"kya hua Bhabi ki tabiyat kharab hai ya mood?" Adeel whispered to Humaira who was also thinking the same. Madiha was not talking to anyone, and for replying to others questions either she was nodding or shaking her head or saying only a few words with a fake yet small smile. Her puffy eyes were telling another story which was read by everyone other than her husband. Today while getting ready she picked a kajal but then left her look extremely simple because Danish didn't like her makeup when she goes in front of any other man.

(What happened, is Bhabi unwell or in a bad mood?)

"Kya hua Bhabi? Bhai se ladai ho gyi kya?" Umaira asked and Madiha looked at Danish.

(What happened bhabhi? Did you and Bhai have an argument?)

Inse to baat bhi nhi hoti ladai kya hogi?

(There is no space between us for conversation, argument is a far away thing.)

"Ya tabiyat kharab hai?" Asked Adeel in an addition and Madiha looked at him then nodded.

(Or are you not well.)

"Yes, I'm not well." Madiha replied and looked at Danish he was already seeing her but his expressions were clearly showing that he didn't care.

"Bhabi agar aapki tabiyat kharab hai to itna sab karne ki kya zarurat thi? Dawat kisi aur din ho jati." Humaira and Adeel said one by one and Madiha passed a fake smile

(Bhabi, if your health is not fine, then what was the need to do all this? This dinner feast could wait.)

Tumhare Bhai mujhe option nhi dete order dete hain. Jo wo chahte hain hota to wo hi hai, main to unke hukm ki gulaam hu. She could only say this in her heart, tongue didn't dare to utter anything other than "It's okay."

(Your brother does not give me options, he gives orders. His decision matters, I'm just a slave of his commands.)

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Danish was sitting with his sisters, After dinner Humaira decided to stay here only and seeing her younger sister Umera also alter her mind. She was also staying here with her son. And now three of them having chips while watching wedding video of Humaira.

Madiha entered in the room with a glass of milk and a small bowl with a little amount of dry fruits. Without expecting any better behaviour from Danish she silently placed the bowl of dry fruits on the table and passed the glass of milk to him.

"Ye kyu layi ho? Pta nhi hai main raat mein dry fruits nhi khata?" Danish glared at Madiha who looked confused for a moment, he asked for dry fruits yesterday that's why she bring it today also but Danish's mood could be changed at anytime.

(Why did you bring this? Don't know I don't eat dry fruits at night?)

"Bhabi aap kya kar rahi hain? Aaiye na hamare sath baith ke ye dekhiye. Isme aapke reception ki video clips bhi to hain." Humaira chirped with excitement, Madiha looked at Danish then at the TV screen which was right now showing a moment of her reception function. The silent Madiha was sitting beside Danish who was holding a smile.

(Bhabi what are you doing? Come sit with us and watch this. It has clips from your reception too.)

Madiha Shifted her eyes from the smiling Danish present on the TV screen to the real Danish whose face was untouched by the smile.

Shadi ki video dekh ke khushi to unko hoti hai jinko shadi se khushi milti hai, mujhe to shohor ke naam par jailer aur shadi ke naam par bina jurm ki saza mili hai. She wanted to say that but didn't dare.

(Those who get happiness from marriage feel happy after watching the wedding video. I have got a jailer on the name of my husband and a punishment for no crime on the name of marriage.)

"Aap log dekhiye, main namaz parh kar kitchen saaf kar ke soungi. Mujhe neend aa rhi hai." Madiha was already tired but the kitchen sink was piled up with dishes and the condition of the kitchen was also not good so she was needed there.

(You people watch it, I'll clean the kitchen after praying namaz then I'll go to sleep. I'm sleepy.)

"Bhabi aap namaz parh ke soo jaiye. Kitchen main saaf kar dungi." Humaira offered with a big smile.

(Bhai you go to sleep after praying, I'll clean the kitchen.)

"Kitchen mein bohot kaam hai." Madiha asserted but Humaira just passed a smile.

(There is a lot of work in the kitchen.)

