Athar walked into his room and found his wife sleeping. Tear marks were still visible on her cheeks but uncountable wounds were hidden in her heart. Drawing out a small box from his pocket Athar sat down beside her and saw that gold ring. It was supposed to be the wedding gift. Placing the box on the nightstand he saw his dream woman next to himself. Placing his lips on her forehead he planted a soft kiss and walked towards the window. Closing his eyes he took a deep breath and remembered the conversation with his mother. 

Turning towards the bed he saw Madiha one more time. For a moment he was tensed but the very next moment he sighed with relief and smiled while going to bed. "Hell with everyone, now we are together I don't care about any rubbish." grabbing her hand he whispered and slept with a plan for the future.

<><><><>

"Good morning Madam Ji." a whisper disturbed her already weak slumber and she opened her eyes to get a glance at this man who was looking like a wrong decision at this point. Sitting down on the bed she rubbed her swollen eyes and looked away. 

"Madiha." grabbing her hand he whispered but she didn't look at him, holding her chin he turned her face towards himself and Madiha saw him with disappointment, but in reality, she didn't know how to express what she was feeling right now. She wasn't disappointed with Athar, she was broken and wanted to let out all her emotions, however, she didn't have anyone to draw out this.

"Main sach bol rhi hu Athar," she didn't want to cry but couldn't help her tears. "Un logo ne mujh par jhute ilzaam laga diye aur sab ne yaqeen kar liya? Main kese sab ko apne sach ka yaqeen dilau ki main badkirdaar nhi hu?"

(I'm not lying Athar.)

(Those people made false allegations against me and everyone believed it? How can I make everyone believe in my truth that I'm not a characterless woman?)

"Tumhe kisi ko yaqeen dilane ki zarurat nhi hai, Mujhe tum par yaqeen hai, bas kaafi hai. Aur rahi baat ilzaam ki to Quran utha lo, qasam khaane ke liye padne ke liye. Zulaikha ne Hazrat Yusuf (AS) par ilzam lagaya tha ki unhine use behkane ki koshish ki thi. Jab Umm ul Momineen Hazrat Ayesha (RA) haar dhudhte huye qafle se juda ho gyi thi tab unke paak kirdaar par logo ne kichad uchali thi... Unki pakizgi mein to koi shak nhi hai na... Log pakiza chezo par hi ilzam lagate hain."

(You don't need to convince anyone, I trust you, that's enough. And if it comes to false allegations then pick up the Quran, not for swearing but for learning. Hazrat Yusuf (AS) was accused by Zulaikha that he attempted to seduce her. Umm ul Momineen Hazrat Ayesha (RA) was defamed by people when she was separated from the caravan while searching for the necklace. There is no doubt in the purity of these people... It shows that no matter what people accuse those who are pure.)

"Lekin Athar, Allah ne Surah Yusuf mein Hazrat Yusuf (AS) ki begunahi aud Surah Noor mein Amma Ayesha (RA) ki pakizgi ki gawahi de di... Meri gawahi dene wala to koi bhi nhi hai. Kya main puri zindagi ek ese gunah ke ilzam ke tale guzar dungi jo mene kabhi kara hi nhi?" for the first time Athar took more than a minute to answer her question but he had an answer. 

(But Athar, Allah testified to the innocence of Hazrat Yusuf (AS) in Surah Yusuf and the purity of Amma Ayesha (RA) in Surah Noor… There is no one to testify for me. Will I spend my entire life accused of a sin I never committed?)

"Waqt lagta hai, sachhai kabhi nhi chupti, Meri Jaan," Madiha looked at him in disbelief, not because of the answer but because of the byname used by her husband. For many years he wanted to call her with such sweet names but he wasn't flirty at all. Madiha's heart skipped a beat, only she knew how badly she wanted to savour this form of love and her husband fulfilled her lost desire within a few hours of getting married. A fresh pain of tears rolled down from her eyes, this time it was the result of the little happiness she got just now, but Athar didn't know the real reason. 

(Truth takes time to unveil itself. Have some patience, Sweetheart.)

"Ab roone ki zarurat nhi hai, Ammi kuch kahe to tolerate kar lena, lekin unke alawa koi bhi kuch kahe to bina hesitation ke jawab de do... Jab tak kamzoor rahogi tab tak log waar krenge. Be strong, my lioness." She giggled at this new name and Athar also smiled seeing her smiling. 

