Two months into their marriage and Mahrukh could not have been happier. Sure she and Zain had little fights like that one time he would not take her to see the movie she wanted to or when he did not let her go with Akbar and Amna out to dinner claiming "you can always go with me". These past few months had led her to sweet moments. Zain was caring and loving. Sure he could be a brute or a caveman at times, but when they had gotten married, she had accepted all of his attributes. Zain was an attentive husband paying attention to all the little things Mahrukh did.

Not only Zain but Mahrukh felt as if all other relations of hers became better. She and Akbar were closer than ever and he was a person she could easily confide in. In fact, it happened many times that whenever Zain and Mahrukh had a fight Akbar would help in resolving it. Aliya and Akram had become her best friends and would help her prank Zain some times. The one person her relationship was still strained with was Amna. Having been Amna's best friend for so long and to see her over look her hurt Mahrukh. Laraib never even tried to make a good bond with Mahrukh.

The two months had flown by in a blink of the eye. Akbar and Amna along with Faheel and Ayla had celebrated their first wedding anniversary. Everyone had had so much fun and had thrown a large party for them. During which, Mahrukh had seen Laraib go out with a man. She decided to not tell anyone and only talked to her sister in law in private making her understand that if she likes someone she should tell her parents. But Laraib had brushed it off. Telling Mahrukh to mond her own business.

The particular February morning that this event happened was a warm day. Well as warm as a winter day could be. The weather was changing and so temperatures were beginning to rise. During the day you could easily survive without a thick cashmere sweater. The trees were beginning to sprout little flowers getting ready for the arrival of spring. The suburb where the villa was located, seemed to thrive with life as the insects came out of hibernation.

Mahrukh had woken up due to her alarm. She turned around to see that Zain was already gone. Which was unsual for him. Ever since they had gotten married, he would not leave without waking her up (on the days when Mahrukh had not woken up). Sitting up and grabbing her phone, in irder to call him, her phone began to ring. The caller id read Zain.
"Zain why didn't you wake me up before leaving?"
"Actually I got a sudden call from Akbar while you were sleeping. He said that he did not feel well so I should take over the meeting that he has to lead".
"Phir bhi. Jaga tou detay".
(But still. You could've woken me up)
"Sorry jaan. Ainda aisay nahi karo ga".
(Sorry life. Next time I won't do this)
"Remember your words. And best of luck".
Thanking her, Zain cut the call.

Mahrukh entered the spacious bathroom to take a bath. Filling the giant tub and pouring in some bubbles she decided to have a relaxing, self-pamper day. Something she had not done in a while. She lay inside the tub for an hour scrolling through her phone, before rinsing her body and entering her closet. Deciding to go with a basic outfit, Mahrukh wore a black Khadar suit with a red coloured organze duppata. Wrapping her hair in a low bun she headed downstairs.

Taking steps that seemed more like jumps, she made her way into the kicthen as she was famished.
"So you finally woke up?"
Amna spoke in an icy tone.
"Yes?" Mahrukh replied confused.
Not knowing what she was trying to say.
"Well then learn to wake up early. Its not other people's responsibility to look after your husband".
Mahrukh was still confused. What was wrong if she slept in for a day? And she did Zain's chores all by herself.
"What do you mean?" Asked Mahrukh.
"I MEAN TO SAY THAT YOUR MOTHER IN LAW HAD TO COOK FOR YOUR HUSBAND." This did little to solve her curiosity.
"But she is Zain's ammi. If she did cook for him what is wrong in that?"
Amna, knowing that she had created a ruckus for no reason decided to cause a rift between Aliya and Mahrukh.
"Nothing. Just that she was talking bad about you with Zainab phopho,"
and walked out of there, ruining Mahrukh's appetite. Mahrukh had lived with Aliya all her life. If there is one thing she knew about her, it was that the woman never complained about anyone. Still not wanting to cause a scene she decided to talk to Zain rather than Aliya.

Mahrukh came inside her bedroom. Her stomach hurting with hunger. Deciding to snack on Doritos she had kept in her closet, Mahrukh opened the wardrobe. Accidentally opening the erong drawer, she came in sight with a fully packed pack of sanitary napkins. That is right Mahrukh thought, her period was late by two weeks. Usually she wouldn't have cared, but knowing her and Zain's sex life she felt as if she might just be pregnant.

Mahrukh and her brain agreed that she should talk to Aliya about this. She would for sure help her out. Taking timid steps to her mama's (Aliya) room, Mahrukh knocked the door and waited patiently for a few minutes before the lock was opened. Akram who had opened the door, seeing an anxious Mahrukh, let her into the room and left himself to give them privacy.

"Come Mahrukh have a seat".
Aliya patted the place next to where she was lying on the bed. Mahrukh sat over there and tucked her feet beneath herself.
"Mama I had to say something,"
she spoke hesitantly, not knowing how to start the conversation.
"Bolo," Aliya encouraged her.
"I--its---- how do I say this.." Mahrukh said with her head down. Seeing her shyness, Aliya understood what she wanted to say.
"Mahrukh is it it about being pregnant?" Aliya asked not getting her hopes of a grandchild high just yet.
"Ji. I haven't had my periods this month. They are two weeks late. But I dont know-"
(Yes)
seeing that she was so stressed about it Aliya tried to clear her worries.
"Its okay. Don't take to much stress. How about you and I visit the Gynaecologist?" Mahrukh shyly nodded her head and became red when her stomach grumbled.
"Haven't you eaten yet beta?"
Mahrukh nodded her head in negative. Aliya sighed
"Ladki look after yourself. Come on I'll feed you with my hands".
(Girl)
That is just what happened. Aliya took her downstairs and fed her some scrumptious Biryani.

