The kitchen was a chaotic scene, reminiscent of a culinary storm that had just passed through. Utensils were scattered across the countertops, coated in splatters of various ingredients. Piles of unwashed dishes towered precariously in the sink, and crumbs from forgotten meals adorned the floor like miniature confetti. The aroma of half-prepared dishes mingled with the stale scent of a fully cooked lunch. She was trying hard to bring everything in order but how to do that? She was clueless!

"Bhabiiii," leaving everything she walked out of the kitchen to collect the groceries she asked Saad to bring.

"Dahi kaha hai?" She muttered while checking the items present in the bag, Saad smacked his forehead and realised that he forgot to buy it. Danish who was half sitting half lying on the sofa of the living room looked at him with a fake rudeness and he immediately turned back.

(Where is curd?)

"Just a minute bhabi, I'm bringing curd in a minute." he said in a hurry and rushed downstairs to buy curd. "Saad... Saad wait." Madiha called out to him, but he had already disappeared from sight.

"Ab kya hua?" Danish asked and Madiha sighed 

(Now what's wrong?)

"Maida mangaya tha besan le aaya." Mahida was still checking the groceries and Danish rolled his eyes, it was only a minute when Saad came back, his breath was faster than normal which was clearly showing that he had run to the dairy and back.

(I asked for all-purpose flour but he brought gram flour.)

"Tujhe kuch yaad bhi rehta hai? Mangao kuch le kar kuch aur aata hai! Tujhse maida mangaya tha besan nhi." Danish reprimanded Saad, he didn't take those words to heart but Madiha felt pity on the orphan boy.

(Do you even remember anything? Whenever We ask for something, you bring something else! She asked for all-purpose flour, not gram flour.)

Many years ago, when Saad was about 3-4 months old his parents left their village and moved to the city. Saad's father was taken in by Danish's father to work in his workshop, while his mother took care of household chores. Impressed by their honesty, Danish's father provided them a small part of his home to live in. After a few years Saad's mother passed away, but the father-son duo continued to live there, and a few years later, Saad's father also passed away. Over time, Saad became an integral part of this family. From changing bulbs to repairing taps, from bringing groceries to put clothes for laundry and from collecting rent from tenants to paying bills, he used to do all those small works to get the meal twice a day, a shelter and a small amount of pocket money in return.

Madiha developed a soft corner for Saad as soon as she got to know about his life story from Humaira.

"Bhabi aur kuchh lana hai ya sirf maida?" Asked Saad after taking a deep breath to control his huffing and Madiha noticed his condition, he was already in sweat.

(Do you want anything else, bhabi, or just all-purpose flour?)

"Kuchh nhi lana, baith jao, bahar kitni garmi ho rhi hai." She walked back to the kitchen and came out with a bottle of cold water for him.

(No need to bring anything, relax for a while. It's so hot outside.)

Saad gulped down the water in one go and looked at Danish who was reclining on the sofa, busy with his mobile.

"Bhai aapke payr daba du..." He sat down on the floor and started pressing Danish's foot, Mahida was confused by that act but she also sat down on the other sofa and resumed cutting the dry fruits as she was doing before half an hour ago.

(Bhai, should I press your feet?)

"Drama na kar, kaam bta. Kya chahiye?" Putting the mobile down Danish asked in a cold voice.

(Don't do drama, come to the point. What do you want?)

"Bhaiii..." Saad made an innocent face. "Thodi si pocket money bada dijiye na. Please... Bas thodi si." Saad requested just like a kid demands for chocolate and his hands pressed Danish's foot with a good amount of force.

(Please increase my pocket money a little. Just a little, please.)

"Pehle apne bhulne ki bimari khatam kar, phir main teri pocket money bada dunga." Danish closed his eyes while covering them with his arm, he was enjoying this foot massage.

(First, cure your forgetfulness disease, then I will increase your pocket money.)

