Accelerated Perspective

Ghazal watched her husband closely who was looking slightly irritated at the intruder of their moments. She gently curled her hand around his cold one and gave him a small smile to lift up his mood which felt spoilt by that single call. Their silent vicinity getting disturbed by the piercing sounds of the ringtone.

"Let it be."

Haaris shoved in the phone after switching it off and tightened his hold on her hand.

"So what was I saying? "

"I don't know."

Ghazal smilingly lowered her gaze, her fingers making random patterns on her white dress. She remembered what he was saying but it was coming in the heat of the moment and now she was feeling somewhat shy to repeat those words. A low chuckle erupted from her side and soft touch of his lips on her earlobe. Haaris was so slowly tracing his thumb on the back of her hand.

"Do you like to see stars?"

Ghazal put her head on his shoulder somewhat hesitant with her movements but her heart relaxed as she felt his cheek touching her hair, encouraging her gesture.

"I liked to see the sky but have started seeing the stars after you have come in my life."

"Really?"

Haaris just hummed and pressed his lips to her forehead. Her heart moved into serenity with her husband. When did Ghazal think she would spend her life in so much peace? Never. Being in an abusive relationship, that thought stopped crossing her mind with every passing day.

"For how many days I have to be here?"

"Why?"

"If you will be staying at Nanna's, then it makes sense I will also have to be here."

Ghazal lifted her head up to look at Haaris who was doing his best to pull out a puppy face and was kind of succeeding in it which only made her laugh with a low wince.

"Maybe one to two months."

"How about I change your decision?"

Haaris slowly pulled her wrist, coming near to her face as their noses touched and Ghazal sensed his breath mellowly melding with her cold ones. She closed her eyes anticipating his movements and it was a flicker of an eye when his lips brushed her own, his name coming out as a gasp from her. He touched their foreheads, his thumb caressing her lower lip and creating jolts of spark inside her. Ghazal's cheeks heated up with his brave gesture and she just rested her head on his shoulder to hide from her husband.

"Hey tigress, can I ask you something?"

"Yes."

"Why don't you ever kiss me on your own?"

Ghazal's eyes widened and her cheeks seemed to be burst out with the amount of heat she was feeling in them due to the blunt question of Haaris.

"Can you be blunter than this?"

Haaris didn't answer anything just bored his brown gaze on her face. She never thought he would ever notice her hesitancy or laid backness in showing her adoration towards him. But it was also the result of her dark past-Ghazal never found her courage back after getting humiliated by her ex-husband. Sometimes she felt anger or agitation on Farzan for pushing her back because she had so much love for him and he just needed to accept her which he didn't or even tried to. What was there to share with Haaris? First of all, he was too straightforward with his questions which always snatched half of her speech and secondly there was every type of veil of shyness and reluctancy between them which she didn't have the power to cut down.

"Let's go inside Haaris. I am feeling sleepy."

"Again running away from my questions? "

Ghazal looked at her husband with furrowed brows on his ice-cold voice, "It's all your thinking. There's nothing like it."

"Then prove me wrong."

Was there anybody more stubborn than Haaris? No. Never. They just silently stared at each other, no one was ready to back out or accept defeat. Ghazal huffed in annoyance and wriggled her hand from his hold.

"Fine, then I will go on my own."

Haaris didn't allow a single movement from her as he tightly held her wrist and with a slight jerk she was in his arms. Her breathing was shuddering as he looked into her eyes with no emotion at all or there were some complaints which she was unable to understand.

"This doesn't mean I am letting go of that topic."

"Why are you even sticking on that topic?"

Haaris opened the door of her room as she enquired. He carefully laid her on the bed and pulled the duvet on her. Coming to her level, Haaris sat on his knees. His fingers playing with the betraying locks of her hair, he gently placed lingering kisses on her cheeks.

"Because I want a share in your pain and in your past."

"It's only possible if you will do the same, Haaris and I know you are still not ready."

Ghazal switched off the lamp of her side pulling their debate to an end and maybe she was right because her spouse didn't prod her further.

***

Haaris held his wife's hand protectively as she tried to take careful steps with her stick in Nanna's backyard.

"I just have to put my knee as it is else it's aching."

Ghazal mumbled looking at the distant rose bushes which were their target for her walk.

"I can always carry you, you know that."

"And that's what I am afraid of."

She snarkily remarked, a telltale smile at her lips as her eyes happily danced with amusement. Halting her steps with his gentle yet firm hold on her arm, Haaris mischievously bit the tip of her nose forcing out a low wince mixed with her adorable giggle.

"This is not good."

She rubbed her nose childishly and they continued their walk towards the bushes. Tomorrow he would take Ghazal back to their house as her condition was improving and he could definitely take care of his wife. Five days had been passed since her discharge from the hospital and she needed some help in walking and all. That's why Ghazal was a bit hesitant to return back but had to accept his request may be due to his stubbornness, as always.

