The other Half of my Deen

part 11

Omar and Zaahir come down to the hall for breakfast. We all ate breakfast together.

Nahida auntie: Nausheen? Do you want to go see your family today?

Nausheen: I don't think so auntie. I don't miss them at all.

Nahida auntie: it's good, you feel like you're at home.

I just give her a smile.

Nahida auntie: we have a lot of prep to do for valima, day after tomorrow. We'll manage everything. You both stay in your room. Spend time with each other.

That day was the best day ever. I talked so much. I told him everything that I wanted to. Everything that had happened between our meetings and our marriage. Everything. It was so much fun. I felt so connected to him, like that old link was still there and now it's joining again. I felt very good around him. I loved it when I was around him. I used to miss him the little time when I spent alone. Two days flew. It felt like a few minutes. I didn't want to go home, I wanted to stay here. With him.

On the day of valima. We didn't get much time to spend with each other. I missed him a lot. We went to Ammi's house. After dinner he went to his house I was supposed to stay with Ammi for the next couple of days. I was at the gate, Zaahir had left to go to his house.

Zain: you should've asked him to stay.

Nausheen: it's good he didn't stay.

Zain: what?

Nausheen: yeah, he lives just a street away and he will be more comfortable there. Plus, if he wanted to stay he would.

Zain: you should have asked him to.

Nausheen: don't make me feel guilty now.

Zain: you idiot, he wanted to stay. He kept looking at you.

I ignored Zain and went into the house.

I saw my phone to see if I've got any messages, I saw Omar's messages.

OMAR

"Bhabi! Look at this boy! Listen to this.

(He had sent an audio clip.)

*Zaahir: she didn't even call me to ask me if I reached home safely.

Omar: dude, you just had to go across a street.

Zaahir: no but still, I could've met with an accident.*

Please call him. He's eating my head."

NAUSHEEN

"I'm enjoying this. I'll call little later."

OMAR

Ok. Bye. Have fun.

I went and sat with my mom on the couch. We only had two days together, and then I'd have to go back.

Ammi: is everything okay between you and Zaahir?

Nausheen: yes Ammi

Ammi: then why didn't you ask him to stay?

Nausheen: you all tell me after he has gone. This is all so new Ammi. I'm not experienced. I don't know when to ask him what... what not... how much to insist... I've got no idea.

Ammi: ok ok. Next time ask him to stay. Zaahir is a very nice boy. Decent, sincere and well mannered. I cannot thank Allah enough for giving me such a wonderful son in law.

Nausheen: yes. I'm happy that you're happy.

Ammi: I wish every mother finds a son in law so nice for her daughter.