"Bhai badam khane ke liye hi to pese chahiye, please na... Please." Madiha suddenly looked up at the reasoning and couldn't help but chuckle, she always enjoyed Saad's company because of his humour and funny gestures. Danish removed his arm from his eyes and looked at his wife who smiled very less in his presence.

(Bhai I want money for buying almonds.)

"Tumhe badi hasi aa rahi hai..." He muttered while again covering his eyes and Madiha's smile vanished.

(Is it too funny to laugh?)

"Bhabi aap kahiye na Bhai se, aapki baat maan lenge." Saad requested and Madiha looked at her husband.

(Bhabi, please, you can convince bhai, he will listen to you.)

Mujhse zyada to tumhari sun rahe hain, agar maine aesa kuch kaha hota to mujhe ghurna shuru kar diya hota.

(He's paying more attention to you than me. If I had said something like that, they would have started staring at me with anger.)

She as usual said in her thoughts but didn't utter a word, reshifting her attention towards the knife and dry fruits present in her hand. After getting no response from Madiha, Danish opened his eyes and found her busy.

"Ab tu apni bhabi se hi le le pocket money, mera dimaag na khaa..."

(Take your pocket money from her only, why are you messing with my head?)

"Main dimaag thodi khaa raha hu, main to peyr daba raha hu... Kya Bhai aap bhi itna bhi nhi pta..." Saad jurked his head while mocking Danish and the overbearing policeman stopped himself to smile while fake glaring at this mischievous boy.

(I'm not messing with your head, I'm massaging your foot. Oh bhaiii... Don't you know about such a simple fact?)

"Isi peyr se tere muh par ek laat marungi." This time Danish just smiled at his mischievous act.

(I'll kick you with the same foot.)

"Bhabiiii you tell him na." Saad again requested

"Main kya bolu?" Madiha just shrugged, she still did not forget how Danish scolded her in the morning when she was telling him to take a shower before having tea, now she didn't want to repeat the mistake and get another scolding.

(What can I say?)

"Bool do jo boolna hai," Danish granted her permission, he was smiling but Madiha didn't dare to say a single word.

(Say whatever you want!)

"Main bata deta hu na, bhabi keh rhe hain aap bohot achhe hain, aap jitna achha insaan to koi ho hi nhi sakta aur aap ka dil itnaaaaa bada hai... Pure 200 gazz ke plot jitna bada, haan aap those se khadoos bhi hain lekin agar aap Saad ki pocket money bada dein to aapki har kami nazarandaaz Kari jaa sakti hai." Saad delivered the whole speech in a single breath and Madiha just laughed. Danish was seeing his wife laughing one more time, and his heart was yelling that she looks beautiful, resulting... He also smiled.

(Bhai let me tell you, bhabi is saying that you are such a good person that no one else can be, and your heart is sooo big... As big as a 200-square-yard plot. Yes, you can be a bit grumpy at times, but if you increase Saad's pocket money, any shortcomings of yours can be overlooked.)

"Saad." It was Madiha's call.

"Ji bhabi?" Without stopping his hands to press Danish's foot he looked at Madiha.

"Tumhare Bhai to keh rahe the ki unhone pichhle mahine hi to tumhari pocket money badayi thi." Madiha narrowed her eyes but Saad widened his eyes.

(Your brother was saying that he increased your pocket money just last month.)

"No..." He shook his head.

"Saad tum bhul gaye hoge," Madiha tried to made him remember and Danish also enjoyed this time.

(Saad, you must have forgotten.)

"Nhi bhabi, main nhi bhula. Bhai ne meri pocket money 2 saal pehle badayi thi, aur us waqt ye bhi kaha tha ki 2-3 mahine me aur bada denge lekin un 2-3 mahino ki miyaad hi puri nhi ho rhi." Saad defenced himself and Madiha furrowed.

(No, bhabi, I haven't forgotten. Bhai increased my pocket money two years ago, and at that time, he also said that he would increase it again in 2-3 months, but those 2-3 months have not been completed yet.)

"Are you sure?" She asked and Saad nodded.