That day he had somewhat crossed his limits when Haaris had asked the question of her hesitancy. But he was noting it from the first day of their wedding. Shyness was a whole different perspective, there was a fear and timidity in her actions even if Ghazal just wanted to hold his hands. His wife was right when she told him to trust her with his past, how could he expect her to share her past if Haaris was a closed book for her. He was not ready and didn't know when he would be.

"We did it."

Ghazal happily announced as he helped her to sit properly on the wooden chair. Moving the loose tendrils, Haaris placed a kiss on her forehead.

"What you studied?" Haaris looked at her with surprise-filled gaze on her question.

"Why?"

"Just asking."

Ghazal shrugged her shoulders, careful with her actions as she pulled her hair up in a bun. His eyes traced her long hair and the small mole just below her ear which seemed to be shining in the soft sunlight.

"I did my graduation in music."

"Oh my! Really? "

Haaris nodded with a smile seeing her awestruck face. Yeah, it was the ultimate truth which he had forgotten till now. Music was his utter passion and that's why he had pursued it through his education. There was one time in his life when he wanted to forget everything around him through music and art but didn't quite succeed as he got stuck in between something dangerous.

"So you can play everything like piano, violin, guitar?"

Haaris chuckled, "Mostly but I have mastered guitar and violin." Ghazal covered her mouth as a gasp of surprise left her.

"You know one thing, you are just like an onion. "

Haaris laughed at her sudden remark forcing her to chortle at herself somewhat sheepishly. He ever so slowly traced the back of her hand coiling his fingers with hers and pulled her slight close to him, his lips gently touching the beauty spot.

"I am what?"

"An onion..." Ghazal giggled at his tickling breath, "hidden behind so many layers."

"And making you cry every time you want to remove one of my layers."

"But it will be worth it as the food of our marriage will be tasty in the end."

Haaris fell silent at her witty reply and just stared into her black eyes. How did he get Ghazal in his life? Sometimes our destiny plays such an intricate game that we are just left to wonder how did we get here where are we now. That's just with Haaris-he was only wondering what was his match with Ghazal?

"You always leave me silent with your replies."

Haaris truthfully whispered near her lips which felt to be quivering as her shy gaze found his intense ones. She may be understood his intentions as Ghazal tried to move away from him but utterly failed.

"We are outside, Haaris."

"We are husband and wife, Ghazal."

A chuckle left her lips and Haaris didn't waste any moment to steal a kiss from his spouse resulting in a shy laugh from Ghazal and he too joined her.

***

"Ma, can I go?"

Ghazal tiredly looked at her son who was asking for her permission for God knows what time. Adam's school was taking the students on two days trip to the nearby area and as Adam returned from school he had been bugging her.

"Come here."

She gave her hand to Adam who took it and Ghazal placed a kiss on his cheek, wrapping her arm around his shoulders.

"You want to go?"

" Yesh..." he giddily nodded but stopped suddenly as if he remembered something, "But I will mish you."

"Then don't go."

"But I want to go."

Ghazal groaned agitatedly, she was never too brave to leave Adam on his own that too for two days. Didn't know how they would look after him? Didn't know whether they would take care of him properly or not? What if he would be unable to sleep at night? Adam was habitual of sleeping with her and now Haaris too. A sense of epiphany hit her hard, why there wasn't any fear in her when she used to left Adam with Haaris though Ghazal used to be around them she never felt any kind of distress regarding Adam. Yes, firstly-before their marriage she used to be scared due to Haaris's blunt and rude nature but he was always too polite with Adam, as he needed to be. Ghazal smiled at the turmoil of her own thoughts, Haaris was a nice person and he just needed to look at this good side of his once.

What Ghazal could do now? She didn't want Adam to go because of her worry but couldn't refuse his request.

"Here's our lunch."

Haaris announced entering their room with the tray of delicacies. They had returned to their house yesterday and Haaris was around her just like her shadow from that instant. Settling the tray between them he questioningly looked at both of them.

"What happened to my duo?"

"I want to go on a trip."

"I don't want him to go."

Ghazal said narrowing her eyes at her son who didn't know from what type of worry she was suffering. Children could never understand the worry and care of their parents.

"So who's winning? "

Haaris asked putting a piece of salad in his mouth, amusedly watching both and Ghazal only sufficed on staring at him with anger. Here she was getting irritated on her son's absurd request and he was enjoying it. Haaris straightened up maybe sensing her anger and put Adam in his lap.

"Where are they taking you on the trip?"

"Itsh a hilly placesh. Only for two daysh."

Haaris pinched his nose, "Won't you miss us?"

Adam nodded, "But I want to go."

"See he is just repeating this. How he will be away from us for so much time? How-"

Haaris held her hand tightly and gestured her to keep herself calm which was the most difficult task for her now.

"Champ will you give us two minutes? I want to talk to your mother."

Adam nodded happily as he felt Haaris quickly fulfilling his request and left them alone to talk.

"Look Haaris I won't allow hi-"

"Please stop, my express train."

Haaris silenced her by putting his index finger on her lips. Ghazal only jerked his hand away and folded her arms in anger. He held her chin and made her look at him with a smile on his face.

