*Unedited *

I don't know if his love for me is true or not but I felt bad. I felt bad because I blamed the decision of Allah. How can I forget Allah plans everything only for good? How can I reject this marriage without giving it a chance? How can I be so heartless and selfish?

I took Quran and read Surah Yaseen. It brought me a slight relief. The tears continued to roll down from my eyes. I spread my hands before Allah and asked him for forgiveness. I asked him for the courage to lead my life. I asked him for happiness in this marriage.

I felt relieved after this. Something in my heart said I should say sorry to Rehan but my mind stopped me. Why does he love me? Yeah! I'm ready to give this marriage a chance but I cannot love him back.

I grabbed a towel and a decent dress and went to take the shower. I took a long time as usual. After finishing my chore, I stepped out. I stood before the mirror observing myself. It was a long maroon color dress that came down my knee. It was a traditional Indian outfit. I dried my hair using the blow dryer. That's when I noticed an empty table, the laptop, which was obviously of Rehan was missing from it. It means he came here.

Can't he wait a few minutes to hear my sorry? Idiot. Okay! I admit. I'm an idiot for doing such a mistake.

I applied a Kohl and a lip balm. Make-up is not necessary. It's all because of ammi. The only thing I heard in the last few weeks is "Be presentable before your in-laws!" "Don't wander in your T-shirt & PJs!" and most important "Wake up at the right time!". I can remember these things even when I forget my name.

I went to the living room and found no one. Where is everyone? First, where is my husband?

"Hey!" Someone tapped my shoulder.

"Hi!" It was Sidra. "Where is everyone?"

"Dad in his study, Mom in the kitchen, Dadi in her room, and as for bhai, I should ask you!"

"Um...last time I saw him was before going to the shower" I lied.

"Okay! Let us grab some breakfast." She dragged me to the kitchen.

There was a big dining table in which the breakfast was laid. I found Rehan formally dressed in his black coat. He was having his breakfast and at the same time typing something on the laptop.

"Assalamualaikum bhai!" Sidra yelled. What's with her and yelling?

"Walaikumassalam!" He replied without looking at us.

"Seems like he is in the bad mood" She whispered before disappearing into the kitchen.

"Um..." I started unsure of what to say.

He looked at me, closed his laptop, and went past me. "Mom, I'm going," He said at top of his voice.

Is he avoiding me?

I went to the kitchen. It was really big and neatly designed. Mom was ordering a few cooks whilst Sidra was looking for something in the fridge.

"Assalamualaikum!" I said.

"Walaikumassalam!" Mom replied.

"Mom doesn't bhai has any sense? How can he go to the office this soon after his marriage? Why didn't you stop him?" Sidra asked.

"He said he had to finalize some sort of deal and yes, I stopped him but your brother is adamant"

"Aimen, will you give this breakfast to your Dadi? She is not well and will not join us for breakfast" Mom passed me a tray.

"Sure. Is everything okay?" I asked. Dadi is aging day by day and her illness is sadly increasing.

"Her blood sugar level went very low this morning" She replied.

I took the breakfast to the dadi's room. She was reading something. "Assalamualaikum!" I knocked on the door though it was open.

"Walaikumassalam! Come, my dear!" She said looking at me.

"How's your health dadi? Mom said you were not feeling well?"

"It happens in this age beta. Alhamdulilah! It's quite better now" She replied smiling.

I gave her company till she finished her breakfast. She told me many things about marriage. She told me how to handle every situation with patience.

I was on verge of crying when she said "Aimen beta! Shaitan has his way to create misunderstandings between the couples. We women don't see things fully. We become suspicious. We lose patience easily and try to end things. Never come to any conclusions without looking at it thoroughly"

It felt like somehow she knows something was off and was pointing to it. After giving her medicines I joined Mom, Sidra, and Dad for breakfast.

Then I had a long chat with ammi on phone. It was like we were separated from each other for months.

*******

"Aimen and Rehan!" Dad said interrupting the silent dinner that we all were having.

We looked at him. "I have something for you both," He said placing an envelope before us.

Rehan opened it "Tickets to Australia?" He looked at him, confused.

"Yes! You are going to Australia on your honeymoon" Dad said.

The word 'Honeymoon' made me blush. I immediately looked down. Sidra nudged me from the side and mouthed "Wow!" and in return, I gave her 'I will kill you look'. She remained silent not before letting out a small chuckle.

"We can't go. What about that important deal, dad?" Rehan started but was immediately cut off by dad.

"I started the business years back. I got it to where it is now on my own and I'm the full owner of it. You joined our business just two months back. I gave you the responsibility of this deal and only I have the right to remove you from this. I am still capable of managing without you, young man. You are going to Australia the day after tomorrow and that's final" he said.

Rehan remained silent, as he was not able to argue again. The thought of our trip is making me nervous.

After spending some time with Sidra, I went to my room. It is weird to call some new place my room, I think I should get used to it.

I saw Rehan with his laptop, again. This is the perfect time to say sorry for the argument we had last night and in the morning.

"Rehan!" I said. Once he saw me, he stood from his place.

"I need to say something" He ignored it.

"Please listen" I pleaded.

"I'm feeling sleepy" He placed the laptop on the table and was about to go to the bathroom when I stopped him.

"Will you listen to me for once!" I said in a bit loud voice. I immediately regretted it. I can't raise my voice.

"I'm sorry!" I said. His posture calmed and he was still showing his back to me.

"I'm sorry for yesterday. I'm sorry because I was wrong. I can't say this marriage will not work without giving it a chance. I'm sorry for everything." It felt like some heavy burden was lifted off my shoulders.

"I want to give it a chance!" I said in a whisper.

"Okay!" He replied. Anyone can say he is still mad at me.

Suddenly, my phone started to ring. The ringtone madly filled the room. Who would call at such an hour of the night?

The caller ID said "Ammi". Is everything fine? Why she is calling me now?

"Hello!" I said.

"Mubarak ho!" She squealed without any greetings.

"Is everything okay?" I asked at her unusual behavior.

"Aisha has delivered a boy baby!"

"What?" I said in a loud voice. Rehan gave me a confused look.

"Why didn't you tell me before?" I complained.

"It happened very fast, there was no time"

"Can I come now?" I said.

"Are you out of your mind Aimen? Have you seen the time? Come tomorrow!" She lectured.

"I'll talk later...Allah Hafiz!" She ended the call.

"What happened?" Rehan asked.

"Aisha has delivered a boy baby!" I said, my tone matching ammi's. "Will you take me there tomorrow?" I asked

"Okay"

I can't wait to see the cute baby.