"Of course I'm sure." He nodded with determination and Madiha suppressed her smile

"Agar 2 saal pehle ki baat itni achhi tarah yaad hai to badam khane ki kya zarurat hai?" She laughed and Saad huffed like a stubborn child.

(What is the need to eat almonds if you remember what happened 2 years ago so well?)

Madiha didn't wait to see his reaction and walked towards the kitchen where a lot of work was waiting for her.

"Bhai, bhabi ne to aag mein ghee ka kaam kar diya, mere pyare Bhai... Please please please bas thodi si..."

(Bhabi already put fuel in the fire... My lovely brother... Please please please just a little bit.)

"Achha theek hai, bas har cheez bhula na kar." Danish nodded and again closed his eyes. Saad stood up with a jolt and rushed towards the stairs.

(Okay fine, just don't forget things.)

"Kaha Jaa raha hai? Peyr to daba de..." Danish yelled

(Where are you going? Give me a foot massage.)

"Jitne pese aap badayenge utne mein bas itne hi dabaye jate hain." And Saad rushed downstairs.

(Only this much foot massage is fine again the amount of money you will increase)

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Madiha was seeing Danish refilling his sisters plate, she couldn't help but like this man a little bit. No matter what, he's a family man. She admitted and looked at the plate of Humaira's husband, Danish was so busy pampering his sisters that he forgot to take care of his new brother-in-law, Umaira's husband was already comfortable but This guy was looking hesitant to be in his in-laws home for the first time.

"Adeel bhai, aapne ye kabab to try hi nhi kiye." Madiha passed a serving plate to the new member of this clan and he smiled. Everyone looked at Madiha, maybe it was the first time when they all were listening to her confident voice, otherwise when they met a few days ago she was hell nervous, but now she started feeling at home.

(Adeel bhai, you haven't tried these kababs.)

Madiha pulled her hand away with a jolt when Adeel accidentally grabbed her hand while grabbing the plate, for a moment her smile died and she walked towards her husband who was sitting beside Umaira.

"Bhabi meri bhi mehmaan nawazi kar dijiye, main bhi isi ghar ka damaad hu." Umaira's husband, Sami, said like a joke and everyone laughed excluding Danish. Madiha filled Swami's plate with some rice and passed something to her sister-in-law too.

(Bhabi, kindly show some hospitality for me too, I'm also a son-in-law of this home.)

"Aap kuch nahi khaa rahe?" Tucking the hairlock which was again and again dangling her cheek, Madiha asked Danish and he ignored, for a moment she was confused... He was happy till a few minutes ago and suddenly his forehead was covered with uncountable lines.

(Aren't you eating anything?)

"Bhabi khana aapne banaya hai ya Aunty ne?" Humaira asked because the food was not tasting like the one cooked by the maid and Madiha nodded. "Maine hi banaya hai... aunty to 5-6 se nhi aa rahi," She explained and Adeel suddenly looked up.

(Bhabi, have you prepared the food or did aunty?)

(I have cooked it myself... aunty is not coming for the last few days.)

"Wow, It's delicious bhabi. Give cooking classes to Humaira, she only knows how to burn food."

"Oh please Adeel, after Ammi's death there was no one who could teach me cooking. If bhai got married a little earlier I would learn it from bhabi only but..." Humaira kind of huffed and Adeel gave an apologetic look.

"I'm sorry yaar, I was just kidding you take everything to your heart." Madiha looked at the couple who got married just ten days ago.

What a beautiful bond! They are so close to each other in just ten days, but... She looked at Danish who was having dinner without bothering to think about his wife who was working hard without taking a break. She sat down beside Danish and lifted a spoonful of rice, again glancing at him she wished that at least once he looked at her lovingly. Tonight she wanted to groom herself and she did so but he didn't even pay attention to her, giving compliments was a far away thing. Madiha looked at Humaira, she was laughing wholeheartedly while talking to her husband, brother-in-law and sister.

He will be changed with passing time, it's just Fifteen days. She assured herself but deep down there was no hope in her, I think this man won't change even after fifteen years too.

