Chapter 7: part 6

A week had passed since their nikah, and life for Sheheryar and Zaina felt like a dream. He never missed a chance to pull her into a warm hug or steal a kiss, leaving her blushing and scolding him playfully. Though their moments of affection were private, there had been a few occasions when they were caught, much to Zaina’s embarrassment and Sheheryar’s amusement.

This afternoon, Zaina was sitting in her room, running her fingers over the embroidery of a dupatta she was working on. The distant sound of an unfamiliar voice reached her ears, breaking her focus. She strained to hear better and soon recognized the tone—sharp, commanding, and unmistakably belonging to her Phuphi, Aisha Saiyed.

Zaina stood up quickly. Sheheryar’s Phuphi, her father-in-law’s sister, was known for her critical nature. While she had a reputation for being a devoted family member, she often had a way of pointing out flaws in everything and everyone.

Zaina decided to head downstairs, changing into a modest yet pretty kurti and neatly draping her dupatta over her head. Taking a deep breath, she descended the stairs and entered the living room where Aisha sat on the sofa, sipping tea.

Zaina realized as she entered the living room that there was a reason her Phuphi, Aisha Saiyed, was still unaware of her nikah with Sheheryar. Aisha was known for her chaotic nature, stirring up drama wherever she went. The family had decided to keep the nikah a private affair, fearing her reaction and the possible bad eye she might cast on their happiness.

Zaina greeted her with a polite “Assalamualaikum, Phuphi,” to which Aisha barely replied with a disinterested “Wa Alaikum Assalam.” Her sharp gaze quickly scanned Zaina, making her feel as though she were being evaluated.

Shamim, ever the gracious hostess, tried to diffuse the tension. “Zaina, go and bring some tea and snacks for your Phuphi.”

“Yes, Ammi,” Zaina replied softly, retreating to the kitchen.

As she busied herself with preparing the tray, her thoughts wandered. She knew Aisha’s personality well—chaotic, overly opinionated, and prone to making unnecessary remarks. She worried about how long they could keep the nikah a secret, especially with Aisha staying for a week.

When Zaina returned to the living room, carefully balancing the tray of tea and biscuits, she found Aisha in the middle of a conversation with Shamim about Sheheryar.

“So, where is Sheheryar these days?” Aisha asked, taking a sip of tea.

“He’s around,” Shamim replied vaguely, trying to steer the topic away.

“Hmm,” Aisha hummed thoughtfully. “You know, he’s of marriageable age now. I’ve been thinking it’s high time we start looking for a suitable girl for him.”

Shamim smiled nervously, while Zaina’s heart began to pound. She cast a quick glance at Shamim, who gave her a reassuring look.

Just then, the front door opened, and Sheheryar walked in. He immediately noticed Aisha and greeted her warmly. “Assalamualaikum, Phuphi. When did you arrive?”

“This morning,” Aisha replied, her tone softening for her nephew. “I thought it’s been a while since I visited. And,” she added pointedly, “I wanted to talk about your future.”

Sheheryar’s brows furrowed slightly, though he masked it with a polite smile. “We’ll talk about it later, Phuphi,” he said. His eyes flickered to Zaina, who quickly looked down, her fingers nervously fiddling with her dupatta.

Aisha’s sharp eyes didn’t miss the silent exchange. “What’s going on here?” she asked, narrowing her gaze.

“Nothing, Phuphi,” Sheheryar replied smoothly. “I was just asking Zaina if she needs help in the kitchen.”

“Hmph,” Aisha muttered, leaning back in her chair.

Zaina quickly excused herself and fled to the kitchen, her heart racing. Sheheryar followed shortly after, finding her by the counter, pretending to organize dishes.

“She suspects something,” Zaina whispered, glancing over her shoulder.

“She won’t find out,” Sheheryar assured her, his voice calm. “Not until we’re ready to tell her.”

Zaina sighed, nodding. “I just hope we can keep this up for a week.”

He stepped closer, gently placing a reassuring hand on hers. “We will,” he said, his gaze steady. “And when the time is right, everyone will know, no matter what she says or does.”

Zaina smiled faintly, drawing strength from his confidence. Together, they knew they could face whatever storm Aisha might bring their way.

As Zaina stood close to Sheheryar in the kitchen, her heart was beating fast. She felt safe and cherished, but the moment was interrupted when their Phuphi’s daughter, Alina, walked in unexpectedly.

Alina raised an eyebrow, her gaze shifting between the two of them. “Oh, am I interrupting something?” she teased, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

Sheheryar, ever composed, stepped back and smoothly excused himself. “Not at all. I was just asking Zaina to make me coffee and bring it to my room. I have some work to finish.”

Zaina nodded, though her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. Alina smirked knowingly but didn’t press further as Sheheryar exited the kitchen.

Once she finished brewing the coffee, Zaina poured it into two mugs and carefully carried them upstairs to Sheheryar’s room. She knocked lightly before entering.

“Come in,” Sheheryar called, his voice low yet inviting.

Zaina stepped in, closing the door behind her. She placed the mugs on the table, but before she could sit elsewhere, Sheheryar grabbed her wrist gently and pulled her onto his lap.

