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11th Dec, 2019

"Insulting a Muslim is an evil action and fighting him is disbelief (kufr)."

[Al-Bukhaari (48) and Muslim (64)]

Chapter 11:

As Expected

"Did you cook all of that?" Zubair questioned, impressed as he walked out of the bedroom, fresh after shower.

"What do you think?" Afreen whispered, cocking an eyebrow.

"I don't think so," Zubair answered, winking at his wife. "I love my girl, but I know for a fact that she can't cook."

"Meanie," Afreen accused. "I made those pancakes, for your information," she justified. "Your mum made the rest."

Exaggeratedly sniffing in its aroma as he took a bite, he praised, "Lovely. Haven't had something like this ever."

Grinning, Afreen patted his arm and said, "Good boy, you're obliged to say that even if it were trash."

"In that case, you must even be rewarded for such hard work," he played along. "Let me kiss the hands that made these scrumptious pancakes," Zubair teased, and Afreen could only giggle at his antics as he held her hand and brought them to his lips, causing her to blush prettily.

When she heard some shuffling, though, she quickly took a step back, and the twisted smile that Zubair wore as he gave her a meaningful glance caused her to bite her lips while she looked away, her cheeks flushed.

Mubeena joined them at the dining table, and while initially, she didn't realize it, the way she grabbed the dining chair and sat on it made Afreen jump up. She turned to look at her mother in law, the one who had seemed so kind just the previous day when she hugged her after the nikah and welcomed her home, wondering what had suddenly gone wrong.

Cautiously, Afreen sat down next to Zubair and trying to seem polite, asked, "Mummyji, shall I serve you?"

"No," Mubeena shunned rudely, waving her hand.

Taken aback, Afreen quietly filled her plate with some food and started chewing. She turned to glance towards Zubair, and he slowly nodded his head, as if trying to tell her to be calm, and she gave him a half-hearted smile.

Mubeena had taken about two morsels of food when she casually commented, "I need to tell Asma to start saving money for Rufaida, that lady does not know anything. In her daughter's wedding, apart from gifting her good amount of gold, she needs to also see to it that she gifts the groom and his family some gifts, car and stuff like that. I mean, everyone's not nice like us to not demand it, and keep quiet when the bride's family does not take into consideration our expectations. That's why I don't like this love marriage business, the bride's family gets the guy easily so they do nothing to impress him, they send away their daughter just like that."

Afreen's eyes brimmed with tears at such brash remarks that Mubeena directed towards her, a part of her wondering if this was really, really happening? Was Mubeena seriously rattling her list of unmet expectations the first morning after her wedding? Instead of asking if Afreen was comfortable, or if she missed her family too much, was Mubeena honestly portraying a picture that her family had just sent her off without dowry?

"Stop it, Mubeena."

Afreen glanced towards the sofa, where Zubair's grandmother was seated before quickly putting her head down as she wiped a tear.

"Instead of making Afreen feel at ease, what's all this that you are saying," the old lady added.

"Oh Ma," Mubeena replied, "Where am I talking about Afreen? I'm just sharing my experience so when we get Rufaida married, we can look into all these things."

"First of all, Mubeena, my Asma has raised Rufi to turn out to be such a gem that the guy who marries her will anyway get all the treasure in the form of a wise wife, all these materialistic things do not matter. So please, leave Asma and Rufi out of it, they know what they have to do."

"You don't have to get so agitated," Mubeena remarked. "After all, my experience can be a lesson to her."

Mumbling a few incoherent words, the old lady sauntered to her room, unable to take her daughter in law's disrespect towards Afreen.

A couple of seconds later, Afreen, who had turned red from gulping down all her emotions, stood up to leave while Mubeena halted her.

"What happened? Why aren't you eating Afreen?"

"I had my share," she answered, softly, before keeping her plate in the kitchen and heading back to the room.

"The show is over, my son," Mubeena casually sighed, "You aren't going to get anything from them, might as well start looking out for jobs."

"Ammi, I wasn't expecting anything from Afreen's family anyway, I didn't marry her for that," Zubair made known. "You shouldn't have brought this subject up," he remarked, remorseful.

"I see," Mubeena nodded slowly, eyes wide. "Not even a day since you're married and you are already taking your wife's side over your mothers?"

"It's not like that," Zubair quickly corrected.

"It better not be like that," Mubeena emphasized, and having finished his meal, Zubair stood up to leave, trailing behind his wife.

Upon entering the room, he found a furious Afreen pacing from one end to the other, and he was almost scared.

