Love :That needs no permission

12. POV Shoaib's Confrontation

Everyone had gathered in the living room by the time Saif and Maya came downstairs.

Relatives.

Guests.

Cousins.

House elders.

Even the music from the wedding celebrations outside had slowly faded because people were beginning to sense something was wrong.

Shoaib stood near the center of the room visibly furious while several cousins tried calming him down unsuccessfully.

But the moment he saw Saif descending the staircase with Maya tightly holding onto his hand—

His anger exploded again.

Before Shoaib could say anything, Dadu’s voice thundered across the room.

“ENOUGH.”

The entire hall fell silent instantly.

“Everyone stop this nonsense immediately.”

Even Shoaib quieted down.

Dadu slowly stood up and looked around the room with controlled authority.

Then calmly, he pointed toward Saif, Maya, Shoaib, Nausheen, Dadi, and Shoaib’s parents.

“You all. Follow me.”

Nobody argued.

Before leaving, Dadu turned toward the house staff firmly.

“The guests are not to be disturbed. Continue the functions outside properly.”

Then after a pause—

“And no one enters my study until I say so. Understood?”

“Yes, sir.”

Without another word, Dadu walked toward his study while everyone silently followed behind him.

The moment the last person entered, he locked the door himself.

The study was large and elegant, filled with old bookshelves and heavy wooden furniture.

Dadi quietly sat in Dadu’s chair while he took the seat opposite everyone else.

The rest settled awkwardly onto the sofas.

For a few seconds, complete silence filled the room.

Then finally—

Dadu looked directly at Shoaib.

“You need to control your anger.”

Shoaib immediately lowered his gaze.

“Dadu, I’m sorry. I was angry and didn’t realize people were around.”

“No,” Dadu replied calmly. “You realized. You simply stopped caring.”

The room fell silent again.

“This is your wedding house,” Dadu continued firmly. “Guests are present outside. Do you understand what kind of gossip spreads when families publicly fight during ceremonies?”

Shoaib clenched his jaw tightly.

“But what about when someone insults my family?” he asked sharply. “Should I stay silent then too?”

His eyes shifted directly toward Maya.

Dadu noticed immediately.

“What outsiders say does not matter to me,” he replied. “What matters is whether my own children know how to behave with dignity.”

Then after a pause—

“And Aly showed exactly that today.”

Maya stiffened instantly.

Dadu continued calmly.

“She walked away quietly despite being insulted publicly because she understands what respect means inside a family home.”

The indirect disappointment in his voice hit harder than shouting ever could.

Then finally—

Maya spoke.

“So I’m just a guest here?” she asked Saif hurtfully. “That’s all I am?”

Nobody answered immediately.

Dadu did instead.

“Saif brought you here so we could meet you. That does not automatically mean you have become family.”

Maya looked stunned.

“And after today,” Dadu added calmly, “earning that place will become very difficult.”

The room became painfully quiet.

But instead of softening, Maya grew defensive.

“Oh really?” she laughed bitterly. “I think I understand Saif and the children better than anyone here.”

Nausheen frowned immediately.

“And what exactly do you mean by that?”

“I mean,” Maya continued emotionally, “I’ve been the one taking care of them. I know what they need. They love me. Isn’t that what matters?”

“Children are cared for,” Nausheen replied sharply. “Not handled.”

Maya looked away briefly before continuing again.

“And honestly, we’re not even planning to stay here long-term anyway.”

That immediately caught everyone’s attention.

“What?” Shoaib muttered.

Maya turned toward Saif.

“You told me we’d move when I go abroad for higher studies.”

Saif finally spoke quietly.

“I said I would move with you during your studies.”

“And after that?”

Saif hesitated briefly.

Then honestly—

“I eventually want to come back here.”

The silence afterward felt heavy.

“Back to my family,” he finished softly.

For the first time since entering the room, Maya looked genuinely shaken.

Like she was suddenly realizing how many conversations they had never truly finished.

But Shoaib had completely lost patience by then.

“I honestly don’t care what future plans you two have,” he snapped angrily.

Then pointing directly toward Maya—

“The issue is what she did today.”

His voice hardened.

“You humiliated Aly in front of everyone in this house.”

Nobody interrupted him this time.

Because deep down—

Everyone knew he was right.

To be continued