Without any alarm, she woke up just fifteen minutes before dawn, it was chill, she turned her side lazily and her slumber was gone. Daniyal was sleeping peacefully with the same book resting on his chest. "why Deni?" she muttered and anger captured her senses. Picking up the book from his chest she throws it on the floor before throwing the blanket away from herself and rushing to the bathroom. After ablutions, she quickly performed tahajjud and lift the cup of her hands to make dua in front of almightly. Her gaze fell on her husband who was still sleeping peacefully.

"Why Allah paak? Why he doesn't love me?" she muttered and wiped the wetness of her eyes with the corner of the dupatta. This time her hands were lifted but her lips or heart were unable to ask anything. After more two minutes she listened to the melodious voice of fajr azaan (morning prayer call). Leaving all her thought aside she stood up in front of the Almighty and perform this tiny yet important prayer.

Today, after completing namaz, she didn't bother to wake her husband up and walked to the kitchen without making any noise.

Making tea for all was her daily routine but today she made only three cups of tea. Pouring tea into the cups she went to the room of her mother-in-law and lightly knock on the door, "Ammi Baba" without waiting for the reply she pushed open the door and found the old couple on the prayer mat, as same as every day.

Mr Kazmi was the first to complete reciting the Quran and stood up to put the holy book in its respective place.

"Baba, aapki chai." Holding the cup and saucer she stood up just a step away from him and the old lips surrounded by a small number of wrinkles stretched in a smile.

(Your tea)

"Allah aapko shaad-o-abaad rakhe," placing his hand on her head Mr Kazmi showed his fatherly love for what Shifa was craving forever. "Aameen" She smiled and turned toward her mother-in-law who was placing the prayer mats in the cupboard after folding them.

(May Allah grant you happiness and prosperity.)

"Daniyal kaha hain?" Asked Mrs Kazmi and Shifa think for a moment but didn't want to add one more lie in her list so shrugged, "Wo so rhe hain, maine abhi uthaya nhi."

(Where is Daniyal?)

(He's sleeping, I haven't wake him up yet.)

Mrs Kazmi nodded while taking the cup of tea from Shifa's hand and thinking something for a moment. "Kya soch rhi hain begam saheba?" Mr Kazmi's voice from behind forced her to turn behind.

(what are you thinking dear wife?)

"De dijiye, itna na sochiye." Without even listening to his wife's response he answered to make Shifa confuse. What they were talking about?

(Don't give a second thought to your decision, just give her that.)

"Kazmi sahab aapko kese pta chala main isi baare me soch rahi thi?" Asked Mrs Kazmi with amazement.

(Mr Kazmi how do you know I was thinking about that only?)

"Aapke dil-o-dimag mein kya chal raha hai main sab samajhta hu." Said Mr Kazmi proudly but Mrs Kazmi rolled her eyes while placing the cup of tea on the nightstand

(I know how to read your mind)

"Bohot taweel arsa liya hai aapne is muqaam tak pohochne mein, pehle to aap mere alfaaz bhi nhi samajhte the aur ab mere dil-o-dimag mein kya chal raha hai ye bhi samajh jaate hain.''

(You have taken a long way to come up. Otherwise, you weren't even know how to understand my words and now you know how to read my mind.)

"Aapki Shikayaton ka pitara khule is se pehle main chala jata hu, zara Daniyall ko namaz ke liye utha du." And Mr Kazmi preferred to rush out of the room.

(Before you start to list your complaints I should leave. Let me wake up Daniyal for prayer)

"Baba pehle itne understanding aur caring nhi the?" Asked Shifa in disbelief and Mrs Kazmi smiled at the question.

(Wasn't Baba so understanding and caring before?)

"Wo hamesha se bohot achhe hain, bilkul wese hi jese Daniyal aapka dhyan rakhte hain, ya shayad Daniyal se bhi zyada achhe, lekin biwi hone ke naate ye mera farz hai ki main waqtan fawaqtan unhe thode taane deti rahu."

(He's so good since ever. He cared for me just like Daniyal does for you, or maybe even more. But being a wife I must taunt him occasionally.)

"Ammi..." Shifa widen her eyes and couldn't help but laughed lightly, she was amazed at how her mother-in-law teased her husband.

"Kya Ammi? Aap Daniyal ko taane nhi deti?" Asked Mrs Kazmi and Shifa saw her with wide eyes, but then slowly move her head from left to right which indicates that this poor girl never try her hand in this field.

(what? Don't you pass sarcastic comments on Daniyal?)

"Aap agar Daniyal se naraz ho jaati hain to kya karti hain?" Asked Mrs Kazmi while drawing out something from her cupboard and opening the box. Shifa think for a moment and shrugged with a sad smile.

(what do you do if you get angry with Daniyal?)

"Main kisi se bhi naraz ho jau bas us se baat karna band kar deti hu."

