"I will never accept this marriage". Was his first words to her

She shrugged, "Good for you". Were her first words to him

*******

She jumped around walking down the roadside on her own looking around with a wide grin. She loved to do things on her own since she had been on her own for a very long time.

"How can a month bride leave her house and come here?". She heard her lovely caretaker- Shaima said

"I missed you, that's why". She said smiling hugging her

"Did they kick you out?". Shaima asked

She placed her hand on her chest, "You think they will?. You wound me".

"Stop your drama". Shaima said walking inside as she walks with her, "How are you here then?".

She groaned, "I don't know. They said I can go visit you".

"What about your husband?". Shaima asked

She stopped abruptly, "You see, he is very busy".

"How can a man not take off after his marriage?". Shaima asked

She shrugged, "I don't know. I have been married once".

Shaima hit her shoulder, "Don't talk like that. I am sure they sent you here so you stop eating their brain".

"They love me". She said proudly

Shaima shakes her head, "I cannot believe you are still the same after marriage".

She grinned sitting on the couch looking at the children around her, "You should have known. You placed me with a poor soul who will have to suffer for a very long time".

*******

"I will not stay with her". He said looking at his friend

"Why?". His friend asked

"Because she isn't my type and I already have someone". He said frowning

"Sure, you do. Then, why did you marry her and not say anything beforehand when you had a chance instead of ruining her life?". His friend said

"You don't understand. She isn't my type". He argued

His friend chuckled, "How do you think arranged marriages last?. No one is no one's type they have to understand, trust and give time to each other to be one".

"You are not even married". He replied

His friend shrugged, "I would rather wait instead of ruining anyone else life. Even if my parents have someone for me I wouldn't make her suffer for my own sake".

"I have a headache talking to you. Let's just go grab some food and drink". He said walking away

His friend sighs.

They walked inside the mall filled with many people because of the new sale. He rolled his eyes looking at his friend because it was his decision to come here and now the noise is killing him.

"I cannot believe this". He said groaning

As he said, he bumped into someone almost causing him to fall but he steadies himself.

"Watch yourself". He said unhappily

"You have two eyes of your own why don't you use them?". He heard someone say

He turned around to find none other than his wife. She looked at him a little shocked because as much as he knows him this man cannot come to a place like this. But, then she only says those words because he was rude to her friend.

"Zina, are you ok?". She asked walking towards her timid friend

Zina nodded then looked at Zuhair, "Sorry".

"It was your fault". His friend- Kashif said still looking at Zina

"What?". Zuhair said confused

Kashif looked at him blinking his eyes, "It was your fault, Zuhair. You were not looking".

"Well, she was she could have moved". Zuhair argued

Zaina crossed her hands over her chest," She might have moved and you still came in her way. Also, this mall is packed how much do you think she can move freely?".

"I wasn't talking to you". He said

"So?. The point is it was your mistake so you should be a bigger person and accept it instead of being a whiny person". She said

"I am not whining". He argued

She smiled shrugging, "Seems to me".

"Should we separate them?". Kashif heard her soft sound

"Why?". It's fun". He chuckles

"But, everyone is watching". Zina said softly

Kashif looked around and everyone was actually watching them two going on with each other. He pulled Zuhair aside who was still not stopping while Zina pulled Zaina away from the scene.

*******

"I cannot believe I married that bone head. What was I thinking?. Then again, I wasn't thinking". She said angrily talking to herself as usual

"You know, I always say that you question and answer yourself?". Zina asked smiling

She huffed, "Yeah, yeah, it is weird. I have heard it for years. That's just who I am".

Zina shakes her head, "You have to learn Sabr (patience) and politeness".

"For him?. No way. I will fight him to death if that's what he wants". She said crossing her arms on her chest

Zina holds her hand, "No, husband and wife go hand in hand. They have to master the skill of patience and virtue. With no respect, there is no relationship to bring with and with no patience nothing lasts".

"You and your philosophy. I wonder if there is someone who will ever understand them". She said shaking her head

*****

"I can't believe you didn't support me". He said glaring at his friend

Kashif shrugged indifferently, "You need to start taking responsibility for your actions".

"Don't start again". He said walking away towards the cafe

They sat there for about an hour when they couldn't just sit there anymore. So, Zuhair decided to follow Zaina around while it was mainly Kashif plan who didn't say why they should do it besides that it will be 'fun'.

"How many should we buy?". Zina said looking at the stuffed toys

"Probably 50 of these". Zaina said smiling, "They will be so happy. I can't wait for them to look at it. Remember, when we used to wait for these toys all year and then when we had one we would be smiling all day!?".

Zina chuckles softly nodding her head to her friend rant, "Yes, yes, I remember. The most excited used to be like you and still it is you".

