Fate works in mysterious ways. It doesn't listen to us to our prayers. A person is born with their fate. That's what Maheer had to convince herself. But how could she explain this to Usama, who laid on the armchair outside in the dark, uncaring of the heat and mosquitos. She looked through the window, and he almost looked dead, his eyes staring into the distance. Her heart ached, was marrying her a punishment for him?

Then she realised how hypocritical she was being, Usama had loved Mahjabeen, just like she had loved Usama. Marrying Murtasim was a punishment for her, so why couldn't it be for Usama.

The light fell on his face, and in the moonlit sky, she saw the stars twinkle, like the tiny tears in his eyes. She removed her ghungat and exited her room. If he wanted sit outside in the heat, then she would accompany him.

Usama couldn't process what had transpired in his life, and who was to blame? Only his bad fate. Countless nights, he had sat under the night sky because of loneliness. At the age of fifteen, he had lost his father, Gul Khan was his guardian, but Usama still felt lonely. There was a void in his heart.

For the first time when he thought he felt a true connection with someone, he lost that person too, to his brother.

"Usama... tum rorahey ho?" He heard a voice and quickly wiped away his eyes, he mustered a smile, "Nahi woh aus hai, garmi haina kaafi isliye shayad".

Maheer smiled sympathetically, sitting beside him. She asked him, "Kya itni na pasand hu mai?" That was her doubt, the thought that was killing her from inside.

"Nahi ... Bas mai udaas hu, "he said, rubbing his eyebrows to get rid of the incoming headache. 

"Meri wajeh se tum dono-", Usama cut her off with a laugh.

"Nahi nahi Maheer, tumhari galti nahi hai. Aisa bolna band karo, please. Maine nhi socha tha ki mai acchanak dulha banunga, I wasn't ready. Isliye yaha baitha tha, "he explained, and Maheer nodded her head sighing.

Usama turned to her, "Tumhara dil nahi tuta? Murtasim bhai se nikkah honey waala tha tumhara", Maheer felt his gaze on her eyes, their eyes made contact. Hazel and dark brown eyes met,  and Maheer couldn't help but speak out her heart.

"Mujhe Murtasim kabhi pasand nhi tha, mujhe toh tum pasand they..."

____

There was a knock on the door, at the main gate, it was early morning half of the family was in mourning or asleep. Neha woke up because of the knocks and went to the gate. There stood Adam with tiffins in his hand.

"Thoda aaram se bhi bell bajasakte ho yaar", She said, yawning, standing at the door. He smiled, "Ek ghante se aaram se hi baja raha hu, koi faida nhi dikha isliye aise bajana padha".

Neha rolled her eyes, "In dibbon m kya hai?" She asked the delicious smell, tempting her. She was hungry.

"Nihaari, Biryani, kofte, aalu ka paratha aur lassi jo aapke liye nahi hai," he said, hiding the box behind him, "Kyun ye sab tum akele khaaogey?"

He shook his head, "Ji nahi ye Mahjabeen aur Murtasim k liye hai."

She glared at him, "Ruko mumani ko call lagakar puchti", he stopped her, "Arrey arrey ek do chamcha tum khaalena".

"Chamcha..."She walked closer and snatched away the box, "Chamcha tum khaana chamche", she closed the door on his face.

"Badtameez ladki!"

The light filtered through the curtains on his face, Murtasim stirred and covered his face with the blanket. He felt a tug on it. In his sleep, he snatched it, but someone snatched it again. Murtasim frowned and tried to tug it when he felt something else around his body. He opened his eyes and saw legs on his waist. Mahjabeen was laying diagnolly on the bed, half of her body hanging off the bed.

"Mahjabeen..."he called her name, she didn't budge, she was on the coloured horse finally taking a ride when she saw someone standing in front of the horse. She tried to stop the horse, it was going to hit the man, "Saamne se hatto", she said and she rolled around the bed her leg on his face, she was about to fall down the bed.

"Kya musibat hai!" He thought, as he held her leg, but she started hitting him with it, "Ya allah khuda k liye lihaaz kar raha hu Mahjabeen tumhara..."

But she was on the horse riding towards the sunset, her speed increasing. She rolled around the bed again, and this time, as she did, her legs kicked Murtasim with a force that he screamed, "Ya Khudaya!"

The horse hit the man, Mahjabeen woke up with a start, "Mar gaya kya?"

Murtasim was holding his stomach doubled over, "Haan mar gaya..." he groaned, standing up quickly.

"Aap pet kyun padke ho?" She asked quickly, sitting up on the bed. He gave her a side eye.

"Shauq hai mera", it was sarcastic then her eyes widened, "Laat maari kya maine?"

He sighed, nodding his head. The pain lessened as he stood, "Arrey, sorry woh meri aadat h puraani nind m laat maarne ki."

He bit his lips, keeping the words to himself, "zyaada dard hora kya?" But the way she asked made him more angry. His stomach was aching, his head was aching, and now he had to console her.

'Ya Allah zindagi bhar Ammi ki baatein aur Mahjabeen ki laatein khaonga kya?'

She walked towards him and wrapped her arms around his waist. He didn't understand what she was doing, "Kya kar rahi?"

"Aise karne se dard kam hojata," she said  patting his back. His arms were by his side. How was she hugging him so comfortably he had no idea. It has been only a night, and she was fine with being touchy.