"Why is everyone so silent as if it's not a family dinner but a conference meeting?" Saad asked loudly and the very next moment his jokes filled the environment with another level of joy. Adeel wasn't at the back seat too and Madiha was enjoying her time in the friendly company of Saad, Humaira and Adeel. They all were jolly and light-hearted types... On the other hand Umaira and Sami were sincere yet friendly but not very friendly. And Danish was an exceptional case. Only he himself and Allah knows about his mood. He could be anything at any time.

And Madiha...

Madiha was like water...

She holds shape according to the environment.

When there is a serious matter she could be the most mature person regardless of her age but in a light-hearted environment she was the most buoyant one.

"Enough for today. Please." Madiha almost yelled while laughing hard, she was running out of breath on such silly jokes on which no one would even smile.

Danish was left behind, now the feast was going on great with his presence which was no less than absence but he was checking his wife.

She laughs and talks with Saad

She jokes with Adeel

She was so casual with Shahzaib

But she can't even talk to me with a smile.

His anger was increasing with every passing second but this man knew how to control himself. And a voice echoed in the back of his head .... a girl would surely be happy to get a desirable husband, which girl can be happy after getting a 10-15 years older husband, that too is not compatible in looks.

Danish looked at Madiha then followed her gaze, she was talking to Adeel and laughing.

Did Madiha really want a young aged man with good looks? 

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"Ye itna tayyar hone ki kya zarurat thi? Kisi shadi mein jaa rahi thi?" Danish asked when Madiha was removing the earrings and she suddenly turned to see her husband, "Ji?" She was kind of shocked to hear this question, and her smile dropped. He didn't compliment her even once but now he had problems with her grooming too?

(Why did you need to get ready so much? Were you going to a wedding?)

(What?)

"Wese to bohot pardansheen hone ka dhong karti ho, itna tayyar ho ke, baal khool ke aadmiyon ke samne ghumte waqt tumhe parda yaad nhi aata?" Madiha was stunned, she didn't even know how to digest what she was hearing right now.

(Otherwise you pretend to be so modest, but where was your modesty when you were walking in front of men with makeup on and your hair open?)

"Main kisi ko dikhane ke liye tayyar nhi hui thi..." She didn't have anything else to clarify her status in front of her husband but she got a glare in return which shivered her to the core.

(I wasn't ready to show anyone...)

"To kis liye tayyar huyi thi?" His eyes were horrifying Madiha, she took a deep breath and clenched her jaws tight to control her eyes to flow tears. It was the fifteenth day of her marriage, she never did makeup before marriage so today she simply wanted to do some effort to groom herself. "Ko... Koi wajah nhi thi bas... tayyar hone ka dil chah raha tha." She somehow muttered without looking towards him. Placing the jewellery in the box she looked at herself in the mirror. Didn't she deserve a compliment?

(So what was the reason behind this grooming?)

(Th... There was no reason, I... I just wanted to get ready...)

"Main bardasht nahi karunga agar tum mere alawa kisi bhi mard ke saamne is tarha saj sawar ke gyi..." Madiha's heart started beating faster due to his anger and she slightly nodded before rushing out from the room.

(I will not tolerate it if you dress up like this in front of any man other than me.)

Standing in front of the sink which was piled up with dishes she was sobbing, wiping her eyes with the back of her palms she started doing dishes, her heart was clenching with a new kind of pain, Danish stated that she pretends to be modest. Pretend! This statement was breaking her.

Mere sar chupane ke liye ghar manga tha, mujhe mil gaya... Lekin ye sab to nhi manga tha mene. Ya Allah, mujhe sabr de...

(I had asked for a home as a shelter, and I got it... But I hadn't asked for all this. Oh Allah, grant me patience...)

