Chapter 34

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34| Nawal

When I was discharged, Ahad insisted that he could at least take me to the car so he me held like I was a fragile doll, who would break, as he sat me down on a wheelchair. I didn't even need a wheelchair since I was perfectly capable of walking myself but everyone teamed up against me, saying that I shouldn't move around a lot so the body ache could decrease. I rolled my eyes to show my displeasure. Ahad pushed the wheelchair as my family walked in front of me to Rauf bhai's car and them mama and Ahad helped me sit into the backseat. I bid Ahad goodbye and he let me go, even though I could clearly see he was hesitant. I, honestly, wanted to go back home with him since I felt much more comfortable over there now but I couldn't fight my mother. She was too persistent.

Everyone was walking on eggshells around me and I wasn't left alone for even a second. Mama even tried to get me to sleep in the same room as her but I told her I wasn't a child and that I needed privacy. It was also because I planned to video call my husband every night and sleep while we were still on call, like in the movies.

We reached home at around 3 am so I slept in till 1 pm the next day because I was tired and because the medicines made me a little drowsy.

"Nawal, why did you come down by yourself? You should've called me." When I got downstairs, my family was having dinner and mama got up and guided me into my chair.

"Mama, I'm fine. I can walk by myself. It's just my arm that is fractured." I was truly starting to get frustrated by her behavior now.

"Okay, okay. I'm sorry. Let me get your lunch now." She got up but I stopped her. "Hold on, the lunch is already here. What do you mean?" I raised my eyebrow, I would've crossed my arms too if I could.

"I made khichdi and soup for you." Seriously?!

*khichdi: a mixture of lentils, rice, and spices.

"And did the doctor ask you to feed me such food?" I pointedly asked.

"No, but-" I interrupted her before she could complete her sentence.

"Then I'm having what you guys are eating." I picked up the rice from the table and served some to myself.

"Sobia, I told you she won't eat such things. You don't have to do it all, she's fine except for the fracture and the medicines are helping her too. You should've let her go home with Ahad." Baba smiled at mama and her face fell.

"I just wanted to help." A sad frown took over her face and I instantly felt guilty.

"Mama, I still need help with eating..." I trailed off, unsure if she would even help me anymore but she slid my plate over to her and scooped up some rice in a spoon before feeding me.

"Maybe I should've let you go with Ahad. Call him and ask him to pick you up tomorrow. Today, I want you with me." I smiled as she softly ran her hand through my hair.

"I'll stay for today but only if you let me lay down in your lap." I teased her and she laughed. "Yes, yes. You can stay in my lap the entire day." I gave her a one-arm hug with my good hand and kissed her cheek.

When everyone was done eating, mama started cleaning out the table and I offered to help but she just asked me to go to my room and that she will be there shortly for our bonding session. I decided to take a warm shower so I picked out some loose clothes so I could easily get in them. I was used to lounging around the house in baggy t-shirts and trousers before marriage so I pulled out an old set and took it with me to the washroom and changed after I showered.

Once I was done, I left the washroom and saw my mother sitting on my bed, mindlessly cleaning the mess of medicines on the nightstand.

"You showered? Let me change your bandage. Come here." She gestured for me to sit next to her and I obliged as she took out a fresh bandage and wrapped it around my arm before sitting cross legged on the bed as I lay my head in her lap and she smoothed out my hair.

"Beta, you're happy in this marriage right?" She cautiously asked and I vigorously nodded. "I'm very happy mama, why do you think I've been so eager to go back home?" She smiled at me as she split my hair into three equal parts to braid them.

"And you have no issues with your in-laws?" She questioned and I shook my head. "They're all very nice but why are you asking?" I raised an eyebrow cluelessly.

"I'm your mother so of course I'm worried about your happiness but remember it's not always about love. There must be trust and respect between a couple too. That's what makes a relationship stronger and always talk to each other whenever there is a problem. Hiding it or lying won't help, it will only increase the problems after shoving it aside temporarily." I clasped her hand in my hand and patted it with my other hand.

"I know mama and if I ever need any advice or help, I'll always come to you." She looked satisfied so I freed her hand and let her go back to braiding my hair.

