Imran gently woke her just after returning from the mosque. The sun was already rising, casting faint rays into the cold, dark room, which was only dimly illuminated by the soft glow of the lamp he had just turned on.

"Wake up, habibty," He repeated, his voice still laced with sleep, the same words that had stirred her from her slumber.

Jadwa tried to get up, but a small, painful sound escaped her lips as her body failed to comply. Every muscle ached, the soreness from the night before weighing her down.

Imran leaned over, his fingers tenderly brushing away the dried tears from her cheeks. "Are you okay?" He asked gently, concern etched in his voice. She responded by snuggling deeper into the duvet, seeking solace in its warmth.

"No," She managed to croak out, her voice raspy, sounding foreign to her own ears.

"Take a bath. It'll make you feel better," He suggested softly, though she could only nod slightly, unable to move due to the soreness that gripped her body.

Imran said nothing more, simply disappearing into the closet. When he returned, she noticed he was dressed in a grey Moroccan jallabiya, the rich scent of oud trailing after him, a sure sign he had just come back from the mosque.

He sat on the edge of the bed, carefully slipping his soft cotton white shirt over her head, his touch as light as a feather. With gentle hands, he peeled the duvet away, his fingers resting lightly on her thighs. Her eyes fluttered open, meeting his gaze, filled with concern and an apology he couldn't quite express.

"I'm sorry, baby," He whispered, his voice thick with regret. Then, with a tenderness that belied his strength, he scooped her into his arms, cradling her as he carried her toward the bathroom.

Jadwa closed her eyes, her head nestled comfortably against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. Once inside the bathroom, he set her gently on her feet, making sure she was steady before stepping back. He helped her clean up without making her feel any discomfort. Afterward, he left her alone to soak in the bath, giving her the space to relax and gather herself.

She remained in the bath until the heat began to soothe her aching muscles, easing the tension that had taken hold of her body. She dried off her hair and her body and slipped back into the shirt he had dressed her in earlier. As she emerged from the bathroom, she noticed the bed had been neatly made, a small gesture that brought a lump to her throat. She shuffled toward him, her steps slow and deliberate, meeting him halfway.

Her eyes welled with tears as a humbling realization settled over her like a heavyweight. The marriage was now complete—fully, irrevocably. There was no going back to Ammi or her childhood home. This was her life now, her forever.

Imran's arms encircled her back, pulling her close as he searched her face with worried eyes. "What's wrong?" He asked, guiding her to the nearest couch in his spacious bedroom.

Jadwa sniffed, trying to hold back her tears, silently chastising herself for the overwhelming wave of emotion. She was too shy to meet his gaze, her eyes fixed on the floor as she struggled to find her voice.

"What's the matter?" He pressed, his voice gentle, coaxing as he took her hand in his.

"Nothing," She choked out, though the tears brimming in her eyes betrayed her words.

"Come on, baby." He urged, lifting her chin so their eyes met. As soon as their gazes locked, a tear slipped down her cheek, and suddenly, she couldn't hold back any longer. The floodgates opened.

Imran's worry deepened. He had tried so hard to be gentle, to treat her with care, but now he knew he had inadvertently caused her pain. She was like a delicate flower, fragile compared to his strength. Seeing her so distraught, he pulled her closer, her face pressed against his chest as she sobbed quietly. His hand moved in soothing circles along her back, trying to offer comfort in the only way he knew how.

"Should I call a doctor?" He asked. He was out of his depth, unsure how to navigate the storm of her emotions.

Jadwa shook her head quickly, her voice barely above a whisper as she confessed, "I want to go back to Ammi." The words tumbled out, raw and honest, as her tears soaked into his jallabiya.

A rush of relief washed over Imran, though her request took him by surprise. He almost laughed at the absurdity of it, but he held it in, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth despite himself.

"You want to go back to Ammi? But you know she's in Lagos, right?" He reminded her gently, wiping away the tears that continued to fall.

The mention of Lagos made her cry even harder, clutching his jallabiya as if it were a lifeline, hiding her face from him in a mix of embarrassment and longing. He tried to console her, offering soft reassurances, but it seemed nothing he said could stem the tide of her tears.

"Haba, Jadwa, ke baby ce?" He teased lightly, noticing the small pout that formed on her lips as she cried. His heart ached to see her like this, so fragile and overwhelmed. "If I take you to Ammi now, she'll see the state you're in," he added gently, referring to the marks on her body—evidence of their consummation. The realization made her loosen her grip on his jallabiya, sniffling as she considered his words. She slowly tried to pull down the shirt to cover a bit more of her legs which was impossible due to the length of the shirt.

