Greige

"Alam tara kaifa fa'ala rabbuka bi ashaabil feel Alam yaj'al kai dahum fee tad leel..."

Ghazal nodded ushering him to continue as Haaris began to recite the chapter from the Quran. But he was stuck because she could sense he was having a problem remembering the further verse.

"Wa arsala 'alaihim tairan abaabeel."

"Tar meehim bi hi jaaratim min sij jeel Faja 'alahum ka'asfim m'akool."

Ghazal was making a plan to build a good habit for both; her son and husband, to memorize chapters from the Quran after the noon prayer. Ghazal liked this habit of Haaris, he was a keen learner and now when he had decided to come back to his religion, he was giving his hundred percent.

She nodded as the chapter ended, "Remember this chapter with the story of the elephant, feel is the Arabic word for elephant. "After that, she told Adam and Haaris the incident of Abraha who had tried to attack Ka'aba but Allah had stopped him with the huge flock of birds; Ababeel.

They both were attentively listening to her, "Ma, sho Allah can do anything?"

"Yes, he has the ultimate power. You just have to put your full trust in him."

It was not consciously done but her gaze flickered towards Haaris speaking that statement who gave her a small smile. As their conversation ended, Adam moved outside in the garden to play while Ghazal curled up in her bed taking a book with her.

"Hey!"

Ghazal gasped as Haaris's face was in front of her peeking from below the book. He moved his face a little closer pecking her lips and she began to try calming her erratic heartbeats.

"What is this?"

"My attempt to have some time from my beautiful wife."

Ghazal giggled dropping the book and wounding her arms around his neck, "Yeah I too was missing you. Like we are meeting after a total five minutes," she said with a roll of her eyes making her husband chuckle.

"I just wanted to thanks."

Furrowing her brows in confusion, Ghazal watched his face in an attempt to grab some kind of hint of his talk but failed as he was looking too serious.

"For what?"

"For coming in my life."

An embarrassed giggle left her as his grateful words registered in her mind. Ghazal was unable to form any kind of words but she could see how true he was, how much truth his every word was holding. Some tears gathered in her eyes and didn't wait in their barrier as they began to flow freely. Haaris's lips picked her tears forcing her to laugh at this adorable gesture.

"Where did you learned so much about Islam?"

"You mean these chapters and all?"

"Yep."

"Baba used to teach me and my brother at home. After completing my Quran, I decided to memorize the chapters with their meanings."

Haaris nodded, nuzzling her nose with his own. His hand cupped her cheek, thumb gently caressing her lower lip, "You should've met me earlier, I will be a whole different human today."

"I don't think it would've worked. Because I would be married if you had met me at that t-"

Ghazal stopped speaking as her words made an impact. There was no reason why she halted her speech but one thing was clear it had brought the painful memories back and she was just regretting bringing that topic.

"No problem. I think it's better we are together now. What's say?"

Haaris reassured her with a smile pressing her hands and Ghazal nodded returning him a tight-lipped one.

"Hey, tigress."

"Yes?" Ghazal looked beside her as Haaris too laid down intertwining their fingers, kissing the back of her hand.

"Will you go on a date with me?"

"Date?"

Ghazal was astonished, to say the least at her husband's offer, that's why her voice reached an octave in surprise. Maybe an offer she couldn't refuse.

"Yes, a date. If you scream like this I am sure I will have to take our neighbors too."

Giggling to herself Ghazal turned on her side facing him, "Yes, I will go with you, Mr. Haaris Yousuf. When?"

"Tonight."

Ghazal nodded and gestured towards the balcony, "Look what's there?" and as Haaris moved his face a little away from her, she quickly kissed his cheek surprising him all over.

"Whoa!"

Ghazal smilingly lowered her gaze, unable to look at her spouse who must be gazing at her as she could feel the warmth of his eyes on her skin. Haaris held Ghazal by her waist and pulled her more closer to himself. It all was feeling like Deja vú but just the difference was Haaris who placed a soft kiss on her forehead, moving the tendril of her hair away from her eyes.

"I can take you for a date every day if I am getting this type of surprises in return."

"It was only for today."

Ghazal said somewhat proudly, her lips twitching in a mischievous smile as she overcame the shyness on her own dauntlessness. But her further words were stolen from her as Haaris silenced her with kisses.

******

"Where are we going?"

"At Nanna's"

Haaris replied looking at his wife from the rearview mirror. They had just finished their dinner, it always felt good to him when he spent his time with his family because he had never done it before.

"Why?"

"Adam is sleeping, tigress. We will just drop him at Nanna's then I have to take you somewhere."

Ghazal nodded silently, her brows still furrowed in question but he knew she chose to remain silent. It was New Year's Eve and Haaris wanted to be with his family when he would welcome the new year but as Adam fell asleep it was only him and Ghazal. After dropping Adam with Nanna and taking lots of blessings from her, he moved his car towards their house. Ghazal was now sitting beside him and he didn't waste any moment to take her hand in his soft grasp.