(I just stop talking to that person with whom I'm offended.)

"Ye to achhi baat hai lekin ek baat mad-e-nazar rakhiyega, kabhi kabhi khamoshi halaat ko pur'aman banane ke liye zaruri hoti hai lekin kabhi kabhi khamoshi raabte bhi tood deti hai. Har jagah ek jesa rawayya nhi rakha jata, zarurat ke mutabiq Hikmat-e-amli se kaam liya jata hai."

(Hmm... That's good but keep in your mind that sometimes silence is necessary to bring peace but sometimes silence destroys the connection between the two. Solutions should differ according to needs.)

"Ammi...."

"hmm?"

"Hikmat-e-Amli?" She asked in a whisper and Mrs Kazmi looked at her innocent style of questioning with a smile.

"Hikmat-e-Amli means a plan for attaining a particular goal. Daniyal ke sath reh kar abhi tak urdu nhi aayi aapko?" asked Mrs Kazmi but Shifa's smile was lost somewhere.

(Haven't you learned Urdu even after living with Daniyal?)

Deni is living with me but his love is reserved for her, I'm not even important to him.

She wanted to share but stay silent, suddenly her gaze fall on the box Mrs Kazmi was holding in her hands, it was showing a beautiful article made up of gold and precious gemstones.

"How's this?" Mrs Kazmi asked. Shifa admires the beauty of that and then nods her head. "So beautiful Ammi. Is it yours?" Shifa inquired but very next moment she palm her face and closed her eyes due to the stupidity of her question and answer herself, "How stupid am I! Ye aapke paas hai to aapka hi hoga na." She muttered but the old woman shook her head.

(If you have it, it will be yours, isn't it?)

"Ye aapka hai."

(it's yours)

"what?" Shifa was confused but she nodded.

"Ye haar mujhe Kazmi sahab ki ammi ne diya tha kyuki mene unka dil jeet liya tha aur ab ye aapka hai kyuki aapne hamara dil jeet liya." Mrs Kazmi held Shifa's hand and placed the box on her palm.

(This necklace was given to me by Kazmi Saha]b's mother because I had won her heart and now it is yours because you have won our heart.)

Sab ka dil jeet liya lekin jis se sab se gehra rishta hai usi ke dil mein jagah nhi bana paayi. Shifa thought and keep watching the beauty of that necklace for two moments and then slowly shook her head and pass the box back to her mother-in-law.

(I won everyone's heart but could not make a place in the heart of the one with whom I have the deepest relationship.)

"Ammi ye aap hi rakh lijiye, mujhe nhi chahiye."

(Ammi, you keep this, I do not want it.)

"why?" Mrs kazmi was amazed. How could someone refuse to take such a precious jewel? But she was not an ordinary girl who love gold and diamonds, she was Shifa... The girl who never dreamed about expensive and luxurious things but only true relationships.

"Ammi ye bohot qeemti hai, aur..." Shifa pressed her lips together and tried hard to control her tears which were ready to wet her eyes. "Aur mujhse qeemti cheeze sambhali nhi jaati. Main hamesha qeemti cheezo ko khoo deti hu."

(Ammi it's precious and I ...)

(And I can't handle precious things. I always lose them.)

What could be more precious than Daniyal's love? When she felt he started loving her suddenly the fragile glass of her happiness was broken by the stone of reality thrown by the photo of Adeena... When things started getting on the place she lost something precious.

"Ayat al kursi parh ke is pr phuk dijiyega, phir nhi khoyega." Shifa did not understand the meaning of the word told by her mother-in-law, she blinked in disbelief.

(Blow on this after reciting ayat al kursi, it won't go anywhere.)

"Really?''

"Of course." Mrs Kazmi's smile assured Shifa and she nodded happily. "okay Ammi." Shifa grinned but gave the jewellery box back. "Lekin shadi mein mujhe itni sari gold jewellery mili hai ki ab mujhe aur nhi chahiye. Aapki duaye hain na bas wo hi kaafi hain mere liye." Mrs. Kazmi was amazed to listen to this reply. How could a girl be so simple?

(Ammi, I already have the gold jewellery that I get on my wedding so I don't need more, your blessings are more precious than these things.)

In the time being Daniyal and Mr Kazmi entered the room and Shifa left after throwing a glare at her husband. "Daniyal ek baat to maan'ni padegi, aapki biwi ko dil jeetna aata hai." Mrs Kazmi smiled looking at the jewellery box present in her hands.

(Daniyal I have to admit, your wife knows how to win hearts)

"Dil jeetne ka to pta nhi lekin gussa dikhana aur bewaqufi ka muzahera karna bohot achhi tarha aata hai." Daniyal rolled his eyes as he noticed the book lying on the floor, it was clear that Shifa threw that otherwise, it doesn't have feet to move to the farthest corner of room.

