MARJAAN- COMPLETE HALF OF MY DEEN (#YourStoryIndia) (#ProjectWomenUp)

Chapter 25 - Sleepless night's

I had to wait for another twenty minutes before Hima joined me asking me to buy her something from the canteen before she discussed another word. While walking, she was onto briefing me about some conspiracy theory she had read on the internet but I was in no mood. I missed him and I felt heavy inside. The much fought over pazhamporis (banana fries) served hot, or the cold soda couldn't bring my spirits up. Hima handed me her cell phone she had smuggled in to cheer me up, and I dialled his number, left him a miss call.

She made me promise not to cry like a baby and left me while she went to check if someone was coming.

The moment I heard his voice I was overwhelmed with an infinite sense of happiness and I poured out even the minutest details of my day so far which he was only happy to listen to. He too was missing me terribly and his voice was melancholic. In another 30 minutes, more people were coming out and we had to end our conversation.

Slightly better, but still haunted by a pang of sadness. I watched Diane and Batul walking towards us. As expected Batul was trying to bewitch her question paper to an impossibly overstuffed bag that looked like it wanted to vomit out some of the Xeroxed notes? Diane looked like she witnessed a tragic reality and is now readying herself to face enlightenment.

"So?" was all I that had to ask.

Diane went on like a radio song for three minutes straight about her wrong choices and her projections of her grades that were going to follow. While I let her go on, I sensed a "non-verbal" exchange passed between Batul and Hima. When I turned Hima was inspecting shards of grass "to inspect its medicinal properties" by smelling them and Batul was dialling home asking when they could come to pick her up.

"What was your product launching ad, Diane?" I asked her, as it was my favourite question from the test.

"Wireless microphone" Diane said, momentarily pleased with her. "I saw one of them at my carol partner's house. Pretty cool that!"

"Ohhh... Wish I came up with something smart like that!" said Batul "I couldn't think of anything, I tried multiple products I saw on Tele-Brands ad and finally went for that car-water-sprayer-thing?" And briefly told us about the tactics she used.

"Hey, that's not too bad! It's pretty rad, Batz!" I confirmed.

"You think so? I hope so too. I didn't want to be writing about laundry products or mediocre products like that" Batul asked looking hopeful. "And what was yours?"

I grinned. "Oh. Nothing!"

"Lemme guess...tour operators?" Batul lightly patted me on the shoulder. Diane pulled thumbs up in between calculating her points she eared so far.

"Close" I was starting to feel better already. My friends knew me so well and I was feeling so much warm inside.

"Online Travel Company"

"Like makemytrip and all?"

"Yeah"

"I gave out some cool features of the website interface. And you know my brother and his website developing hobby. I could say I fairly know how it works" I added confidently.

"And you Hima? Was it Atom bomb detonator?" Batul half-joked.

"Hima, Oh for God's sake stop eating leaves!!" I cried out with surprise mingled with horror!

"Hey I know this plant! Totally edible. though a bit on the bitter side. Here try! It's clean" trying to reach my mouth with an ugly looking spotted leaf!

"Eww! Go away. Goat" I said pushing her.

"Fine. Your loss. It was nutritious" and added with a second thought "Amjad would approve" trying to sell me the idea.

Batul has a very sound presence of mind; she must have seen my face falling at the mention of his name and instantly diverted the conversation back to track. "Ayy, plant woman! What was your ad about?"

"Uh... Sanitary Napkins?" she said distractedly.

"What?!" we chorused in unison.

"It was okay, I think. What do you think of "prepare before tsunami strikes again?" for caption? I think it might sell on coastal areas" she went on, rendering all three of us speechless.

The exam went very well and I was so happy that one exam was over. We had three day gap between each of the five exams in two weeks' time my college life would come to end. Even though I was in love with my campus and friends, I was glad college was getting over as studying while pregnant was very difficult.

I boarded my bus and felt much relaxed, exam was good so was the meeting with friends. I was learning to be content with what I have.

I made up my mind to visit Afreen, it had been a week since she lingered in my house just for my happiness. Her exams were over and she was enjoying watching television. I scared her from behind and she scolded me. Little did I know that she was watching horror movie. We both spent some time watching TV and eating chips.

"I thought I would have to spend my whole life cheering you up" Afreen pouted.

"Nah, you will just Nag me to death, I had no choice other than to cheer up. Way better than enduring endure you" I made a face.

I spent time till Magrib at her house and went home very happy.

Time was healing me and I was learning to appreciate what I had. I was determined to make my family happy, I hadn't been talking to them mostly and preferred staying in my room. I was so glad that Daddy was at home, I went and hugged him and kissed him on his forehead.

"I was so caught up in grief, couldn't give my old Daddy enough attention"

"Who is old? I am 30 with 20 years of experience"

Daddy was always a little sensitive over his age and I knew just how to pick on it.

After many days l laughed and spent time with family, Bhaiyya bought me ice cream and Mumma maid my favourite ladies finger and cabbage. My husband being a pure non vegetarian, I had missed vegetables we had a happy family dinner and the atmosphere was much cheerful.

Mumma had already started preparing healthy food for me. Where she got so much time for that, I never understood. The sad part of healthy food is that it didn't taste as good as unhealthy food and Mumma would make sure that I ate all of it.

I was so grateful to have an understanding family. They gave me time and didn't push me at all.

After dinner we stayed in the living room and spoke at lot and since there was three more days for the next exam I gave myself a break.

He called me at night and we spoke for an hour. He noticed the visible change in me and started off complimenting me. My body amazed me even after two months of marriage, it would turn red and I would try hard not to look stupid.

He would tell me all about his work and I would tell about my day.

This was a happy day and l slept peacefully.

My sleep didn't last long. I had a terrifying nightmare and woke up startled.

He was looking at me with distrust and I could sense the hatred spreading on his face. He looked at loathingly and said, "How could you do this to me? You don't deserve me" and walked away.

I was so glad it was a nightmare, I was sweating all over, and it was two a.m. I went to the washroom.

There was blood in my underwear.

I didn't want the nightmare to get real. I stood there numb, Not knowing what to do next. My life had suddenly become a roller coaster ride and I didn't enjoy it one bit.

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Assalamualaikumm,
What do you think will happen in next chapter.

The sad part of this story has started. It will be over soon In sha Allah.

Do leave in your comments.
I know this chapter has a sad ending. The story has to go on and pls don't be without voting bcs of this. I really need your votes as a moral support.