"Just wait here for some time. "

With that said, Haaris moved towards the garage. After a few minutes he was in front of Ghazal on his motorbike, her face an epitome of shock as her eyes were wide with surprise looking at him. Haaris smilingly winked at her.

"Come, tigress."

Ghazal stared at her stick for some time,  "What about this? "

"Just leave that here. I am with you."

Haaris assured her and waited patiently as she took her seat carefully behind him. Ghazal gently fisted his jacket for support, forcing his lips to tilt up in a smile.

"I must tell you I haven't ever sat on a bike before."

"Then you must fully enjoy your first ride."

Her soft laugh surrounded him for some time then he brought the engine back to life with a roar and put his bike on the highway road. The highway was lightened up with the street lights but the addition to them was the decoration for the new year which had taken the whole Bhopal in its embrace.

"It's beautiful. I never thought you will have a bike too."

"I am riding it after four years. "

He said with a slight high rise in his voice as his words were getting scattered with the wave of wind hitting them. After coming towards the secluded setting on the highway, he stopped his bike and helped Ghazal in getting down. Supporting her fully as he wound his arm around her waist, Haaris brought themselves towards the railing which was showing the heavenly look of the city and the fireworks which had started bursting with excitement as if looking at the lovely couple.

"Happy New Year, Mrs. Haaris."

"Happy New Year, Mr. Haaris."

Ghazal chortled, the combination of her happiness and the colors of changing fireworks looking so great on his wife that Haaris couldn't help but just stare at her. How ethereal she was looking! The scarf around her face, her attire hidden behind her abaya veiling her properly from the strangers and preserving her just for him.

Haaris just moved closer cupping her face in the bowl of his palms and kissed her softly, her warm breath soothing him entirely. Ghazal was more than surprised as she held his shoulders tightly and when her balance dwindled a little bit Haaris saved her by tightening his hold on her waist, pulling her more closer as if that was possible.

"Oma! We are outside, Haaris."

Ghazal pushed his chest but failed as he was in no mood of letting her go. Her cheeks pink by now due to his gesture but he couldn't help it if she was his wife that thing came in the package.

"Whatever! You know I was going to ask for your permission first."

"For what?"

"The kiss."

Ghazal quickly lowered her eyes which were glaring daggers at him, on the mention of kiss which forced a smirk on Haaris's lips.

"But then I thought you will refuse. So I had to steal it."

"You should keep your gestures of adoration to yourself in public. "

"You should not look so beautiful in public."

Ghazal punched his chest, "Sometimes I think Adam is easier to handle." and rolled her eyes. Haaris faced the railing with Ghazal on his side, her head placed on his shoulder as they gazed the night sky which was witnessing the advent of the new year.

"This year will be good for us."

"In Shaa Allah."

Ghazal's quick reply made him smile as they both stared in each other's eyes for a moment, trying to read the secrets hidden behind them and again got busy in the colorful burst of lights all over the city.

***

"Ghazal."

She turned her head somewhat nervously as Haaris's voice boomed in the corridor. After finishing their dinner, Ghazal had decided to arrange her cupboard. The problem was not that her husband was calling, her husband was calling her without any endearments and his voice was holding some kind of urgency, agitation.

"Yes, Haaris."

She came towards Haaris as he entered the room with his laptop. His eyes were skimming her face, his face devoid of any kind of emotions. Ghazal's heart began to tremble like an autumn leaf sensing the tension enveloping the whole room.

"You know what happened, today I got an offer letter from this company that they liked my work and they will like to sign me for the post of illustrator."

Haaris spoke and came closer to her in dangerous pace. He held her arm, his eyes never leaving her face as if he was trying to understand some kind of greatest mystery.

"Point is if I haven't applied for the said post. How did they get my paintings?"

Ghazal gulped, lowering her gaze. His actions and appearance making her scared. He was a whole new Haaris for her which she had never seen before even when he was in her hospital.

"I mailed them."

Haaris sat on the bed slamming the laptop beside him, his face hidden behind the palm of his hands. Ghazal let out a nervous sigh sitting on his side and pressing his shoulder to calm him down as he was taking ragged breaths.

"I am sorry, Haa-"

"Why you did that Ghazal? I never shared those paintings with anyone, I let you see my secrets and you opened them to everybody."

"That's not it Haaris", Ghazal gulped down the worry, her voice shivering with the fear of hurting her husband, "I just wanted to help you. Looking at your paintings the first thing which came to my mind was that the world needs to see your talent. Besides I only gave them the abstract ones."

Haaris shook his head furiously looking at her with furrowed brows, his eyes red and bloodshot as if he was pushing himself to not cry or show his pain. But she was right, wasn't she? Ghazal wanted to make his identity in the world, his talents were so excellent that hiding them was just a mistake and nothing else.

"I don't need your help. For God's sake, I don't need anyone's help. It's my dark side, Ghazal and I don't want anybody to see it."

