Humsafar .

twenty five

Chapter 25 

A brother's comfort

Anaaya.

I sat in my room thinking and contemplating what ever had happened. I didn't understand how and why something like this would happen to Rania.

She was a sweet child as far as I knew her. She hadn't done anything wrong in her life. Yes, she made a mistake but so what? We all make mistakes. Why was she punished so brutally for something that she had committed at the age of seventeen?

I typed away on my laptop, too angry at what had just happened.

Sometimes things happen in life and sometimes you have to get over those things what is really important is to learn from those mistakes.

I didn't understand why Azlaan had slapped her like that and why nobody even cared to stop.

And when I went out there trying to stop something wrong that was happening I was told to go back into my room.

By my own husband.

He might have stood up for me by asking his brother to leave but at the same time he also asked me to leave knowing damn well that I was right.

His sister deserved better. Azlaan had no right to be so insensitive.

Rania was hurt badly and all he cared about was his stupid honour.

What was this honour that all men seemed to care about so much? Honour was the purity of a woman’s spirit. Honour was the respect that a woman deserved from a man. Honour was the perception, the rightful perception of a man and a woman. Honour wasn't just losing your virginity.

Why was our society so f****d up that a woman automatically lost her honour the moment she got raped, harassed or even groped. Shouldn't the men who were responsible for committing that, be the ones without honour?

I shut the laptop, slamming it on the couch and laying down.

It wasn't until late night that I decided to stand up from the couch and do something productive about the matter.

Just because Hassan had asked me to go back to my room didn't mean that I had to stay in my room. Yes he was my husband and yes I respected him but at the same time I also respected my values and beliefs.

I wrote columns and articles everyday about women empowerment it would have been hypocritical of me to not help her.

She deserved some help right now. I opened the door to my room, exiting my bedroom and walking towards the stairs, I heard small sniffles and voices coming from the living room downstairs.

I peeked from the railing Rania was sat on the table while my husband was sitting close to her on the sofa. A first aid kit held in his hand and I could see him cleaning off her wounds.

At least he had been kind enough to do that. Nobody was outside anymore,  infact I was sure everybody had already slept

Only Rania and Hassan were in the living room.

I didn't want to go downstairs anymore because it felt like I would be intruding on their private moment.

So I stood there, the view visible clearly. I could see tears in her eyes from above and I could also see Hassan removing them with his thumb.

He asked her what had happened.

Rania let out a shaky breath and then drank a glass of water before holding her brother's hand tightly.

She started telling the tale of what had happened and as she spoke, goosebumps erupted all over my body.

"I know I never told you I had a boyfriend but it wasn't serious enough for me to tell anyone. Everyone in my friends circle had someone in their life and I guess I just wanted to be as cool as them." Hassan stared at her, letting her speak freely.

His face focused on each and every word she was saying.

"I met Joseph outside my college one day. We started to chat, then slowly and gradually we started dating." She gulped, looking at her brother. Hassan patted her leg, telling her to continue.

I looked at them in silence.

"He invited me to his birthday party I didn't have anything that I could gift to him so I took a a few of my belongings so I could sell them and buy a gift for him." She continued. Even though her voice was shaky, it was still audible enough for me.

"I was at his house and I waited for other people to come but no one did I started speculating that someone something bad was going on but it was already too late." She choked out, her eyes watered again.

Hassan handed her a glass of water.

"He tried to," She hesitated but then started to speak again after sometime.

"He tried to force himself on me." She sobbed.

I wished Hassan would move forward and hug her but he didn't. He simply looked at her, waiting for more.

"When I resisted, he beat me with a stick, he took me away. I was in his car for a few hours and after that I was locked away in a room." She looked around and I ducked.

I knew listening to someone else's conversation was wrong but I had no choice. I was curious right now.

She glanced at Hassan and then looked down, fiddling with her thumbs.

"He didn't rape me but he just hit me whenever he wanted to. I didn't understand what suddenly happened to him and I guess I never will."

What kind of sick bastard was he?

"I finally got the chance to escape when the police arrived. I felt like I could breathe again when I saw the both of you." She said referring to the time when Hassan and Azlaan left for Bhurban late at night.

Rania sniffed.

"I understand why everyone hates me. I made such a huge mistake I understand that but I didn't know this would happen." She cried.

Hassan kept staring at her, no words of comfort leaving his mouth.

Rania continued.

