HIS & HERS

CHAPTER ~ FOURTEEN

  I woke up to the soft call of the adhan for Fajr prayer, the pre-dawn light filtering through the window. I stumbled out of bed, my mind still heavy with sleep, and made my way to the bathroom to freshen up and perform wudu. The cool water was a welcome shock to my still-tired senses, and as I finished, I wrapped myself in a warm, brown jallabiya.

   I made my way to Afreen's room to wake her for prayer, but my repeated knocks went unanswered. Frowning, I decided to head to the mosque, the silence of the early morning pressing in around me.

After the prayer, I returned home and set an alarm for 7:30, hoping to catch a few more hours of rest.

The shrill sound of my alarm jolted me awake, and I groggily made my way to the bathroom to freshen up. As I stepped out, I reached for my phone in the drawer. As I typed out a quick message to Nasim, confirming our meeting.

   After I went to the kitchen to fix a quick breakfast before heading to work, the unease from earlier lingered in the back of my mind. I longed to talk to Afreen, but it seemed I would have to wait until I returned from work. I opted for a light meal, preparing scrambled eggs and French toast, accompanied by a steaming cup of coffee. While eating I heard Afreen's voice, a soft "Salam," and the sound of her movements as she opened a drawer.

"Wa'alaikum Salam," I replied, my surprise evident as Afreen took a piece of toast and a forkful of scrambled eggs from my plate.

     "What the hell," I exclaimed, hastily pulling the plate closer to my lap.

       "Hell will break loose if you don't put back the plate," she warned

          "We need to set some rules in this house," I added, clinging to the plate protectively.

           "Don't be too quick, I was going to bring it up as we eat," Afreen responded, her tone nonchalant as she continued to eat the toast. "By the way, this is delicious," she added, offering a small smile.
     
          "Well, rule number one: my privacy comes first. I know you've been in my room before, but that's the last time you'll ever be in there, so don't even think about it. And as for the study room, stay away from it. The lounge, the gym—actually, just four places I'll allow you: your room, the kitchen, the box room, and the living room downstairs. Don't bother begging, it's final," I declared, my tone firm as I looked up at Afreen. Her expression remained deadpan as she hissed and abruptly got up.

      "Just because we had no choice but to get married does not mean you should have me cooped up. You sound ridiculous. I can't be a prisoner in my own house," Afreen fumed, her frustration evident in her voice.
        
            "Well, the last time I checked, I was the one who signed the paperwork, so it's my house and my rules," I retorted, my own frustration matching hers.

           "Well, it is matrimonially mine, whether you like it or not, so you need to respect me as your wife, not some maid or random girl you picked off the street," she yelled, her voice wobbling with emotion.

     "Learn to control your anger and tone when talking to me, young lady. I am your husband," I stressed, emphasizing the word "husband."
    
         "Well, the day you learn to watch your mouth and think before talking to me rudely will be the day I control my temper," Afreen shot back, her eyes red with emotion. Before I could respond, she burst into tears and ran off.

           I smirked, feeling a sense of victory, and finished up my breakfast. I cleared the table and washed the dishes, the tension from our exchange still lingering in the air.

   I went up to shower and dress up for work, As I entered my office I dropped my bag and picked the papers I needed before leaving for the meeting room. I enter and shortly the meeting started, as the meeting was going on I noticed a paper was missing , the most important paper at that, I quickly dailed Fadil's line and asked him to rush home and get it.
................
             This pregnancy hormones are getting the best of me, I have been acting up lately and I have to admit I am not liking how it's going I was so bold earlier why did I have to get emotional and break down in front of Ayan, I locked my room and cried for a while, when I was done I checked the time and it was past nine so I went to the toilet to clean up before going out to have breakfast, the toast earlier was really nice and I was craving for it but after much contemplation I settled in for noodles and egg and soon I started to cook,