Two days passed after my wedding Fatiha and Baba let me stay with Umma because of the numerous guests at home. Today Abban Hamza had informed me that my inlaws were coming to see me. Umma woke me up early to take my bath and get ready. She made me wear Buba & a wrapper with a big veil as opposed to my beautiful Kimono Abaya.

You're now a married woman.
She scolded.
No more dressing like all these unmarried ladies.

What's wrong with this woman
How is an Abaya not for married ladies.?
I thought.

They arrived after Zuhr and I was sent for. I wrapped the veil and sprayed a little more perfume then walked into the palour my head bowed down and I found a place and sat down. I greeted them one by one and they answered.

Ya gajiyan biki?
My mother inlaw asked squeezing my hand as I greeted her.

I smiled.

After a few exchange of pleasantries, his sisters were asked to follow Asiya and I was left alone with my parents and her.

Toh Mas'ud
she started referring to Abban Hamza
Yaro de yace a kai masa matar sa can (this boy said we should send his wife over there)

I know everyone is unprepared for this but because of the nature of his job.
I even tried speaking to Mr Kofti but it was to no avail. He has a lot of work doing and they won't give him a break.

Abban Hamza spoke now
What about the house he has here?

I don't know
she said her face suddenly sullen.

He doesn't want to use the house.
But what I want to say is let's just do what he wants.
Send her over.
Itama ta huta (so that she rests)
After some weeks I'll call him personally and talk to him about her school.
She's about to start her service. I'm sure that time she'll come back and settle here.
He can get transferred here also.
I'll speak to his father.

I wasn't getting the conversation and Umma was silent too.

Abban Hamza turned to Umma.
What do you think?

Umhh
She replied.
Duk abinda kace.

Hameeda
They both turned facing me.
You're travelling to Newyork in 4 days.
It's only going to be for a while.
Before you come back your house will be ready here.

I sighed.

Allah ya miki Albarka.

They took my sigh as a sign of Acceptance.
4 days I thought.

×××

I arrived Newyork after a two nights transit in Istanbul. I stayed at the hotel mostly afraid not to get lost. It was my first flight outside the country and alone. The plane landed and I checked my wristwatch. It was a new one, a gift from Rahma. I didn't even set the time because I knew i had my phone to do that. Who checks a wristwatch these days I thought.
But tonight out of all days I needed it to work. I had exhausted my battery during the flight and now my phone's dead. I looked around the around. Guessing from the darkness reflecting through the high glass panes, it was somewhere after Isha. I got my passport stamped and was guided to pick my luggage. Thank God I only packed a few. I remembered My mother inlaw telling me he's going to pick me up from the airport.
I found a place and sat down scanning all the people well most of the people walking around the arrival gate. Why didn't I pay attention to his picture when his sisters were showing me. It would have been easier I thought. By my calculations nearly one hour has passed and I was beggining to panic. What If he had forgotten I was coming? Why didn't I have his number at first. I wanted to ask at the airport back home but I thought it was rude. And since he was picking me up I didn't mind.
M

inutes went by and I stared into space a thousand thoughts of the worst things that might happen running through my mind.

Hameedah?
A voice brought me back.

I looked up and at that moment I felt a lump in my throat.

It was nearly midnight when we arrived. He pressed on a buzzer from the Car window and spoke as the gates opened wide. There was a little distance between the gate and what seems to be a wide spaced terrace of houses. He parked in front of the largest one. I was quite all through the ride because I didn't know what to say and because I noticed he didn't bother to speak too. He opened the door and walked to the house with my suitcase. He pressed some digits while the door opened and placed the box near a console by the door. I just stood there watching.

I have to run off.
He broke the silence.
Big game today.
I noticed he was wearing a Jersey.

Then he walked out.

My mind went blank. I remembered the hours I had spent waiting at the airport and now this? What happened to the Omar whom I was told was eager to see his wife? Who is this person that picked me off from the airport? I wondered.

I wanted to give the house a tour but the thought of the house being bugged with security cameras stopped me.
Atleast that's what I learned from the movies. A house this big should have cameras. I loosened my veil and dropped my bag on the console.

I was pressed. I gave the living room a tour trying to find a bathroom which I did after going to the kitchen and a study and back. I performed ablution and went back to living room. I scanned my eyes praying to see a prayer mat and praying to God for a sign of the Qiblah. There was only a mat and no one to ask for the Qiblah So I just found a suitable corner and placed the rug. Getting a hijab from my suitcase, I prayed. I finished praying Qasr for all the prayers I had missed when I heared the door open.

It was him. He stood there for some moment and disappeared.
I didn't leave my position.
Few minutes later he emerged and spoke;

Your room is upstairs.
You can pray there.

And he walked ahead carrying my suitcase whilst I followed. Upstairs there was another living room and a mini kitchen. There were four rooms also. He showed me the first room .

This is your room. It has a closet and a twin bathroom adjoining to the other bedroom. You can choose the other if you want.
He walked to the next room through the adjoining bathroom.

This is the other room (i was thinking of PMB when I wrote this 😂)

H

e walked out again as I tagged along like a lost kid

This is mine.
A

nd the other is empty.
Make yourself at home.
Food is in the kitchen.

And he just closed the door.

I walked to the living room and sat down. I don't know if this is weird or not I thought.
From stories et all, this wasn't what I expected of the bridal treatment.
Or is it different according to countries I thought. I thought about the American movies I watched.
No I shook my head.

I headed for the kitchen and saw some take out packs on the working table. I opened one to find a burger.

The other had fries. And a cup of milkshake.

A fucking burger.! I nearly screamed. Is this a joke?, Are there cameras and people hiding behind the wall that will spring out any moment and tell me this was just a movie or a surprise.

Is this IMPRACTICAL JOKERS!? What happened to suya(kebabs) and yoghurt. I sighed and grabbed a chair but changed my mind.
I

walked back to the room dejected, to eat & wait for the hidden camera crew to jump out. But no they didn't.

Sorry guys. For the slow /short update.
I have a Neurology/Rheumatology test coming up on 1st.
Stressed much.
(Okay I just used medical words to make you believe it's a big test & make it sound complicated)
But it is much 🙈.
Prayers please.
C

lick the 🌟also.