Madiha was silently sitting in the living room of her new home which was kind of messed up. A few baskets were full of flowers. Some packed some unpacked and some half wrapped gift boxes were laying in the other corner of the room. A few plates and dishes were present on the coffee table, just in front of her eyes which was irritating her for the last half an hour. Arranging those dishes in a pile she pushed them towards the corner of the table. She couldn't do anything else.

Lifting her eyes she tried to find someone who could give her a glass of water but there was no one other than a man who was making long chains of yellow and orange flowers. A manly voice was coming from some other room, she didn't even know who that person was but his voice was the only reason behind her nervousness and dry throat. That man was instructing and shouting at workers who were delaying the decoration.

"Lights lagne mein itna time to nhi lagta, aur ye baqi kaam kab hoga? Maiyon kal hai, mujhe aaj raat tak ye saari decoration complete chahiye." The same voice roared somewhere in the home which jumped Madiha on her spot and she listened to the footsteps of the same person who was now talking to someone on a phone call regarding some other arrangements. 

(It doesn't take that much time to install the lights, and when will the remaining work be done? Maiyon is only tomorrow, I want all these decorations to be completed by tonight.)

"Ye bartan table par hi pade rahenge?" The voice was so harsh and loud that it scared Madiha, she literally jumped at her place, and lifted the tray from the coffee table. 

(Will these dishes be kept lying on the table only?)

"Where is the kitchen?" She muttered while glancing at the owner of the voice and her blood dried up when found him as her husband. Her hands and feet were shivering, Danish wasn't expecting anything like that, this was the first time when he saw his wife in almost five hours of nikkah, he didn't even glanced at her at the time of entering into the home, and very soon he left Madiha on the same spot where she was sitting right now, he thought his sisters must be with his wife but only after half an hour they both also left for parlour. He was looking here and there to find someone to help Madiha but very soon he listened the tingling of bangles which forced him to see the figure walking towards the kitchen, she was holding her not so heavy lehnga with one hand and a tray of dishes with the other side hand. 

He sighed and rubbed his forehead with thumb and index finger. 

"Bhai aapki Sherwani kaha rakhu?" Someone asked from behind, "Meri sherwani? Mene kab mangwayi?" Turning towards the boy standing behind him, Danish asked confused. 

(Bhai, where should I keep your sherwani?)

(My sherwani? When did I order one?)

"Wo bhabi ke ghar se aayi hai aapke liye, kal walima hai na us me pehenne ke liye." The boy informed and Danish examined the sherwani present in the hand of that boy. 

(Tomorrow is the reception party, so it has come from bhabi's home for you, to wear in it.)

"Kon de kar gya hai?" 

(Who has come to give this?)

"Bhabi ke bhai aur mamu ke bete aaye the, aur wo mazirat bhi kar rahe the ki ye pehle dena bhul gye, keh rahe the kaam wagerah mein pta nhi kese dhyan se nikal gya." 

(Bhabi's brother and cousin brother. They were apologizing that they forgot to give it earlier, but they were busy at work etc., so somehow forgot about it.)

"Neeche se hi chale gye wo log? Upar nhi bulaya tumne?" Asked Danish in his angry voice. 

(Did those people go back from downstairs only? Didn't you call them upstairs?)

"Umm… wo unhe to main upar bulana bhul hi gaya?" Saad smack his forehead and Danish sighed.

(Umm.... Actually I forgot to take them upstairs.)

"Jao, ye mere kamre mein rakh do." Danish took a step towards exit but stopped in the track after recognising the continuously tingling voice from the background. "Saad,"

(go put it in my room.)

"Ji Bhai?" The 22 year old boy, who lives in their home just like a family member, turned towards the tall man.

"Ise bitha do, pta nhi kin kaamo mein lag gyi. Aur khane wagerah ko puchh lena is se." Saying that Danish left holding a glance of his wife in his eyes and brain

. 