"Afreen... I'm sorry about what happened during breakfast."

"Sorry? Really? Is that all you can say about your mother's backward mentality?" She fumed.

"It's just that she was expecting a lot, and your family's actions have left her disappointed."

"Excuse me, Zubair," Afreen seethed. "It's her fault if she was expecting so much, Islam does not bind the girl's family to meet any of these 'expectations'," she quoted. "Instead of feeling let down that her high hopes weren't met, she needs to realize it was wrong of her in the first place to anticipate it."

"Okay, relax, calm down now, she'll come around. I don't want to spend the first day of our wedding like this. Cheer up, please?"

Her lips tilted in dismay, she looked away but after a while when Zubair came closer and started reminiscing all those plans they had made of the things they wanted to execute together after getting married, she found herself melting.

She gazed at his eyes, and in them, she saw sheer adoration, the one emotion for which she had willingly turned her world upside down. She loved him too, and sometimes in love, you had to let go.

***

"Hey."

Afreen jumped up at the sound, not having expected anyone to come here on the terrace at this time. It was a week since she was here, and for the first time today, Zubair had stepped out of home without her as he began hunting for jobs. Since Afreen was getting bored, she had decided to come here, contemplating her life, now that everything was settling in.

She didn't know if it was too soon to say it, but Mubeena's true colors were too ostentatious now that they were finally showing. Her taunts too were getting a little more direct, and there was never a day when she didn't cry, or remember her mum, for that matter. But she stood by her choice, Zubair was the reason she entered this relationship and she was grateful for his efforts, the only thing that didn't make her regret her decision. Her mum was right with her fears because she had to live an ordinary life here. So far, she had to help in cooking, and after the maid had washed the laundry, she had to dry them up on the terrace too. She knew with time Mubeena would add many more to the list but right now, these little chores that she wasn't used to were slowly becoming her responsibilities and she was okay, she had signed up for it after all.

Breaking free from her thoughts, Afreen turned her face to Rufaida, and smiled at her.

"Hey," she whispered back.

Rufaida took in the girl before her, the golden hour making her glow under its radiance, and wondered if it was wrong to stand here like this with her. Since she was her Maami's daughter in law, she was skeptical if it was okay on her part to do something as little as this. You see, there was a magnanimous past that couldn't be forgotten, and with it came several hidden fears. But partly curious and mostly concerned, Rufaida decided to not simply go back to her room and instead, speak to her this time.

"Missing your family?" She prodded, giving Afreen a considerate smile.

"You're the first person to ask me that," she replied, her voice dripping of emotions, taking her back home. She felt the winds taking charge as they moved swiftly, carrying her Mamma's warmth and her Abbu's love as if she were back in a place that cocooned her from all dangers, where her elder brother spoilt her silly and her twin annoyed her endlessly. Where her Bhabhi was her support system under all circumstances and where her niece had all of them wrapped around in her little finger.

Rufaida was suddenly unsure if it was the right question, with how vulnerable Afreen seemed. But regaining her composure, she replied, "I do miss them, a lot more than I thought."

"You should have visited them," Rufaida suggested, and Afreen nodded.

"I do plan to go there tomorrow."

"I hope you have a nice time."

Afreen smiled in agreement, and after a few beats of silence, she said, "It's very different back at home, it's not like how it is over here. We are all extremely close, and it's like once you're inside, no matter how big your problems are, they seem little because you know your family has your back. I don't know if it makes sense, but now that I'm not living there, I feel it had a distinct smell that I almost miss, I think our house smells of..."

Afreen trailed off, not sure what word fit best to describe.

"Warmth?" Rufaida suggested.

"Warmth," Afreen agreed, "That could be the word. But how did you guess?" She asked, curious.

"It's something this house lacks," Rufaida replied honestly and for a second, it took Afreen by surprise.

It was her turn to look at Rufaida, but try as she might, she couldn't determine her story.

"Why don't you and your mum have meals with us?" She asked. She hoped she wouldn't come off as too nosy but the past week, it surprised her to see that every time they sat down to eat, they wouldn't make it a point to call Rufaida and her mum to join them. There was one time when she almost slipped her curiosity in front of Mubeena, but bit her tongue the last second, remembering her cousin's advice to initially observe the pattern of the house and not ask too many questions.

Her family was a subject Rufaida didn't like speaking about to anyone, mostly because it touched a very sensitive spot, but realizing that Afreen was a part of this house now and ought to know at least tidbits, she decided to elaborate.