"To kya hua? Main aur Aapi mil ke kar denge, aap subah se kaam kar rhi hain, itna to hum kar hi sakte hain." Humaira's assurance brought a smile to Madiha's lips and she looked at Umaira who was not looking happy by this proposal of her younger sister, but Madiha nodded and walked to her bedroom after thanking her both sisters-in-law.

(So what? I and Aapi will do it together. You've been working since morning and we can help you a little.)

"Kya zarurat thi ye kitchen ka kaam apne sar lene ki? Mayke ke aa kar bhi araam nhi kar sakti?" As soon as Madiha entered in her bedroom Umera asked Humaira with disappointment. Danish looked at his sisters but said nothing just listen to them.

(What was the need to take kitchen work on your shoulders? Can't you rest in your maternal home either?)

"Come on Aapi, thoda kaam kar lenge to kya ho jayega?"

(A bit of work won't harm us.)

"Tum hi ye so called thoda sa kaam, Hadi ne mujhe pehle hi bohot pareshan kar diya hai main ab koi kaam nhi kar sakti." Umera said with a little amount of anger while seeing her two year old son sleeping in her lap.

(So you do this so called bit of work, I'm already tired because of Hadi, now I can't do any work.)

"Rehne do tum dono, wo kar legi, abhi nhi to subah uth ke kar legi." Danish interfered in between and looked at the bowl of dry fruits he grimaced and pushed the bowl away while mumbling "kisi kaam ki hi nhi hai ye aurat."

(You both leave it. She'll handle the work, if not now then tomorrow morning.)

(This woman is good for nothing.)

"What happened Bhai?" Umera asked after seeing the anger in Danish's eyes.

"10 baar bataya hai main raat mein dry fruits nhi khata phir bhi saamne laa kar rakh deti hai."

(I've told her so many times that I don't have dryfruits at night still she puts it in front of me every time.)

"Bhai ye to koi itni badi baat nhi hai ki aap gussa kare." Umaira rolled her eyes and shifted her attention towards the TV screen.

(Bhai it's not a big deal to be angry at her.)

"Sach mein Bhai aap Bhabi par bohot gussa karte hain, agar Adeel mere sath aesa karte to main kab ka wo ghar chhod ke yaha aa jati." Said Humaira in a duh tone and Danish grimaced at his sisters defence towards Madiha.

(Seriously Bhai, you get angry on Bhabi too much. I would come here leaving that home if Adeel was doing this with me.)

"Gussa to Sami bhi bohot karte hain, lekin itni itni si baato par to kabhi nhi." Umera said that while laying her son on the sofa.

(Sami also is aggressive but not this much.)

"Adeel bhi kuch kam nhi hai, meri saas mujhe itna pareshan nhi karti jitna wo mere har khane mein kamiya nikalte hain." Humaira said while picking up the bowl of dry fruits and started munching on it.

(Adeel is not a step ahead, my mother-in-law does not trouble me but he. He always finds out flaws in my cooking.)

"Yahi haal Sami ka bhi hai, kabhi unhe kisi cheez se pareshani hoti hai kabhi kisi aur cheez se." Umera grabbed a few chips, Danish looked at his sisters with frustration and cold sight.

(Same as Sami, he always have problem with something.)

"Tum aurto ke paas aur koi kaam nhi hai apne miyao ki buraiyan karne ke alawa?" Danish's voice was cold but he should not forget that he was talking to his sisters not his wife.

(Don't you women have any other work than backbiting your husbands?)

"Ab hum behne apne dil ki baat ek dusre se bhi nhi kar sakti?" Humaira's question gave creases to his forehead.

(Can't we sisters share what do we feel?)

"Ye bate nhi buraiyan hain." Danish being Danish replied in a cold tone.

(It's not talking it's backbiting.)

"Bhai aap zara sudhar jaiye, warna bhabi pareshan ho jayengi, un bechari ki to koi behen bhi nhi hain jis se wo aapki buraiyan kare." Umera and Humaira laughed but Danish remembered what he listened fifteen days ago. 

