Love :That needs no permission

Chapter 11 Maya's Pov

Maya Pov:

The moment we landed in India, a driver was already waiting for us at the airport.

During the drive to Saif’s family home, the driver kept talking warmly with him about old memories, business matters, and family gossip.

It quickly became obvious that he had worked for Saif’s family for years.

Maybe even before Saif was born.

And strangely…

Watching Saif speak so comfortably after so long made me happy.

Because for the first time since I met him, it felt like he was finally allowing me into a deeper part of his life.

When Saif first mentioned traveling to India, I assumed it would just be him and the kids.

But then he asked me to come too.

To meet his grandparents.

His cousins.

His family.

And honestly?

That meant everything to me.

Maybe this was finally the step forward I had been waiting for in our relationship.

The moment we entered the porch, the children grabbed their bags and ran inside excitedly.

The driver assured us he would handle the luggage while we headed in.

As I stepped inside, my attention immediately shifted toward Saif.

He had stopped walking completely.

And he was staring at someone.

Not casually.

Not normally.

There was something in his eyes I had never seen before.

Softness.

Love.

At first, I assumed he was watching the children.

But then I followed his gaze.

And I saw her.

A woman standing with the kids, laughing softly while fixing something on Haya’s dress.

Then suddenly she looked up.

Her eyes landed on us.

More specifically—

On our intertwined hands.

For one brief second, sadness crossed her face.

Gone almost instantly.

Replaced with a calm smile.

She walked toward us politely and welcomed us before informing Saif’s grandparents that we had arrived.

I waited for Saif to introduce her.

But he didn’t.

And somehow…

That bothered me more than it should have.

A few moments later, the kids insisted on going out with her somewhere.

But instead of immediately agreeing, she hesitated.

Then looked toward Saif.

And silently—

He nodded.

That single moment unsettled me deeply.

It wasn’t the permission itself.

It was the understanding between them.

The comfort.

The unspoken communication.

Like they had known each other forever.

Later, Saif showed me to my room so I could rest after traveling.

But despite being tired, I couldn’t relax properly.

Something about that woman lingered in my mind.

Eventually, I stepped outside searching for water and accidentally overheard a group of older women talking nearby.

And that was when I finally learned her name.

Aly.

The same Aly everyone apparently knew about.

The same Aly they were discussing with pity and nostalgia.

“How difficult it must be for Saif and Aly to face each other after everything…”

The moment I heard that sentence, my stomach tightened painfully.

I quietly walked back to my room before they noticed me listening.

Suddenly everything made sense.

The way he looked at her.

The way the children loved her.

The way she naturally belonged there.

And for the first time since arriving—

I felt threatened.

A little later, one of the servants informed me lunch was ready.

I casually asked if the children had returned.

“Yes, madam,” she smiled warmly. “Aly maasi is feeding them lunch.”

Something inside me snapped instantly.

Before I could think properly, I stormed toward the dining area.

And the second I saw Aly sitting comfortably feeding the children—

All the jealousy, insecurity, and humiliation exploded at once.

“How dare you?” I shouted.

The entire room went silent immediately.

“You take the children away and feed them without even informing me? Do you think doing all this will bring Saif back to you?”

Even while speaking, I could hear how irrational I sounded.

But I couldn’t stop.

“Stay away from him. And stay away from the kids.”

For one terrible moment—

Nobody moved.

Then I saw the children staring at me in fear.

And reality hit me instantly.

What had I just done?

Aly quietly stood up and walked away without saying a single word.

That somehow made me feel worse.

Not better.

Worse.

I immediately apologized to everyone for creating a scene.

But the damage had already been done.

Then Saif’s grandmother slowly held the children’s hands and looked directly at me.

Her voice was calm.

Too calm.

“Can I take my children with me,” she asked sarcastically, “or do I need your permission for that too now?”

The humiliation burned through me completely.

And without another word—

She walked away with the children.

Leaving me standing there feeling painfully small.

I went to Saif immediately after that and apologized.

But he barely even looked at me.

“Go to your room,” he said coldly. “Now is not the time.”

His distance terrified me more than anger would have.

Back in my room, the servants brought food upstairs saying Saif had asked them to.

And strangely…

That tiny gesture gave me hope again.

Maybe he just needed time to calm down.

Maybe we could still talk things out later.

After eating, I tried lying down for a while.

But then suddenly—

I heard shouting downstairs.

Shoaib.

He was calling both me and Saif downstairs angrily.

Panic immediately settled inside my chest.

I stepped out of the room at the same time Saif emerged from the prayer room nearby.

I gave him a small nervous smile.

But he walked straight past me without reacting at all.

And somehow…

That hurt more than being yelled at.

Quietly, I followed him downstairs.

Like a child walking toward punishment.

The moment we reached the hall, I saw Shoaib absolutely furious while several cousins tried calming him down.

And suddenly—

For the first time since arriving in India—

I truly understood the magnitude of what I had done.

Not just to Aly.

But to everyone.

And standing there watching the anger around me grow—

Only one thought repeated inside my head:

Oh God.

What have I done?