ruthless to knees

The Visit

Two days had passed since the engagement night, and I have kept myself busy in my multiple offices, avoiding the Wagoneer Obsidion like a plague because her scent of mehndi still lingered in the SUV, her image sprawled on the back of his car still felt surreal.

He was at his office when the call came from the hospital.

“Mr. Adil?” "yes!" I picked up the call with the usual formal tone. The nurse’s voice was brisk. “Miss Samaira’s follow-up appointment is due, (Adil slowed down his typing speed and now, with his full attention, was listening to what the nurse was saying). She hasn’t come. We tried reaching her, but there’s no answer. (His mind showed a million things that could go wrong). "Samaira" the name rolled of my tongue in a manner that surprised me her name just dawned on me but The nurse continued, "Since you brought her in, You were the primary contact information given to us." Realisation hit and

my grip tightened on the receiver. I didn’t ask myself why it mattered. I just found myself in my Wrangler speeding through the streets, abandoning the much-needed piles of work he left again for something unnecessary.

The Ali house looked different now. The fairy lights were still up, but dimmed, a sad aftertaste of celebration gone wrong. Adi wondered, straightening his collar, he knocked.

The door creaked open. It was an elderly maid, who blinked at his imposing figure.

“Baita koun ho tum?”

“I’m here to speak with Samaira.”

Before the maid could reply, Mr. Ali appeared in the doorway. His eyes were red, sleepless.

“You,” he said flatly.

Adi bowed his head slightly. “The doctor said she hadn’t shown up for her follow-up. I came to inform you.”

A long silence. Mr. Ali sighed. “She’s not well. Fever since last night.”

Adi’s brows furrowed. “Fever?”

Mr. Ali’s voice broke. “Her engagement broke. Saad’s family didn’t want to continue after… that night. She hasn’t eaten properly since. She blames herself.”

For the first time, Adi felt something hot claw inside his chest. “It wasn’t her fault.”

“Try telling her that,” Mr. Ali whispered, weary, and turned away.

Without asking permission, Adi stepped into the corridor. From upstairs came the faint sound of coughing. For a moment, he wanted to see her, just one glimpse — but he stopped himself.

“Uncle,” he said firmly, his jaw set. “I’ll fix this.”

Mr. Ali turned, startled. “Fix? What are you saying—”

Adi didn’t explain. He simply gave a short nod. "She won’t lose everything because of me," he thought to himself (Not while I’m alive).

Meanwhile, Samaira burned with a fever. She lay curled under her blanket, staring at the wall, her heart twisting with guilt. Another loud cough escaped from her throat and Adi could no longer leave the house without looking at those eyes for the last time once he settled this matter she would be someone else's. He knocked on the door and entered while

she struggled to sit up. “Why are you here?” she asked, her voice hoarse.

His eyes burned into hers. He wanted to say (Because I heard your engagement broke. which is not a big deal anyway. Because you’ve been crying over someone you don’t even know.) but he conveyed the hospital's message politely.

She swallowed hard, fighting back her tears. didn't respond first just kept quiet looking on the floor and when I couldn't take her silence any further I turned towards the door to leave. “He’s my fiancé. It matters what people say. What will happen to my father’s izzat? His health can’t take more shame.”

Adi stepped away from the door, temper hanging by a thread, his fists clenching at his sides. He turned and faced Samaira slowly “Do you love him?”

She froze. Her eyes widened, tears shimmering.

“I…” her voice broke. “I don’t even know him. I’ve never spoken to him. But… but I must marry him. Otherwise, what will people say? My father…”

Adi’s nostrils flared. Rage coiled in his chest, but he forced himself to stay still. He moved in her direction small steps he did not want her to get scarred any further. The idea that she would shackle herself to a man she didn’t even know, just for society’s approval, made his blood boil but it was not his place to say that.

He leaned down, his voice low, almost a vow. “Kal shaam tak sab theek hoga. Tum dekhti jao.”

Her lips parted in shock. “What do you mean?” They were at a safe distance but he could still smell that earthy smell from her which now became his slow poison.

Adi’s gaze softened, just slightly. “I mean you won’t cry anymore, I promise, Samaira.” He wanted to rip the world apart if it made those tears vanish again.

He left before she could respond, his shadow lingering even after he was gone.