(Bhai, mend your ways otherwise our poor bhabi will face trouble for backbiting you. That poor woman does not even have a sister.)

"Use behen ki zarurat nhi hai, apne bhai se buraiyan karti hai wo meri." Danish was looking angry by now and walked to his bedroom.

(She doesn't need a sister for bitching, her brother is enough for this work.)

"You know what Aapi I was wondering ki Bhai bhabi se kabhi pyaar se baat bhi karte honge ya hamesha aesi hi rehte honge?" Humaira wondered and her sister jerked her head.

(You know what aapi, I was wondering if Bhai ever talks to bhabi lovingly or does he always be like this?)

"Bhabi ki halat dekh rahi ho? Na unke kapde achhe hote hain na wo kabhi tayyar huyi dikhti hain... I won't blame Bhai if he doesn't even glance at her." Umera rolled her eyes while saying the last part but Humaira didn't like this comment.

(Are you seeing bhabi's condition? Neither she wears good clothes nor she groom herself. I won't blame Bhai if he doesn't even glance at her.)

"Bohot buri baat hai aapi, aapko aesa nhi kehna chahiye. Aapne dekha tha Bhai kese ghur ghur ke dekh rahe the bhabi ko? Mujhe to lagta hai wo bimar nhi hain, wo roo rhi thi." Humaira put her opinion in front of her sister who didn't like this discussion anymore.

(That's not good of you Aapi, you should not have said this. Did you see how the Bhai was staring at bhabi? I think she is not ill but she was crying.)

"Tum kyu unki chamchi ban rhi ho? Tum Bhai ko nhi jaanti kya? Wo bohot gussa karte hain lekin wo hamesha se kitne possessive aur caring hain. I'm sure, bhabi ke liye bhi wo itne hi caring aur possessive hain, bas sab ke saamne zahir nhi karte."

(Stop being so defensive for her. Don't you know how caring and possessive Bhai is since always? I'm sure he's caring and possessive for bhabi too, he just doesn't show up openly.)

On one hand both sisters were discussing Danish and Madiha on the other hand, Danish stepped into the bedroom where his wife was drawing out a nightgown from the cupboard, she was done with namaz and now she wanted to sleep peacefully but this tall figure already took away the peace of her heart.

"Humaira se kitchen ka kaam karane ki koi zarurat nahi hai, tumhe karna hai to karo warna main nayi maid dhundh lunga." It was an order which forced Madiha to stare at him for a few moments.

(No need to make Humaira work in the kitchen. Do the work if you are doing otherwise I'll find out a new maid.)

Nayi maid ki kya zarurat hai? Main hu to ek maid! 24/7 service without any charges or complaints! As usual she said in her heart but didn't utter anything. She silently put the nightgown back and unwrapped her dupatta from head while walking towards the bedroom door. Danish was still standing on the doorway.

(What's the need of a new maid? This maid is here to serve you 24x7 without any charges or complaints!)

"Humaira ko kitchen ka kaam karne ke liye maine nhi bola tha." She whispered without looking at him.

(I didn't tell Humaira to do these works.)

"Mana bhi to nhi kra tha." He furrowed and Madiha lifted her head a bit high to see the giant man, she wanted to say something but her heart said only one thing 'there is no benefit of talking to this man.'

(But didn't deny either.)

"Galti ho gyi sahab maaf kar dijiye, agli baar aapko is shikayat ka mooqa nhi milega." Saying that in a hushed tone she walked towards the kitchen but even after his knack for facial reading, today Danish was unable to judge her expressions.

(My bad, I sincerely apologise for this. You won't get the same complaint again sir.)

Her tone was addressing a taunt or sarcasm but her eyes were twinkling with a hint of wetness. He himself was amazed at his failure to read the facial expressions but he forgot that here he needed to behave like a husband who wants to understand his wife's feelings, unfortunately he was behaving like a policeman who investigates a criminal.

