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Chapter 11: As Expected

11th Dec, 2019

"Insulting a Muslim is an evil action and fighting him is disbelief (kufr)."

[Al-Bukhaari (48) and Muslim (64)]

Chapter 11:

As Expected

"Did you cook all of that?" Zubair questioned, impressed as he walked out of the bedroom, fresh after shower.

"What do you think?" Afreen whispered, cocking an eyebrow.

"I don't think so," Zubair answered, winking at his wife. "I love my girl, but I know for a fact that she can't cook."

"Meanie," Afreen accused. "I made those pancakes, for your information," she justified. "Your mum made the rest."

Exaggeratedly sniffing in its aroma as he took a bite, he praised, "Lovely. Haven't had something like this ever."

Grinning, Afreen patted his arm and said, "Good boy, you're obliged to say that even if it were trash."

"In that case, you must even be rewarded for such hard work," he played along. "Let me kiss the hands that made these scrumptious pancakes," Zubair teased, and Afreen could only giggle at his antics as he held her hand and brought them to his lips, causing her to blush prettily.

When she heard some shuffling, though, she quickly took a step back, and the twisted smile that Zubair wore as he gave her a meaningful glance caused her to bite her lips while she looked away, her cheeks flushed.

Mubeena joined them at the dining table, and while initially, she didn't realize it, the way she grabbed the dining chair and sat on it made Afreen jump up. She turned to look at her mother in law, the one who had seemed so kind just the previous day when she hugged her after the nikah and welcomed her home, wondering what had suddenly gone wrong.

Cautiously, Afreen sat down next to Zubair and trying to seem polite, asked, "Mummyji, shall I serve you?"

"No," Mubeena shunned rudely, waving her hand.

Taken aback, Afreen quietly filled her plate with some food and started chewing. She turned to glance towards Zubair, and he slowly nodded his head, as if trying to tell her to be calm, and she gave him a half-hearted smile.

Mubeena had taken about two morsels of food when she casually commented, "I need to tell Asma to start saving money for Rufaida, that lady does not know anything. In her daughter's wedding, apart from gifting her good amount of gold, she needs to also see to it that she gifts the groom and his family some gifts, car and stuff like that. I mean, everyone's not nice like us to not demand it, and keep quiet when the bride's family does not take into consideration our expectations. That's why I don't like this love marriage business, the bride's family gets the guy easily so they do nothing to impress him, they send away their daughter just like that."

Afreen's eyes brimmed with tears at such brash remarks that Mubeena directed towards her, a part of her wondering if this was really, really happening? Was Mubeena seriously rattling her list of unmet expectations the first morning after her wedding? Instead of asking if Afreen was comfortable, or if she missed her family too much, was Mubeena honestly portraying a picture that her family had just sent her off without dowry?

"Stop it, Mubeena."

Afreen glanced towards the sofa, where Zubair's grandmother was seated before quickly putting her head down as she wiped a tear.