"Mum and I only live in this house, but you could say, we're not its members. In the name of my family, for me, it's just my mum, of course including Nani. Maami does not like us living here, so as much as we can, we try to restrict ourselves in our room, to ensure we don't meddle in her affairs and she has a sense of control. Even the kitchen, we use it only for a couple of hours in the evening, there's a time slot. So every time I feel claustrophobic, partly due to being trapped in the room and mostly by my thoughts, I come to the terrace," Rufaida made known.

Afreen suddenly felt awful for Rufaida and her mother, unsure just how many criticisms they had to bear while living with a woman as terrible as her mother in law. She wanted to ask her about her father, and why her mum and she didn't think of renting a separate house so they could go away from here, but the fear of touching an unknown territory halted her. She didn't want to corner Rufaida that way, if she hadn't gotten her dad in this conversation, it must be due to some reason.

Unaware of what to say next, Rufaida quietly moved ahead and picked the watering can, while keeping it under a faucet before turning it open. Once full, she carried it and went forward, watering her Nani's plants.

Rufaida didn't remember the last time she had such a conversation with anyone. Thinking of which, she realized, it was because it was the first time she was being this transparent, and she wasn't sure she liked it.

My vulnerabilities

Swim in the depths of my mind

I'm perfectly normal outside

And completely insane within

Don't try to compose

The ripple of my insecurities

Your attempt to calm my storm

May backfire and ignite a whirlwind

"Nani loves gardening," She informed Afreen. "You should see the smile of accomplishment on her face when we use her homegrown tomatoes, chilies and some veggies while cooking. She says the meals cooked from these ingredients taste something else altogether."

"She's so cute," Afreen smiled, recalling the few conversations she herself had with her over the past week. "She seems to be worried about your wedding," she teased as an afterthought.

"Please tell me she didn't bring up that topic with you too," Rufaida grumbled in reply.

"She totally did," she answered.

"Ever since Zubair Bhaiya decided to get married, she's made it her personal mission to get me fixed."

"I figured that out, she was asking me if I have any eligible bachelors in my circle good enough for you," she informed.

"No way," Rufaida sighed, covering her face in dismay, her reaction causing Afreen to burst out in laughter. It wasn't long before Rufaida too wore a smile, trying to find amusement in a topic she usually dreaded.

"Don't mind her please," Rufaida said, "And don't take anything she says seriously."

"Really? That's sad, I thought I could get a chance to play matchmaker for you," she joked, and Rufaida narrowed her eyes at the statement.

"Just kidding," Afreen surrendered, giggling at how annoyed she got at the mention of marriage. A few minutes later, she prodded, "But why are you so hesitant about getting married?" As an after thought she added, "If you don't mind me asking..."

"It's just not on my list," Rufaida shrugged.

"Not now or not ever?" Afreen immediately queried.

"For a very long time, I don't see myself getting married," Rufaida answered.

"But why?" She questioned, a little desperate to know just what it was that could make a girl despise the possibility of marriage.

"Just because..." Rufaida trailed off, unwilling to disclose the details.

"Men are trash?" Afreen provided, so she could understand Rufaida's thinking process.

"It's not that," Rufaida denied. "It does not apply to all males, however," she paused, before completing her sentence, "Some of the men I happened to come across in my life turned out to be trash."

Even before Afreen could respond, she was distracted by the intruder.

"Assalamu alaikum!"

Rufaida, who had her back to the door turned around, and spotting the person who happened to be a part of her earlier conversation, she was slightly perplexed. Tightening the hijab around her head, she quickly turned away, before proceeding to pick up her phone and leave.

"Wa alaikum as salam, Ahmed! What a pleasant surprise," Afreen gasped, before proceeding to hug her brother.

"How's everyone at home?" She questioned.

"I drive all the way here to see you and the first thing you enquire is about people back at home?" Ahmed asked, feigning betrayal.

"What's going to happen to you, you're always good," Afreen counter replied.

"That's also true," Ahmed nodded. "And to answer your question, everyone at home is good alhamdulilah, although they miss you."

"You don't?" Afreen questioned, cocking a brow.

"Why would I miss you?" Ahmed quickly answered. "I'm enjoying the peace, no one to fight over food, no one stealing my jackets, I'm so excited for the days ahead."

"Jerk," Afreen accused, hitting his arm, causing him to smile.

He missed her, alright, but he wasn't crazy to admit it in front of his sister. He liked her better on the ground, didn't want her to go floating in the clouds.