“Sheheryar!” she gasped, her face turning crimson.

“What?” he said, feigning innocence. “I just wanted to have coffee with my Aina properly. Is that so wrong?”

She tried to get up, but he tightened his hold, chuckling softly. “You’re not going anywhere,” he said, handing her one of the mugs.

Zaina sighed, giving in, and took the mug. They sipped their coffee together, the closeness making her more flustered by the second.

“You know,” Sheheryar began, his tone playful, “this is the best coffee I’ve ever had. Must be because it’s made with so much love.”

She rolled her eyes. “Stop teasing me.”

“But I can’t help it,” he replied, setting his mug down and gazing at her. “You’re so cute when you’re flustered. And I’m your husband—I’m allowed to flirt with you as much as I want.”

Zaina tried to glare at him, but his charming smile melted her resolve. “You’re impossible,” she muttered, taking another sip of her coffee to avoid meeting his eyes.

“And you’re perfect,” he countered, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “You’re mine, Zaina, and I’ll never get tired of reminding you.”

Her heart fluttered at his words, and she couldn’t help the small smile that crept onto her lips. “You’re such a flirt,” she whispered, shaking her head.

“And you love it,” he said confidently, placing a soft kiss on her temple.

They spent the rest of the evening talking, teasing, and sharing quiet moments together, the love between them growing deeper with every passing second.

As the week went on, the house buzzed with activity and chatter, mostly fueled by their Phuphi’s presence. Zaina was helping in the kitchen when she overheard a conversation that made her heart sink.

Standing just out of sight, she listened as Phuphi spoke to Taya Abbu in the living room.

“Sheheryar is such a gem of a boy, Mashallah,” Phuphi said, her tone filled with pride. “And since Alina has always been so close to him, I think it’s time we make this bond official.”

Taya Abbu raised an eyebrow. “What are you implying, Baji?”

Phuphi chuckled. “I’m saying, let’s arrange Sheheryar’s marriage with Alina. They’ll make such a wonderful pair! And who better to be his wife than my daughter?”

Zaina’s breath hitched, and she felt a knot tighten in her stomach. Her hands trembled, clutching the edge of the counter as she tried to process what she had just heard.

Taya Abbu, to her relief, didn’t agree immediately. “Baji, this isn’t a decision to make so lightly. We need to speak with Sheheryar about this first.”

“Of course,” Phuphi replied with a confident smile. “But I’m sure he won’t object. They’ve known each other forever, and Alina is exactly the kind of girl who can match his lifestyle.”

Zaina couldn’t hear anymore. Her heart pounded in her chest, and tears pricked her eyes as she hurried out of the kitchen and to her room, hoping no one would notice her distress.

Once inside, she closed the door and leaned against it, her thoughts racing. What if Sheheryar agrees? What if he never really wanted me and only went along with our Nikaah because of family pressure?

The mere idea of losing Sheheryar to Alina was unbearable. He had become her safe haven, her happiness. She clutched the pendant of her necklace—a small gift from Sheheryar on the day of their Nikaah—and whispered a silent prayer, asking Allah for strength and guidance.

Unbeknownst to her, Sheheryar was heading toward her room, having noticed her abrupt departure from the kitchen. When he knocked on the door and she didn’t answer, he entered to find her sitting on the bed, lost in thought.

“Aina?” he called softly, his voice filled with concern.

She looked up, startled, and quickly wiped her eyes. “Yes?”

He frowned, stepping closer. “What’s wrong? Did someone say something to you?”

She hesitated, not wanting to burden him with what she had overheard. But his gaze was so intense and full of worry that she couldn’t hold it in.

“Sheheryar,” she began, her voice trembling. “Do you… do you want to marry Alina?”

His brows furrowed, and he immediately sat beside her. “What? Where did this come from?”

“I overheard Phuphi talking to Taya Abbu,” she admitted, her voice breaking. “She wants you to marry Alina. And she thinks… she thinks you’ll agree.”

Sheheryar’s jaw tightened, and his eyes darkened. “Is that what’s been troubling you?”

Zaina nodded, her tears threatening to spill over. “I just… I don’t know what to think. Maybe I’m not enough for you…”

Before she could continue, Sheheryar cupped her face gently, forcing her to look at him. “Stop,” he said firmly. “Don’t ever think like that. You are everything to me, Aina. I don’t care what Phuphi or anyone else says—I made my choice the day I said Qubool Hai. And that choice is you.”

Her tears fell freely now, but they were tears of relief. “But what if—”

“There’s no ‘what if,’” he interrupted, his voice softening. “You’re my wife, Zaina. My Aina. No one else even comes close to what you mean to me.”

He pulled her into a tight hug, holding her as though he’d never let go. “I’ll talk to Phuphi and make it clear that this kind of conversation ends now. No one is going to take you away from me, understand?”

Zaina nodded against his chest, her heart finally at ease.

True to his word, Sheheryar wasted no time confronting his Phuphi later that evening, making it unequivocally clear that Zaina was his wife and the love of his life, leaving no room for further misunderstandings.