It took her almost half an hour to get rid of the piles of dishes then cleaning the kitchen was still left, her back was paining now. Transferring leftover food to smaller containers she washed all those utensils too and then her back gave up, she couldn't tolerate the pain anymore so left the utensils on the countertop and walked towards the bedroom. She jerked her head after seeing Danish sleeping peacefully, but she didn't even know that he was just lying down with closed eyes. She drew out a night grown from the cupboard and glanced one more time at herself. A wood red coloured suit was complimenting her pinkish white complexion. She keenly looked at her face which was covered with a minimal amount of makeup and killed her wish to be praised by her husband...

All these things happen in only fairytales, in reality men are like him...

She said in her heart and walked towards the bathroom, after a few minutes she came to the bed, free from makeup, free from beautiful clothes but not free from pain... However she was feeling comfortable in this loose nightgown. Facing her back towards Danish she slipped down in the bed. As soon as her back rested on the mattress she hissed in pain. It was an old injury which gives her extreme pain if she works more than her capacity. Tolerating the sharp pain in her back and leg she closed her eyes. She was about to sleep when remembered that she forgot her daily ritual. Picking up her dupatta from the pillow she covered her head and started reciting all the verses she remembered. Her peaceless heart began to feel peaceful and slumber slowly pulled her in its arms... But at the same time someone else also pulled her in his strong arms. Her slumber got disturbed when felt her back stuck to a broad chest but she didn't react... She pretended to sleep.

"Madiha."

She decided to stay silent because she was sleeping but her heartbeat increased

"Main jaanta hu tum jaag rhi ho." She sighed but neither opened her eyes nor responded.

(I know you're already awake.)

"Madiha." This time there was something in his voice that shivered her, and she knew the next call would include his anger. She felt numbness in her right palm for a moment and turned her side.

He didn't blink for the next two seconds and she gathered some courage from her already scared heart.

"Soo jaiye, kal duty par nhi jana kya?" She muttered in a sleepy voice while closing her eyes but his next move was enough to took away her slumber. She opened her eyes with a jolt and tried to shift back from his hold. His eyes were fixed on her and one hand was unbuttoning his shirt.

(Go to sleep, don't you have to go for duty tomorrow?)

"Please..." She muttered while shaking her head and creeped away a little, "aaj bohot kaam tha, main bohot thak gyi hu." Her voice was holding a request but Danish was used to giving orders, he didn't consider requests.

(Today, there was a lot of work, I'm very tired)

"What?" He furrowed

"Please, not tonight." She muttered and pressed her lower lip between her teeth but by then his hand already unbuttoned the shirt and now he was removing it.

"Konsi aurat ghar ka kaam nhi karti? Sab karti hain, sab thakti hongi." He replied and the very next moment Madiha felt his hand removing her dupatta. She helplessly closed her eyes and let the tears flow down silently. Sobs didn't dare to come out from her lips but the heart screamed and cried out loudly.

(Which woman doesn't do household chores? Everyone does, they all must get tired.)

She couldn't share her suffering and pain with anyone, even if she could, there would be no benefit of it... She was only crying and the reason was the one who should clean her tears.

Mark my words, Madam, tumhe tumhara shehzada aese rakhega jese phool ko guldaan mein rakha jata hai

Oh, achha... Aur kese rakha jata hai phool ko guldaan mein? She suppressed her smile while asking

Pyaar se, nazakat se... Dil ke qareeb

(Mark my words, Madam, your price will treat you like one treats a flower in a vase.)

(Oh really? And how does one treat a flower in a vase.)

(Lovingly, softly... close to heart.)

A voice from the past echoed in some part of her brain and she opened her eyes with a jolt. The man who was just an inch away from her wasn't a Prince, and he was not letting a single chance go to crush this flower under his foot.

"Listen, Your Highness..."

"I'm not a princess" Madiha smiled

"But for me... you're."

A loud sob left her lips and "stop it." she cried out, Danish stopped for two moments and looked at his wife who was crying with shut eyes, but the very next moment he efficiently ignored her tears and continued what he was doing.

"Madam y..."

"Stop it" this time she didn't utter just mouthed, but this command was not for Danish, it was for Athar, who was not with her but not leaving for either... "Please stop it... Leave me on my condition." She said in her heart and pressed her lips together to control her sobs.

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