(No need to cry! If Ammi says something, tolerate it, but if anyone else says anything, answer back without hesitation... As long as you remain weak, people will attack. Be strong my lioness

Opening his arms he looked at his wife who felt hesitant for a few moments but shifting towards him she placed her head on his chest and wrapped her arms around him. "I love you Athar."

"I already know." she looked up at this reply. Their eyes met, their hearts beated faster and he was the first to move a little closer. Madiha closed her eyes while feeling his next move but before anything could happen Athar's mobile phone started ringing. Shifting away with a jolt both of them looked towards the morning alarm. 

"Ammi ne bola tha subah tumhe jaldi utha du, bulaya hai unhone tumhe. Tayyar ho ke bahar chali jao." Madiha nodded and stepped out from the bed but Athar threw himself on the bed, placing a pillow on his face he cursed himself to set this alarm.

(Amma had told me to wake you up early in the morning, she has called you. Get ready and go out.)

<><><><>

"Rosie,"

"Hmm?" She turned towards her mother who was placing the jewellery boxes in the locker. 

"Nashte ki tayyari kar lo beta." said the lady with politeness but her daughter wasn't in a good mood.

(Do preparations for breakfast.)

"Ammi, is se achha to main apni sasural mein hi reh lu, mayke mein reh kar bhi mujhe ek din sukun nhi milta. Pehle wo ek hi thi jinke nakhre dekhne padte the ab ye nyi aa gyi hain, aur aapke dono bete to hain hi joru ke gulaam... Dono me se ek bhi apni biwi se koi kaam nhi karayega, main yaha hu na ek free ki nokrani." Rosie huffed with frustration while throwing the blanket away and sat on the bed before she could continue her speech a knock on the door grabbed her attention. Madiha already listened to everything, so it wasn't difficult for her to understand who Rosie was addressing, still without showing any reaction she walked into the room and passed a smile towards her then looked towards the old lady present in the room. 

(Amma, it would be better if I stayed in my in-laws' house, even after living in my parents' house I don't get peace for a day. Earlier she was the only one whose tantrums had to be seen, now this new one has come. And both of your sons are tied with their wife's aprons… neither of them will make their wife do any work, I am not a free maid here.)

"Assalamualaikum Ammi."

"Walaikum As Salam, betho." without looking at Madiha the lady gestured towards the chair present near the bed and Madiha sat down silently. 

(Sit.)

"Main is rishte ke haq me nhi thi, tumhe pta hi hoga tum Athar ki zidd ho..." Madiha didn't lift her gaze, she was seeing the dotted marble floor without expressions but deep down she was hurt. "Main kya diwaro se baat kar rhi hu? Kam se kam meri taraf to dekho jab main tumse baat kar rhi hu." Madiha suddenly looked up at that scolding

(I was not in favour of this relationship, you must know that your presence in this home is the result of Athar's stubbornness.)

(Am I talking to the walls? At least look at me when I'm talking to you.)

"Sorry Ammi," she muttered and the old lady sat down on the edge of the bed, just opposite to Madiha. "Jo bhi hua, ab tum is ghar ki bahu ban chuki ho, mujhe kisi tarha ki shikayat na mile tumhari... Jo hua use bhul jao aur ek nayi zindagi shuru karo," Madiha blinked blankly, the tone of this lady was still cold but there was no hatred at all.

(Whatever happened, now you have become the daughter-in-law of this house, I don't want anything odd regarding you... forget what happened in the past, move on and start a new life.)

"Kuch samajh aa rha hai main kya bol rhi hu?" another scolding and Madiha nodded like a curious child who got to know something new. 

("Do you understand what I am saying?"

"Ji Ammi." Madiha nodded one more time and the old lady waited for a few moments. "Athar kya kar rha hai?"

(what Athar is doing?)

"Wo soo rhe hain."

(He is sleeping.)

"Tum bhi apne kamre me chali jao, jab nashta lag jayega main bula lungi." Madiha looked at the sleepy Rosie who was looking grumpy to hear this order. 

(You also go to your room, I will call you when breakfast is served.)

"Ammi nashte me kya banega? Aap mujhe bata dijiye main bana lungi."