For a few moments he was silently watching Madiha walking towards the kitchen, soon she disappeared from his eyes however this time her eyes left a feeling in his heart. A feeling of love. A feeling of empathy.

He didn't want to hate his wife either, he also didn't want to make her cry but at the same time he didn't know what to do to make her happy! He had already tried his best to impose happiness on this woman but she never appreciated his efforts.

For almost one hour he waited for Madiha to come back to the room, but when she didn't come back eventually he slept. She was spending time with her sisters-in-law... Spending time with them was much better than sharing the room with this man.

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Early in the morning Madiha opened her sleepy eyes, snoozing the ringing alarm and slept again without bothering to glance at the time. It was the effect of her late night chatting with Umera and Humaira. Last night, she cleaned the kitchen, Humaira helped her as much as she could. Later on they three talked about everything while having tea, laughed wholeheartedly and had their shares of gossips too.

After a few minutes the alarm again disturbed her slumber and this time she moved a little but the unpleasant sound was suddenly stopped magically. Her sleepy brain tried to tell her something but she didn't want to pay attention to anything which was becoming a hurdle in between slumber. She was still in the deep slumber when a pair of hands pulled the blanket on her to cover her properly. She opened her half eyes and closed them again, just like a blink, to get a glance of something or better to say, someone.

"Subah hoo gyi." Gasping loudly she sat down on the bed with a jolt and looked here and there, grabbing her hair she rolled it on her hand to make a messy bun, secured it with the hair clip. Again looking here and there she grabbed her dupatta from the other pillow and threw the blanket away from herself while looking towards Danish who was sitting standing only one step away from her, his wet hair was yelling that he had already taken a shower but Madiha was still sleeping.

(It's already morning.)

"Bas 5 minut ruk jaiye main abhi chai banati hu." Stepping out from the bed she said in a hurry, her feet try to find out her chappal which was in mood to play hide and seek.

(Just five minutes, I'm going to make tea.)

Her voice was full of fear, this man could shout at her for waking up late, he could glare at her for missing the morning alarm but today something unexpected was written to be happen. Something that Madiha could not even imagine.

"Pta nahi Aaj aankh kyu nhi khuli?" She muttered in her defence while she was feeling a different kind of numbness in her palms. She just walked a step ahead when Danish's rough hand grabbed her arm.

(God knows why I slept for long today?)

"Neend aa rhi hai to soo jao, main bahar kuchh khaa lunga." Madiha's feet were rooted. What did she just listen to? Was she still sleeping? Because it couldn't happen in real! She turned to see the owner of that deep voice, surprisingly he was her husband only. Leaving her arm he sat down on the bed checking his emails on the mobile when Madiha came back to the reality.

(Go to sleep if you are sleepy. I'll eat something from outside.)

She didn't know how to react but it was the effect of her hug. She didn't even know that she hugged Danish and snuggled in his chest while sleeping but he was awake. From the last one hour he was watching his beautiful wife in his arms, which eventually uplifted his mood a little.

Is aadmi ke dimaag ki wiring me kuch to fault hai, kal raat tak khadoospam ka daura pada hua tha aur ab achanak ye soft behaviour... Madiha was blinking blankly.

(There is a fault in the wiring of this man's brain. Till last night there was a flood of rudeness and now suddenly this soft behaviour... )

"Ab mere sar par khadi rahogi kya? Soo jao ya yaha se chali jao." Coming back to the reality Danish scolded her with rudeness and Madiha closed her eyes for a moment. Half of her brain was yelling to make breakfast for Danish so that he won't be angry but the other half was saying that he will be angry in every situation so it's better to sleep right now. And she decided to go with the second part.

(Will you stand on my head now? Either go to sleep or just go from here.)

She was already not feeling well so she just laid down on the bed and closed her eyes, Danish was unaffected as if Madiha was not even present there. For the next ten minutes she was trying to sleep but couldn't, occasionally she was seeing his back and wishing only one soft glance of from him.

