Asfia's gaze lingered on her husband, a man who possessed all the qualities she'd ever dreamt of: tall, handsome, and unfailingly kind-a true gentleman. Yet, beneath his perfect exterior, she sensed a profound sadness, his eyes devoid of light.
This...
Asfia woke up the next morning, beside her new husband. The room was already bathed in bright sunlight, casting a warm glow over their bed. She couldn't help but smile. The memory of their first kiss lingered, and it had been perfect. However, she found herself struggling to recall what had transpired afterward.
She recollected that she had been the first to take a shower since he had assisted her in undoing her elaborate hairstyle. After the shower, she had changed into her wedding night lingerie, but had decided to keep her satin overcoat on. She had waited for him to join her in bed after his shower, but the next thing she remembered was waking up, wrapped in the warmth of the morning sun.
Asfia rubbed her eyes and sat up, her mother's request to wake up early and assist her mother-in-law echoing in her mind. Glancing at her phone, she discovered it was already 10:13 am. She had messed up already, and a wave of frustration washed over her. She cast a scowl at her peacefully sleeping husband, then gently poked his chest with her finger, but he didn't budge.
Reluctantly, Asfia got out of bed and changed into the exquisite salwar kameez that Faisal's mother had gifted her for the "first day." Her mother had provided precise measurements, and the outfit was stitched to perfection.
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Before descending the stairs, she couldn't help but frown once more at the sight of her husband still asleep. She approached Faisal's mother, her face breaking into a warm smile.
"Salaam, Umma!" she greeted with genuine affection, and Faisal's mother returned her smile.
"Slept well?" Asfia's mother in law asked with a warm smile. Faisal's grandmother, who was standing beside his mother, responded with the typical Malayali nod, her eyes twinkling mischievously. Asfia blushed, feeling a bit self-conscious.
"Yes, but Faisal's still sleeping," Asfia replied, a hint of defensiveness in her tone.
"Oh, you're calling him Faisal?" his grandmother inquired in Malayalam.
What else was she supposed to call him? Wasn't that his name? Asfia thought, slightly puzzled.
"This generation is like that," his mother explained to his grandmother. "These kids nowadays call each other 'eda' and 'poda'," she added, her tone disapproving. Asfia's eyes widened. She made a mental note to be cautious about using those words in front of them.
"Umma, what can I help you with?" Asfia asked her mother-in-law.
"Mole, you had a long night, and you're going to have a long day today too. We have the reception, and then you'll need to make house visits and meet all the elders in the family," her mother-in-law explained.
Asfia nodded, recalling her parents telling her about this tradition. "Why don't you just take yours and Faisal's tea upstairs?" her mother-in-law suggested. "I've already prepared it."