"I know what are you going through tigress but we can't bind him to us. He needs to see the world."

"But what if they won't take care of him properly, he is so small, he-"

Haaris shushed her, his finger on her lips creating a tingle in Ghazal's heart. He wrapped his arm around her placing her face on his chest, his fingers gently moving in her hair.

"Ghazal, Adam will learn and it's just two days. I promise I will be in touch with the respective staff and if God forbid Adam will need us I will go there on my own."

Ghazal nodded, some tears gathering in her eyes. Didn't know they were of happiness of getting so caring husband or in her son's worry. Haaris tilted his head a little, wiping her tears and kissing her forehead. They remained like that for some moments until her stomach grumbled in hunger resulting in a chuckle from her husband and painting her cheeks with faint pink color.

" I think we should start our lunch."

Ghazal nodded timidly smiling and tugging her hair behind her ear. God! She was embarrassed. Haaris came back with ever-smiling Adam and they started their lunch with happy chatters and silly banters which relaxed her some more.

***

Haaris jerked in his sleep as his slumber broke with an awful nightmare. He heaved long breaths to calm himself down and looked beside him seeing his sleeping son and wife. He turned on his side and covered his mouth to not to make any sound to wake Ghazal as rest was the main thing for her now. He felt a soft touch on his arm and slightly turning his head he found Ghazal's gaze already locked on him in question.

"Are you okay?"

Her voice was not just above a whisper as their son was sleeping in between them. Haaris turned to face her and tried to give a smile to his wife but failed miserably. He moved his hand closer to her face and touched her cheek just to make sure she was with him.

"Give me your hand, tigress."

She hesitantly gave her right hand to him and he held it tightly in his hand savoring its warmth and kissed the inside of her palm resulting in a low gasp from Ghazal.

"Let's go outside, Haaris. "

"Are you sure?"

She just nodded and Haaris was beside her in an instant. He took out her stick and wound his arm around her waist as they made their way towards the balcony. Haaris carefully made her sit on the chair whereas he took his seat near the foot of her chair, placing his head on her lap.

"Have you ever tried praying, Haaris? "

Ghazal's fingers were slowly moving in his messed up locks calming him quickly. Haaris just held her other hand playing with her fingers gently.

"Submitting yourself to God is the best way to cope with every type of problem I have ever known."

It was not the first time they were discussing God, she had asked him during his sessions when he had rudely rejected her. But he never missed his belief in God even after going through so much, he had just forgotten his religion and his way back to it.

"Will you teach me?"

"You want me to?"

Ghazal cupped his cheek, her smiling and questioning gaze locked on his face. Haaris nodded taking her hands, kissing her knuckles. For some time he just stared at his wife who had begun to look at the starry sky, a faint smile on her lips making her glorious for him and only him.

"Ghazal."

She looked at him and he hugged her wrapping his arms around her and placing his head on her stomach. Ghazal was definitely not expecting this action from him as her hand slowly cupped his head with shyness. He didn't forget to place a kiss on her wrist before getting away from her and looked in her eyes.

" Can you show me how to pray at this instant?"

As she nodded with a smile, he came inside the washroom with Ghazal in tow, her weight supported by her stick. She told him to do the ablution before the prayer and surely her help was needed.

" Say Bismillah Ir Rahman Ir Rahim and wash your hands till your wrist bone three times. "

He did as she ordered him, sometimes Haaris had to stop in confusion with the acts and terms but Ghazal was patient with him. Whenever she saw that he was having a problem in the ablution, Ghazal was slowly doing it on her own just for him to imitate her. His ablution ended as he washed his legs three times and came out of the washroom in search of a towel to wipe himself from the excess water.

"No. Be as it is as you are. Allah likes it when you offer prayer with the fresh ablution. Do you know any Surahs?"

"I don't quite remember exactly. Nanna used to teach me some earlier. Maybe two to three."

Ghazal nodded taking her seat on the edge of the bed, "Ok, do you remeber this? Qul huwal laahu ahad..."

"Allah hus-samad Lam yalid wa lam yoolad Wa lam yakul-lahu kufuwan ahad"

Haaris recited the whole chapter in one go surprising them both. After that, there were two more chapters that he remembered and also the beginning chapter of the Quran.

Ghazal smilingly told him the steps to perform the prayer and he started his nonobligatory prayer, saying the Neeyah at the start. How true his wife was! As his head touched the ground as Haaris prostrated in front of his God, he felt a seed of calmness slowly sprouting inside him glowing his body on whole and gifting him a sense of relief in its wake. Why he never gave a chance to his God when he was the Almighty having the superior power than everything around him. Finishing his prayer, Haaris looked at his wife who had fallen asleep resting her head on the headboard.

"Thanks, tigress."

Haaris kissed her eyelids, his heart so much grateful to his wife who had opened the doors of opportunities to him which was hidden to him or he was too blind to even look at them. Pulling the duvet properly on her, he came to his place on the bed. First time in his life, he got a good sleep after his nightmare.