(Tell her to relax, God knows what chores she is doing? And offer her something to eat.)

"Bhai."

"Ab kya hua?" He asked with irritation

(Now what happened?)

"Bhabi ke ghar se bohot Sara khana bhi aaya hai, wo to main batana hi bhul gaya." Saad passed a nervous smile and Danish kind of glared at him.

(A lot of food has also come from bhabi's home, I forgot to tell you that.)

"Aur kya kya bhule ho? Ek hi baar mein yaad kar lo." 

(What else have you forgotten? Remember it at once)

"Aur to kuch yaad nhi aa raha bhai!" Saad scratched the back of his head and Danish rolled his eyes while walking away. 

(I'm not remembering anything else, bhai.)

"Bhai…"

"Ab kya musibat hai Saad?" Danish asked with frustration while stopping himself to take a step ahead

(Not what's the matter, Saad?)

"Bhai aapko khana de du?" The question bank of the home asked another question.

(Bhai , may I serve you dinner?)

"Nhi, Jab sab khayenge tab hi khaa lunga." Danish stepped towards the stairs but stopped on more time.

(No, I'll have dinner with everyone.)

"Aapka matlab jab bhabi khayengi aap bhi tab khayenge?" he smiled mischievously but miserably failed to tease this man.

(You mean that you'll have dinner with bhabi?)

"Bakwaas na kra kar mujhse. Use khana de de, main jaa raha hu." Glaring at Saad Danish walked down stairs while folding his sleeves. 

(Don't talk nonsense to me. Give her something to eat, I'm going.)

"Khadoos." Saad muttered and grimaced them and walked towards Danish's bedroom while humming a song.

<><><><>

Madiha was sitting on the same spot where she was present from the time of arrival in this home, even after Saad's demand for leaving all the work and rest she only sat back after doing dishes and cleaning the kitchen island. Glancing at the clock she gulped, it was reading 10:20 of night but she didn't get anything to eat. Moreover she was still sitting alone. There was no one at home, maybe…

She picked up her mobile and opened facebook, glanced at the chat then sighed and then deleted her Facebook account. She did the same with Instagram too, then deleted a number from the contact list and just it.

This is how she thought that she had closed his chapter, but is this so easy to close someone's chapter from life? 

"Bhabi aap abhi tak yahi bethi hui hain?" She lifted her head to see the figure standing near her. Madiha passed a weak smile and put her mobile down. 

(Bhabi you're still sitting here?)

"Parlour mein bohot deyr lag gyi, zyada thak to nhi gyi aap?" Madiha asked and her sister-in-law shook her head while sitting beside her. 

(It took a long time in the parlour, aren't you tired?)

"Bhabi, you haven't even changed your clothes? Are you comfortable in these clothes?" 

"Umm… it's alright." She muttered with down gaze. "Aapne khana khaa liya?" Asked the happy looking girl and Madiha shook her head without looking at her.

(Had dinner?)

"Bhai kaha hain?" 

(Where is bhai?)

"Pta nhi?" Madiha muttered and Humera nodded. 

(I don't know.)

"Wo aa jayenge, aap jaiye apne room mein rest kariye. Main khana laati hu aapke liye." Said Humera and walked towards the kitchen without even telling Madiha where her room. After some five minutes Humera walked in with a tray of food but felt strange to see Madiha still on the same spot. 

(He'll come, you go into your room and take rest. I'm bringing food for you.)

"Aap yahi hain abhi tak? Room me nhi gyi?" 

(You're still here... why didn't you go to the room?)

"Room kaha hain?" Asked Madiha in a whisper and Humera smacked her forehead, "Don't tell me ki bhai

ne aapko room bhi nhi dikhaya." She asked with wide eyes and Madiha was silent. 

(Where is the room?)

(Don't tell me Bhai didn't even show you the room.)

"Aapki baat Hui hai Bhai se?" Humaira asked with wide eyes and this time Madiha shook her head.

