Their Compatibility

Chapter Nine

Their Compatibility

Nine:

The idea of spending a week away from the comfort of her new home was rather daunting for Diya, especially since her husband was acting strangely from the night of their walimah.

"Ma, can't we go for the, uh, getaway at a later time? Maybe after we get to know each other better?" Diya asked her mother-in-law in the privacy of the kitchen, trying her best to look busy with the dishes in the sink.

"Get away? No dear, it's not just a get away... This is the time for you and Mikaeel to get to know and understand each other better. It's the time for strengthening the foundation on which your marriage will stand on for years to come." the elderly woman gently pushed her away from the dishes as she spoke.

"Bu... But..." Diya began, but her mother-in-law was not listening to another word.

"Now go along and get ready for the fun experience I'm sure you are going to have with my son. I know he can be a bit thick headed sometimes but he will loosen up once you get him alone." the slight wink made Diya laugh out loud. Never in her wildest dreams did she ever imagine having this conversation.

Now... With no other choice, Diya slipped back into her marital bedroom and looked around. Everything was exquisitely done, from the lighting to the flooring... She walked through the flowery scented room and sighed as she sat on the edge of the peach and gold heavily beaded duvet, only to be jerked into a standing position when the deep voice from very near her sounded.

"Ya Allah! Don't you ever scare me like that again!" Diya scolded her amused looking husband.

"Scare? I just said your name and you jumped up in fright, you do know we share this room, right?" Mikaeel grinned.

"Ofcourse I know that but I didn't expect you to be here now, I thought you were still busy on your business call."  the annoyance in her tone was undeniable.

"My 'business call' ended long before your whispered meeting with my mother in the kitchen. What were you two talking about by the way?" the lift of his eyebrow made Diya wonder whether he had heard any part of the conversation she had with his mother but his clear interest said otherwise.

"It's girl talk, you wouldn't understand." she replied before walking to her closet.

Mikaeel rolled his eyes at her retreating back before telling her that they would be leaving later that afternoon for their holiday destination.

"When was the last time you went for a holiday?" Diya asked, busy picking out a few items from her drawer.

"I might be exaggerating, but I think it was when I was a child. You see, I don't really like being away from home for long periods of time. How about you? When was your last holiday?" he threw back the question.

Diya couldn't believe how different they were from each other. She grew up living her life at every holiday destination you could name and she loved being away from home.

"Well..." he prodded for an answer.

"Oh, I think it was about 2 weeks back. Actually yes, it was just 2 weeks ago." Diya smiled to herself, thinking of her last holiday as a single woman.

The sunny weather, the beach, the warm sand beneath her feet and the cool water lapping against her anklet adorned feet There were no words to describe the rush she had gotten just by being alone with Fatima, enjoying the last of her freedom.

'One last outing for old time's sake' Fatima had said and it was a holiday she would never forget.

"A rand for your thoughts?"  Mikaeel's closeness made a shiver run down her spine.

"I... I... was just thinking about my bestie and the fun times we had." Diya put some distance between them as she spoke each word.

"A quick question... Diya, are you afraid of me?" Mikaeel frowned.

Diya felt her throat dry, she couldn't possibly tell him that she was afraid that she was going to be hurt by him if she fell too deeply in love with him.

A quick shake of her head in denial was the only answer she gave him but Mikaeel thought he could read her better than that.

"I think if we carry on as good companions things will be fine. What do you think?" his words surprised her because it hit close to home.

"That would be nice." She smiled.

Good companionship was better than nothing, she thought later when they were on their way to their honeymoon destination. The small talk, the mutual agreements and sometimes the difference in opinions was taken in their stride and Diya realized that had they been a 'normal couple' the difference of opinion would've been a cause of problem for them. Thanking Allah silently for granting them the kind of relationship they shared, she only hoped that things would remain that way for a long time to come...

But...as time passes, changes in feelings are unavoidable... And the same thing crept upon the couple without them realizing it.

Ayesha Ally
A.M.I ©