"Aap kyu naraz hain?" After all she asked the same question in a hushed tone, she was expecting the same silent treatment but this morning was different. Today, she could expect every unexpected event to take place.

(Why are you angry?)

"Meri narazgi se tumhe kya farkh padta hai? Tum to mujhse nafrat karti ho." He replied without looking at her, his eyes were fixed on an important official mail while his thumbs were typing a reply. Madiha sat down on the bed with a jolt and looked at his back.

(What difference does my anger make to you? You hate me.)

"Ji? Ye kya keh rhe hain aap?" She was shocked

(What are you saying?)

"Wo hi jo suna tha. Ye shadi tumhare liye ek saza hai na? Ab keh do ki tumne aesa kuch nhi kaha tha apne bhai se." His tone was cold as always and Madiha sat down on the edge of the bed with dangling legs, just beside him. She was shocked to know that Danish overheard her conversation with her brother but what could she do now? She didn't want to lie however she didn't know how to voice the truth either.

(I'm saying what I've listened to. This marriage is a punishment to you. Right? Now say that you didn't say anything like this to your brother.)

She wanted to say something but couldn't collect the correct words. Seeing her hands silently she was making circles from her thumbs on the tips of her fingers. "Nafrat to nhi karti main aapse." Still making circles on the finger tips with the thumb she slowly utter another lie. But she didn't know whether she hated him or not. Maybe she was in the very first step of the stairs that goes to the top floor of hatred.

(No, I don't hate you.)

"Nafrat nhi karti lekin mohabbat bhi to nhi karti mujhse." Putting his mobile aside he questioned her feelings and Madiha looked at him once again but couldn't hold the eye contact for more than a few seconds, resulting; her gaze reshifted to her hands.

(You don't have me. Right? But you don't love me either.)

"Mohabbat zabardasti kari jaa sakti to shayad koshish kar leti lekin mohabbat ke phool ko kholne ke liye koi wajah chahiye hoti hai, aur aapne aaj tak koi wajah hi nhi di. She said one truth in her heart but it could create a stir in her life so she decided to strangle the words taking birth in her mind.

(If love could be forced on a heart, I would definitely try, but in reality the flowers of love need the water of some reasons to bloom, unfortunately, you're not watering that flower.)

Danish glared at Madiha because her silence said even more than what she wanted to hide.

"Umm... Aapko kuch batana tha." She intentionally restarted a conversation to divert the topic but got no response in reply so she continued while resuming to play with her fingers.

(Umm... I have to tell you something.)

"Humaira ki sasural mein riwaaz hai ki jab bahu expecting ho to uske mayke se mithai jaati hai."

(It is a custom in Humaira's in-laws' that when the daughter-in-law is expecting, sweets are sent from her maternal home.)

"To main kya karu is riwaaz ka?" He asked in a cold voice and Madiha gave him a cold stare

(So what should I do with this custom?)

"To is riwaaz ka ye kariye ki aap mithayi le jane ki tayyari kariye, Mamu banne wale hain aap." Danish was surprised to listen to this news and nodded with a smile but his smile was short lived because this news spark a desire in his heart. He wanted a son! He wanted to be a father.

(So do one thing that you prepare to take sweets, you are going to become mamu.)

"Theek hai ek do din mein chalte hain Humaira ke ghar, tayyari kar lena." He stood up from the bed but his wrist was clutched by a soft hand.

(Okay, let's go to Humaira's house in a day or two, be ready.)

"Aur..." she took a pause, Danish looked at her with the same cold sight but she had a small hope in her eyes that he'll listen to her this time. "Mujhe bata dijiye agar aapke ghar me bhi aesi koi rasam ho to." She asked in a small voice and Danish rolled his eyes while pulling his hand from her grip.

(Tell me if there is such a ritual in your family too.)

"Kyu? Tumhe kya karna hai?" Danish asked with irritation and for a moment Madiha wanted him to understand her hint but maybe she didn't give a proper hint or maybe he didn't pay attention to her, whatever... The result broke Madiha's heart one more time.