(Have you talked to bhai?)

"Aww… I'm sorry bhabi. Actually bhai is so busy in my wedding arrangements that he is unable to give you time." Humera apologised but Madiha shook her head. 

"It's alright, who'll look after all the arrangements of your wedding if not your brother? It's only his duty." Humera smiled and gestured Madiha to follow her, holding her bridal attire with one hand and purse with the other hand Madiha walked with slow steps. Humera and Madiha were almost the same age, but their natures were distinct apart. Humera was childish, immature, lazy but confident, fun-loving and bold because of all the pampering she was getting in her family on the other hand Madiha was sincere, mature, a good decision maker, deep thinker but due to difficulties of life she was underconfident and unable to express her ideas or exicute plans. 

"Bhabi ye aapka room hai, I know zyada decorated nhi hai, actually Bhai ko strong fragrance se allergy

hai, aur flowers se bhi… to room decorate nhi kraya." Madiha was silent, she didn't even lift her eyes to see the room, Humera set the tray of food on the bed and switch on the lights. 

(Bhabi, this is your room, I know it is not very decorated, actually Bhai is allergic to strong fragrances, and also to flowers… so the room is not decorated.)

"Bhabi aap khana khaa kar change kar lijiyega, main soone jaa rahi hu." Madiha nodded on the instruction and soon Humera left the room. She looked at the shut door and sat down on the bed, now her neck was paining due to jewellery, heavy dupatta and a shawl draped around her shoulders. Folding the shawl she put that aside and loosened the jewellery. 

(Bhabi, change your clothes and get yourself comfortable after having dinner, I am going to sleep.)

"Ye hoti hai wo shadi jiske liye log marte rehte hain? Aesa lag rha hai gale mein bediyan daal kar bhuka pyasa marne ke liye chhod diya." She muttered with frustration and removed the jewellery from her neck. Instead of changing herself in some comfortable clothes she decided to have dinner because she was empty since morning and now it was getting difficult for her to tolerate hunger. 

(Is this the marriage for which people keep dreaming? It looks like he has left me to die of hunger and thirst by putting shackles around my neck.)

Dishing out only half roti and little amount of curry she broke the first moral. Suddenly she remembered her brother. Before consuming the very first moral she drew out her mobile from her purse. Glancing at the clock she found it reading 10:40, she dialled Mohsin's number and waited for him to recieve the call but even after two or three calls he didn't receive it. Madiha was worried by now. She thought to call her uncle but before she could do so the door of the room was opened by a tall man. Their eyes met and she bowed her head down while sitting straight, he examined her keenly. That nervousness and pale color of face were not giving him good signals, then he saw half filled plate of food as well as a mobile in her fist. 

"Khana kha liya?" He asked and Madiha's head automatically nodded without even understanding the meaning of the words. "Kisko phone kar rhi thi?" Sitting beside her on the bed he asked and looked at the tray of food keenly. only a small portion of roti was separated from it and there was a single stroke like stain of curry on the edge of the white plate. It was clear that she lifted only first morsel that too was not present in the plate.

(Have dinner?)

(Whom are you calling?)

"Bhai ko." She muttered and he furrowed. 

(My brother.)

"Is waqt kyu?" 

(Why at this time?)

"Puchhna tha ki khana khaya ya nhi." She replied without looking at him, "Ho gyi baat?" 

(I had to ask if he had dinner or not?)

(So? Talked to him?)

"No, he hasn't received my call." she put the mobile on the nightstand without looking up. Before he could say something her mobile started ringing and she grabbed it suddenly. 

"Mohsin's call?" He asked and she nodded while looking at him then suddenly averted her eyes.  

"Hello, where were you Mohsin? I was calling you."

"Main bahar tha, mobile yaha reh gya tha… sab kheriyat hai na aapi? Is time call kar rhi hain aapko kuch kaam tha?" Mohsin asked and she looked at her husband who was just a few inches away from her. 

