She fell in love. She couldn't be with him. She married someone else. She fell in love again. Then she fell apart.
•••
Iraj Kazmi knows only one thing, that she's always right. Then life proves her wrong...
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"Oh hello Azfar, good morning." Sadiya smiled at her son.
"Ammi, can you first go and tell my wife that she doesn't need to wear those clothes she's only been wearing since you and dad have come?" He passed a sharp look at his mother with disapproval.
"I don't understand Azfar?" She was slightly confused.
"When you called her and she very generously made space for your visit here without even making you feel uncomfortable then the least you could have done was be cautious and mindful about her as well. I've always said this and I'll say it today again, you're my mother, I will always be your support but she's my wife and this is her house. The day I married her this place became her house and I can never let her feel uncomfortable in her own house. I've never questioned a word of yours when I was living under your roof, please maintain the same for my wife." He had been so elaborate about it all that his mother's confusion grew further.
"Of course, I'm the one who taught you that meri jaan, I don't know, did I make her uncomfortable with the conversation about the baby?" She figured that much since that was the only chat she last had with Iraj.
"Why would you say that to her ammi? Tell me. What about me? Did you come and question your son first about those issues? I am as much responsible for something and more in your regard when you want to ask those things. Why didn't you think it could be me who could've been the reason for lacking in that matter? Why was it so easy for you to come up with a solution only for Iraj? It's not fair ammi. Also you know very well I don't like anyone asking such questions in the first place. And you went ahead and spoke to her about it. Also she has been trying really hard for you to like her, and I don't know why but you need to make her feel more accepted." He did sound very upset without raising his voice or speaking harshly.
"I'm, I shouldn't have said that. I just—I became a bit greedy for having a grandchild. All my friends talk about their grandchildren." She sadly stated.
"Ammi, toh aap mujhse bolein na yeh sab. Usko kyun bola? And to your question, yes it's me who doesn't want a child. Not her. It's not her. And don't try to push us further. Please. I can only tell you this much." He hugged his mother who seemed very gloomy after hearing his last sentence.
(Mum, then you should've said all of that to me. Why did you say it to her?)
"Okay. I'll apologize to Iraj." She sniffed a little and then looked at him, "You don't answer my calls most of the time." She complained finally.
"You know I've got work. I'll try to answer though I do talk to you every week." He reminded her.
"Is Iraj upset with me?" She was just like Iraj herself, now too guilty to see her.
"She isn't like that. Also my wife doesn't wear shalwar kameez. Make her believe that you aren't some closed minded in laws who will judge her on the basis of her choice of clothing. She was very happy when you said you'd be coming here. Please ammi, aap badi hain umar mien ussay, apko khayal karna hoga na uska. I never bring her there because of the same reason, I don't want to burden you and dad." He tried his best to reason with his mother and kissed her head.
