Author POV
The room remained quiet long after Zayan left.
For the first time that day...
Roohi's tears had stopped.
Not completely.
But enough.
Enough for her breathing to steady.
Enough for her heart to feel a little lighter.
His words continued replaying in her mind.
"You belong here."
Simple words.
Yet somehow...
They carried more weight than an entire speech.
After a few minutes...
Roohi washed her face.
Fixed her dupatta.
And stared at herself in the mirror.
Her eyes were slightly red.
But she looked calmer.
Stronger.
Taking a deep breath...
She finally stepped outside.
Downstairs...
The atmosphere was noticeably different.
The dining room was empty now.
But voices echoed from the living room.
As Roohi entered...
Everyone looked up.
Aleena immediately smiled.
A warm motherly smile.
"Come here, beta."
Roohi obeyed.
Sitting beside her.
Aleena gently fixed a strand of hair behind Roohi's ear.
A small gesture.
Yet it nearly made Roohi emotional all over again.
"Don't take Saba's words seriously."
Aleena said softly.
Roohi nodded.
"I'll try."
"You don't need to try."
Rayyan interrupted dramatically.
Everyone looked at him.
"What?"
He asked.
Then pointed toward the door.
"If Phupho starts again, I'll personally throw her luggage outside."
Aleena smacked his arm immediately.
Daniyal nodded.
"That's actually not a bad idea."
Roohi blinked.
Then—
A laugh escaped her.
A real laugh.
The first one all day.
And immediately...
The entire room relaxed.
Because everyone had been worried.
Even if nobody admitted it.
Especially one person.
Later That Evening
The Khan mansion garden was peaceful.
The sky glowed orange and gold.
Birds returned to their nests.
And for once...
The house felt calm again.
Roohi stood near the flower beds.
Enjoying the silence.
Enjoying the fresh air.
Enjoying the fact that nobody was arguing.
A rare miracle.
She smiled slightly.
Then—
Footsteps.
Familiar footsteps.
Roohi didn't need to turn around.
Somehow...
She already knew.
Zayan.
He stopped beside her.
Not too close.
Not too far.
The exact distance he always kept.
For a few moments...
Neither of them spoke.
The silence wasn't awkward anymore.
Just quiet.
Comfortable.
A strange thing.
Especially between them.
Finally...
Roohi looked at him.
"Thank you."
The words were soft.
Honest.
Zayan looked ahead.
For a second...
He said nothing.
Then—
"You already thanked me."
Roohi smiled.
"I wanted to do it again."
The corner of his mouth almost moved.
Almost.
But not quite.
And somehow...
That was enough.
Because for the first time...
Roohi realized something important.
Maybe this marriage hadn't started the way she wanted.
Maybe neither of them had chosen it.
But slowly...
Very slowly...
Zayan Khan was becoming someone she could lean on.
And that realization scared her.
Almost as much as it comforted her.
To Be Continued...🦋
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