(I wasn't in the room, but why are you calling? Is everything fine?)

"Hmm sab khairiyat hai, khana khaa liya?" She asked in a hushed tone and Mohsin was silent on the other side. Madiha's eyes filled with tears as she knew no one was going to look after her brother after her marriage. She felt selfish to leave Mohsin alone to face many problems.

(Hmm, all good. Have dinner or not?)

"Mohsin, I'm asking something." She whispered, Danish was seeing his wife, though her head was bowed still he felt her eyes were wet. "Let me talk." He grabbed the mobile phone from Madiha's hand making her scared of this order. 

"Danish this side," 

"Assalamualaikum Danish Bhai, how are you?" Mohsin asked formally

"Mohsin, khana khaya ya nahi?" He asked and Madiha's eyes were fixed on her husband, she wasn't expecting anything like that from this man who shouted at her just because she didn't pick the plates from the coffee table, but in reality he shouted at others, who were not present at that time.

(Mohsin, had your dinner or not.)

"Nhi Danish Bhai, bas khana garam karne jaa hi raha tha." Mohsin lied, in reality he was not in mood to go to kitchen and heat up the food. 

(No Danish Bhai, I was about to hear up the food.)

"Hmm… good. Go, your sister is also not having her meal because of you." After this order he hangup the call.

"Khana khalo, wo bhi khaa raha hai." Passing the mobile phone back to her he ordered, Madiha was amazed that he understood her hunger. She lifted the morsel and soon another hand broke a small piece of the same roti, she stopped for a moment but then continue eating without looking up. 

(Have dinner, he's also having.)

It was their first meal together but there was nothing to talk. Danish was the first who broke this silence by his action. Taking a small portion of roti with curry he took that towards her mouth, Madiha was stunned she lifted her eyes to saw this angry looking man. She was feeling uncomfortable with these kind of actions of this man who was very elder than her moreover his overbearing face. She was feeling scared of him.

What if I refused to take the morsel?

Will he shout at me again?

With a scared heart she glanced at him then using her first finger and thumb she slowly took that morsel from his hand and consume it. Danish was confused how to react? She took that morsal but didn't consume it from his hand. Moreover her smileless face was not giving him any good vibes. 

Just to check her reaction Danish lifted another morsel for her and this time Madiha shivered from inside.

She was scared of his anger... What if she repeats the last action?

How will he react?

This time she lifted her left hand to shift her nath (the big nose ring) and open her mouth without looking at him. She shivered when his fingers touched her lips but she didn't look up nor showed any kind of reaction. Danish gave her another portion and this time she looked at him, taking that in her mouth she lowered her eyes and "Now, I'm full." She muttered. He hummed before shifting the tray away from in between them. 

"Aa… aap to khaa lijiye," she noticed him taking only three four bites so she demanded in a hushed tone but he shook his head. "Main khana khaa kar aaya tha." She didn't lift her eyes again and this time a finger softly lifted her chin. She gulped but didn't lift her eyes. 

(You have your meal.)

(I have already had.)

"Madiha." 

"Ji?" Without making eye contact with him she muttered. 

"You don't even know how many responsibilities you have on your shoulders. I'm playing a fatherly role for my sisters and by getting married to me you have to play a motherly role," this time Madiha looked up.

"Kar paogi ye sab? Itni zimmedari utha paogi?" Danish added and she took a pause then shrugged. 

(Will you be able to do all this? Will I be able to bear this much responsibility?)

"Asaan to nhi hai lekin aap guide karte rahiyega. Jesa aap kahenge main wesa hi karti rahungi." She muttered and Danish nodded while holding her hand and shifting closer to her he slowly slipped his hand on her soft cheek, which forced her to close her eyes while she shivered from inside. 

(It will not be easy but just keep guiding me. I will do as you say.)

<><><><><>