(I'm not sure about winning hearts but she's definitely good at showing anger and stupidity.)

"Puri zindagi dekhna padega ye gussa. Ab jao yaha se aur darwaza band kar dena." Mr Kazmi voiced his experience while going to bed and instructed the last part while removing his specs and laying down to sleep. Daniyal blinked; amazed! How easily his father told him to leave?! Well, it was their daily routine, Kazmis pray Tahajjud, followed by fajr and then they sleep but not before having a mandatory cup of tea.

(You will have to see this anger throughout your life. Now get out of here and shut the door.)

"Jaa raha hu, agar Abhi aapki laadli bahu yaha meri jagah khadi hoti to aapka kuch alag hi rawayya hota." rolling his eyes Daniyal left.

(Yeah, going, if your dear daughter-in-law was standing here in my place, then your attitude would have been different.)

Was he jealous of Shifa?

Yes, he was! And why wouldn't he? Since ever he was the only point of attraction for his parents, but now his wife was slowly taking his place and becoming the favorite of his parents.

Daniyal stepped into the room, Shifa was trying to sleep but couldn't, she closed her eyes and turned her side as soon as witnessed him in the room.

"College jane se pehle mujhe utha dena main drop kar dunga." closing his eyes he whispered but shifa ignored.

(Wake me up when you go to college, and I'll drop you)

"Are you even listening?"

"Hmm..."

"Ignorance ki bhi koi hadd hoti hai Shifa, kam se kam jawab to de do." Said Daniyal with disappointment and anger, this time Shifa huffed and sat on the bed with a jolt, her eyes were reflecting anger and disappointment as same as her husband.

(Enough of ignorance Shifa, at least answer.)

"David sir ne aapko bataya tha na meri chhutti thi lekin aapne mujhe nhi bataya. Maine kal raat properly dinner nhi kara lekin aapne ye bhi notice nhi kra. Parso raat se aap mujhe aese treat kr rhe hain jese main aapke room me rakha hua koi furniture hu, side mein rakha hua hai rakha rehne do! Main aapko ignore nhi kr, rhi Deni, aap mujhe ignore kar rahe hain, wo bhi bina meri kisi galti ke." Her anger and disappointment turned into grief which forced her eyes to drop two tears which were enough to put the fire of his anger down.

(David sir had told you that it was my off but you did not tell me. I didn't have proper dinner last night but you didn't even notice. Since last night, you are treating me as if I am a piece of furniture in your room, keep it aside and forget! I am not ignoring you, you are ignoring me, Deni, even though there's no fault of mine.)

His heart clenched after seeing tears in her eyes. Holding her arm he softly pulled her but she pushed his hand away. Wiping away the tears with her palms she sniffed like a kid "Shifa, us photo ki wajah se itna gussa?" Asked Daniyal in a hushed tone but in reply, he got a glare from her. A glare with tear-filled eyes.

(So enraged just because of that photo?)

"Ye to main bhi keh sakti hu Deni, itna ignorance wo bhi sirf ek photo ki wajah se?" copying his words she asked in a taunting way. He was amazed to see this side of Shifa. Shifting near her he cupped her face with both hands but she didn't make eye contact, she wanted to push his hands away but before she could do so her tear drops rolled down from her eyes and fall on the back of his hands.

(I also can say that Deni, So ignorant just because of a photo?)

"Shifaaa." he sighed under his breath while turning her face towards him and wiping those tiny tears.

"Wo sirf ek photo nhi tha, yaado, waado aur jazbaato ka ek tufaan tha jo mujhe apne sath le gya tha kuch deyr ke liye, lekin maine aapko ignore nhi kra. Maine aapko inform nhi kra tha kyuki main aapko pick karne aane wala tha lekin main soo gya." There was something in his eyes that Shifa forgot her anger and her anger flew away with the very next tear.

(It was not just a photo, it was a storm of emotions, feelings and memories that took me away for a while, but I didn't want to ignore you. I didn't inform you because I was about to come to pick you up but I fell asleep.)

"Kitna rooti ho aap" he sighed and his wife glared at him while sniffing. "Aap hi to rula rahe hain, Deni. Aapko achha lagta hai kya mujhe rulana?" she showed her disappointment while looking away but Daniyal smiled and turned her face toward him with his first finger.

(You cry too much)

(who is the reason? You. Do you like to make me cry?)

"Nhi, mujhe roti huyi Shifa bilkul achhi nhi lagti."

(No, I don't like crying Shifa.

"Achhi to aapko hasti huyi Shifa bhi nhi lagti." Pushing his hand away from her face she laid down. Her back was facing him and her eyes were still dropping tears. Daniyal smiled and pulled her cheek.

(You don't even like smiling Shifa.)

"Ye kisne kaha?"

(who told you?)

