YOU AND ME

Amina

I storm back to our room, my mind racing with frustration and anger. How could Ayush forget something so important? I pace back and forth, trying to calm myself, but the anger keeps bubbling up.

A few minutes later, Ayush walks in, looking worried. “Amina, I’m sorry. I can explain.”

I turn to him, my eyes blazing. “Explain what? I told you that I can never worship idols and I will not worship idols. I told you to tell your family that I do not worship idols.”

He runs a hand through his hair, looking genuinely distressed. “It must have slipped my mind. I don’t know what happened, but I’m telling you honestly, this was not my intention. I did not want it to go this way.”

I cross my arms, feeling the sting of betrayal. “It slipped your mind? Are you serious, Ayush? We said that we would enter this relationship with no secrets, no lies.”

He steps closer, his eyes pleading. “I did not lie. I didn’t hide anything. I’m just telling you the truth. You have to calm down and listen to me. Please, Amina.”

He reaches out and hugs me tightly. “Remember what we said? When one of us is angry, the other should just hug them until they calm down.”

I stand stiffly for a moment, but then I feel the tension start to melt away. His embrace is warm and comforting. After a few seconds, he pulls back slightly and looks into my eyes. “Are you calm now?”

I nod, taking a deep breath. “Yeah, I’m calm.”

“Are you able to forgive me?” he asks softly.

I look at him, seeing the sincerity in his eyes. “Yes, I forgive you. But please, don’t let this happen again.”

He nods, relief washing over his face. “I promise. Now, we need to go to the kitchen and prepare our food. Remember, we’re not allowed to be served.”

I sigh, feeling the weight of the situation. “Okay, it’s fine. I’m calm now. Let’s go.”

We head to the kitchen together, ready to face whatever comes next. I decide to make egusi soup, a traditional Nigerian dish that always brings me comfort. Ayush offers to help, and I can’t help but smile at his eagerness.

“What’s next?” he asks, looking at the ingredients spread out on the counter.

“First, we need to blend the egusi seeds with some onions and chilies,” I explain, showing him how to do it. He follows my instructions, asking questions along the way.

“Why do we use palm oil instead of regular oil?” he asks, genuinely curious.

“Palm oil gives the soup its unique flavor and rich color,” I reply, enjoying his interest in my culture.

As we cook, Ayush’s questions continue, and I find myself getting a bit tired but in a good way. His enthusiasm is endearing, and it makes the cooking process more enjoyable.

Finally, the egusi soup is ready. The rich aroma fills the kitchen, and I can’t wait to share it with the family. We set the table and call everyone for dinner.

When I place my plate with the egusi soup on the table, everyone looks surprised. The vibrant colors and enticing smell draw them in.

“This looks amazing, Amina,” Ayush’s grandmother says, her eyes wide with appreciation. “From tomorrow onwards, I want you to cook for me as well. I also want to taste your food. They should not serve me food; I want to eat what you cook.”

I smile, feeling a sense of accomplishment. “Of course, Grandma. I’d be happy to cook for you.”

Ramesh, always the joker, can’t resist making a comment. “Well, if Amina’s cooking is this good, maybe we should all stop eating the usual food and just have her cook for us every day!”

His wife, Preeta, nudges him with her elbow. “Ramesh, stop talking so much. You’re making everyone laugh too much.”

The table erupts in laughter, and I notice Amira, Vishal’s wife, sitting quietly. She looks sad and distant, as if she doesn’t want to be there. I make a mental note to talk to her later and see if she’s okay.

As we eat, Ayush and I feed each other small bites of food, sharing smiles and loving glances. The warmth and connection between us are palpable, and it makes the meal even more special.

Suddenly, Raj decides to stir up some trouble. “So, Amina, are you really a Christian? Does that mean you can’t enter the temple?”

I feel a surge of frustration but try to stay calm. “Yes, Raj, I’m a Christian. And no, I cannot enter the temple.”

Raj smirks, clearly enjoying the drama. “Well, that’s going to be a problem, isn’t it?”

Ayush steps in, his voice firm. “Raj, enough. This is not the time or place for this discussion.”

The tension at the table rises, but I take a deep breath and focus on the positive. Despite the challenges, I know that Ayush and I can face anything together.

After dinner, Ayush and I head back to our room. I feel a mix of emotions—frustration, relief, and a bit of hope. Ayush pulls me into a comforting embrace.

“I’m so sorry about everything, Amina,” he says softly. “I didn’t mean for any of this to happen.”

I look up at him, seeing the sincerity in his eyes. “I know, Ayush. It’s just… it’s hard. But we’ll get through this together.”

He nods, holding me close. “Yes, we will. Now, let’s get some rest. Tomorrow is a new day.”

As we lie down, I feel a sense of peace wash over me. Despite the challenges, I know that with Ayush by my side, we can face anything.

Before we drift off to sleep, Ayush turns to me, his expression serious. “Amina, there’s something you should know about Raj.”

I look at him, curious. “What is it?”

“Raj wasn’t always like this. He was in love with a girl in college. They were together for three years, and after college, she pursued a career in acting. Raj proposed to her and brought her to meet our mother. Everyone adored her, even our mother at first.”

I listen intently, sensing the pain in Ayush’s voice.

“But then, our mother rejected her. She said that if the girl wanted to be the daughter-in-law of our family, she had to give up her acting career. The girl refused, and Raj was heartbroken. He hasn’t been the same since.”

I feel a pang of sympathy for Raj. “That’s terrible. No wonder he’s so angry and bitter.”

Ayush nods. “He’s been struggling ever since. I just wanted you to understand why he acts the way he does.”

I reach out and take Ayush’s hand. “Thank you for telling me. I’ll try to be more understanding.”

He squeezes my hand gently. “We’ll get through this, Amina. Together.”

As we drift off to sleep, I feel a renewed sense of hope. Despite the challenges, I know that with Ayush by my side, we can face anything.

The next morning, I wake up with a sense of determination. I can’t stand to see Ayush in so much pain, and I decide to make it my mission to help Raj. I know it won’t be easy, but I’m determined to try.

I find Raj in the living room, nursing a hangover. “Raj, can we talk?” I ask gently.

He looks up, his eyes bloodshot. “What do you want, Amina?”

“I want to help you,” I say, sitting down next to him. “I know you’re hurting, and I want to help you stop drinking.”

He scoffs, shaking his head. “You can’t help me. No one can.”

“I can try,” I insist. “Let’s start with small steps. How about we go for a walk? Fresh air might help clear your head.”

He hesitates but eventually nods. “Fine. But don’t expect miracles.”

We walk in silence for a while, and I can see the pain etched on his face. “Raj, I know about the girl you loved in college,” I say softly. “Ayush told me.”

He stops walking and looks at me, his eyes filled with sadness. “She was everything to me, Amina. And she left me.”