Haaris started yelling and threw the cushion on the floor in his anger. He was pacing in the room, messing his hair again and again with his shaking fingers. She did the biggest mistake of her life by taking this decision, Ghazal should have asked him earlier. He was having a panic attack and he was in no mood to take her help. Some tears of helplessness came in her eyes at his condition and she sauntered towards him in a hurry.

"I am sorry Haaris. I am really very sorry. Please forgive me. Just calm down."

Ghazal held his arm and made him sit on the nearby chair, her hands constantly moving in his hair. How vulnerable he was looking! For the first time in their marriage, she was seeing his anger and it was beyond intimidating. Nobody could tell that it was the same Haaris who was showering his love and adoration on Ghazal. Giving up everything Haaris rested his temple on her waist, his breath coming shallow.

"You have broken my trust, Ghazal. "

Those words echoed around her as tiringly Haaris drifted off to sleep leaving her more than anxious, tears freely flowing from her eyes as the pain of his words began to grow with every passing moment. Her heart trembled in sadness.

Allah, you know my intentions! Just forgive me for hurting Haaris and help me. It's only your help I need in this time of pain.

***

Haaris opened his eyes quickly to get away from the nightmare, his mind revolving in a turmoil of his thoughts of the past. His neck felt stiff, his body lifeless as with great effort he tried to sit properly on the chair. The whole room was dark except the moonlight which was straining from the curtains but he didn't need any kind of power to guess Ghazal was around him and turning his head Haaris found her sleeping on the chair beside him.

Seeing her he remembered their banter of last night. Yes, he reacted greatly and exaggerated the things but it was a shock to him when he got that offer email. He didn't want to show those paintings to anybody, they spoke of his pain, his painful and dark past, leave that he didn't want anyone to know about his passion because it was just an escape door for him, nothing else. Haaris couldn't imagine Ghazal betraying him, she should have asked him. But after everything she was beside him as if nothing had happened, she was suffering because of him without thinking about herself and her fractured knee.

"Ghazal." Haaris gently patted her cheek, Ghazal slowly opened her eyes and looked at him for a moment.

"Are you alright?" Haaris hummed and made her stand properly, his hand on her waist to support her.

"Sleep properly on the bed."

"Where are you going?"

"Nowhere."

Haaris made her properly lie on the bed and covered her petite form in the duvet. His gaze got stuck on Ghazal's face which was beautifully shining due to the thin light, ethereally glistening her nose pin and also some of her unshed tears which were clung to her eyelashes. Her breathing had evened out due to the sleep and Haaris found himself somewhat helpless in front of his heart which was adamant not to move from there.

Haaris placed a chaste kiss on her lips and made his way towards the bedroom balcony. Sleep had evaded from him by his nightmares and he just wanted to get a grip of his thoughts and everything running around him. Only a few minutes would have passed when Haaris felt the soft shawl and faint fragrance of jasmine around him.

"Haaris, hurting you could never be my intention. I never thought that doing this can hurt you in this way."

"Does my idleness bother you, Ghazal?"

Ghazal dumbfounded stared at him, her eyes filling with tears, "How could you think like that? If that thing had bothered me, I would have rejected you and your proposal."

His mind was stuck on that topic and was not ready to think about the positive side even if he eagerly wanted to. It could be possible that Ghazal was not liking the fact that he sat idle at home without any earning. He was just a burden for everybody and now his wife could be feeling the same about him.

"But now you are feeling like this, aren't you? Perhaps you have begun to feel shameful of your 'not so famous' husband, Dr. Ghazal."

"Try to-"

"The time is not far when you too will leave me for any ma-"

"Just stop it, Haaris just don't speak anything further. I am listening to everything that doesn't mean you are right and you can say anything about me. Allah knows how pure my intentions were. I was just trying to help you to pull you out from that dark pit. You are talking about how I have hurt you, you don't have any idea how your words have affected me."

Ghazal yelled at him as tears were wetting her whole face and Haaris realized he had spoken something very bad in his anger.

"A person who has been hurt is careful with his words he speaks as he knows how they can hurt others. But you don't know anything about this, you don't want to suffer alone that's why you hurt everybody around you. But I want to tell you one thing Haaris, I am not like your mother. Stop judging me on the basis of your mother, please stop it."

Ghazal turned around to leave but stopped at the threshold of the room, "Tomorrow morning I will be going to Nanna's house but before going I want to ask you one thing."

Haaris silently watched her from his place, his heart cut on her tear strained voice.

"Are you doing this because the one month of our marriage has passed?"

He whipped his head up in her direction in shock. How did she know about this? Had she read that message from Yawar? But she never showed anything as she knew about it. Before Haaris could ask or tell her anything, Ghazal moved inside and hid in the duvet.

If everything would be fine, he would have asked her by going in but now Haaris had the idea how badly he had hurt her and now he was feeling sorry for her. Life was testing him immensely and he had no idea what he would do next.