(Amma, what will you have for breakfast? You tell me and I will make it.)

"Kal hi to shadi huyi hai tumhari, abhi kuchh din to ye kaam kaaj rehne do,"

(You got married just yesterday, no need to do this work for a few days.)

"Koi baat nhi Ammi, mera hi ghar hai, main sara kaam kar lungi, bas aap bta dijiye ki aap sab kya pasand karte hain."

(No problem ammi, now it's my house, I will do all the work, just tell me what you all like.)

"Oats with Milk and 2 soft-boiled eggs for Arif bhai, And everyone else eats anything... Either toast or paratha or just tea and rusk... But Athar bhai just loves Aalo ke parathe." Rosie was fast to tell the menu because she didn't want to do any work right now.

"Aalo ke parathe bana lu?" Asked Madiha to her mother in law who nodded. 

(Should I make Aloo ke Parathe?)

"bana lo, ghee kam lagana, hum log zyada spicy aur oily khana nhi khate." Madiha nodded at this instruction from her mother-in-law and walked away from the room. Rosie looked at her mother and then towards the door to make sure that Madiha was gone.

(Make it, use less ghee, we don't eat very spicy and oily food.)

"Kya hua Ammi, bahu zyada achhi lag gyi? Bhul gyi kal aunty ne kya bataya tha?" Rosie asked with another level of anger and frustration.

(What happened, Ammi? Have you started liking your daughter-in-law so soon? Have you forgotten what aunty told you yesterday?)

"Main kuch nhi bhuli lekin kal ise roota hua dekh ke us ilzaam par yaqeen nhi ho rha... Mera dil nhi maanta ki ye badkirdaar ho sakti hai."

(I haven't forgotten anything, but after seeing her crying yesterday, I can't believe that allegation... My heart doesn't believe that she could be the owner of a loose character.)

"To talaq kyu di unke Pehle miya ne? Koi to wajah hogi na! Aap har baat ko nazarandaaz to nhi kr sakti." An angry Rosie asked and her mother jerked her head.

(So what was the reason behind her divorce? There must be some reason, right? You can't ignore everything.)

"Rosie, har ek ki bato par aese aakhe band kar ke bharosa na kar liya kro. Ek pal ke liye to mene bhi yaqeen kar liya tha lekin jab usne Quran utha ke apni begunahi ki qasam khai hai to ab us pr yaqeen karna hamara farz hai... Agar usne jhut bola to Allah use saza dega lekin tum us pr shak na kro. Aur rahi baat talaq dene ki to Mard ke paas biwi ke liye is se bada koi hathiyar hota hai? Tumhare baap ne bhi mujhe puri zindgi yahi dhamki di thi... Unki mout ke sath hi sukun mila hai hum sab ko bhi."

(Rosie, don't trust everyone blindly. For a moment I also trusted in that allegation but when she swore for her innocence, now it is our duty to believe in her... If she lies, Allah will punish her but do not doubt her. And if it comes to divorce, do men have any bigger weapon than this for their wives? Your father had also given me the same threat throughout my life... With his death, we all have found peace.)

"Wah Ammi, Kya Baat hai... Aapka beta to tha hi joru ka gulam aap bhi bahu ki chamchi ban gyi?"

(Wow Ammi, great. Your son was already tied to his wife's apron now you're also becoming her supporter.)

"Main kisi ki chamchi nhi ban rhi, mujhe apne ghar mein sukun chahiye. Athar ne shadi kar hi li hai to ab shikwa karke bhi kya ho jayega? Behtar hai agar wo khush rahe, Arif ki shadi to mene apni marzi se kari thi uski biwi ne mujhe konsi izzat dedi ya meri khidmat kar li? Khush hain wo dono apni zindagi mein mere liye kafi hai, behtar hoga Athar bhi khush rahe, bohot taklefe uthayi hain usne is ghar ke liye." said the lady with another level of pain in her voice. She didn't want anything else but the happiness of her three children.

(I am not anyone's supporter, I just want peace in my home. Athar is already married now, so my disapproval won't make any difference. Isn't it better if he stays happy in his life? Arif is married to the girl selected by me, what his wife has done for me till date? Nothing. But they are happy in their lives that's enough for me. It would be better if Athar is also happy, he has already suffered a lot for this family.)

