I was angry. No, I was absolutely f**king furious. How dare anyone even look my wife inappropriately? He touched her. Above that, I was disappointed. Idrees was my youngest cousin. Everyone had always babied him. Yes, he was a rebellious child and that was because he wan only child so he always got what he wanted but for him to drop so low that he went after my wife, who was practically his sister-in-law? I couldn't believe it. My breaking point was when he dared to call me 'bhai' right after he attacked Nawal's honour and then had the guts to blame her for what he did. I wish I had known about his true side that he was hiding behind a mask. I couldn't believe that I had talked and laughed with that man. Somewhere between the anger and disappointment, there was a trace of guilt as well. Mama had always told me that after marriage, my wife is completely my responsibility and that included protecting her honour too, that I failed to do. I didn't even know how far he went before I reached there.

Nawal must have been traumatized. I led her to our room, not once removing my arm from around her as I sat her down on the bed and knelt down in front of her, holding both her hands in mine.

"I'm so sorry, jaan. I shouldn't have let you go alone." At my words, it was like a damn opened and she started crying again. I quickly got up and sat down next to her, pulling her into my arms, soothing her by running my hand through her hair. This wasn't how our first eid together was supposed to go. I repeatedly kept apologizing to her, trying to lessen the pain before she abruptly pulled away from me and ran into the bathroom. I followed.

She threw up and I couldn't tell if it was because of her pregnancy sickness or because of how disgusting the entire situation was and she was a first-hand victim of my own cousin's crime. I felt ashamed to even associate him with me and my family.

I sat down beside her on the floor and rubbed her back as she threw up again and held back her hair. She washed her mouth and I took her outside into the room again. Nawal sat down on the bed, pulling her legs up and resting her back against the headboard. I slid into bed next to her.

"Did he... touch you?" He cautiously asked, not wanting to hurt her but it was inevitable. Instead of answering, she put her head against my chest and closed her eyes.

"I don't want to talk about it." I chose to respect her choice and silently offered comfort to her through physical contact. She knew that she could say anything to me and she would whenever she wanted to.

I put a hand on her stomach, thinking our child. Not only had I failed to protect my wife but I had failed to protect my baby too and the guilt was eating me alive.

I'm sorry that Papa failed to protect you and your mama, baby.

"He... he touched our baby, Ahad. I've never felt angrier than I did when he trailed his hand down to my stomach." She whispered and I sighed.

"I know, jaan. Just the thought of him touching you is killing me, how would you have felt in that moment, I can't even imagine."

"It's like his touch is still there. Lingering on me, making me feel impure." She snuggled closer into me and my body stiffened at her words but I could do nothing about it.

There was a knock on the door and got up to check. I opened the door only slightly so whoever was outside wouldn't be able to see inside the room but it was my mother so I let her in and closed the door.

"Aap theek ho, beta?" She asked Nawal as she sat down in front of her and my wife nodded. She then turned to me. "Ahad, your father is saying that we should go home. After everything that happened today, we doubt that the rest of your eid will go well here so we should go back. It's still early in the day so we can reach in time to celebrate the rest of the two days."

*Are you okay, dear?

"Mama, you don't have to do it for me. I'll feel bad if the trip is ruined because of me." Nawal spoke up and I smiled at the bond they had.

"Frankly, it's already ruined because of what Idrees did so there is no point in staying. Iftikhar's disappointed with his sister's behavior too so I don't think he wants to stay here any longer himself. You both should pack your bags. It's better not to argue." I was well aware of my father's anger, though he had never raised his voice at anyone but it was better not to argue with him once he decides something. I, myself, was angry so I doubt I could stay here without picking up a fight with Idrees again. If not that, my mood would be soured the entire time.

Mama left us alone and I helped Nawal in packing the bags and took our luggage downstairs. Everyone had gathered into the living room, except Nazia phupho and Idrees and I sighed in relief. I don't think I could see any of them without misbehaving with any of them.

The kids of the family looked sad, obviously because we were leaving since they didn't know what happened earlier. I hugged the men of the family and Nawal tried to put up a smile while saying good bye to the ladies. She even knelt down and hugged each child, peppering them with kisses. Nawal and I briefly went into dadi's room and hugged her too before all of us left the house.

Like last time, I drove the car with dad sitting beside me, Mama and Nawal in the backseat. My wife was silently gazing out the window. The journey was long so I hoped she could clear her mind and not ruin the rest of her eid. Going back home was supposed to be for her to forget today's events and enjoy the rest of her eid so I could only pray that she let go, even if it was temporary.

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(A.N): Please vote and comment! Two chapters till the end omg.