MRS SALMA:
Upon arriving, I greeted them with "Assalamualeikum," but Wasim remained motionless and did not even say hello until his mother called him.

"Waleikumsalam," the girl answered, appearing to be related to the woman seated next to her.

As we sat down next to each other, Wasim could not stop staring at his mother, who was occupied conversing with a woman and her daughter. And just who were they?

She smiled and said, "Meet my son Wasim. You know him but you left him when he was young." I stared at them, bewildered.What she was trying to say? When dad finally showed up, he appeared shocked as well, but he quickly got over it.

She spoke as though she was unaware that Wasim was my husband, saying, "Yeah, we had to move to America, but now that we are back, I hope my daughter Zeenat and Wasim patch up like old times and they used to be so close to each other."

Mom invited them; why did she do that?Wasim remained silent throughout the entire situation.

"Mom..."Wasim began to say something, but Zeenat cut him off.

Right in front of me, she said, "Please can we talk, I really missed you."On my face?I knew it was an evil one because she had planned all of this, even though my mother-in-law, or mom, smiled at me as my smile faded. I am not going to let her win.

What kind of emotion is this that I am experiencing now?Why is the pain so intense? Ya Allah please help me.

First came Muzna, who is now happily married, and then Zeenat.Way to marry a handsome billionaire who is surrounded by girls.

Is this anger directed towards me?then I will truly need to face it with strength. Our married life should not be destroyed by others.

With her innocent eyes, she begged, "Please come with me," and Wasim's mother suggested that they go. When Wasim asked for my consent, I simply nodded.

He met her before I did. I cannot let him choose between a close friend and his wife. He has his own life too.

In front of everyone, he grinned and gave me a public forehead kiss. Ha! on all of your faces.

When did I become so bold?Is it good to be an independent and confident girl?Thank you, Wasim, for coming into my life. I will not let anyone separate us. I smiled while serving them.

"Salma "Can you come with me?"My father-in-law asked me, so I suppose he was trying to be helpful by making me avoid those two gossips.

Yes, dad, I replied, but as we were making our way to the kitchen to give him tea, I heard a familiar voice.

Wasim and Zeenat were seated next to one another, and I chose to ignore their close conversation.

"So I am late?"She asked with a sad expression. We were not that far apart, so I tried to hear every word. Even though I know it is wrong, I will still try.

"You married her?" she inquired, her face expressionless.

"Please try to understand," Wasim began explaining. Why was he explaining?Even if they were best friends, he could only say the truth.

"You love him don't you?"With concern in his voice, my father-in-law questioned me and said, "Of course he knew their relation."

He explained to me, and I nodded, but when I looked back at them, they were hugging and talking. "It is okey you both are young you will find ups and downs, jealousy and trials but do not back out dear as she is just his long lost close friend and she had some feelings for him but then their family shifted and Wasim was abit lost but he was okey and you are best thing happened to him so please handle with care and understand situation," he said.

The visitors left, but Zeenat stayed overnight at my mother-in-law's insistence, and nobody voiced any complaints.

Without consulting Wasim, my mother-in-law told Aunty, "She will sleep in the guest room they are still busy."

**

When I looked at the time, it was 11 p.m. I yawned and waited, but there was no sound of the door opening. I turned out the light and said some duas to calm myself down.

I whispered to myself, "Wasim, please do not let your friendship ruin our lives," as I felt a strange sensation and stared at the ceiling.

There was another person out with my husband. Please come back.

I considered texting him, but then discovered his phone on his side of the bed. I checked and it was 20%, so I put him on charge and went to sleep.

****

I woke up, rubbed my eyes, and put my hands on his side of the bed to find it empty. I then looked at the time. It was 6.30 a.m., still early.

"Where are you, Wasim?"I asked myself, not even realizing that a tear had left my eye.

****
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