"How are you, though?" He turned around the conversation. "How are the people over here?"

"I'm fine," Afreen shrugged. "Learning to adjust, actually," she elaborated. "People over here are good."

"You mean it?" Ahmed questioned, not entirely satisfied.

"What can I say?" Afreen sighed. "Everything that Mamma predicted is turning to be true, and I was partially expecting it too, but Zubair is just the way I expected him to be, and I stand by my choice."

"Really?" Ahmed asked, the warning bells that his mother rang now taking shape before his eyes. "They're all gold diggers? I knew it, but for your sake, I was hoping they were beyond that."

"Not all of them," Afreen corrected. "Only his parents, especially his mum sees and talks just about money all day. His Nani isn't that way, she's very sweet to me, she loves narrating tales about her days. And as for Rufaida and Asma Aunty, you'd think they don't even live in this house."

"What does that mean? I'm sure all of them living here share the same low mentality," Ahmed shared his thoughts.

"Ahmed, what's wrong with you?" Afreen reprimanded, taken aback. "You usually don't judge people, why are you sounding like such a brat then?"

"I thought it was their combined plan to make you fall in their trap for their gain."

"Ridiculous," Afreen dismissed. "You can't label the whole family that way. Besides, I don't know the whole story but seems like Rufaida and her mum stay here out of helplessness. Who would want to bear Zubair's mum's torture otherwise? I hardly meet them, they're restricted to their room. I happened to speak to Rufaida now after a week and looks like they don't even have free access to the kitchen. Can you believe that?"

"They don't belong to the same category as that Mubeena Aunty?"

"Of course not," Afreen shook her head. "So wrong of you to judge and label them without knowing the truth."

"Relax, I didn't do anything, I just assumed...." Ahmed shrugged, although the guilt was kicking in and it made him feel terrible.

"I feel horrible for Asma Aunty and Rufaida. Of how much I know, she doesn't have a father and trust me, Ahmed, Zubair's mum is not an easy lady. Can only imagine what they must be going through," Afreen sighed. "Anyways, please don't share all this with Mamma, I was so glad to finally see someone from family that I started blurting out everything. When Mamma or Abbu asks, tell them I'm doing good. How's Mamma, is she still upset with me?"

"You stop worrying about that," Ahmed consoled. "Mamma is getting over your decision, and even accepting it now, why else would she invite you and Zubair for dinner tomorrow? You just be happy, that's all that she and all of us want."

Afreen and Ahmed spoke for the next few minutes before Ahmed informed her about the snacks that he had picked for her on the way, and she followed him downstairs to see what he had brought.

As Ahmed handed over them to her and proceeded to leave, he stumbled upon Rufaida who was serving tea to Nani.

"Arey, Ahmed, where are you going? Join me for tea," the old lady invited.

"No, Aunty, actually it's about to be Maghrib, thought I'd leave."

"There's still time for the adhaan to be called, Rufi, beta get tea for Ahmed."

As Rufaida turned to gaze at Nani and then spare a glance towards Ahmed, something about that look made him quickly turn down the suggestion.

"I'm actually in a hurry, next time when I drop by, I'll definitely have tea with you," he promised.

"But-"

"Nani," Rufaida cut her mid-sentence. Murmuring to her, she said, "Don't force him, if he doesn't want to have tea, let it be."

"I'm not forcing him, Rufi," Nani replied loudly, causing Rufaida to facepalm at her pitch. What Rufaida said wasn't meant to be heard by the visitor. "Anyway," she replied as an afterthought. "I'll let you go this time, beta, but when you visit next, you must have dinner and leave."

"Sure," Ahmed smiled, his gaze lingering towards Rufaida who was proceeding to what he thought was her room. As he bid Afreen goodbye and walked up to his car, he realized just how mean he had been to her.

He had insulted her in front of his and her group of friends but turns out, she didn't deserve any bit of it for according to what Afreen said, Rufaida herself was fighting a battle he knew nothing about.

When he had come to visit Afreen earlier in the evening, Asma Aunty had directed him to the terrace. Upon reaching, Ahmed had unintentionally heard a part of the conversation between his sister and Rufaida.

"Some of the men I happened to come across in my life turned out to be trash."

Great! He wouldn't blame her if the statement was partly inspired by his actions.

How he wished he hadn't been so quick to judge her, because seeing her through Afreen's eyes, he realized he had been so wrong.

But would he ever get a chance to make up for what he did? Probably not.