"Assalamualaikum kids, I hope I am not late.", Dr.Ahmed said coming near them.

" Walekumassalam Uncle. No, you are on time. ", Shafaq said smiling at him.

" She called you?", Zaid asked glaring at Shafaq.

" Yes.. I mean, I had advised Shafaq to wake you up in the morning for your excercise session. ", Dr.Ahmed cleared out the situation.

" Sorry Uncle. We had already discussed that topic. I don't want to do this. ", Zaid said with annoyance.

" But, it's necessary for you and-", Zaid cut her in middle.

" I don't want your advices.", Zaid said pointing his index finger at her.

" Qasim. ", he called his servant. After a while Qasim came and Zaid threw a glance of hatred towards Shafaq.

"Qasim you are my servant and you should obey only my orders.", he was speaking with Qasim but throwing daggers at Shafaq.

Shafaq looked down in embarrassment controlling her tears.

******

" See Uncle, I had told you. He will never agree to this.", Shafaq said fidgeting her fingers after Zaid was out of their sight.

Dr.Ahmed gave a long sigh. He knew that Zaid's condition had changed him a lot. He had become more stubborn and farouche.

" Hmmm.. We have to change him.", Dr.Ahmed said after some thinking, " You have to push him to do this."

Shafaq gave him a confused look. How she supposed to do this when he didn't stand a glance of her?

" I know.. You can do it. Call me if you need some help. Also I have to make some changes in his medicines. ", Dr.Ahmed said patting her head.

******

" Are you crying Shafu?", Mumani asked standing beside her near the kitchen counter.

" No, Mumani.  It's because of the onions.", Shafaq quickly wiped her tears.

Mumani chuckled and slapped playfully on her head, "By the way, you are slicing tomatoes. "

Shafaq looked down at her hands where there were knife and some tomatoes and then at Mumani. They both burst into laughter riot.

Shafaq tears began to slid down on her cheeks as soon as her laughter died down. Mumani became worried and made her sit on one of the dining chairs.

" Now tell me, what's the problem? ", Mumani asked after giving her the glass of water.

Shafaq finished the water in one gulp and shook her head. Mumani looked at her for a second then announced,

" Fine, I will ask Zaid. I am sure, he has said something wrong to you.", she got up from her chair as she knew today was Zaid's first excercise session, but she was stopped by Shafaq.

" No.. Mumani. I will tell you.", Shafaq said tightening her hold on Mumani's wrist.

Shafaq told her all the incidents of the morning. How Zaid was irritated, his bitter talks, his refusal of excercises and what not.

" Hmmm.. So what you have thought for him?", Mumani asked after some thinking.

" I want to help him but he didn't stand me for a second. I am afraid of his yelling.", Shafaq said.

" Look Shafu, you know what is the best way to handle a stubborn man?", Shafaq shook her head at this question.

" We have to become stubborn too. Be focused to your goal. Force him. At one point, he will understand what is good for him."

" And if you need some help, we are always here.", Mumani added with smile.

******

That whole day Shafaq didn't came in front of him but after two days, she was ready with the breakfast tray for him. She had came to know from Qasim that Zaid skips his meal many times, also he didn't take his medicines. It all depends on his mood.

She knocked on the door, she opened on hearing a yes from inside.

Zaid was as usual on his study table working on his laptop and his room was also a mess.

" Assalamualaikum ", she greeted standing beside him.

" What are you doing here? ", Zaid asked furrowing his brows, " Where is Qasim? "

" Mumani has sent him for groceries. I thought, we will have our breakfast together. ", she said placing the tray on coffee table.

" I don't want to do breakfast, especially with you. So go away and take it too.", he said gesturing towards the breakfast.

Shafaq looked at him for a second then moved his wheelchair towards the coffee table.

" What is thi-?", his words ended as she placed a morsel of scrambled eggs and bread in his mouth.

" You have to finish this breakfast properly.", she said with slight shiver in her voice which she covered by focusing on making sandwich.

" What if I don't? ", Zaid asked glaring at her.

" Fine, I will be here with you till you don't finish it.", Shafaq said taking a seat on sofa.

Zaid glared at her for sometime then took one of the sandwiches from plate. By that time, he finished his sandwich, Shafaq also prepared his tea.

After finishing her tea, Shafaq began to clean his room. She filled the basket with dirty clothes, kept his book in the shelf, made a proper bunch of the scattered papers.

" Go, I have finished the breakfast. ", Zaid said placing the empty cup in the tray.

Shafaq was folding the blankets, " Good. Now sit for a while, give some rest to your eyes." she said straightening the wrinkled mattresses.

" I am not bound to obey you. Stop behaving like my wife.", Zaid said with farouche.

" Sorry to say but I am your wife. I have to behave like it.", she said taking out his shaving kit.

******

" What are you going to do with this?", Zaid said eying his shaving kit in her hands.

" When was the last time you have seen the mirror? Look at your grown beard. So you should shave it.", Shafaq said putting the kit in front of him.

" I am good as I am. You don't need to order me. Go away.", he said moving his wheelchair to the study table.

Shafaq quickly closed the laptop's lid and said, " This beard have to go away. If you will not do it, I have many ways."

" Shafaq, you are testing my patience. Go away and let me finish my work.", Zaid said with gritted teeth.

" I am not going anywhere and you have to give some rest to those puffy eyes.", she said pointing to his sour eyes.

" Fine, I will too see what will you do. I am not shaving my messy beard.", he said folding his arms on his chest.

Shafaq pursed her lips to control her laughter seeing his angry face. He was looking like a kid who got refused for an ice cream treat.

******

Shafaq moved his wheelchair to the dresser. She put out all the essentials needed for shaving, his cream, brush, razor,etc.

Zaid observed her movements, " I am not going to do it.", he repeated.

" I know.", Shafaq said placing the water mug on the dresser, " You are forcing me to this job for you."

Zaid's eyes widened with shock, " You mean to say you will shave my face? "

Shafaq nodded and Zaid said, " No. I won't allow you."

" Ok then, do it yourself. ", Shafaq said handing him the brush with cream on it.

Zaid shoved her hand, " I told you, I am not doing it."

Shafaq brows furrowed, she took out two handkerchiefs from his cupboard and fasten his both the hands on either arms of the wheelchair.

" You know, this is just willy-nilly.", he said looking at his tied hands.

" And you know, you are forcing me to do this. ", she said starting her work, " stay straight, or I will not be responsible for the consequences. "

She slowly began to shave his beard. In childhood she used to help her father when he used to shave. After so many years, she was reviving her old days.

" And it's done. ", she said wiping his face with the towel.

" Not bad. You are looking good Mashaallah . Now, just take your medicines and I will not disturb you, Promise. ", she unfastened his hands.

Zaid didn't said anything and Shafaq took it as a yes. He silently took the medicines that she gave him.

" What?", Zaid snapped at her when she didn't went away.

Shafaq shook her head and hesitantly placed a kiss on his forehead, " Take care. ", with that she left his room leaving him in surprise.