"Aapki khamoshi ne." Shifa showed her anger but Daniyal pulled her to turn her side, now she was laying on her back trying to glare at her husband who was laying on his stomach, his one hand was resting under his head and other was cupping his wife's cheek.

(Your silence)

"Daniyal Kazmi ka har rumaal mohtarma ke aasuo par qurban. Hasti huye to aap achhi lagti ho." Daniyal muttered under his breath and Shifa's heart gave up. She was the same Shifa who was angry with him but his small gesture of love made her forget everything and left a smile on her face.

(Every handkerchief of Daniyal Kazmi is sacrificed on the tears of this lady. You look good while smiling)

"Aap bohot bure hain Deni." She glared at him and he smiled.

(You're bad, Deni)

"I know," he sighed with satisfaction as if found something lost. Indeed he found the missing piece of his heart near his wife. Closing his eyes he took a deep breath to fill himself with a mild fragrance while his hand slowly caressed her cheek.

"Deni." shifting near him, Shifa whispered. Placing her hand on his head felt the texture of his hair. Her delicate fingers started rolling in his hair and he shut his eyes. There was something in that touch that relaxed him.

"Hmm?" without opening his eyes he hummed, his fingers were also playing with Shifa's hair but he did not know that he actually was playing with the strings of her heart.

"Ek wada karenge?"

(Will you give me words?)

"Hmm..." he caressed her cheek slowly with his thumb and shifted a bit closer to her.

"Wada kariye aap mujhe kabhi ignore nahi karenge." She demanded in a whisper and his hand stopped at her cheek, she didn't feel his thumb caressing her cheek anymore. "Deni."

(Promise that you won't ignore me ever)

"Wada." He whispered and Shifa closed her eyes without letting go of the smile present on her face. She was expecting something from Daniyal but he silently left the bed.

(promise.)

"Where are you going, Deni?"

"You take some rest." he smiles and picked the book from the floor. Shifa's heart skipped a beat, she was missing that Deni who was showing his love through silent gestures, but this man was not the same.

"Why can't he love me?" she muttered when saw him going to the dressing room with that particular book in his hand. She waited for her him to come back for the next fifteen minutes but he did not come... In the end, she did not realise when slumber gulped her and she found herself in the land of nod. After some time the unpleasant sound of the alarm clock disturbed her slumber making her groan. But this unpleasant feeling left very soon when she found her husband sleeping next to her. His head was resting on her pillow and a hand was holding her hand with intertwined fingers. His hair was falling on his forehead making him more handsome. Without leaving his hand she turned her side and dismissed the alarm. Her sleepy eyes were still not believing that her Deni was so close to her, shifting his hair away from his forehead she smiled with sadness.

Even after this nearness, you're far away from me Deni.

With a light pull, she tried to get out of bed but maybe her husband was not in the mood to let her hand go, he curled their hands in deep slumber and Shifa sighed while throwing herself back on the pillow. "Deni, leave my hand." She whispered while pulling herself away but no benefit. She didn't want to disturb his deep slumber and deep down she also wanted to sleep some more. "What are you doing Deni? On one hand, you're not mine on the other hand you're pulling me even closer to yourself." muttering that she smiled sadly and looked at her hand which was in the grip of her husband, she wanted to relish his love but he was not hers...

What's the benefit of holding hands in slumber when you're not ready to hold it willingly? Questioning Deni in her heart she pulled her hand from his grip.

Trying to push away slumber she rubbed her eyes and entered in the dressing room, picking up the dress that she ironed yesterday she looked herself in the mirror, unknowingly her hand grabbed a lipstick present in front of her and in no time her little plump lips were pink coated. She was seeing the beautiful girl present in front of her but suddenly her eyes filled with tears. The one whom I want to see me with love doesn't hold a place for me in his heart. With this harsh thought she wiped the tiny tears present in her eyes and draw out two face wipes to clean that lipstick.

"I won't talk to You Deni, you're too bad." Rubbing her lips abruptly with that wet wipe she sniffles and wiped her fresh tears too. Pressing the foot pedal of the trash bin which was placed just beside the dressing table she threw the used tissue in it while taking another step forward but wait...

What was that?

What she just glanced at?

Her feet moved back and eyes refused to believe what she recognised in the bin, was that her misunderstanding or...?

Placing her clothes on the dressing table she kneeled on the floor before opening the lid of trash bin, it was half filled with tissues, papers, various wrappers but there was a few pieces of paper which could form a beautiful face if placed together in a systematic form.

"Deni..." she smiled and picked the bits of a photo from trash, "Really?" She was beyond shock. Taking long steps back to the room she looked everywhere and her small searched ended on the bed, the book was lying on the other side of Daniyal. With a madly beating heart she grabbed the book, though she knew that if the pic was lying in the bin it couldn't be present in the book but who can make this stupid heart believe? Sitting beside him she opens the book and check it... There was no photo present in between the pages.

