Meera ~ anvaar-e-illahii

Chapter 14

Calling an attendent she told him to call Ashar.

"Jaiye baadshah ko khane ke liye bula lijiye"

(Go and inform the king that the food is ready)

His whole family was in the sultanate for the wedding. Even his sister's husband's family had come for the wedding.

All of them came and settled at their seats. His mother came forward looking at the table with a smile.

"Meera beta aaj aapne khana banaya hai?"

(Meera have you cooked the food today Chile?)

"Ji ammi"

(Yes ammi)

"Subhanallah. Aap janti hain hume hamesha se hindustani khana khane ka shauk tha."

(Subhanallah. Do you know I always wanted to eat Hindustani food)

She smiled as she settled down. His bua gave her a glare narrowing her eyes and sat on her seat.

Ofcourse she has a problem with me.

A few moments later ashar came and sat down. Everybody greeted him as he signalled her to sit beside him.

"Aaye Meera aap bhi nosh farmaiye"

(Come Meera, you also have your food)

She sat beside him as the attendents served the food. As he was about to take a bite his aunt spoke.

"Tahariye Ashar."

(Wait Ashar)

He stopped as everyone looked at her being confused.

"Aaj khana aapki begum nai banaya hai toh isse pehle ki aap use chake aapki begum ko use chakhna hoga"

(Your wife has cooked the food today so she will have to eat it first)

"Rasul kisi kya zaroorat hai. Meera bhala khane mai kuch kyu milaegi?"

(What is the need of it rasul. Why would Meera do anything to the food)

"Baat tumahari Bahu ki nahi hai, baat baadshah ki hifazat ki hai. Aur ye toh kanoon hai ki jo khana banata hai vo use chakta bhi hai"

(The motive behind this is not your daughter in law rather it is about Ashar's safety. And there is a law here that the one who makes food will have the food first)

Meera felt uncomfortable sitting there listening to his aunt constantly taunting her for making food.

"Bua iski koi-"

(Bua there is no ne-)

Ashar spoke up but she stopped him in between. She held his hand signalling him to not say anything.

"Nahi koi baat nahi. Hum chakte hain pelhe. Bua sahi keh rahi hain"

(No it's ok. I don't have a problem eating it.)

She ate every item with a piece of chapati, while all his family looked at her with sad eyes. Ashar could feel his body going rigid as he closed his first to control his anger.

Looking at ashar for a moment she saw anger in his eyes.

He looked pissed. Is he angry with me for cutting him off or at his aunt. I don't know but I hope this lunch ends well.

He closed his eyes as he found her looking away from him. His glare turned towards his aunt who was normally eating her food as if she didn't do anything. Looking at Meera her bent towards her ear and whispered..

"Behad lazeez hai"

(It's delicious)

She looked at him with a smile thanking him. Turing her face around she his aunt glaring at her.

I get it. She really hates me.

A few moments later everybody stood up and went away. His mother came and gave her a box.

"Meera beta rasul ko maaf karna. Vo jaldi he narazgi bhul jayengi. Tum befikr raho. Ye lo, ye tumahari pelhi rasoi ka tohfa hai."

(Meera child please forgive her. She will accept you soon. Take this, this is your gift)

Saying this she went away. Meera gave the box to an worker to keep it in her chamber as she also stood up and washed her hands.

Niharika came and they went to the garden together. It was getting late in the afternoon. The sun was about to set.

"I am going to keep this in the chamber"

Niharika said and went away taking the flowers as she stood there for sometime with thoughts clouding her mind.

I have been away from home for more that a month now, but I feel happy here. Although his aunt doesn't accept me she stays away and I'm thankful for it.
I don't understand the reason. Maybe I'll ask ammijaan about it someday.

Lost in her thoughts she didn't realise a presence beside her. Something touched her hand as she looked around and saw ashar standing there.

He held her hand and looked into her eyes.

"Aapne aaj jo kia vo munasif nahi tha"

(You should not have done what you did today)

"Baadshah if it is a practice I don't have a problem doing it. I am not embarrassed. She is your aunt and there is nothing wrong if she cares for you"

He didn't look convinced just nodded his head and looked towards the sunset.

A few moments later she said.

"Should we go now it's getting late"

He nodded and started walking towards their chamber still holding her hand.

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