"And by the Mercy of Allah, you dealt with them gently. And had you been severe and harsh-hearted, they would have broken away from about you; so pass over (their faults), and ask (Allah's) forgiveness for them; and consult them in the affair..."

(al-Quran, 3:159)

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*Asher's pov*

I reached home after lunch.
Alisha surprisingly," You're home? "

Me taking off my coat, "Yeah. office is not that though these days."

Alisha, "That's good! I was bored."

She continued, " I was going to bake a cake. "

I need to talk, I don't want cake or whatsoever.

Asher, " Alisha leave this baking today. "

Alisha, " But why? "

What to tell her?

Asher, "I need to talk.. actually I was noticing something..Is their something wrong? "

Alisha, " Umm-m nothing special. "

I don't know why she's hiding ?

Alisha after a pause, " Actually nothing happened but dad called me , he was so worried. "

Asher widening his eyes, " Worried about what? "

Alisha, " He didn't tell me the reason. "

Asher, " You need to check him? "

Alisha, " I want to..But he is off for a week to Bangkok. "

Asher, " Ohh.. Don't worry we will meet him as he return back. "
She smiled.

Here the adhan starts.

Asher, "Can I ask you something? "

Alisha nodded.

Asher," I don't know why but there's something kept disturbing me "

Alisha," About me?" Her eyes widened.

I nodded.

She suddly spoke, " That I don't pray. "

So she knew this already.

Asher raising the eyebrows, " Ye-ss .. So can I ask you why? "

Alisha , " I don't feel like doing so I don't"

That's not an appropriate answer by the way!

Asher, " F-Fine.Is there any reason behind? "

She nodded.

She stared me quietly.

Asher, " And what's that? "

Alisha, " I umm-m was .."

Here my mobile bell rings .Always at the wrong time , She stopped ,I looked to my phone it was mom's call.I picked up the call..

Asher,"Assalam O Allikum Momm...Okay okay stop panicking just tell me what happened?.. Umm yeah right I'm coming in five minutes IN SHAA ALLAH... Don't worry. "

Alisha, " How's mom? "

Asher, " She's all right but aunt is not . They have called the ambulance, I need to rush. "

Alisha, " I'll go with you too. "

We went their, aunt was having her asthema problem which is somehow get worst she wasn't breathing properly. We took her to the the hospital.

Doctors told me every thing will be fine but just she needs to be more care full next time, staying away from dust or smoke. She was soon discharged.

Mom was so terrified to see her sister in such a horrible condition. Sitting on the waiting area.I went their ,sat on the chair next to her to console her.

Asher tapping on her shoulders, " She's fine mom. "

Mom while her eyes being wattery , " Asher... "

I hugged her tight.

I'm bad with this. I don't know how to handle such emotional situations. The only thing on my mind is about Allah's plans.

Asher, "Allah has better plans for us mom. "

I realised someone is poking me.
Its Alisha tapping on my back. She was calm standing carrying a small smile.

She asked me to bring water for her.

Thank you Allah she just came at the right time. I don't know how to stop her from crying.

When I reached things need settled , I heard
Alisha saying , " You can't be weak in front of your sister. "

Mom was actually smiling. I don't know how but she did this.

I handled mom a water bottle.

I stated, "mothers can't cry coz they are the only reason for their kids to smile. "

Alisha smiling , "I totally agree. "

We went home nearly 12 a.m, I talked to my cousins to bring aunt with mom to my home. I thought this is a better idea as she need to change and fresh her mind ,it'll help her heal fast.

I realised I haven't prayed Isha yet so I did that first.

Alisha was not in room seems busy outside. I went tired to my bed the sleep consume me soon.

***

Next day I returned home with lots lots of fruits for my dear aunt. She looked fine this evening wearing her million dollar smile. She was taking to mom in the lounge while I don't know where Alisha is? Probably kitchen?

Me "Assalam O Alikum"

Both in chorus replied.
"Wailikum Assalam"

I asked aunt while sitting neat her sofa

"So How are you feeling now? "

Aunt "Alhumdulillah I'm fine now. "

Mom staring at aunt, " Asher tell her to take her medicines. She is not listening to me but Alisha .She gave her a hard time too. "

I laughed. Like seriously . How can I convince her to take medicines properly .

Smart people say that if you can't solve the problem better to make it a joke.

So I do.

" Well..atleast someone in this house is behaving like a typical mother-in-law. " I winked.

We all laughed.

Mom to aunt," So you're being a mother-in-law?"

Aunt explaining ," No I don't.I'm having medicines more than I have meals these day.I am just fed-up Asher."

Asher," But how will you heal if you don't take care of yourself ?"

Aunt lowering her eyes," I know."
She continued ," You know Asher."

She paused .I stared her.

Aunt smiling," Alisha is a really loving girl, you're lucky to have her."

I know this .

I smiled and nodded.

Mom," They both are world to me.Alisha is always a loving,caring and kind-hearted person."

She used to say this for me only.I have never saw any mother-in-law like her in my whole life who is giving her daughter-in-law more importance then her own son.Fine her choice!

They started chatting again.

I went to the kitchen to check loving,caring and the kind-hearted person first.

She was doing something. Her back was facing me.

"Assalam O Alikum. ", Me

She turned around "Wailikum Assalam. " smiling sweetly.

I steped forward to see what have she made.

Today I forgot to have lunch unfortunately and now my stomach is carving badly.

" So what are you doing here? "

And I found the cake.
Wow it looks yumm.. I am also too hungry right now.

" MashaAllah" I whispered I don't know what to say when you saw something deliciously made by your wife?

I guess I need to appreciate her effort.

"It looks yummy" I said smiling.

"It is.. " She murmured.

Quite confident.

" Can I have that... " pointing towards the cake.

God I am behaving like a kid now.

She giggled. " Yah ofcource. "

She cut a piece and handled me.

"Jazakillah " Me.

That's enough Asher,you are becoming a child now.

I dont want her to see me eating cake and messing around like a child .So I moved to my room.

****

I was thinking Alisha didn't ask me to meet her father. She stayed mostly quiet these days...

I don't know why?

I entered the room she was texting someone resting on the bed.

I sat on the opposite side she was resting her.

Alisha, " You know Asher what was I thinking? "

Finally she speaks first . I didn't remember when the first time she started the conversation .

Thankyou Allah.

Asher politely, " Let me guess.. "
She turned her eyes from the phone to me.

I continued "You want to go to your father's place? "

I know I am right then she said

" N0oo... he is not there. "

Oh I was over confident.

Asher, " Thenn..? "

Alisha, " I want to go shopping! "
She chuckled.

How can I forget girls love shopping and I've never took her to.

Me laughed, " Fine let's go. "

I know it's late but who cares .She asked at least something for the really first time how can I deny?

I know I'm not being any good. She didn't get enough attention nor time. Shopping is a great idea.

Alisha surprisingly, " You sure? "

Me "Yes I'm but... "

Alisha "But?? "

Me smiling, "You will not take much longer to get ready. "

"I'll be ready in a minu-te no-no just fi-'ve minutes. "

She chuckled.

Asher, " Done. I'll go and make some coffee. Do you want? "

Alisha, " No.. "

Me leaving the room, " Fine then.. be hurry! "