"I love you so much, Deni." She whispered and laid down beside her husband. She was already battling with herself, one part of her wanted to sleep more and other part was motivating her to attend college. In the end, her willpower to sleep more won this little battle and she covered herself properly with the blanket. Daniyal was only a few inches away from her, she couldn't help but see him without blinking.

Shifting a bit closer she leaned near him and planted a small kiss. A smile spread on her lips and with tears blurred the handsome face present in front of her sight. Right now he was not seeing him as her husband but as a result of her prayers. She decided to take the bravest move ever by hugging him but before she could curl her arms around him Daniyal changed his side and Shifa huffed.

"Deni aap sach mein bohot bure Hain!" She said with no voice but full of fake anger.

(Deni you're too annoying.)

"Shukriya mohtarma." She listened the voice, not with her ears but with heart.... her heart knew what her husband would reply so here is the answer. Without letting go the smile from her lips she shut her eyes and rest her forehead with his back.

(Thanks a lot my lady)

He is my home...

My safe home.

My love

My everything....

<><><>

It was second day of college bunk, but who cares when she had sacrifice a few boring lectures for tasting this peaceful slumber in the strong arms of her husband. Daniyal didn't know when did he curled his arms around her but she knew, it was nothing new, in deep slumber Daniyal curls his arms around her waist almost every night but she use to remove it but tonight she felt so secure, for the first time she felt that Daniyal had taken first step towards her; now how could she step back? She was already waiting for her husband to take this step.

She opened her heavy eyes and lifted her head a bit to take a sight of her husband who was still sleeping, she smiled under her lips and slowly replaced her head with her lips and planted a kiss on his arm.

A light knock on the bedroom door remind her the reason behind waking up. "Daniyal, Shifa." Another call and this time she slowly slipped away from Daniyal's arm as she still didn't want him to know this closeness. "Shifaaaa... Daniyal."

"Ji Ammi, aa rhi hu." She tried to reply but her voice didn't come out, throwing the warm blanket away from herself she stepped on the cold marble floor, a chill feeling captured her frame but for now she had to focus on one present on the doorstep. "Yeah Ammi?" Opening the door she blinked her sleepy eyes, and tried to grabbed her dupatta to set it on her shoulders an involuntary act and her dupatta was... Where was that?

Turning her head she search that with her eyes and found it on the bed under her husband's arm. "Umm... Ammi..." She tried to explain things but she forgot that she didn't owe an explanation because of their relationship. Well, Mrs Kazmi wasn't even interested in anything other than "Aap dono abhi tak soo rhe hain? Ghar mein mehmaan aye hain, jaldi bahar aaiye?" Mrs Kazmi was angry, with whom? Shifa wasn't aware. 

(You both are still sleeping? There are some visitors in the home, come soon.)

Glancing at the clock Shifa gasped, it was already half past twelve, how could she sleep for so long? "Ammi I'm coming in just ten minutes,"

"Itna waqt nhi hai, bas do minute mein bahar aaiye, wo bhi acchi tarha tayyar ho ke," Said the lady in cold tone.

(There is not so much time, spring in just two minutes. Come After wearing something good)

"Okay Ammi," Shifa tried to reply but she just now her head, today Mrs Kazmi was in a bad mood, enough bad which was unexpected from a lady like her. Shifa turned to go to bathroom but first she woke Daniyal up and Mrs Kazmi left after throwing an angry look at her son who was still laying on his stomach. 

After a very quick shower she stepped out from the bathroom while taking long steps, she was wearing a Red with white Polka dots georgette kurti which was decorated with a narrow line of tiny pearls in the bottom, end of the sleeves as well as around the neck, and teamed up with white coloured pants and shifon dupatta.

"Deni, am I looking fine?" She asked without looking at him and entered into the dressing room, throwing the wet towel on the chair she slipped the gold earrings because those were first to come in front of her eyes otherwise she already had pearls studs for this dress. Making a fine line of Kohl in her eyes she tied her hair in a messy bun, internally pull a few hair stands on her face and picked up a lipstick

I'm not going to attend a gathering...

But Ammi told me to get ready in a nice way ...

Debating about everything she saw the lipstick present in her hand, meanwhile Daniyal came and stood behind her, seeing her with a smile he leaned on her shoulder. Shifa was stunned for a second, his hands grabbed her either shoulders and eyes peeped into here through mirror.

"Theek lag rahi hu?" She asked nervously and detect a smirk on his lips...

(Am I looking fine?)

"Japan ka jhanda lag rahi ho!" Whispering that he moved back and Shifa glared at him.

(Looking like the flag of Japan)

"Aap ne hi dilwaya tha ye Japan ka jhanda." She rolled her eyes and applied bright red shade of lipstick.

(Only you bought this Japan flag for me)

Daniyal smiled because she was looking very beautiful, "Aese kon aa gya jinke saamne Ammi apni bahu ko itna saja dhaja kar dikhana chahti hain?" He said in his happy form but Shifa was hurt.