My phone rang on the nightstand so mama gave it to me and I looked at the caller IDโ€“ Ahad.

"Do you want me to leave?" She politely asked and I shook my head. "I'll put the phone on speaker."

"What if he only wants to talk to you?" She narrowed her eyes and gave me a smug grin.

"Allah! Mama stop teasing me. I have enough people to do that." I ran a hand down my face before answering the call and turning the speaker on.

"Asalam Alaikum, jaan." I could hear car horns in the background, telling me he was in the car. Mama looked at me with a mischievous glint in her eyes and I turned around, hiding my face.

"Walaikum Asalam. You're on speaker, Ahad. Mama is here too." I informed him before he said something else that would embarrass us both in front of my mother. He cleared his throat, awkwardly.

"Asalam Alaikum aunty. Agar ijazat ho to aapke ghar aajaun?" He asked for her permission and I almost laughed at how tense he sounded.

*"if you allow, can I come to your house?"

"Of course, beta. We'll wait for you." She told him then smiled at me.

"Well, I'm driving so I'll cut the call now. That's all I had to say. Allah hafiz." We both returned the greeting and cut the call.

"I told you he would want to talk to you personally. He certainly didn't call you to say that only." She disapprovingly shook her head at my behavior. "Okay, now get up and change." She nudged my back to get me off her lap and I groaned, adjusting in her lap again.

"Why do I need to change? I'm walking around in t-shirts all day at home too." I snuggled deeper as she lightly smacked my head, making me look up at her again.

"At least change to welcome him? He's your husband."

"Mama, it won't matter to him and it's really hard to change with a broken arm. I'm not going through the hassle again. You should go and prepare food for your beloved damad." I was only joking but she took it seriously as she got me off her lap and went downstairs.

With a sigh, I laid down on the bed, pillows spread around everywhere. I hasn't expressed but my body, especially my back, had been so sore since the fall yesterday that I couldn't even move around properly without wincing at least once but if it saved two lives in return then it was all worth it. As I stayed on the bed, relishing in the comfort, my eyelids felt heavy as I dozed off into slumber again. I tried to fight it, to stay awake for Ahad and because it was the middle of the day too but I just couldn't keep my eyes open anymore so I gave in.

***

Not sure after how long, I lazily woke up from the light nap by the sensation of someone stroking my arm with feathered touches. My eyes immediately met Ahad's as I looked up and noticed the softest smile on his face and attempted to sit up but winced. His smile instantly dissolved into a worried expression and I smiled to reassure him.

"Are you alright?" He asked as he assisted me when I tried to sit up again and then pulled my pillow up to rest flat against the headboard so I could lean on it. I threw my good arm around his neck and let my head fall on his shoulder as he gently hugged me back, ensuring he didn't squeeze me tight or lay a hand on my injured arm.

I noted how he was in a dress shirt and slacks even though he wasn't wearing his jacket and frowned. "Did you go to work? It's the first day of the year, though." I enjoyed the feeling of his hands around my waist as I closed my eyes again.

"Yeah, I run a hotel business, jaan. It's packed at this time so I went there for a while to look over and because I needed a discretion so I wouldn't worry about you and miss you like crazy the entire day." He sheepishly confessed and I grinned.

"It's only fair that you missed me too like I did. I've wanted nothing more to be with you again. It's so weird how a few months back I couldn't think of any other home than here but now if anyone asked, I'd only think of you." He smiled at my words and pecked my forehead before separating us and getting of the bed and then assisting me down from the bed. I rested my hand on his shoulder and kissed him, on the lips, as his arms instinctively went around me to balance me. We stayed like that for a few moments, just enjoying the kiss.

"What was that for?" He asked when we separated and I rested my head against his chest.

"I love you so much." I told him and he laughed, causing me to look up and glare at him, silently questioning what's so funny.

"Guess someone missed me too much." We both went downstairs together where the rest of my family was sitting.

"Thank God you both decided to come downstairs, I was starting to think you were going to spend the rest of the time in your room." Bhai smirked suggestively and mama slapped his arm for teasing us like that and he rubbed it with his other hand, making me chuckle.


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(A.N): Please vote and comment, thank you โ€น๐Ÿน


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