The Courtyard

16.

I wake up to the sound of birds chirping. I remember as a kid amma told me that birds would remember Allah every morning and that's why they chirped. From then every morning I would listen to the pattern and remember Allah with the birds.

I slowly open my eyes and remember that I was not in my usual room. I look around and take in my surrounding. Izhar's room, our room now, was even pretty looking in the morning. The way the sun hit certain parts made it stand out and brighten the entire room. I turn my back since it quite hurt to stay on the same side I was sleeping on. I am met with a sleeping Izhar. His hair was flipped over his forehead, his eyes closed slightly, and light snores escaping from his lips. His brows furrowed a bit indicating that he was dreaming. But he looked peaceful, they way his lips shaped looked like he was happy, wow, he even looked gorgeous in his sleep.

"Take a picture, babe, it lasts longer," he says in a deep raspy voice. I'm shocked to my core. Did he just call me 'babe'? To be honest, it made me feel something I had never before. The way that he referred to me like that, and would probably forever, made me flattered.

He was awake all this time and saw me look at him. I'm so embarrassed, I look away. My face goes red. I squint my eyes close and open then immediately.

"You were awake all this time?" I ask him.

"Yup. I was. And I also saw the way you were looking at me," he says in the same raspy voice.

"I wasn't looking, I was just remembering where I was," I tell him as I sit up.

"And you were remembering by looking at me?" he says with a smirk. He has his hand rested on his palm with his elbow up. I look back and see that he is smirking.

"Obviously, you are my husband." Shit. Did I just call him my husband? He is your husband. Way to embarrass myself even more. Why do I say stupid stuff in front of him?

I realize he hasn't responded to me so I look over. His once mischievous expression exchanged for a shocked one.

"What?" I say.

"It's the first time to referred to me as your 'husband'. It felt good," he says his voice now meeting a whisper.

I get up and fix my kameez. Izhar is now laying back and looking at me. I put my loose hair into a bun and make my way to the washroom. His eyes don't leave me at all and it makes me feel so self conscious, I probably look so bad right now. My nose is always swollen and I'm an oily mess when I wake up. Before going to the washroom I pick out a suit to wear along with all my garments. I picked out a baby pink dress with golden embroidered along the neck. The dupatta is a lovely net with pearls glued all over. I pick up the matching pants and make my way to the washroom. I take a shower, dry my hair and change. I decide to put on some concealer, to hide the horrendous dark circles that have amplified over the years. I line my lashes with mascara and line my eyes with eyeliner. I put on some blush to bring some colour to my face. I take a clip and pulled my hair back. I looked different today. Although my makeup was minimum, I looked okay-good even. I open the door and make my way out.

Izhar is still on the bed but has sat up and I'm leaning against the headboard. When I come out he is on his phone. He's typing something up and looks focused. I could tell it had to do with work. I close the door and I see him look at me. I see him look up at me and his mouth hangs slightly. He scans my face and I see a smile reach his eyes. His hand now rests on his face with his wedding band shining. I feel my face go red and I look away.

"You look lovely," he says.

"Thank you," I say.

"I'm going to go downstairs and see if anyone needs help. I have hung your clothes in the closet." I start to move to the door when he stops me.