"Exactly, you don't want that, right?" He continued, his tone shifting to something almost playful as if he were speaking to a child. She nodded slowly, her expression a mix of resignation and understanding.

"I'll take you home once they return and you're feeling better," He promised, though her frown lingered. Still, she nodded, accepting his words even as she struggled to fully reconcile with them.

"Let me see you smile, toh," he urged, his voice tender, coaxing her to find some joy amid her tears. She snuggled deeper into his chest, her emotions still too raw to easily comply. Imran realized then just how deeply sensitive his wife was, how her emotions bubbled so close to the surface, and how shy she was, avoiding his gaze the entire time.

"I'll change my mind," He said gently, a hint of mischief in his tone. Instantly, she looked up at him, offering a toothy smile through her tears. He wiped away the last of her tears, his heart swelling with affection.

"Enough of the tears, kinji matata?" He whispered, and she nodded with a small shy smile as he helped her to her feet.

"Tohm," She echoed, holding onto him tightly, seeking comfort in his presence.

"I don't want to sleep here," She confessed, her voice small and uncertain as they
approached the bed.

"Why?" He asked, facing her with curiosity flickering in his eyes.

Jadwa buried her head in his shoulders, her defiance clear in the way she avoided his gaze. Imran looked at her, half-amused, half-bemused by her behavior. He could have easily brushed it off and laid her to sleep there but something about her vulnerability, her overwhelming shyness, stopped him. He understood that she wasn't just being difficult; she was sensitive and deeply emotional. Instead of pressing the issue, he scooped her up in his arms, carrying her as if she were a child, and brought her to her room.

Even then, she refused to leave his embrace, curling up against his chest like a small child seeking comfort. Imran couldn't help but look at her with adoration, marveling at how delicate she seemed, how much she needed him in that moment. He let her be, indulging her need to be held, to be coddled, whispering soft words and babying her until gradually drifted off to sleep in his arms.

—----------------------------

Jadwa woke later, her eyes fluttering open as she snuggled deeper into the duvet. After a moment, she managed to sit upright, her gaze drifting to the clock on the bedside table. It was past noon. The time surprised her, but more than that, she realized she was feeling better than she had earlier, though the heaviness in her limbs remained.

Determined, she pushed herself to get up, though it felt like moving with heavy weights attached to her body. After several minutes of slow progress, she made her way to the bathroom, where she let the hot water cascade over her. She recalled the morning's events, a chuckle escaping her as she relived the moments. It was strange, how emotions had swept over her so strongly, but what mattered was how tenderly Imran had handled her.

Once she finished her shower, she gulped down the painkillers he had left on the bedside table and headed to the closet. After applying her body care products and oils, she selected a loose pair of pants and a top that was a bit too small, revealing her waist chain. But it was the best option she had among the shorts, crop tops, and silk dresses.

With her outfit complete, Jadwa took a moment to appreciate the decor of the room, marveling at how perfectly it matched her vision. The soft colors, elegant furnishings, and thoughtful details were everything she had imagined—no, even better. It was clear that care and attention had gone into every aspect of its design, making her feel like she was in a dream brought to life.
Feeling a bit more composed, she walked out of her bedroom and into the spacious living room. The sight took her breath away, it was even more beautiful than she had anticipated. The furniture was a perfect blend of timeless elegance and modern comfort, creating a sophisticated atmosphere. Her mood lifted as she slowly made her way toward the coffee station.

Her brow furrowed slightly in confusion as she noticed the high-end coffee machine, which seemed out of place. She knew Imran only drank tea, with mint being his favorite—something Anaya had mentioned more than once. Yet, here was a ridiculously expensive coffee machine, surrounded by an assortment of cups and various types of loose tea leaves and tea bags. It was clear that the coffee station was meant for her, and the thoughtfulness behind it warmed her heart.

Taking her time, she brewed a cup of mint tea for Imran, carefully pouring the fragrant liquid into a delicate cup. With the cup in hand, she walked slowly to his room, the door slightly ajar. As she stepped inside, she noticed him on the phone, his voice low and serious, clearly engaged in a work-related conversation.