"If I could change it I would change it all. I am so sorry Bhai." She apologised sobbing.

Even I could feel my eyes getting teared up.

"I know I have ruined your honeymoon and you yelled at bhabhi because of me. It's all my fault...I am so sorry."

She cried again.

This time Hassan stood up and sat beside her, his hand reached out to pull her in a side hug. Rania relished in the comfort.

"Hey..it's okay. I'm just glad you're fine and trust me I will never let anything happen to you again." He mumbled.

I wasn't sure if that was what he had said but it seemed like it.

"Then why didn't you stop bhai from hitting me?" Rania questioned. There was no anger in her question. Just plain innocence.

Hassan sighed.

"Because I was numb and honestly so angry at you and at myself. I have always been so caught up with my work that I hardly paid any attention to any of you." He replied.

A deep regret laced in his voice he looked at his sister with sympathy filled eyes and I stood there looking at them, observing each and every word.

Hassan stood up and so did Rania. Both the brother and sister glancing at each other with an understanding of some sort.

"If only I had paid attention I would have known what's going on with you."

I felt slightly guilty too as I heard my husband's regrets. If only I had told her Hassan about Rania's boyfriend. Maybe this wouldn't have happened if I had told him, maybe he would have kept an eye on his sister.

But everything happens for a reason and God always has a plan. All we can do is trust Him that at the end all will be well.

I heard another choked sob by Rania. A fearful look in her eyes.

"Mum and dad will never forgive me"

Hassan clicked his tongue.

"They will, just give them some time."

"I am so sorry," She cried again. I could understand her pain. She went through something no woman would want to go through and she was just a girl.

My husband cupped the side of her face and lifted her chin.

"Stop crying hmm? You are alright and that's what matters, Rania." He consoled.

He looked at her cheek that was still red with fingerprints on the right side.  He shook his head as if he couldn't believe that Azlaan had done something so stupid.

"Next time you don't let him hit you." He told her.

Rania looked at him silently questioning why he hadn't stopped Azlaan at that time. Even though he had answered the question before, I didn't think it had satisfied Rania.

Even I wanted to question him about that. Rania had stopped midsentence, not bothering to ask him.

"I didn't stop him because I don't think that I have the right to do so. He is the one who has always looked after you." Hassan explained.

Even though Rania hadn't said anything, I still felt like he had to make her understand.

"I always focused on my career. If there is something that I could change it would be the fact that I want to give you more time."

I smiled upon hearing his point of view.

"No bhai, you and your work is the reason why I am not feeling lost."

"I am not gonna be one of those girls who sit around and cry because something happened to them."

I felt extremely happy upon hearing her words. I was glad she was choosing to move forward.

"I'll go and get my admission in a good University and focus on my studies and become someone like you." My husband looked at her as if he was proud of her.

"Anaaya told me that she saw you with him.. if only she had spilled it before." At the mention of my name I visibly stiffened.

I didn't know when he would let this go and I also didn't know if this certain event would create a hurdle in a relationship

It seemed like a long long time when we were actually happy even though it was just a week ago.

We had been so close and all of a sudden it seemed like we were worlds apart.

After a while I saw him patting his sister's shoulder.

"You should go to sleep kiddo. I am sure you're tired and you need rest." He suggested.

Rania looked hesitant as if she was scared to even go to her room. Hassan held her shoulder.

"Nobody will say anything to you from now on, I promise." His promise seemed to comfort her.

"Thank you, Bhai. You have no idea how much your support means to me." With those words she hugged her brother again.

Their bonding made me feel highly emotional. I had never experienced how having a sibling felt like but seeing my husband so close with his sister made me feel happy yet overwhelmed.

Hassan hugged her for a moment or two before pulling back and slightly chuckling.

"Alright goodnight now. You said you won't cry and yet you are crying."

"I am sorry."

"Come on now, go to sleep." He groaned. Rania nodded, starting to walk away.

Hassan was halfway on the stairs and I was about to go back to my room when I heard Rania calling his name.

"Hassan bhai?" She called him out.

"Hmm?"

"Bhabhi is very nice. She stood up for me in front of everyone. You're very lucky to have her." Hassan didn't say anything.

A part of me wanted him to acknowledge me but another part of me didn't really want to hear what he had to say about me.

"Goodnight, Rania."

He bid his sister good night and I walked back into the bedroom with only one thought in my mind.

Why did Hassan have so many shades and how did he always manage to take me by surprise?