Kanwal always wished for sleep like Alina and Mahnoor, who can easily sleep even if someone bangs a drum near their heads. While Kanwal was one of those people who would wake up if someone sneezed in the same room. And that's what happened now, Ahad's loud sigh was enough to disturb Kanwal's slumber and now she is staring at him with wide eyes. Ahad also stared at her back, with a look which Kanwal couldn't fathom. She averted her gaze and sat straight.
"Go to bed," Ahad said, keeping his gaze fixed on her. "You look sleepy." Instead of answering Ahad or going to bed, Kanwal got up and made her way to the door. But before she could reach the door, Ahad stopped her by holding her elbow and spun her towards him.
"Your eyes are all red and you look tired. Go to bed and take a nap." Ahad ordered.
Without making eye contact, Kanwal freed her arm and went to bed, leaving Ahad in an awkward position, where he couldn't decide whether he should be satisfied that Kanwal listened to him or got angry at how she behaved.
~*~
Ahad turned his position on the sofa again. He was irritated by his current situation. He left the room almost three hours ago so Kanwal could get a peaceful sleep. Therefore, he was lying on the sofa still in his pyjamas. His laptop, phones, and the other stuff were in the room while he was in the living room with the TV.
"Okay, that's it." Ahad got up when he couldn't bear the feeling of isolation anymore and stride towards the bedroom.
He was extra cautious while opening the door so Kanwal wouldn't wake up. But upon entering the room, he found an empty bed. Ahad's eyes instantly scan the entire room and a frown formed on his face. The tidy bedsheet and other things in the room were implying that Kanwal didn't sleep. Ahad clenched his jaws to control the anger and silently sat on the bed. He waited for Kanwal to come out from the bathroom, but no one came out after several minutes.
"Kanwal?" Ahad called her, knocking on the bathroom door.
No answer...
"Kanwal." He knocked again.
Again, no answer.
The next thing Ahad did was spin the doorknob and open the door, only to find it empty.
"Kanwal?" Ahad called out to her again, this time a little louder.
"Kanwal, where are you???" He was about to leave the room when a soft voice stopped his tracks.
"Here." Ahad turned around on his heels and saw Kanwal standing up from behind the armchair.
"What the hell were you doing there?" He stalked towards her.
"Sitting." Kanwal answered nonchalantly.
"Couldn't you find any better place to sit?" Ahad asked, gritting his teeth.
"It's peaceful here." She avoided making eye contact.
"You didn't sleep?" Ahad inquired, looking at her red and tired eyes, which were swelling now. Kanwal simply shook her head.
"Then why didn't you come out?" Kanwal didn't answer him.
"I am asking you a question." Ahad brought her near him by grabbing her arms.
"You're hurting me." Kanwal wiggled to free herself and Ahad loosened his grip.
"Leave me." She didn't stop struggling.
"Answer me first." Ahad further firmed his grip.
"I don't want to see your face." Kanwal's answer froze Ahad in his place.
"What?" He asked in disbelief.
"I don't want to see your face, I don't want you near me, I don't want to stay in the same room as you." Kanwal glared at Ahad.
"Have you lost your mind?! Do you know what you are saying??"
"Yes, I know what I am saying and I haven't lost my mind yet. What did you think? That everything will get normal between us if you forced me into this marriage? It was your mistake, Mr Ahad Murtaza. A mistake. Right now, you may have me, but not my heart. You can touch me, but not my soul. You can bend a person by power Ahad, but you cannot bend a person's feelings."
"Because your feelings are for Abdul Rafay now?" Ahad glared into her eyes and she shook her head.
"My feelings are still for the man I loved since I understood the meaning of love and unfortunately, it's not you.....As a wife, I will fulfil my every duty. You have me and my obedience, but my feelings died at the moment, when you buried the old Ahad." Taking advantage of Ahad's shocked state, Kanwal jerked his hands and left the room.
