Evening – Rayen's Room
The glow of his phone lit up Rayen's face as he scrolled lazily through Instagram. His thumb froze when a video popped up with the caption:
"When desperation turns into a cringe proposal 🤦♂️"
Curious, he tapped it.
The screen filled with shaky footage. Aira's trembling voice. Liam's cruel laughter. The mocking chorus of boys around him. And then—the sight of her letter crumpled and tossed into a trash can.
The sound of laughter echoed in his ears like poison. Rayen's jaw tightened, his knuckles whitening around the phone. "What the hell is this girl doing?" he muttered, anger rising in his chest. His voice carried sharp enough to cut the air.
Living Room – Thirty Minutes Later
The entire family was gathered. The TV was off, the room heavy with silence. The weight of judgment lingered in the air like smoke before a fire.
The front door creaked open. Aira stepped inside, her eyes swollen, her steps hesitant. The moment she looked up, she froze. Every gaze was locked on her. The atmosphere was suffocating.
Her heart sank. They're waiting. This means trouble.
Thomas sat upright in his chair, his fists clenched. His voice exploded across the room. "What did you do in college today?"
Aira's breath hitched. She glanced around, confused, scared. "I… I don't know what you mean—"
Her words were cut off by Rayen, his eyes burning with anger. He tossed his phone onto the table, the screen lighting up. "Watch the video, Dad. Everyone already has."
Thomas snatched up the phone. His face hardened as the video played. His jaw clenched, his lips twisting in disgust. The moment it ended, he slammed the phone down and stood, looming over Aira.
His voice thundered. "Do you even know how much shame you've brought to this family?"
Aira flinched, tears pricking her eyes. She pleaded, her voice small, breaking. "Dad, I just… liked him. I don't—"
SLAP.
The sound cracked through the room.
Aira stumbled back, her hand flying to her cheek. Her wide eyes filled with shock, disbelief. Her father's hand—the hand she once held as a child, the hand she once believed would protect her—had just struck her.
Lily rushed forward, panic in her voice. "Enough! Don't hit her, please—😧"
But Thomas shoved her concern aside with a glare. "Shameless girl! Running around writing letters to boys! Did we raise you for this? Did we teach you this disgrace?"
Rayen's voice joined in, heavy with disappointment. "I warned you to stop embarrassing us. Now everyone laughs at our name. Didn't I, Aira?"
Across the room, Sana leaned back into the couch, a wicked grin tugging at her lips. Her eyes sparkled with cruel delight. "Aww, poor Aira. Maybe next time try someone blind.😏"
Aira's lips quivered, her tears spilling. "Sana… please."
But Sana's mocking tone only sharpened. "Don't beg, sis. You already did that enough in the video."
Mira, the only one who looked unsettled, shifted nervously in her seat. Her voice was soft, pleading. "Dad, maybe we should just let her explain—😧"
Thomas snapped, cutting her off. "She explained enough with that performance! I don't want another word from her!"
The words fell like chains around Aira's neck. Her voice cracked as she choked out,"I didn't mean to humiliate anyone… I just wanted someone to love me."
Rayen's cold gaze pierced her. His reply was like ice."Then earn it. Don't beg for it like a beggar in a palace.🥶"
The words struck harder than the slap.
Why does everyone hate me for feeling something?🙂
Aira's Bedroom – Later That Night
The door clicked shut behind her. She leaned against it for a moment, her body heavy, her soul heavier. The sting of her father's slap still burned across her cheek, but what hurt more was the echo of their voices—cold, condemning, merciless.
She stumbled to her bed and collapsed, burying her face into her pillow. Her voice was no louder than a whisper. "Why is it a crime… to want love? Why do they act like I burned this house down… when all I ever wanted was to belong in it?"
Her tears soaked into the fabric. The room was silent except for her broken sobs.
No one knocked on her door. No one asked if she had eaten. No one cared.
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