Chaos in the Canvas √

12 | revelare

"That is not a problem, we can tell that you had an accident or something, or maybe even fell." Mehmal stated, falling short for a moment before resuming, "Taya Abbu asked very sternly to bring you down, Hami."

"Your Taya Abbu's sternness is the least of my concern right now." Hemayal responded harshly, eyes narrowed.

"You know what will happen when I will say what you have suggested? Taya Abbu will come here and drag you down himself." Mehmal reminded her in a serious tone, one that silenced Hemayal completely, a pained expressions migrating to her face almost immediately.

"I don't care. Say that I'm sleeping, or maybe even injured. But I will not come downstairs and that is final." Hemayal's reply stunned Mehmal who thought that the threat of Hemayal's father would be enough to get Hemayal walking.

"Hemayal, the people who are sitting downstairs, they have come for Dadu, and for you. Even if you forget the relationship that we have with them, they are our guests." Mehmal spoke gently, trying hard to make Hemayal see and she did, for a second as her expressions softened but after a moment, it was all gone.

"Did I ask them to come here? I didn't. And I think there are plenty of people downstairs to tend to them, my presence is definitely not required." Hemayal repeated again, in words that contained hatred and tone that contained venom, and Mehmal Khakwani could not believe her ears.

Where did her soft spoken and composed sister went? What did the world do to her?

"Fine, as you wish. But be prepared if Taya Abbu comes upstairs." Mehmal said before standing up from the chair, finally giving up, majorly because she had never seen Hemayal this stubborn in all her life, nor had she seen her this broken - it was better not to push her.

"Tell him to don't bother. I still won't come downstairs." Hemayal said, this time voice low and hurt, and pangs of agony attacked Mehmal's heart, compelling her to sit down again.

"Hami, what's wrong? Why are you behaving like this?" Mehmal asked, almost at the verge of crying as she witnessed her cousin's broken state.

"What's right, Mehmal, what's right?" Hemayal questioned in response, a whisper that laced pain, in tone that was absolutely broken, one that effectively silenced Mehmal for a split second.

Sighing, she stood up again, looking down at Hemayal with every inch of her aching with pain. True, she had never seen Hemayal like this but the girl had died a thousand deaths in the past two days, her every inch ached - physically and mentally and above all, she did not have her Dadu with her in these tough times. After being given some time, she sure would recover and right now, all they could do was wait and pray.

"Alright then, I'm going. Don't worry, I'll handle everything downstairs." Mehmal said and Hemayal only nodded but neither the worry nor the pain lessened in her expressions.

These were going to be with her for a long time now.

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12:27pm

Mehmal walked down the spiral staircase, steps slowly taken and mind occupied, struggling to find an excuse that will spare Hemayal - for now, at least. However, none seemed good enough in the restraints of her mind. Hemayal's injured foot might just be her saviour, saving her from confronting the Yazdani men, but Mehmal knew that Taya Abbu would hardly buy it. Hemayal's foot was in a bad state, but she most definitely could walk around and Taya Abbu knew it well.

The excuse of a scarred face was a valid one but how will she pronounce it without igniting a fire of concern and curiosity in the hearts of the guests? On hearing of her injured face, wouldn't they want to meet her? Hell, they'd even persist.