, revealing a side of himself that he had kept hidden for so long. Lost in his thoughts, Ali made his way downstairs to the hall to find his whole family sitting there. His eyes wandered all around to see if Amira was there but he did not see her.

"Good morning Mr. at home. I thought you would have left for office like the last 17 weeks." Ali looked at Zain with an amused look.

"You want me to leave for the office, bhai?" Ali took his seat beside Ayesha.

"We also didn't want you to go to the office on Sundays in the last 17 weeks. Did you stop?" Samad didn't care if he was being harsh or not. He was just being honest to his thoughts and anger of Ali's doings.

"Can we skip this please?"

"How were you behaving with Amira yesterday?" anger was evident in Aabid's voice.

"Do you need to discuss her in every topic?"

"She's your wife and responsibility Ali!"

"She's your daughter in law and not my responsibility! You asked me to marry that girl!" Amira, who just came out, felt bad after hearing this. Again it was a discussion whose responsibility she was. She had hoped for a peaceful morning, but it seemed that tensions were still simmering beneath the surface. Tears adorned her eyes. Last night raised so many hopes amid her.

"Ali, watch your tone!" The warning in Samad's voice was a clear sign of danger.

"Maybe dad's decision was just wrong. Ali should have had the choice, whom he wanted to marry," Tara interfered.

"Dad would never make a wrong decision for any of us!"

The conversation amid them turned heated. Ayesha, Tara and Jasmine were not in favor of this marriage while their significant others were in the favor of it or neutral.

"Enough! We won't accomplish anything by arguing like this. We need to find a way to work together and support one another." Ayesha interrupted, not liking this fight amid her family. "We never fought and today we're fighting because of that girl!"

"THAT GIRL is our daughter in law. Do not forget that!" Ayesha turned quiet at Aabid's voice which was stern and held a dangerous warning.

"Papa, maybe Ali should divorce her!" Everyone looked at Samad with a snap. "I know it's shocking that it comes from me. But maybe it would be the right thing to do. We depended on Ali accepting her but what's the progress? None. Not for Ali, for Amira. She had some dreams of her own but those dreams are getting ruined because he will never care for her! She's young, gorgeous, and talented. She will find a good guy for herself, worth loving!"

"Yes please! Get rid of that girl from me." Amira looked in the direction of Ali with a blurry sight. Amira's tears flowed freely now, her dreams of finding love and acceptance shattering before her eyes. She felt the weight of the disapproval and indifference surrounding her, leaving her feeling small and unwanted. Ali stood up to see her standing there with tears dropping down. Amira looked into his eyes. She looked down, wiped her tears and just sneaked away. Ali was the only one who saw her.

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Amira dropped on the floor beside the bed. Soft sobs covered the whole room. Her tears were a testament to the pain she had. The pain of being unwanted, a burden, someone who doesn't belong anywhere and someone who forcefully entered someone's life. This feeling was awful to bear, even if she's been bearing it since the day she's born. She always heard how her family never wanted her and now how her husband doesn't want her. It pained her a lot. Mostly after the last day. The day where he was bothered about her studies. The day where he joined his name after hers. The day which they spent together. The night where they had their first date. She cried her heart out while hugging her knees.

Ali on the other side came there. He just wanted to pick his keys and wallet to leave the house but he saw her crying there bitterly. There was no pain in his heart but certainly guilt was present. He knew his words were the reasons for her tears. He stepped inside and she heard his footsteps. Amira wiped her tears, controlled her sobs and looked in the direction to see him. She stood up while looking down to hide her red eyes. He silently went forward and took his keys. He started to search for his wallet. Amira took it and kept it on the bed before going to the washroom. Ali left from there too.

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"I swear Amira. Since the first day you have entered, I have seen you as my sister and Ali is my real brother! I won't do anything that will harm the lives of both of you!" Amira felt blessed by the hand on her head. She felt brotherly affection in Samad's words. Aabid was also there, who assured her through eyes.

"What's good in a divorce bhai? Will mumma, papa..."

"Beta leave all on us! And just trust us!" Aabid intervened. He had known Amira could never oppose him. She nodded in response with a lot of questions and thoughts!

"Amira, if this relationship works out, we will be the happiest. But it's not just about us. It's about you too!" Amira looks down. She carved to hear that someone cares for her too. That she may be important too to someone.

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Diary Entry - [05.09.23]

Dear Diary,

Their words still echo in the quietness. My tears may have dried but the ache stays. After the night that felt so perfect, comes the day which makes me feel so worthless again. A constant reminder of my place in this unfamiliar world. As I sit beside the bed, the memories of their heated arguments replay like a haunting melody. "Ali should divorce her," they say, as if the mere mention of my name is a curse. "That Girl" is the reference I get. As if I don't even deserve a name.

Their indifferences cut my hope from each corner. I thought the ball was turning. The future held something for me, for Ali and me. For us. Yet, everything is shattered all over. The shared glances and stolen moments seemed more than just nothing. But now, I'm left to confront the harsh reality. They see me as an intruder, an unwelcome guest in their carefully constructed world. Each paper of yours is getting stained by my tears. Each sob is vanishing within the walls of this room. The tears fall, not just for the wounds inflicted today but for a lifetime of yearning to belong. A daughter unwanted, a wife unloved. Where do I fit in?

I'm a burden, a responsibility he doesn't accept and he wishes to shed. And yet, in the same breath, the suggestion of divorce lingers. Is it a way to free him from this unwanted alliance, or am I a pawn in a game of family politics? In the silence of exchanged glances, there's a truth left unspoken-I am disposable, a chapter he wishes to erase.

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