Because change is typically gradual, do not give up on yourself. You will face challenges that will demoralize you, but do not allow them stop you.

Mrs Mariam,

Thank God, a month has passed since our wedding. We have experienced ups and downs, but that is a natural part of life and will continue.

Since Muskan's father is still recovering slowly, I hope that Muskan and Imad can work through their issues together. Khalid suggested that Muskan stay with us, and his uncle has been helping him with his business. Muskan needs to rebuild their relationship and regain Imad's trust, which will not be easy, but nothing is impossible.

I have been getting a little excited about Khalid's planned dinner since the morning. He wanted to show me his new hotel and had made reservations at one of his new restaurants. To be exact, he promised to attempt to complete his paperwork and appointments ahead of schedule.

I looked at the time and it is 11pm, and I have been waiting for him since 7.30pm. He had instructed me to wait until after Maghrib, but he has not shown up.

He could have at least given me a call; I have been having strange dreams and trying to reach him on the phone, but all of my messages end up in his voicemails.

Ya Allah, please protect him.

Has he returned?Since he arrived a little early and told me Khalid was a little busy, uncle has been concerned about him.

"No," I said, and he tried to call him until I told him to rest, at which point he agreed.

Why make plans when your schedule is hectic?

I made his favorite dish while I was sitting in the sitting room since I knew he would be exhausted and running late. What if he was unable to attend as scheduled? It simply means that Allah had other plans for us. I went ahead and made all of his favorite dishes, and by 11:30 everything was ready. I grinned, knowing he was probably anticipating an irate wife at home, but I would still surprise him.

If your plans do not work out, it is because Allah has something better in store for you. We will have time to ourselves instead of in a packed restaurant, but I must be a little irritated with him to see how he responds.

Let us see what he will do.

"Where are you?"I finally tapped the send button and waited for his response.

A vibration interrupted my thoughts, and I smiled. He must be free now and could be on his way.

"I am on my way," he said, raising an eyebrow in my bewilderment. He has this terrible habit of using his phone while driving, I promise.

I texted him after I disconnected the call, saying, "Do not use your phone while driving now focus on the road, especially not video call."

When the doorbell rang, I quickly adjusted my hijab and went to open the door.

Act as though nothing was scheduled, and then push that emotion aside. You should understand him; he is been busy.

After forgetting to say hello, there was complete silence for a while, and none of us said anything.

Was he anticipating my response and asking, "Why was he being so quiet?"

"What?"I asked, but he remained silent throughout. This was the Khalid that I had first encountered. It merely caused me to feel differently.

We just kept staring at one another until I averted my gaze.

You are still standing at the door, but why?come in," I muttered, taking his laptop bag, and when he eventually did, he gave me the cold shoulder. His mistake, and he was punishing me.

He went and sat, waiting for me to join him, but my mood was off, so I just served him and sat quietly.

"Do not do that again, and do you realize how worried I was about you?"I questioned him, but received no response.

"Were you worried about me?won't you ask where was I?"he asked and now I was the one who was confused.What did he mean by that?

"He was at work, right?"I questioned myself and offered him a weak smile.

He served me, and we ate quietly as the time flew by.

After we finished eating, he was busy on his laptop, and I was reading a novel on Wattpad, but I could feel his intense gaze on me, which sent shivers down my spine; I could not even focus and continue reading without wondering where he was the entire evening.

I simply closed the book and stared blankly ahead.

He moved closer, but I did not react.

"Please do not be angry with me; ask me questions instead.punish me for my mistakes. I was expecting the worst, but you have not even said anything bad about me. He spoke as though he was guilty, but I put too much faith in him.How come he is not aware of that?

"I went somewhere after the meeting ended," he said.

"Where is it?"I asked him because I was curious and I had the right to as his wife, even though I did not want to meddle in his affairs.