𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟐𝟓

ARZO

The day I return to university after getting married, I didn’t expect any attention.

But I was wrong.

My ring stood out and caught a lot of people’s attention.

Some girls- I have never met in my life- came and asked me if I was engaged or married and I told them that I was married. They were pretty nice and congratulated me. Even my art teacher noticed the ring and when I told her I was married, she also congratulated me and said she was very happy for me.

In short, my day at the university went very well.

So when I get ready to go to work, my mood is better than any other day.

Abbie- the receptionist and the one person I talk to here- is the first one to notice my ring when I check in and congratulates me.

I thank her and start making my way towards the elevator when a familiar voice calls me.

“Bhabhiiii”

I turn around and find Faizan and Farhan coming towards me.

“Assalamu Alaikum,” they say.

“Wale Kum Assalam,” I greet back, “how are you?”

“I am not good.” Farhan says, “your husband scolded me for walking into his office.”

“I didn’t scold you,” Faizan says, “I told you to learn to knock before entering.”

“And I told you that best friends don’t knock.”

Faizan sighs, “whatever.”

“Are you two going somewhere?” I sign.

“Yes. We are going to hang out with our friends.” Farhan says.

“We’re not hanging out with them, we have a meeting.”

“Tomato, tomahto.”

“So, you won’t be at work for long?” I ask.

“No-”

“Do you want him to stay?” Farhan asks, “because it’s okay, I can pull strings and fill in for him at the meeting. I’m sure they’ll understand.”

My eyes widen and I sign, “no, no, it’s okay. I was just wondering.”

“Oh,”

“What is your problem?” Faizan asks his friend.

“I do not have any problems whatsoever, Alhumdulillah. I don’t know why you keep asking that question-”

“Amar, you can go to your floor. I’ll drag him out.”

“I do not give you permission to drag me out.”

I press my lips together, suppressing a laugh at their banter.

“Have a nice day, Allah Hafiz.” I sign to them.

“Allah Hafiz.”

I turn around and make my way towards the elevator and wait for it to open then step inside.

As soon as the elevator opens to my floor, I make my way towards my table, take my seat and open my computer to start working.

When lunch time arrives, I decide to stay by my desk and eat while also finishing my university assignment.

Since the events are going to start soon, I will have to juggle my university assignments and work assignments along with those events. Thankfully, I won’t have to deal with final exams right now.

Someone taps my shoulder making me turn around. I find two girls from my team, standing a feet away from me.

“Hey, is it true?” she asks making me frown.

“Be more specific.” the other one says.

“Oh, right. Um, is it true that you married our boss?”

I look back and forth between them before I slowly nod.

Their mouths drop open in shock and they exchange a glance, chuckling.

She looks back at me and says, “okay, thank you.” then walks away muttering, “I can’t believe it. That’s wild.”

I slowly turn back to my computer with an unsettling feeling in my stomach.

Should I have said that?

I don’t know if Faizan has told anyone outside of our family about our nikkah. And news like this spreads out quickly and will touch the press. The press will bug him with questions.

For the rest of the day, I try not to think too much about the situation but it keeps bugging me. And the sudden whispers from my colleagues doesn’t help either.

When it’s time to finally go home, I first go to the reception.

Abbie looks up from her computer and smiles, “hi, can I help you?”

Is Faizan back from his meeting?

“No,” she says, “do you want me to give him a message?”

I shake my head and type, no, it’s okay. Thank you.

“No problem.” she says, smiling.

We say goodbye to each other then I leave the building.

The anxiety doesn’t leave when I get in my car. So, I close my eyes and start reciting the Durood Sharif to calm my nerves.

I release a heavy breath after reciting it and most of the tension leaves my body, putting me at ease.

I decide to send Faizan a quick text about what happened today. He will find out either way, might as well tell him myself.

Me

So, someone at work asked me if I got married to our boss aka you and I said yes.

I don't know if you have told anyone outside of our family about our nikkah and I don’t know how the press will react to this news when it comes out. I’m really sorry if I did something wrong by saying that, I didn’t think it through.

I send him the text and quickly exit his chat box, throwing my phone in my bag. I start my car and drive to my house.

As soon as I enter my house, ammi descends the stairs, “Assalamu Alaikum, beta.” she says, smiling.

“Wale Kum Assalam,” I greet back.

“How was your day?”

“Fine. Alhumdulillah.”

“Shukar Alhamdulillah. Go fresh up.” she says, “oh and also, something came for you today. I placed it in your room.” she says then walks away.

Curious to know what arrived, I quickly make my way upstairs to my room.

I step into my room and find a beautiful bouquet of white lilies placed on my bed with a note.

First, I just stand there and stare at the bouquet as if I’ve never seen one in my whole life. Then I remember something.

What is your favorite flower?

Lilies.

I slowly approach the bouquet and pick it up, a smile taking over my lips at the sweet gesture. I pick up the note and read it.

Flowers for amar,

Just because.

A silent chuckle leaves my lips.

I quickly take out my phone from my bag to send him a thank you text and come across a text from him that warms my heart.

Faizan

It's okay. I'm not hiding you from anyone.

My smile widens and I text back.

Me

Thank you for the flowers.

Faizan

No problem.

Me

Are you done with your meeting?

Faizan

No

I blink at my phone.

Me

You're in the meeting?

Faizan

Yes.

Me

OH MY GOD. WHY ARE YOU TEXTING ME?!?! FOCUS ON THE MEETING.

Faizan

The meeting's not that important.

Me

Are you saying I'm more important than your meetings?

Faizan

Yes.

My lips part at his text.

Me

I was kidding.

Faizan

I wasn't.

Me

Focus on your meeting. I have to take a nap.

Faizan

Okay.

Me

Allah Hafiz

Faizan

Allah Hafiz.

I turn off my phone and stare at the flowers with a huge grin on my face.

What did I do to deserve him?