It was around 6:00 p.m., and an awkward silence wrapped the four corners of Jalil's house. Eliza was seated on the couch, while Jalil stood in front of her.
Jalil didn't have the time to talk to Eliza because of his hectic schedule when he arrived at the company. He was caught up by meetings after meetings, so he used the chance to do it when he got home.
Now, they were facing each other, but their gazes never met as Eliza kept avoiding his eyes.
Jalil let out a faint sigh. "You're grounded for two weeks."
"Grounded?!" Eliza snapped her head and looked in his direction, surprised by what he said. "What am I, your child?"
"You've caused trouble," Jalil simply answered.
"She caused it." Eliza defended herself and looked away. "I didn't start the trouble."
Jalil saw the sincerity in her eyes. He then sat across from her and leaned against the couch's backrest. "Tell me what happened."
Eliza glanced at him, then took a deep sigh. The expression on her face softened. "I saw her kissing another man. She's my brother's girlfriend, and I swear to God how much my brother loves her. So, I took a picture of them and confronted her after the guy left. I threatened her that I would tell my brother and was about to leave, but she pulled my hair. Of course, I fought back. That's how it started."
"You punched her?"
"No!" Eliza instantly answered Jalil's question. "She knocked herself off. She was just blaming me."
Jalil just sighed and stood up. "Okay. 1 week then."
Eliza's half-brow was raised. "One week, what?"
"You're grounded for a week."
Eliza's mouth hung in disbelief. "Hey! I already told you the truth. Why am I still grounded? Also, I'm too old for that! What the hell?"
Jalil just looked at her without any expression in his face. "Yeah. You're too old yet; you've caused trouble everywhere."
"Everywhere?! Seriously? It only happened once!"
"Once is too much."
"Goodness! What's wrong with you?!"
"Yeah. What's wrong with you?" Jalil just calmly replied as he turned around, making Eliza totally annoyed.
Jalil was taken aback as he felt a pillow thrown at the back of his head. He looked in Eliza's direction with his brows knitted in confusion. "What was that for?!"
"Yeah. What was that for?" Eliza retorted; sarcasm was obvious in her voice.
Jalil picked up the pillow and put it back on the couch near him. Then he glared at Eliza, who was also glaring at him. "You're fired!"
"Really? Wow! Thank you! Where's the divorce papers?" Eliza asked as she stretched her hand and opened her palm in a horizontal position.
"Just wait for tomorrow; I'll definitely prepare it as your breakfast," Jalil retorted. They were about to bicker even more, but their attention was caught by the loud ring of Jalil's phone.
He saw his grandfather's name displayed on his lockscreen, calling him. He looked at Eliza and gave her a warning stare. "We're not done yet."
Eliza just rolled her eyes as a response to him. Jalil then cleared his throat before answering the old man's call.
"Yes, papa?" His voice was sweet and polite, but his eyes couldn't stop glaring at the woman across from him.
[Your grandmother wouldn't stop pestering me to call you. Did I disturb you, son? ]
"No. No. It's fine, papa. I'm not busy. What? Does she want sweets? I'll bring some for her," Jalil responded. The old man chuckled as he refused.
[She wanted to see Eliza. Is it okay if you come here for dinner? ]
Jalil just scratched his head at the bad timing. They should show a happy and loving couple to his grandparents, but the atmosphere around him and Eliza wasn't right at the moment.
Jalil took a deep sigh and stared at Eliza. He could tolerate her attitude, but he wouldn't dare disappoint his grandparents. He knew his grandma would be upset if he refused now. He couldn't come up with a good excuse either, since his grandparents were so keen on details. They could tell you were lying just by the slightest mistake, and that would make them more upset, especially his grandmother.
He didn't want to risk it. He once upset his grandma, and she didn't talk to him for weeks after that. He had been more careful since then.
Jalil let out a faint sigh while massaging his temple. "Okay, papa. We'll be there in 30 minutes."