○~○

In the evening, before Zain had returned, Aliya and Mahrukh went to the doctor. Mahrukh's heart beat was raising with every passing minute. She knew that if she was pregnant then Zain would be really happy. But she just felt that she was too young to look after a child. Aliya had helped her de-stress. And comforted her, reminding her that IF she was pregnant then she would have a lot of people on her side to help her out. So there was no real need to worry. Heading into the clinic, they walked up to the receptionist.
"Assalamualikum. Under what name is your reservation?"
The kind receptionist asked. Mahrukh who was a bundle of nerves could not answer and so Aliya answered in her stead.
"Mrs. Mahrukh Zain,"
looking through her file she nodded her head.
"Yes. Head into room#7. Its the one in the left".
Thanking her the two moved into the room like asked and met the doctor.

Mahrukh narrated her entire problem to the doctor who listened silent and attentively. Once Mahrukh had given her entire opinion the doctor began to speak.
"Mrs.Mahrukh . I understand your concerns. If you want we can do an ultrasound and check?"
Mahrukh nodded her head. Eager to know what was happening with her. The doctor lay her down on the cold,hard bed and lifted her shirt. Rubbing the cold jelly on her stomach, she began the ultrasound. After a while of looking, she cleaned the jelly and spoke
"You are not pregnant Mrs. Mahrukh. It seems to me it was just a scare. Change in your diet and lifestyle is causing the delay".
Thanking the doctor they left.

"See Mahrukh. You were worried for no reason".
Aliya spoke softly and grabbed Mahrukh's hands, stopping her from fiddling with them.
"Yes. You are right Mama. Thank you for taking me to the doctor".
Aliya kissed her forehead and Mahrukh restes her head on her shoulder for the rest of the drive.

○~○

Zain entered the gigantic mansion. He called out for Mahrukh but no reply came. Thinking that she was in their room- which was unusual as she would be always waiting for him at the door- but the room was empty. He knew that Saad and Shifa had gone to Lahore to meet a friend of his so that was out of the question that she was with them. The kicthen to was empty. As a last resort he knocked on Akbar's door. Akbar was surprised to see his brother.
"Zain- is everything okay? Why are you here?"
Zain chose not to reply and asked restless
"Is Mahrukh with you?"
But before Akbar could reply, Amna spoke for him.
"Zain bhai. My husband is not like that. To be in a room with an unknown woman. Your wife may be loose-"
Akbar was embarrassed.
"Shut up Amna. Do not take the wrong meaning out of his words. And bhai she went to the doctor with mama".
Zain nodded. He was pacing the hallway worried for Mahrukh. Why would she go to the doctor so urgently?

"Zain you're home!"
Mahrukh spoke, she was surprised for a second but looking at the time, she was surprised that it had taken them that long at the doctors.
"Yea just came. Are you okay? Why did you go to the doctor? Couldn't you tell me?"
Mahrukh wanted to answer but Aliya did it for her
"Zain beta, talk this thing out in private. Head up to your room. I will send your dinner there".
Simultaneously nodding their heads, they turned around on their heels when a loud clap resonated through the hall.

"Wow! Mahrukh must say what a game you have! Both brothers tied around your finger! Tell me your secrets as well".
Amna's tone explained all that she was trying to say. Akbar who had had enough, slapped her.
"YOU ASKED MY FORGIVENESS I GAVE IT TO YOU. YOU SAID THAT YOU CHANGED I BELIEVED YOU!! THAT GIRL WAS YOUR BEST FRIEND FOR SO LONG. I AM ASHAMED THAT YOU ARE MY WIFE!"
Amna decided to shout as well.
"ITS ALWAYS MAHRUKH THIS AND MAHRUKH THAT. FROM YOUR MOTHER TO YOU ALL CLAIM MAHRUKH IS AN ANGEL. ALL SHE HAS DONE IS DESTROY OUR RELATIONSHIP".
Akbar clenched his fists and spoke in a clipped tone
"YOU RUINED US. DON'T BLAME AN INNOCENT WOMAN. YOU KNEW HOW CLOSE WE WERE AND YET BULLY HER ABOUT IT EVERYDAY!"
Zain knowing that this drama would happen everyday decided to end it for good.
"Akbar and Mama. I think Mahrukh and I staying here does not sit well with a majority of this household. I will have our own quarters built in the other side of the yard. We will live our lives separately. I can not bear to see everyone insulting my wife everyday".
Aliya thinking it was a wise decision agreed.

○~○

Zain and Mahrukh were inside their bedroom. They had already talked about what happened downstairs. Now Zain wanted to know why did she go to the doctor. Mahrukh sighed and began speaking
"Well my period was supposed to start two weeks ago. It didn't I thought I was pregnant. And so mama took me to the doctor to check as I was very stressed". Zain hummed against her skin.
"And then?" Zain asked with curiosity.
"I'm not pregnant". Mahrukh spoke sadly. The idea of a child had begun to grow on her. Zain seeing her sad gave her support
"Its okay. Maybe its not our time just yet. Just pray and InshAllah we will have our own kids soon".
Mahrukh too said InshAllah and then the duo slept.

In the middle of the night Mahrukh woke up due to severe pain in her lower belly. Walking to the washroom she saw that her period had begun. After doing her business, she came out to inspect the sheets. Seeing they were clean she sighed with relief and got in bed.

So much for a relaxing day, Mahrukh thought.

○~○