Imran was shirtless, wearing only a pair of loose shorts, and his laptop was open on the sofa beside him. The sight made her pause, her gaze dropping to the tea in her hands as she hesitated at the threshold, unsure whether to interrupt. But then he looked up, his eyes locking onto hers, and his expression softened instantly.

He tapped his lap, a silent invitation for her to join him. Jadwa hesitated for a moment before returning his smile and crossing the room to sit beside him. Imran took the cup from her hands, raising it to his lips for a sip. His eyes twinkled with appreciation, and he bent down to place a gentle kiss on the top of her head, a simple yet intimate gesture that made her heart flutter.

As he continued his conversation, Jadwa leaned against his body, her fingers lightly tracing the scar that ran along his torso, a stark contrast to the strong muscles beneath his skin. When he finally ended the call, he turned to her with a smile.

"Good morning?" He asked playfully, though the time of day was well past that.

"Good afternoon," She corrected, her voice still a bit raspy. She cleared her throat, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep.

Imran chuckled, pulling her closer into a warm hug. He peppered her face with kisses, his lips brushing her cheeks, her forehead, and her nose until she couldn't help but laugh and put her hands up to stop him.

"How are we doing?" He asked, raising an eyebrow as he looked at her with genuine concern.

"We are doing good," She replied, a small smile playing on her lips as she met his gaze, feeling a sense of warmth spread through her chest.

"I don't know where you got this shyness from," He teased, gently lifting her chin so she couldn't look away. But the moment their eyes met, she dropped her gaze again, whispering in protest.
"I'm not shy."

"Oh really?" He said, a playful smirk tugging at his lips as he flicked her forehead lightly.

"Ouch!" She exclaimed, glaring at him in mock indignation, which only made him laugh harder.
Jadwa shifted her gaze to his laptop, noticing the document filled with what looked like complex questions. Curiosity piqued, she asked, "Are you working?"

"I just had to get this done," He explained, pointing at the screen. Her eyes widened slightly as she scanned the text, realizing they were exam questions she couldn't quite comprehend.

"What for? Your students?"

"No, this is for the Russian intelligence I worked with. I still set questions for their promotional exams," he replied, and she nodded, impressed by his versatility.

"Don't you get tired of doing so many things at the same time?" She asked, genuinely curious.

Imran chuckled, shaking his head. "It's just once a year, and besides, I need to keep spoiling you," He said with a grin, his tone light-hearted and full of affection.

Jadwa laughed along with him, her worries momentarily forgotten. "I like it. I'm enjoying it. You are using my time but I forgive you." She admitted playfully trying to hide the awful shyness she felt, her smile widening as she saw the admiration in his eyes as she spoke.

"Thank you, ma'am." He suddenly gave her a once-over, his gaze lingering as he took in her appearance.

"Get me my watch over there," he requested, pointing to the bedside table. She got up slowly, retrieving the watch and bringing it back to him.

Imran watched her closely, noting how she moved with deliberate slowness, still recovering from the soreness. When she handed him the watch, he took it and smiled, motioning for her to sit back down on the couch.

"Sit here. I'll get us some food," He said, rising to his feet.

"I'll follow you," She said quickly, her voice soft but firm. She didn't want to be left alone, not after everything.

"No, stay here. I'll be back in a second," He insisted, looking at her with a mixture of affection and authority, knowing she needed to rest
Jadwa hesitated but eventually nodded, sinking back into the couch as she watched him leave the room. Her mind wandered as she sat there, reflecting on how much had changed in such a short time. She was married now, no longer under Ammi's roof, but starting a new life with Muhammad Imran.

When Imran returned, he carried a tray with an assortment of dishes, the aroma filling the room. He set it down on the small table in front of the couch and gestured for her to come closer.

"Let's eat together," He said, and she joined him, feeling a sense of comfort in the simple act of sharing a meal.

As they ate, they talked about little things—her favorite foods, his work, and vaguely about their plans for the future. Now and then, he would reach over to brush a crumb from her lips or refill her glass, small gestures that made her feel cherished and safe.

After they finished, Jadwa leaned back, feeling content and a little sleepy. Imran noticed and smiled, pulling her close once again, and wrapping his arms around her protectively.

"Let's take a nap," he suggested, his voice soothing, and she didn't protest. Instead, she rested her head on his shoulder, her eyes drifting shut as she felt the steady rise and fall of his chest beneath her, the thought of her new life silently weighing in her mind.

husnathewriter took it upon herself to edit this chapter within 2 hours just to make sure you all get the chapter on time...
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