His heart raced as he felt her warmth against him, her simple gesture of comfort soothing his aching body and troubled mind. Despite the pain, he couldn't deny the sudden surge of unfamiliar emotions stirring within him. As her touch lingered, he found himself gradually relaxing into her embrace, his tension melting away bit by bit.

____

The two walked down the stairs, and Murtasim realised Mahjabeen was hiding behind him. "Darro mat," he whispered in her ear and held out hus hand. She looked at him and his hand. Then, she placed hers in it, and they intwined their fingers as they descended the stairs together.

Murtasim could feel Mahjabeen's nervousness, her hand trembling slightly in his grasp. He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze, silently letting her know that he was there for her. As they reached the bottom of the stairs, they were met with curious glances from some family members who had gathered in the living room.

Murtasim led Mahjabeen forward, his presence a shield against the prying eyes and whispered "Assalamwalikum Ammi," Murtasim greeted the family with a polite smile, his tone calm and composed. Mahjabeen stood by his side, her gaze fixed on the floor, feeling a mixture of anxiety and discomfort under the scrutinizing gazes of the relatives.

Asif, who was sitting nearby, couldn't resist saying, "Looks like the newlyweds are finally awake. How was your first night together?"Murtasim's jaw tightened slightly at the intrusive question, but he maintained his composure.

Asif's words stung Murtasim, igniting a fire of indignation within him. With a controlled but firm voice, he addressed Asif, his stepfather, "Mai aisi baaton par bolne ka haq gharwaalon ko nhi deta, aur aap toh wo bhi nhi hai. Ye mere aur meri biwi ki beech ki baat hai toh apni zubaan sambhalkar baat karyega warna aayenda mai lihaaz nhi karunga."

Taking Mahjabeen's hand, Murtasim guided her away from the uncomfortable situation, leading her towards the dinner table. As they walked, he could feel the tension in Mahjabeen's grip, and he gave her hand another reassuring squeeze, silently conveying his support.

Meanwhile, Asif turned to Gul Khan, attempting to provoke a reaction. "Dekho abhi se apni biwi ki side lerha. Itna gussa kahase aaya usme?"

Gul Khan remained unfazed, her demeanour composed as ever. "Mera khoon h Asif miyan, jaise sawal puchogey waise jawab paaogey," she replied cryptically, before gracefully making her way to the dining room, leaving Asif to ponder her words.

As they settled at the dinner table, Murtasim made sure Mahjabeen was comfortable before engaging in the meal. Despite the lingering tension from the encounter, he remained determined to protect his wife and uphold the dignity of their relationship in the face of external scrutiny and judgment. He realised now it was his responsibility to protect from his own family and the world.

"Biryani?" Mahjabeen asked the smell, reaching her nose, Neha nodded, "Haan woh chamcha- Adam lekar aaya tha. "

Her face became solemn, "Adam bhai aaye they?"

Neha sat down, "Haan subha subha khaana lekar aaya tha, kyun?"

He left without meeting her, she bit her lips, and looked at the food.  Each bite reminded her of home, "Mahjabeen ye kaise khaari tum?" Gul Khan enquired, Mahjabeen was eating with her hand.

"Haath se?"

"Mera matlab it looks so bad, tumhe dekh kar meri bhook khatam hori, chamach se khaaona", Gul Khan passed her a spoon, Mahjabeen nodded her head with a smile but Murtasim took the spoon from his mother's hands.

"Ammi haath se khaana sunnat hai, humarey Nabi haathon se khaatey they ya chamcha toh bahar waaley logon n laaya", He placed his spoon down, and rolled his sleeves.

"Ye kya kar rahey ho?"

"Khaana khaara hu," Gul Khan couldn't believe her eyes as he started eating with his hand.

"Murtasim... aise puraney zamane ke log khaatey they, gareeb khaatey hai. We belong to family with class, this doesn't suit us, aise janwaar khaatey hai", he rolled his eyes.

Murtasim held his ground, his gaze steady as he continued to eat with his hand.

"Ammi, sunnat hai, aur sunnat ko nibhana farz hai," he replied firmly, his tone respectful but resolute.

Gul Khan glanced around the table, noticing the mixed reactions from the family members. Neha looked surprised, Maheer was beaming, Usama was dozing off, while Asif seemed uncomfortable.

Mahjabeen watched Murtasim with a mixture of admiration and gratitude, seeing him stand up fo her, even infront of his mother. She felt a surge of affection towards him, appreciating his authenticity and adherence to his principles.

He was too kind and sensitive...

Murtasim didn't realise, but her eyes were on him. Nobody had taken a stand for her before, his actions, he made her heart flutter, his unwavering resolve and gentle demeanour filling her with admiration. She felt a rush of gratitude towards him. She felt protected, he advocated her beliefs, and he stood up for her. Having a husband strangely felt great.

She could live with him happily.

As she looked into his eyes, she saw a depth of kindness and understanding that she had never encountered before. His willingness to challenge norms for her sake touched her deeply, instilling a sense of trust and security within her.

She knew that she was no longer alone in this unfamiliar world, but rather, she had found a companion who would stand by her through thick and thin.

In Murtasim's presence, Mahjabeen felt a sense of belonging and acceptance that she had longed for all her life.