(Who's this guest in front of whom Ammi wants to show her daughter-in-law in such a groomed way.)

"Hmm... Ammi ki bahu..." she turned towards him holding a sad smile and set her dupatta while taking steps towards the door,

(Hmm... daughter-in-law of Ammi...)

Daniyal one more time read her mind and sighed, before Shifa could step out from the room Daniyal peeped out to see who was that special guest and his breath was hitched.

"Shifa Shifa Shifa... Wait don't go in front of her like this?" He literally pulled Shifa by her arm and lock the door from inside. Shifa was shocked, her heart started beating abnormally because of this sudden pull.

"Deni..." She was unable to say anything other than that, Daniyal took a deep breath and looked Shifa from head to toe.

"Ye jo khatoon bahar aa kar bethi hui hai na wo baba ki Tai Amma (paternal aunty) hain, hum unhe Badi Amma kehte hain," Daniyal explained in small voice there was a different kind of fear in his eyes.

(The lady who's sitting outside is Baba's paternal aunty, we call her Badi Ammi.)

"So?" Shifa shrugged her shoulders, she was unable to understand what was scary about the lady?

"Ye sara makeup saaf kro, baalo ko bandh lo aur achhi mashriqi bahuo ki tarha sar dhak lo." Daniyal's instructions were clear but reason was uncertain.

(Clean all this makeup, tie your hair and cover your head with dupatta just like an obidient daughter-in-law)

"Ammi ne kaha tha achhe se tayyar hone ke liye,"

(Ammi told me to get ready in a good manner)

"Ammi aur apne mutabiq nhi Badi Amma k mutabiq achhi tarha tayyar ho jao mohtarma."

(Get ready in a good way but not according to you or Ammi but according to Badi Amma.)

Shifa followed her husband's order and did two easy works, cleaning makeup and doing hair but covering head? It's not that simple, she was a girl who usually wears jeans and kurta and on the name of dupatta she only wears it around the neck, or covers her head only at the time of namaz. She covered her head with chiffon dupatta which just slipped very next moment, and next attempt was also failed. "Deni..." She blinked looking here and there. "It's not easy." She muttered

"Shifa main ek ladki ko jaanta hu, wo asaan kaam to kabhi nhi karti aur mushkil kaamo se darti nhi," Shifa smiled and Daniyal pulled her cheek with same smile. She didn't feel bad, instead she open the cupboard, draw out a scarf from it and wrapped it around her head properly, pinned the dupatta on her shoulders and looked at Daniyal. Taking a small step he nodded with a big grin and unexpectedly cupped her face in between both hands.

(Shifa I know a girl who never do easy works but she doesn't run away from difficult works)

"You're looking beautiful, Masha Allah." Shifa blinked in disbelief. How it was even possible? Is he the same Daniyal who never praised her when she did the make up and all.

"Thank you." Without averting her eyes from her husband's eyes she tried to smile but couldn't, they both were losing themselves in each other's eyes. He took a small step towards her, Shifa's heart skipped a loud beat. Now his hot breath fell on her face, he was a bit closer to her... Was he going to kiss her? She felt so.

"Shifaaaa, Daniyaalll." It was a loud yet angry call from Mrs Kazmi, they took a sudden step back.

"Ammi ko kya ho gya hai Deni?" She muttered and Daniyal rolled his eyes.

(What happened to Ammi.)

"Well, be ready. Ye jo khatoon bahar aa kar bethi hain na ye aapko batayengi sasural kya cheez hoti hai, dua kariyega ye 2-3 din mein rawana ho jaye, warna ye zindagi itni mushkil bana dengi ke aap hi yaha se na chali jayein." Shifa's eyes again lost their shife and Daniyal read an unknown pain in them.

(The lady who's sitting outside will let you know the reality of in-law's home. Make dua that this lady take her leave within a few days, otherwise she'll make your life so difficult that you'll leave this home)

"Deni Aapko sach mein lagta hai zindagi ki mushkilo ki wajah se main aapko chhod jaungi? Itna bhi nhi samajh paye aap mujhe?"  And she left the room.

(Deni, do you really think that I'll leave you just because of hardships of life? Haven't you understand me this bit?)

As soon as she stepped in the hall her sight fell on a old lady sitting on sofa, She had a fairy white skin color on which her gray eyes surrounded by wrinkles and pink lips were looking highlighted. Shifa could bet that she must be one of the most beautiful lady of her time. Her head was covered with a big off white dupatta and a little line of white hair was shining near the edge of forehead. "Assalamualaikum," greeting in a soft voice Shifa sat down on the other sofa where Mrs Kazmi was already sitting.

"Waalaikum as Salam. Khatija tumne bahu ko koi tameez nhi sikhayi?"

