22 - The Story of Love [Completed]

23. Endings [Last]

'I am sorry, I meant it as a joke. Please don't get so worked up over it now.'

Daniel didn't say anything. He just looked in her eyes directly and then darted at her lips. They weren't as pale as they used to be when she was in hospital. Then his eyes fell on her stomach. There was no baby bump yet, still early days. But he still placed his hand there and simultaneously dropped a kiss on her forehead.

He always went out of his way to make her feel comforted and protected. But when he was struggling himself, he would try even harder to do the same. In doing so, he would feel confident too. There was so much that they had endured but for him, it was all about everything she had to endure for him. It was easier said than done to just forget about it in one instant. The fear of losing his loved ones had almost become his trauma. Whenever that fear overpowered him, he would bring her closer to him. It was his way of making her feel protected and loved. He was always with Hoorain, looking after her health, not letting her take a toll about anything no matter how much he struggled himself. 

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Days after the statement that Daniel released, it became clear that it was mostly well received by the media and his peers in the cricket world. Even Hoorain's colleague in the UK and from Pakistan expressed the same. Messages of congratulations and best wishes poured in from all corners.

But then there were some as usual British tabloids too who couldn't stop from expressing their racism. Not just about Hoorain's background but also Daniel's conversion to Islam and them starting a family so soon after marriage. Those comments reached Hoorain before they reached Daniel. She tried not to dwell on them too much and behaved as if nothing happened. But this was only short lived when Daniel received some of the images of what the articles said.

She was getting herself some fruits from the kitchen when he came over and immediately hugged her. It took Hoorain by surprise. He had gone to the room to get ready for a meeting with his trainer but minutes after he came rushing out and approached her like that. She still hugged him back. His embrace was always her comfort zone. It was her place. Hers alone.

'I am so sorry.'

'About what?'

Daniel held her hands and looked at her. She appeared so nonchalant about it all.

'I know you have read all that. Why didn't you tell me?'

She sighed and shook her head. Grabbing her plate of fruits from the shelve, she pulled him towards the sofa and gestured him to sit down.

'What would you do? They have done what they wanted to. And to be quite honest, I don't really care.'

'But still, they can't go around writing this kind of stuff.'

'You're right but I didn't think of it like that. So what if a two or three tabloids wrote such articles. They are known for this behaviour. We couldn't expect anything better from them anyway. Look at all the congratulatory messages we received, the articles by main news hubs and newspapers. They were so nice. So, who cares about these useless jerks!'

'It's because celebrities and public figures don't stop them that they continue doing it to everyone. I will sue them. No, I can't sit still with this.'

'You are being too dramatic for some articles about a person who returned to England announcing he switched religion and married a Pakistani. Like, not everyone will receive that well. That's okay.'