"Ammi aapko aapke bete hi dikhte hain, main kabhi nhi dikhti, meri taklefe, mere dukh? Aap sirf Arif aur Athar ki tasbih padti rha kariye." Rosie said with disappointment in her voice. She was grumpy for the last few days and becoming more and more anguish with each passing day. Her mother knew the reason behind this. Shifting near her daughter she slowly pulled her in a hug and kissed her head.

( Ammi, you only think about your sons, you never think about me, my problems, my sorrows. You just keep chanting Arif and Athar.)

"Ab kya keh diya usne?" as soon as Rosie listened to this her eyes filled with tears and she hugged her mother before starting to cry like a kid.

(What did he say this time?)

"Mana kar diya... Keh rhe hain jaa kar ghar sambhalo phir sochunga." Rosie cried and her mother also felt wetness in her eyes but she cleared those tears, she couldn't show herself weak in front of Rosie who was already broken.

(he Refused... He's asking me to go and take care of the home then he will think about it.)

"Chali jao beta... Ye bhi kar ke dekh lo." She stroked the head of her daughter who broke the hug and cried helplessly. 

(Then go,dear... try this also.)

"Ammi, wo tab bhi koi bahana bna denge, meri qismat mein hi gulami likhi huyi hai, yaha bhaio ki gulami karu waha sasural walo ki." Placing her head in her mothers lap she didn't know for how long she had cried out all the pain she was gathering for the last few weeks.

(Ammi, he will still make some new excuses, is slavery written in my destiny? Here I serve my brothers and there I will serve my in-laws.)

<><><><>

Rosie came into the kitchen with a pair of swollen eyes. She saw the clean kitchen and grimaced with a thought that not a single work was done yet. "Aalo ke parathe banane ko bola tha aapne... Kya hua uska? Aapne to aalo boil krne ke liye bhi nhi rakhe abhi tak."

(You were supposed to make potato parathas... what happened to it? You haven't even boiled potatoes yet.)

Madiha glanced at her and then towards the tea which was about to boil. "Sab kuch ho gya lekin mujhe oats nhi mile... Kaha rakhe huye hain?"

(Everything is done but I didn't get the oats... where are they kept?)

"Aapne parathe bana liye?" Rosie was surprised.

(Have you made the parathas?)

"Hmm... I kept them in that casserole." Madiha pointed towards a box present on the kitchen counter.

"Aapse sab kuch kar liya... Itni jaldi?"

(I did everything...so quickly!)

"Hmm... Adat hai mujhe. Roz ka kaam hai." she passed a little smile and Rosie looked at the kitchen, this newlywed was done with everything, only transferring tea to the kettle was left.

(Hmm... I'm used to it. it's a daily job.)

"Aap jaa ke bahar Ammi ke sath baith jaiye, chai main le aungi."

(You go and sit with Ammi, I will bring tea.)

"Main le jaungi, koi masla nhi hai." Madiha did not want to be a burden on Rosie after what she overheard but Rosie wasn't that grumpy anymore. She flowed her pain and frustration with tears so she was feeling a bit better now, still sad from inside.

(I'll take it, no problem.)

"Sab kuch to kar liya hai aapne, jaiye, Athar bhai ko jaga diya hai mene, unke sath baith ke nashta kariye." Madiha took a step back and went to the dining Area. Her mother-in-law was sitting, resting her back on the wall, her eyes were closed and her fingers were pushing the beads of tasbih (prayer beads), without disturbing her she sat down beside her. Listening to the chime of bangles she opened her eyes and looked at Madiha. 

(You have done everything, go, I have woken up Athar Bhai, sit with him and have breakfast.)

"Ammi."

"Hmm..."

"Koi masla hai kya? Waha rosie Pareshan lag rhi hai yaha aap."

(Is there any issue? Rosie looks worried so you are.)

"Masle to chalte hi rehte hain, tum abhi nayi ho is ghar mein, waqt ke sath sath sab samajh jaogi." Madiha nodded meanwhile Athar came out of the room, he smiled to see Madiha sitting beside his mother. "Ammi, meri pyari Ammi..." Wrapping his arm around his mother's shoulders he sat between his wife and mother. Last night he asked his mother to give a chance to Madiha and she accepted his request, what else does he want from his mother? Nothing! Absolutely Nothing. 