(Khatija haven't you teach anything to you daughter-in-law,)

"Badi Amma galti ho gyi bachhi se, Shifa ye Badi Amma hain jaiye adab se salam kar ke sar par hath rakhwaiye." Shifa looked at her mother-in-law who gesture with her eyes what she wanted.

(Badi Amma she forgot, go Shifa , take blessings from Badi Amma)

"Kesi hain aap badi Amma?" Shifa bow a little in front of the lady and she placed her hand on Shifa's head. At the same time Daniyal arrived with a forced grin on his face

(How are you badi Amma?)

"Assalamualaikum Badi Amma." Bending one knee on the carpeted floor Daniyal sat down in front of her and the lady placed her hand on his head too.

"Khush raho," she muttered and Daniyal smiled while muttering "Aap rehne dengi tab na."

(Stay happy)

(Only if you let us live happily)

"Ye waqt hai uthne ka? Dopeher ho chuki hai lekin neend nahi khuli." It was a harsh scolding for Shifa and Daniyal they both preferred to stay silent. Daniyal was still sitting in the same position so following his way, Shifa also kneeled down on the floor.

(Is this time to wake up? It's already afternoon)

And the old looked at Shifa from head to toe, "Sirf khubsurat hone se kuch hasil nahi hota Bibi, khub seerat bhi Banna padta hai." Shifa was confused, was that a praising, advice or scolding?

(Only looking good is not enough, one should be good at heart too)

"Ji Badi Amma." Shifa nod her head and Daniyal noticed her nervousness. Meanwhile Badi Amma picked up the white potli bag which was clearly handmade. She started opening it with another level of attitude which Shifa was unable to understand, but Daniyal and Mrs Kazmi were well known of that.

"Khatija Tumhe Naseeb na hua ki meri Bahu ko mujhse milwane le aati... Arey phone par hi salam karwa deti." Mrs Kazmi preferred to listen without choosing to reply and now Badi Amma drew out a 2000 rupees note from her bag.

(Khatija, couldn't you bring my daughter-in-law to meet me. You could at least let her greet me on phone call.)

"Hamare zamane mein bahuye ghunghat mein rehti thi, lekin ab to... Khuda bachaye..." Glancing at Shifa with a bit angry sight Badi Amma mumbled then passed the note to Shifa, she felt hesitate but slowly hold that with a thought that it was her muh dikhayi (gift for first meeting) from Badi Amma, but soon she received another 2000 rupees note, which she also grabbed and another note but this time she felt strange, who gives so much money?

(In our time daughter-in-law used to veil but now... God forbidden)

"Deni?" She muttered and Daniyal shrugged "Shayad aap zyada pasand aa gyi." He whispered but Badi Amma didn't listen.... All thanks to old age which gives you a small amount of deafness too. Well, Badi Amma passed a few notes of 500 and Shifa silently collect them.

(It seems she likes you too much)

"Badi Amma... Kya kar rhi hain aap?" Mrs Kazmi muttered when the lady placed many more notes in Shifa's hand including 200, 100, 50 and even 10 rupees notes...

"Arey Bibi tumhe to tofeeq hui nhi ki bado ko salam hi karwa do lekin maine to Dulhan ko pehli baar dekha hai to muh dikhai dungi hi na..."

(You did not even called me but I'll give her some token of rememberence)

After scolding Mrs Kazmi Badi Amma placed the last 10 rupees note on Shifa's hand, and a smile crept to her old yet extremely beautiful face. Taking out something from her potli bag she blinked a few times and examine it, it was looking like an old paper folded many times messily. With her wrinkled filled and shivering hands she opens the paper which turned out as a 20 rupees old and dirty note.

Badi Amma looked at Shifa's hand, she replaced the bundle of notes with the old note and placed one rupee coin on it.

Shifa blinked in confusion while the old lady roughly pushed all the notes back in her potli bag. "Umm..," Shifa was unable to Understand anything, what was that? A few seconds ago she was thinking that she got such a big amount and suddenly it was converted into rupees 21, Shifa was pressing her lips together to control her smile and Daniyal was trying not to burst out in laugh but Badi Amma gave Shifa an angry look. "Dulhan bade kuch dete hain to salam karna chahiye kya itna bhi nhi pta? Kya khaak ghar grehasti aur rishte sanbhalengi ye ladkiyan?" Shifa was shocked, she looked at Daniyal who was also silent after hearing it.

(Dulhan when elders give you something you should convey them salam, don't you even know this? How these girls will handle their relationship and home when they can't even handle such a small thing)

"Assalamualaikum Badi Amma," Shifa muttered in a dead voice and bowed her head without meeting eyes with the old lady.

"Naam kya hai tumhare?" Asked the lady in such tone that seems like a scolding.

(What's your name?)

"Shifa."

"Nhi Bibi itne bhari bhari naam to mujhe yaad nhi rehte, tumhe to main Dulhan hi kahungi."  