(Why? What you have to do?)

Why couldn't he understand what she wanted to say?

"Main mami se keh dungi hamare ghar wo aa jaye mithayi le ke." Danish was stunned, he stopped on the doorway and turned to see his wife. She was not looking happy but curious to see the expressions of this overbearing man.

(I will tell mama mami to come to our house with sweets.)

"What?" He was shocked. "Are you also?" he didn't believe what his wife was trying to say, Madiha said no word in reply but nodded without any expression on her face. She was trying her best to hold eye contact with Danish but couldn't and her eyes again shifted to the floor. Taking steps towards her Danish stopped near her but there was no space for conversation between them. Madiha stood up with a down-hearted feeling. This man wasn't even looking happy after listening to this news. Her slumber was already gone so it would be better for her to go and handle the kitchen after freshen up but before she could walk away a rough hand lifted to her face and he slowly caressed her cheek with the back of his fingers. Madiha felt goosebumps when those fingers slipped down from the temple of her forehead to the chin. Bending to her lever this tall man pressed his lips on her right cheek which surprised her.

She suddenly looked up and found him smiling. For the first time he was looking happy. "I'm sorry, naraz na hua kariye aap." Holding his hand which was still caressing her cheek she whispered and Danish embraced her. Right now he was so happy that he could forget everything, he could forgive his biggest enemy at this moment so what was Madiha's backbiting?

(I'm sorry, don't be angry.)

"Pichhle 15 din se aapko batane ki koshish kar rahi hu." She whispered on his chest and he broke the hug. "Tumhe 15 din se pta hai aur ab bata rhi ho?"

(I have been trying to tell you for the last 15 days.)

(You are already aware for 15 days but inform me now!)

"Aap mujhse baat hi nhi kar rhe the. Kese batati main aapko? Main chahti thi aapko ye baat tab batau jab aapka mood achha ho lekin..." She left the sentence in between, and for the first time she was showing her rights as a wife as well as disappointment through her tone. Danish unheard everything just kissed her cheeks one more time.

(You weren't even talking to me. How would I tell you? I wanted to tell you this when you are in a good mood, but...)

"Kuchh chahiye ho to mujhe bata dena, theek hai." He smiled and Madiha nodded with a big smile.

(Tell me if you need anything.)

"Main aapke liye nashta bana deti hu." She took a step back and Danish glanced at his wrist watch.

(Let me make you breakfast.)

"Nhi rehne do, main pehle hi late ho gaya hu ab time nhi hai. Aaj raat ko tayyar rehna, khana bahar kahi khayenge." Madiha blinked blankly but nodded with a big grin.

(No, let it be, I am already late, now there is no time. Be ready tonight, we'll have dinner outside.)

He stepped out of the room and Madiha followed him holding a smile on her lips and his wallet, bike keys and mobile in her hand. After a long time she went downstairs to see him off otherwise she stopped doing this formality only after 9-10 days of marriage.

Danish was mounting on the bike when the door was knocked by someone, without any delay Madiha open the door and found a man standing there with a brown envelope in his hand. "Yeah?" Danish and Madiha asked in unison.

"There is a legal notice for Danish Qureshi." Madiha suddenly looked at Danish who furrowed and went to the man.

"I'm Danish." He said and the man passed him the envelope after getting a paper signed. "kis cheez ka legal notice hai?" Madiha asked and Danish gave her a cold stare while opening the envelope.

(Legal notice? But for what?)

"Pehle lifafa khool to lu tab hi to pta chalega." He opened the letter read it and folded it again but this time his expressions shifted to seriousness.

(I will know only if I open the envelope first,)

"Sab kheriyat hai na?"

(Is everything alright?)

"Hmm... Sab theek hai. Tum upar jao, aur bina wajah neeche na aaya karo, Saad hai na wo khool dega darwaza." And he was back to his original form where knew only how to shout and show his anger.

(Hmm... all right. You go up, and don't come down without any reason, Saad is here to open the door.)

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