Haider didn't want anything to do with Fariah in the start as he felt burdened by the fact that he was given no choice in marrying her. He made it quite clear to her on their nikkah day and her passive behaviour made him more infuriated. His wife didn't seem affected by his ignorance which is why he uttered a few comments here and there to bring a reaction out of her.
He had no idea his comments would hurt her like this. He called her over-weight and she unknowingly started eating less. He once commented about how the sharp pink colour only suits light complexion and she never wore sharp colours again. He noticed that her cheeks were not chubby anymore and she had dark circles under her eyes. He felt really bad when he noticed these changes and tried to redeem his mistakes. He brought food or snacks she liked so that she won't be able to resist them and eat properly. He gave his credit card to his sisters and asked them to take everyone to shop for new clothes. His sisters understood his intention and just giggled at him. They took Fariah on shopping and bought alot of things for her including clothes, shoes, jewellery and makeup even when she asked them not to.
He had been trying to gain her attention and dropped subtle hints here and there but she didn't even look his way so realising his changing feelings was a long shot. He himself couldn't understand when his feelings for her started changing, when he started to yearn for the voice he once found annoying. Fariah had become quite after her parent's death but she went mute after their nikkah. He didn't want to accept the fact that it might be because of his harsh behaviour but he felt guilty. He has always had temper issues and his forced wife's ignorance hurt his manly ego.
He was trying to make excuses, he knows, but he had to settle his nagging conscience somehow. The worse thing was that she never complained. She quitely did all the chores, took care of everyone's needs, behaved like a proper bahu but not even once tried to be his wife. She cleaned his room everyday, set up his wardrobe properly and complied to all his demands quitely. He once threw a huge tantrum and ruined his wardrobe by throwing everything out of the almirah becuase he couldn't find his blue shirt. She quitely went to his room and took out the neatly ironed shirt placing it on the bed. He went to bathroom to take a shower and came out to a neat and clean room with a perfectly set wardrobe. He could not understand what did she mean by all this. She did all her duties as a wife but didn't pay him attention as well. She took care of his needs but didn't seem to care much about him as well. She stayed infront him all the time but avoided him as well. What did it all mean?
عذر آنے میں بهی ہے اور بلاتے بهی نہیں
باعث ترک ملاقات بتاتے بهی نہیں
You hesitate to come and you do not call me, either
You do not tell me your reasons for ending our relationship either.
خوب پردہ ہے کہ چلمن سے لگے بیٹهے ہو
صاف چهپتے بهی نہیں سامنے آتے بهی نہیں
There is a lot hidden when you are sitting next to the curtain
Neither do you hide completely nor are you visible clearly.
ہو چکا قطع تعلق تو جفائیں کیوں ہوں
جن کو مطلب نہیں رہتا وہ ستاتے بهی نہیں
If the relationship has ended, why continue the tyranny?
Those who don't have a reason, don't tease and trouble, either.
زیست سے تنگ ہو آئے 'داغ' تو جیتے کیوں ہو
جان پیاری بهی نہیں، جان سے جاتے بهی نہیں
If you are troubled and tired of life, O Daagh, then why do you continue to live?
Life doesn't seem to be valuable to you and you do not leave it, either.
He has had enough of this routine and decided to comfront her. Afterall, she was his wife.
But did you ever treat her like one? His conscience taunted.
He ignored it and went out of his room towards the kitchen as his wife has made the kitchen her second home.
She was placing the last few plates after washing and drying them in the cabinets when he entered the kitchen. She turned to look at the intruder and was surprised to find him standing near the fridge.
She decided to mind her own business -as it was his house afterall, he can go where ever he wants to-and started wiping the counters. Haider was deeply offended by her non-chalance. He was not used to being ignorned, especially by the ladies. He was a hunk with a six-feet-two height and taut muscles that built over the years because of his love for sports, it was not easy to ignore his intimidating personality but his wife seemed to have no problem in doing that which ticked him off.
He wanted to behave like a child and throw a tantrum, wailing loudly and rolling on the floor, to seek her attention but it wouldn't leave a good impression on his wife so he stopped himself from doing that.
He didn't like the way she worked around the house like a servant, doing all the chores like its her duty. It wasn't. She was his wife, not a maid.
"What are you doing?"
Fariah looked up when she heard his stern voice asking. She didn't feel like answering him but his stiff posture gave his anger away and she didn't want to infuriate him more.
"Cleaning."
One word answer. She was playing safe.
"I can ask Ammi to look for a few other houses for you to work at since you like being a massi so much."
His words, oh, his words. She felt hurt when her husband called her a maid but remained quite. How could she reply to that anyways.
"You're not mute, are you?" He stopped her escaping form by enclasping her wet wrist as she just washed her hands after cleaning the counters and was about to leave the kitchen.
Ofcourse he had heard her speak plenty of times but she never spoke to him and it bothered him to no end.
Fariah wanted to yell at his face that she was no mute but she didn't have the confidence. She was barely standing on her feet trying to tug her wrist out of his grip, but instead of leaving her wrist, he gripped it more tightly and pulled her towards himself.
"I asked you something. Answer me."
She shook her head in a 'no' but he wasn't satisfied. He wanted to hear her voice.
"Use your words, Fariah." The way he pronounced her name, it made her blush.
Why are you blushing? Bad cheeks! She mentally scolded her now rosy cheeks.
"Na...nahi." (No) She uttered out still tugging at her wrist.
He 'hmm'ed tauntingly, slightly glad at the effect he had on her.
"Hmm. Coffee bana leti ho?"(Do you know how to make coffee?) He asked even though he knew she could very well make it.
She wanted to remind him that she had been making him coffee every day for two months now but bit her taunts back and only nodded.
"What did I just tell you?" He reminded her to use words while tucking a strand of black hair that escaped her bun. He didn't know how she was working in such a hot kitchen all covered up in her dupatta.
"Jee. Bana leti hun." She said looking down as she didn't want to look in his eyes. Those pools of ashes scared her. She has always been a timid girl, bullied in school and faced bashing for her average looks and curvy body. It made her lose confidence and lowered her self-esteem. She felt comfortable only around her family. Sadly, she doesn't even have her family now and it made her feel more insecure. She never wanted to be a burden on anyone. She had grown a bit fond of Rahima, Afeefah and even Ayyan over the few months but this sitamgar didn't make any effort towards her-or so she thought- and Fariah didn't bother as well.
"Banao phir. Without sugar." (Then make it.)
She nodded her head and then muttered a 'jee' but stood there still as he still hadn't left her wrist. When he looked at her with a lifted eyebrow, silently asking her why she was still standing motionless, she gestured towards his hand enclasping her wrist. He left her hand slightly smirking and she turned around moving towards the cabinets. He stopped her by grabbing her wrist again.
"Acha suno." (Hey listen.)
"Jee?" (Yes?) She asked looking over her shoulder at him.
"Coffee mere kamray mai le ana." (Bring the coffee to my room.)
Author's Note
Oooooh, his room eh. 😉😂
How are you guys? Are you taking care of yourselves and others in this panedemic?
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~Author. ❤