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The next morning, after saying my Fajr prayer, I step out of my room to lend a hand with breakfast. As I look around, I see that everything is in place except for the tea. It seems like a small detail, but it's the perfect way to start our day together.
"Good morning!" I greet my aunts as I head to the stove. I grab a tea pan and fill it with water, eager to add that special touch to our breakfast. Manik loves to start his day with a cup of tea, and I want to make sure he gets it just right.
"Good morning!" Aunt Humaira replies with a huge smile on her face.
"Aunt, did something happen? You seem so happy today!" I ask, adding a spoonful of sugar to the boiling water.
"Yes, dear! Manik genuinely smiled today. He seems happy like he was before Zara died. I'm so relieved to see my son like this," she says, wiping away a few tears that escaped her eyes.
I nod, then add two spoonfuls of tea to the water and pour in some milk. I let it boil for a few minutes before straining it into a cup.
As I walk out with the cup of tea, Manik bhai descends the stairs and smiles at me. Butterflies flutter in my stomach at the sight.
It's really starting to feel strange now, a mix of excitement and unease.
I set the cup down on the table and sat next to aunt Maryam.
"So, Manik, this girl—her name is Antara. She's graduated and she will accept Parisa as her own," Maryam Mami says, sliding a picture in front of him. I can feel the direction of the conversation shifting, and I brace myself for what's coming next.
"Aunt, how many times do I have to say I won't marry right now? It's only been two months since Zara left me. I can handle my daughter on my own," Manik bhai replies, his tone laced with frustration and irritation. Since Zara's passing, it feels like everyone is pushing him to move on, and he's had enough.
"Manik, I really think your aunt has a point about this marriage thing," Humaira aunt/ Manik's mother says gently. "It's time for you to consider it. It would be better to marry before Parisa gets older. If she knows that the woman she calls 'mother' isn't really her mother, it could be confusing for her. It's easier if you marry now, so she can accept this new woman without any complications." My eyes go wide in shock at her words. I can feel the weight of the situation settling heavily in the room.
"Mom, how could you say that? That I'd hide from her the truth about the woman who died during her birth? I won't do that. Parisa has the right to know about her mother!" Manik bhai exclaims, his voice rising with passion. I nod in agreement, feeling the weight of his words. It's so important for Parisa to understand her past, and I can't believe anyone would suggest otherwise.
"Manik is right, Humaira. We will tell her about Zara when she's old enough to understand, but Manik, she needs a mother now," aunt Maryam says firmly.
