I'm Right Here

Chapter 20 - "I'm leaving Faisal"

Asfia stood up, locking eyes with her mother-in-law, challenging her. "I'm sorry, Umma, but Faisal is my husband. He likes me the way I am, and he is happy with me. I hope you too will accept me as I am."

Asfia surprised herself with her own audacity, but she firmly believed she didn't deserve to be compared to Faisal's ex-girlfriend. If he had other options, she had had them too. Both of them had made the choice to be together.

His mother widened her eyes, placing a hand over her heart, before standing up and silently retreating. Asfia's heart raced in her chest. She was resolute about not letting Umma's judgments affect her marriage. She would fulfill her responsibilities and show respect to Faisal's parents, but she wouldn't tolerate disrespect.

A few minutes later, with her head held high, Asfia entered the dining room, finding Faisal and his parents engaged in a deep discussion around the dining table. Faisal was massaging his temples, appearing weary. She smiled at him and his face brightened at the sight of her, his entire demeanor transforming.

Asfia pulled a chair close to Faisal and sat down. He reacted swiftly, wrapping an arm around her, feeling a profound sense of relief that their discord had been resolved so swiftly. Gently, he kissed the side of her head, and she responded with a smile.

"Asfia, mole," Umma began, "you are like a daughter to us, and we are scolding you just as we would our own daughter." She tried to reassure her.

Asfia blinked, unsure of how to respond to this unexpected statement.

"You see, the kitchen was in quite a state, and if you let it get too messy, bugs and cockroaches could become a problem. Once they infest, it's hard to get rid of them," Umma explained gently.

"Umma, I don't..." Asfia began, but she was interrupted.

"Asfia, mole, I don't think your parents taught you much about housework," Umma said with a smile, "but a well-organized kitchen is crucial. Everything should have its place, and everything should be in its place. Your kitchen lacks order."

Asfia couldn't believe that her mother-in-law wouldn't let this issue go. She glanced at Faisal, who was intentionally avoiding eye contact, leaving her to bear the brunt of the scolding. She narrowed her eyes at him, and as usual, her mouth betrayed her. "I'm not the one who kept the kitchen disorganized; it was Fiza," she blurted out, quickly covering her mouth with her hands as soon as the words slipped out. Umma's eyes widened in shock, mirroring her own, and Faisal's face shifted from surprise to a look of betrayal.

"What is this silly girl saying, Faisal?" his mother inquired. She recalled how he had once confessed to her about being in love with Fiza when she had been his junior during post-graduation. She recalled the disastrous pennukaanal ceremony when Fiza had fled her home because Faisal had kissed her. She hadn't heard much about Fiza since, but she had always thought they might have been a good match.

Faisal wrestled with the desire to correct his mother's characterization of Asfia as "silly" while also feeling betrayed that she had brought up Fiza's presence in his apartment, in front of his parents; something he had shared with Asfia in confidence.

Nonetheless, he decided to share a partial truth with his parents. "Fiza was my... my roommate for a few months."

His mother stared at Faisal in disbelief, her mind racing with thoughts and memories. She vividly remembered how he had just completed his GI fellowship and was all set to work at their hospital. However, he had suddenly changed his plans, announcing that he would be taking up a faculty position in Mangalore. Initially, he had been quite enthusiastic about the move, but as time passed, he had become increasingly despondent.