I stared in shock at the person standing before me for a minute trying to process what was happening.
" what are you doing here?"
My voice was filled with disdain as I ignored his previous teslim.

He sigh then took a step closer. I stood my ground, not moving an inch and observed as he sigh again and took a step back.
" Huda, can you give me a chance to speak to you?" He pleads, his voice calm and composed.
I narrowed my eyes at him, folding my arms.
" say what it is you want to say. I'm busy and don't welcome the idea of you wasting my time"

He looked taken aback for a moment, before recovering almost immediately. He thinks I wasn't going to give him a chance to speak.

" wow, I was thinking you were going to give me a hard time. Didn't-"

I interrupted him sharply with a glare.
" are you going to talk about what made you demand my presence or what!"

By now, some group of Aunties were flocking in the living room, gossiping in a not subtle manner. Some of them gave a suspicious glance before whispering amongst themselves. This was getting uncomfortable for me. I clenched my jaw.
What perfect timing! I thought sarcastically.

" Huda, I want you to come back. I'm ready to accept you back,"
My head turned back in shock. He must have misread my facial emotion as he blew out a breath and continued.

" I thought about what happened and decided to let the past stay in the past. I'm over everything that happened before, and I've forgiven you. You can pack your bags and-"

I stood up in a rage, my eyes hardening as I glare daggers at him.
A movement by the side caught my eyes and I turned to see Mahdi looking at me apprehensively.

" Mahdi, get him out of my sight!"
My voice came out loud and harsh, just the way I wanted it.
" Huda, you don't need to be"

" shut up, Dawud! Not a word from you anymore-"

Abu walked in with Sama and Aunt Maria. He wasn't looking shocked by Dawud's presence instead looked at .e with an unreadable emotion.

I laughed dryly.
Of course, he's aware...they are all aware.
"I'm not going to stand and listen to the filth from your mouth anymore "
I said and walked away until Sama's voice stopped me.
" Huda, listen to him. He's back after all and that's what matters the most".

I swiftly turned, facing her. Mahdi was signalling me to calm down, but I ignored him. I'm not the type to be patient in this kind of situation, especially after what she just said to me.

Sorry Mahdi, but I won't do that.

" What did you just say? Listen to him?" I was beyond pissed at this moment.

" Huda-" my father called out but I paid a deaf ear to his words.

" Abu did you hear what your wife just said? How dare she! She has no idea what I've been through".

Aunt Maria walked forward and held my shoulders trying to force me to look into her eye, but I refused, my eyes still on Sama.

" Huda you need to calm down. The guests are still very much around," she whispered, this time gaining my attention.

I clenched my jaw, feeling my eyes beginning to tear up. That only happens when I'm extremely angry, but I blink twice to stop it.

" Huda, no need to make a scene. Haven't you gotten what you wanted?"

"Laiqa, no!" Mahdi cautioned.

I removed Any Maria's hands from my shoulders and faced the owner of the comment. She was staring back at me with confidence.

I rushed towards her in anger when someone hold me back. Laiqa swiftly hid behind a grandmother who was now also present looking lost.

" Leave me alone, let me teach her something!"

"Huda, calm down!"

" no Mahdi! Leave me to teach the brat a lesson. She just doesn't know when to talk,"

Aunt Maria came and force me to the drawing-room, away from the guests who were now getting interested in the drama unfolding.

" Aunt Maria, let me be while I'm still being nice," my voice was now a whisper as I struggled against her strong hands.

I watched as Dawud entered the room followed by Sama, Laiqa, Abu, grandmother, the twins, Tahira, Mahdi and lastly Surayya.

Great! The whole family is here now.

I took a sit on the couch and watched Dawud as he sat on the other couch opposite me. Grandma and Abu also sat down while the rest were standing.

" I dare you to repeat what you uttered back there," I ordered while trying to control my rage.

" Abu, this is a total waste of our time. Why does she have to cause drama on our engagement day if she isn't jealous? The guests and our grooms are outside. This is a disgrace!"

At this point, no one needs a soothsayer to know who just said that.

" Then, by all means, step out and go meet your fiancées! You aren't even sure if the marriage would happen and you're already bluffing. I wouldn't be surprised if your groom doesn't show up for the Nika'ah, after all, no one would want to live with an insolent brat for the rest of their lives!"