"Don't be jealous". Zaina said throwing her hair back causing her friend to laugh again, "Besides, you can be not excited when you know you are making someone happy. I am over the moon if you ask me how I feel. I mean-".

"I get it, Zaina". Zina said groaning softly, "You are excited, I get it".

Zaina nudged her, "Don't be spoilsports. Be happy".

"Yeah, happy". Zina said rolling her eyes, "Lately, Shaima had been going about marriage. After you being hitched she is after me like a wildfire".

Zaina laughed, "Are you scared?".

"It's not funny". Zina said with fake anger causing her friend to giggle, "Why do you have to get married so soon?".

Zaina shrugged, "You wouldn't believe me when I say that Shaima can be very persuasive when she wants to be".

"I am so dead". Zina said making Zaina laugh again

******

"Why is she happy looking at stuffed toys that are for kids". He said

Kashif rolled his eyes, "You get happy when you see an action figure".

"Hey! That's different". He argued

"No, it isn't". Kashif said turning to look at the ladies, "Wait, who is that?".

He looked at his friend disappointed but then looked at where he was looking. He frowns when he saw a bulky man standing in front of the ladies shouting about something. They both looked scared of him, almost because Zaina was the one fighting him head-on which made him smile a little.

Fierce little cat.

He thought.

But, when he saw the man trying to reach for her hand which she took step back he lost his mind. Before anyone could say anything he was on his feet taking steps towards her looking only at her. He could swear he saw a hint of fear in her eyes which he absolutely didn't like. Not when he saw here she had no need to be scared.

He holds her hand pulling her behind him securing her carefully and Kashif stood in front of Zina.

"Who do you think you are?". He said in a threatening voice

He was angry even more because someone just thought it was perfectly alright to jabbed at two women because they are alone.

"I wasn't talking to you I was speaking to her". The man replied

"Well, the woman you were speaking to is my wife so you would actually have to talk to me before you go to her". He said angrily taking a step forward

"Yeah, speak now. What was that you said to me 'I was giving you signals'. What signal are you talking about?. The only one I would have given you is probably to go die". She said smirking at the man

He smiled a little at her attitude but stopped when the words registered in his head.

"Yes, you were the one wearing these clothes and hair open giving people signals". The man said

"I am married". She said angrily taking a step forward only to be stopped by Zuhair

Zuhair stopped her taking steps instead he took steps towards the man punching him square on his face causing him to fall down and pass out.

"Well, he wasn't as macho as he looked. God, look is deceiving". She said looking at the man bending down, "Can I punch him now?. I really wanted to do-".

She stopped talking when Zina hold her hand shaking her head signalling something she didn't get. She stood on her feet looking at her friend carefully because she looked scared to death. She holds her hand reassuring her that they were good until she calmed down.

"Your husband". Her friend whisper in her ear

She turned around looking at him who was still glaring at the man who the people were moving away. Zina and Kashif moved away from them as she took steps towards her husband holding his hand blocking his view of the man.

"Is your hand ok?". She asked softly looking at the little redness

"It will be but I am not done with that man. How sick could he be to think like that?". He said angrily

She shrugged, "Isn't it normal?. We always have one or many of such man around us every single day".

His eyes turned towards her, "What?".

"Yeah, when I used to cover myself completely they would call me names and when I removed it they still think of me the same way. Even my caretaker said that I should ignore them because they might get angry if I fight them back. I mean I remember a few years back I had this man trying to touch me inappropriately and when I tried to fight back he blamed my dressing and people actually trusted him". She ranted

Her friend holds her hand shaking her head vigorously while she looked at her even more confused.

"What now?". She asked irritated

"You are fuelling his anger". Zina said scared

She looked at her husband who was turning even red by each second.

"Oh, but, do you know the one I fight with?". She said happily looking at him, "There was this one boy who was not being good so I hit him hard on his face. I wanted to hit this one too but you did my work. Good job".

He shakes his head hiding his smile looking at her cute face, "I did pretty well. Thank you. But, now you are with me so you can beat anyone who thinks of you like that and I will deal with them later. Ok?".

She nodded smiling, "Don't worry. I am fighting people and then calling you".

He heard a throat clearing having him come out of his trance. He blinked his eyes as he looked at his friend smirking face. He let go of her shoulder taking a huge step away from her. Now, he felt how near he was to her that he can inhale her sweet scent.

"We have to go". She said smiling walking away holding her friend hand

She walked away from him towards her next destination busying herself with everything around her. Her friend was the only one who could look through her and she could clearly see what she was doing.

"Being busy with preparation isn't going to take the pain away". Her friend said sadly

She smiled looking at her, "What do you mean?".

"You know what. If you want something you have to work for it". Her friend said, "Our lives are never easy and absolutely not without suffering. We have learned to fight on our own and we learned that what we want we have to work for it".

She shrugged, "I don't know what you mean".

"You are falling for your husband". Her friend said halting her steps