(Issues are the part of life, you are still new in this house, you will understand everything with time.)

"Madiha, Ammi ko kabhi shikayat ka moqa na dena."

(Madiha, never give Ammi a chance to complain.)

"Kabhi nhi." Madiha shook her head and the old lady sighed. She wasn't so happy with Madiha but satisfied to see her son happy.

(Never.)

Arif along with his wife and daughter came for breakfast and Rosie served it for everyone while Athar did his regular task. Picking Ayan up he made him sat down on her thigh before kissing his cheek. 

"He is my favourite bachcha (child)." He told his wife who passed a sweet smile towards this little boy. "And I'm missing my favourite bachcha (kid)." Madiha said with the same smile as she was missing Zayan like anything. Athar happily grabbed his favourite item and took the very first morsel to his mouth.

"Yumm... Rosie, Maza aa gya yaar, Kya shandar parathe banaye hain aaj." Athar had a bite then looked at his sister but in reply Rosie just rolled her eyes as she thought that Athar was teasing her because she never made good paratha(s).

(Yumm... Rosie, what wonderful parathas you have made today.)

Seeing this reaction of his brother the fitness freak of the family left his healthy meal and grabbed a paratha from his wife's plate and he was also surprised to taste something different. 

"Unki chamchi hai na unhi ki favourite cheze banayi hai... Mere liye to kabhi kuch special nhi banati." Said Arif while stuffing his mouth with another big morsel and this time Rosie grimaced.

(he's your favourite that's why you made his favourite thing, but you never make anything special for me.)

"Unhe jo pasand hai unki biwi ne wo bana diya, tumhe jo pasand hai apni biwi se banwa lo."

(His wife made what he likes. Ask your wife to make whatever you like.)

"Madiha... Have you made this? " Asked Athar with amazement and she slowly nodded while suppressing her smile. On the very first day in this home everyone like Madiha's cooking but Arif was cooking something else in his mind. Grabbing the steel plate which was present in front of his wife he threw that away resulting the breakfast present on the plate fell on the floor creating a mess and loud thud. For a moment everyone was stunned due to sudden thud but then looked towards the person behind this action.

"Pehle kyu nhi bataya is ghatiya aurat ne banaya hai ye..." Arif yelled while standing up.

(Why didn't you tell me earlier that this nasty woman had made this?)

"Arif apni zaban sambhal ke baat kar." Athar wasn't a step away in yelling.

(Arif watch your words before talking.)

"Is jesi ghatiya aurat ki to main shakal bhi na dekhu... Baat karna to dur ki baat hai." Arif walked into his room while shouting followed by his wife and Athar looked at his mother.

(I wouldn't even like to see the face of this filthy woman... talking to her, my foot.)

"Ammi main iska muh tood dunga agar isne apni bakwaas band na kri." Athar grit his teeth and his mother gave a blank look. She did not know what to do. The moment was a complete silence until a voice of sniffling echoed. 

(Ammi, I'll punch him in the face if he doesn't stop talking nonsense.)

Madiha stood up while wiping the fresh tear which was about to roll down from her eye and walked into her room with long steps. Arif's words remind her Danish... He also used to call her Ghatiya Aurat (filthy woman). Was he correct? I'd not then why others were using the same words to describe her?

Leaving the breakfast Athar walked after his wife and his mother also left the morsel of her hand before walking to Arif's room. Rosie was sitting like a dummy until her son came and hugged her. He was scared to those loud voices. "don't cry, you're my strong boy." She whispered while embracing Ayan. She took almost fifteen minutes to normalise her son who was still hugging her.

"Ammi..." Athar's voice echoed in the home and His mother came of to the hall. "Madiha yaha nhi rahegi, har rooz rulane ke liye nhi laya main ise." Saying that Athar walked away holding his wife's hand. Rosie looked at two of them leaving home with a big suitcase which came in this home last night only then at the mess present on the floor. No one was there to clean this clutter other than this young lady. Hugging her son back she kissed her son's head and clothed her eyes but there was no way to escape the reality, this was the reality of her life. Pretty similar to Madiha's past when she was seen by people like a queen of her home but in reality she was worse than a servant.

(Madiha will not stay here, I did not bring her here to make her cry every day.)

<><><><>