(I can't remember such difficult names, I'll call you Dulhan only)

"Ji Badi Amma." Said Shifa and nod her head without any expressions.

"Shadi ko kitna arsa hua?" She asked glancing at Shifa while tying the bag.

(How long has it been since you get married?)

"5 mahine (months)," Shifa replied in a hushed tone and Badi Amma throw a glare at Mrs Kazmi who was sitting on the other sofa, she was still angry with Mrs Kazmi for not introducing her daughter-in-law for so long. The lady saw Shifa keenly then her brows furrowed

"Koi khushkhabri hai kya?" The question stunned Shifa as well as Daniyal. Shifa's eyes were fixed on the floor and Daniyal saw his wife who was looking pale. They look at each other but avert their eyes within a second.

(Is there any good news?)

"Nhi Badi Amma, aesi koi baat nhi hai." instead of the husband and wife Mrs Kazmi replied in a hushed tone but this reply didn't pleased the old lady.

(No Badi Amma, nothing like that)

"Allah aulad ki naymat se jaldi nawaze." The old lady muttered but there was something which broke Shifa from inside, unknowingly her eyes filled with tears but the strong girl gulped them back and her heart asked only one question... Will Deni give me the status of his wife or will I live in this name sake relationship?

(May God bless you with a child)

"Badi Amma ke liye chai bana do Shifa." Daniyal muttered in a dead voice and stood up from his place but she was lost in her thoughts, she didn't even heard what her husband said.

(Make tea for Badi Amma, Shifa)

"Ab yahi bethi rahogi kya? Itni deyr se aayi hui hu zara ek pyaali chai hi de do." The harsh voice pulled Shifa out from her trance and she nodded while standing up from her place.

(Will you sit here only? At least give me a cup of tea)

Shifa walked to the kitchen without looking at anyone but somehow Daniyal noticed Shine of tears in her eyes.

"Kya hua itni si mushkil ne rula diya?" Asked a manly voice from behind and Shifa wiped the tiny pearls with her first finger.

(What happened? Just this made you cry?)

"Shifa?" Grabbing her arm he turned her towards himself and she fixed her eyes on the floor. "Ji Deni?" Without lifting her eyes she tried to avoid him.

"I'm sorry for Badi Amma's behaviour." he muttered and lifted her head while cupping her face with both hands. Shifa was forcing herself to not seeing him but somehow she peeked in his eyes. There was something which clenched her heart and her beautiful eyes filled with tears.

She was still same Shifa who hate to show her tears and weaknesses in front of others but does she has control over her heart in front of Daniyal?

No... Of course no.

Tears rolled from her eyes to her cheeks and finally fell on his hands. "Wo 3-4 din mein wapas chali jayegi."

(She'll go back in 3-4 days)

"Deni..."

"Hmm?"

"Aap mere sath hi rahenge na?"

(Will you be with me, won't you?)

"Koi shak?" He whispered but Shifa shook her head but for the first time she was unable to trust her husband and his statement. For the first time she had a fear that he could forget all his promises if that face come across him.

(Any doubts?)

"Aapko ek baat batau?" He asked in a whisper and she nodded. She was holding new tears in her eyes and he was holding a smile.

(May I tell you something?)

"Aap ahmaq ho."

(You're an idiot)

"Jaanti hu, koi bhi aqalmand ladki aapse shadi nhi karti, ehsaan maniye mera." Daniyal wanted to say something but he keep gazing her face, there was something in her eyes that made him emotionally weak. His thumbs slowly caressed her cheeks which not only wiped away her tears but clean many doubts from her heart too.

(I know. No intelligent girl would marry you, even you should be grateful to me)

"Jesa mohtarma ka hukm." He whispered and against his expectations she rest her forehead on his chest, Daniyal was trying to figure out what to do? It wasn't a hug، Shofa just rest her head on his chest there was still a distance between them , deep down she was waiting for him to wrap his arms around her but this man alway stay one step away from expectations.

(As my lady wishes)

"Dulhan... Chai banane mein kitna waqt lagta hai?" A loud call forced them to take a step back

(Dulhan, how long does it take to make a cup of tea?)

"Umm... Aap ye kar lo... Main... Zara dekh leta hu agar kisi cheez ki zarurat hai to." He whispered with hesitation and Shifa nodded without looking at him.

(Umm... You do this... I... I'm checking if she need anything else.)

As soon as Daniyal left Shifa smacked her forehead hard. "What the hell am I doing? Why I did that? What will he think of me? Why I forgot to control my feelings in front of him?

She was busy criticising herself when her sight fall on the pan which she placed on the gas stove to make tea but... "Ya Allah why I do these blunders?" She fake cried when noticed that she didn't turned on the flame and started doing what she was supposed to do but only one question was troubling her...

What will Daniyal think?

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