Realisation

{12}

"Just... don't interfere in things that aren't your responsibility",

His words hit harder than she expected.
Interfere?

Maira swallowed the sudden pang in her chest. Did he truly think so little of her efforts? Did he see her attempts to bond with his family as interference rather than something good?

She cast a glance at his grandmother, who was now looking at him with disappointment.

"Zahid", the older woman's voice was firm, laced with displeasure. "That was unnecessary",

Zahid sighed, running a hand over his face. "I'm tired, Grandma. I don't want to argue about this",

"You didn't have to argue in the first place", she retorted. "She only wanted to bring a little happiness into this house, and you acted like she committed a crime",

Maira didn't stay to hear more. The heaviness in her heart urged her to leave. Without another word, she turned and silently walked toward the stairs, with heavy steps.

Reaching the spare room, she closed the door behind her, exhaling shakily.

Why did it hurt so much?

She knew Zahid wasn't the warmest person, that he had his walls built high. But she had hoped... perhaps a little foolishly... that her presence here, her efforts, would start to change things.

She had never asked for his affection...not yet, at least. But was it too much, to ask for a little kindness?

She sat on the edge of the bed, her hands resting on her lap as she stared at the floor.

A soft knock on the door startled her.

"Maira?" it was the grandmother's voice.
Forcing a small smile, she stood and opened the door.
"Grandma...why did you ascend thee stair?", she asked worriedly.
"It's fine, dearest",

The older woman gave her a sympathetic look before cupping her cheek. "Don't take his words to heart, dear. He is a difficult man, but he is not unkind. Just stubborn",

Maira nodded, though she wasn't sure she truly believed that at the moment.

"Thank you for trying to make me happy", the grandmother continued warmly. "And don't worry, I'll make sure my grandson regrets his words tonight",

Maira let out a soft laugh despite everything, but deep inside, the ache remained.

●○●○●○●○

Zahid was late again.

She wasn't surprised. This had become a pattern now. He left early in the morning, spent the entire day drowning in work, and returned home exhausted, barely speaking a word before retreating to their room.

At first, she wondered if he was avoiding her. But now, she understood, this was just his life. A never-ending cycle of work, stress, and responsibilities.

The clock struck eleven at night when Maira heard the faint creak of the front door opening. She looked up from the book in her lap, her fingers curling around the edge of the page, but her attention was no longer on the words.

Instead, it was on the familiar sound of Zahid's footsteps, heavy and deliberate, yet somehow lethargic, as if every step carried the burde of the day on his shoulders.

She glanced at the dinner table, where a single plate sat covered, untouched.

Zahid walked in, his tie loosened and his sleeves rolled up to his elbows, exposing the tense muscles of his forearms. His usually sharp eyes were dulled with exhaustion, his neatly styled hair slightly disheveled, likely from running his hands through it too many times in frustration. He looked drained, completely and utterly drained.

Maira remained silent where she sat curled up on the couch. She had learned that he wasn't the type to appreciate being bombarded with questions the moment he got home. She had tried once before, asking him about his day, only to be met with a curt response that killed any attempt at conversation.

So, now, she simply watched.

Zahid barely acknowledged her presence as he dropped onto the armchair across from her with a tired sigh. His head fell back against the cushion, and he pinched the bridge of his nose before shutting his eyes.

Maira silently stood up before walking to the kitchen. A few minutes later, she returned with a glass of water, placing it on the table beside him. She didn't say anything, didn't try to force him into conversation, just left it there, within reach.

Zahid opened his eyes slightly, his gaze flickering to the glass before shifting toward her. He didn't thank her, but he didn't push it away either. Instead, he picked it up, taking slow sips, and for some reason, Maira felt a small sense of satisfaction.

"Dinner?", she asked softly.
"I'm not hungry", he replied shortly. Even though she wanted to argue that skipping meals were unhealthy but she knew better than to do so.

She sat back down, pulling her knees to her chest, and returned her focus to the book in her hands. The silence stretched between them, but it wasn't uncomfortable. It was the kind of silence that slowly became familiar, a routine.

After a few moments, Zahid finally spoke, his voice rough with fatigue.
"You don't have to wait up",

Maira looked up from her book, her expression unreadable.
"I wasn't waiting", she said simply, though they both knew it was a lie.

Zahid didn't argue. He exhaled through his nose, rubbing a hand over his face before standing up. Without another word, he made his way to the bedroom, leaving Maira alone once again.

She glanced at the untouched dinner plate, then at the empty glass he had left behind.

It wasn't much, but at least they were civil. And for now, she would take what she could get.

●○●○●○●○

Zahid's character will be frustrating. The society molded him to be that snobby rich man who is power hungry. Just remember his point of view about marriage, love and relationship, not everyone is same.
The story has a tag for grovelling for a reason and the title says a lot.