" keep quiet!" Abu commanded.

Laiqa glared at me while I rolled my eyes at her much to her annoyance.

" Dawud, what is it that brings you here?"

Abu questions him and if I hadn't been staring at him closely, I would have missed the way he gulped down nervously.

" I'm ready to accept Huda back as my wife!"

I scoffed at his words. Abu threw me a slight glare making me swallow my words.

" Okay," Abu said nodding at Dawud.
He faces me. " Huda, what's your take on this?"

I stared at Abu in disbelief.
" it's obvious that I'm not ready to go back to him, Abu".

" Is there a particular reason for that, dear?" Grandma asked curiously.

You all have no idea what I went through, and what I'm still going through because of him, do you?

" yes, grandmother. I have more than a reason to not return to him".

Laiqa scoffed, but I pretended not to hear that. It will be a total waste of my energy to please her by getting annoyed.

Besides, she had something coming for her, so why give her the satisfaction now when I can grandly do that later?

I stared at Dawud with full hatred and his eyes widen in mild horror.

Dear, you pushed me beyond my limits this time.

I also looked at Sama in her eyes and she seemed to get the message. There were only seven people in the room who were oblivious to what was coming next.

I relaxed further into the couch as I enjoyed the thick tension in the air.
The door opened with a slight noise, and I raise my brows wondering who it was.

Laiqa and Tahira's Fiancées stepped into the room and they seemed to get the fact that the atmosphere had changed in the room.

They were about to turn back when I beckoned them over. They needed to be here, after all, they're going to be part of the family soon.

" Please," I exaggerated loudly
"You're family now, feel free to join us "

Immediately they both took a seat, I clenched my jaws as the reminder of what I was about to say shook me hard. I had hidden the events for a long time already, I needed to let it out for the peace of my mind.

" dear, what were the reasons you wanted to say?" Aunt Maria asked.

I looked at her blankly. She had also caught up on the tension and looked curious as to what I had to say.

" Huda, look at me! Let the past stay in the past. I've moved on and I hoped you'd do the same," Dawud said and I was the only one who detected the undertones in his words.

The way he was staring at me made me feel so overwhelmed. So many emotions were threatening to take over.
First was sadness, then vulnerability and most importantly, anger.

How could he act like everything was okay?

How dare he thinks that I've forgotten everything...all the pains.

" you're insane!" I spat at him with venom dripping from them.

" Huda!" Sama exclaims in shock.

I looked at her for a few seconds before shaking my head at her in disappointment.

" and here I was thinking that you had repented and turned into a new leaf. Unfortunately, you proved me wrong again, "

" don't talk to my mother like that!"

" I'm not surprised Laiqa. After all it's being said that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree".

" Huda, explain to us. What's happening?" Aunt Maria asked confused.

" I'm elated, Aunt Maria. You have no idea how much happy I am hearing you willing to listen to my side of the story," I spat out sarcastically.

Gosh! I have even lost my sense of humour because of them.

" Jaan, tell me what happened, " Grandma spoke softly as always peering into my eyes few.

It's such a shame that I didn't inherit the calm trait from her.

" that similar endearment I'd always use for my heart," I remembered and let out humourless laughter.

I watched as Abu and grandma's eyes widen in recognition. Dawud clenched his jaws, his hands in a fist and glared at me murderously.

" what happened Huda?" Tahira spoke this time, her eyebrows scrunched in confusion.

" they happened," I said softly as the memories came rushing with full force.

But I didn't let it consume me as I stood up simultaneously with Laiqa.
" They killed her!" I declared angrily, and I could hear the echo within the four walls in the room.

Various gasps filled the room. Grandma covered her mouth in shock, tears brimming in her brown eyes.

" yes, grandma. They all conspired and killed Janan!"
There was pin-drop silence.
A/N

Things are going to get heated from here, so stay tuned😉.
Vote, comment and let me know what you feel about this chapter🙏.
Who killed who?😳
Who's Janan?
Most importantly, who saw this coming? Huda is married?😲

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Have a wonderful day!😘
Much love,
Midha...