Arshad’s POV,

“Allah, mera bacha agya! (Allah! My son is here!)” Amma jaan exclaimed, pulling me into her arms.

“Yes, Amma jaan, your son is back,” I said, hugging her tightly. She pulled back and kissed my forehead.

“Don’t leave your old mother like this again, Arshad. At this age, I don’t like my children away from me,” she said with teary eyes.

“Amma jaan, you’re not that old. So please, don’t pity your young self,” I chuckled, earning a light slap on my arm.

“Where is Sofia?” she asked.

“She went to her mother’s. A couple of days ago, her mother fainted, so she couldn’t wait and asked Fariya to fetch her from the airport,” I explained as we settled onto the sofa in the living room.

“Then you should have gone with her, Arshad. She is your mother-in-law,” Amma jaan said in a scolding tone.

“If Sofia couldn’t wait to meet her mother, then how could I? I was missing my own mother and couldn’t wait to see you. I’ll visit her when I go to bring Sofia home,” I replied with an innocent face.

Amma jaan gave me a sharp look. “I’ll meet her in the evening, Amma jaan. I promise,” I added quickly in a convincing tone. She shook her head, but then smiled again, pecking my forehead.

“I’m so happy you came.”

“How could I not? It’s my brother’s wedding,” I grinned, and just then, I heard someone shriek.

“BHAI!!!” Asam rushed toward me as he entered the house. I stood up and embraced my brother.

“You should’ve told me! I would’ve come to the airport,” he complained.

“I wanted to surprise you. Anyway, congratulations, mera bhai, shadi kar raha hai! (My brother is getting married!)” I beamed with happiness.

We sat and talked about Asam’s wedding and about Sabiya and her family. They were well-known in this town, and I was glad Asam was marrying the girl he loved.

“Isha, beta waha kyun khadi ho? (Why are you standing there, my child?)” Suddenly, I heard Amma jaan’s voice.

I followed her gaze and found Isha standing in the doorway, holding a tray of juice.

“Wo… uh… mai… ye juice (I… um… this juice),” she stuttered nervously, staring at the tray.

“Mai ne kab kaha tha aur tum ab arahi ho! (When did I ask you, and you’re bringing it now!)” Amar almost yelled, making her flinch. Even I was taken aback by his tone.

“Sorry,” I heard Isha mumble.

“Amar!” Amma jaan shot him a sharp glare before turning back to Isha. “Come, beta.”

Isha walked forward, placed the tray on the table, and turned to leave.

“Isha, beta, can you cook biryani for Arshad? He loves biryani,” Amma jaan asked with a smile.

“Ye… yes… I will,” she replied softly, offering a small smile before walking away.

---

That evening, I went to bring Sofia home. After spending a couple of hours with her family, we left.

“Amma jaan isn’t angry with me, is she?” Sofia asked on the way.

“Why would she be angry?” I frowned.

“I met my family before yours. Mom said Amma jaan might feel offended.”

“Sofia, if I can go to see my family first, then why can’t you? If I was missing my mother and brother, you were missing yours too. There’s no way anyone would be upset about that. In fact, Amma jaan scolded me for not going with you,” I reassured her.

“I know, Amma jaan is a sweetheart. My mother just overthinks,” Sofia sighed.

When we reached home, my brothers shouted in excitement, “Welcome, bhabi!!”

Sofia laughed as they pulled her into a hug. “We missed you!”

Then Amma jaan walked over, embraced her, and kissed her forehead.

“How are you, beta?” she asked warmly.

“I’m good, Amma jaan. How are you?” Sofia smiled back.

“Alhamdulillah, fit and fine,” she chuckled.

Just then, Isha entered. “Amma jaan, dinner is ready,” she informed softly.

“Set the table, we’re coming,” Amma jaan replied.

At the dining table, Amma jaan announced proudly, “Isha made tonight’s dinner. You both will love her cooking—this girl is amazing in the kitchen.”

“Uh… isn’t she that orphan girl you brought two years ago?” Sofia asked.

“Yes, bhabi, she’s the same orphan girl—Isha,” Amar replied, emphasizing the word orphan.

Isha stilled for a moment, then placed the dish down and looked at Sofia with a gentle smile.

“Assalamualaikum, Sofia baaji,” she greeted.

“Walaikum assalam. You’ve become such a beautiful girl, Isha,” Sofia complimented.

Isha’s cheeks flushed pink, making her look even more delicate.

“Th… thank you,” she stammered shyly.

Unknowingly, a small smile tugged at my lips seeing her innocence. But it faded as soon as I remembered Sofia sitting beside me.

“Bhabi, don’t praise her too much. She’ll forget that she’s only a maid here,” Amar muttered.

I froze, spoon halfway to my mouth.

“Amar!” Amma jaan glared at him.

But she didn’t scold him. Why?

“I won’t forget, Amar sir,” Isha murmured with a faint smile before walking back to the kitchen.

I stared at Amar in disbelief. He began eating casually. Amma jaan and Asam carried on talking, and Sofia too, as if nothing had happened.

Do they really think of her as a maid? Uneasiness tightened in my chest. No matter what anyone believed, in Allah’s eyes and in shariah, Isha was my wife. She was in my nikah. She was not a maid.

“Arshad, why aren’t you eating?” Amma jaan asked gently.

I forced a smile and picked up my spoon again, pushing away the heavy thoughts clouding my mind.

***********

Isha’s POV,

I was standing in the kitchen, waiting for them to finish their dinner so I could serve dessert.

"Isha, have you put the dessert on the tray?" Kubra bi asked. I nodded.

"Kubra bi, can you take this outside? I...uh...actually, my head is aching," I made an excuse, wanting to go to my room for some peace of heart and mind. Everything inside me was in chaos right now.

"Thik hai, tum jao aram karo (Fine, go and rest)," she said and took the tray of kheer outside.

I slowly made my way to my room. Entering, I locked the door and sat on the bed.

"You are back," finally those words sank in. I held his photo in my hand. "You are back," a small smile came to my lips as I traced his photo with my fingers.

But not for you, my inner voice spoke, snatching that small smile away from my face.

"But at least he came. I’m happy that I will get to see him. Unka deedar hi kafi hai (his glimpse is enough)," I mumbled. That small smile again found its way to my lips.

I was hurt that Amar insulted me in front of Arshad and Sofia baaji. I won’t complain though. He did this to torture me, to force me into agreeing with whatever he wants, but I won’t back out of my decision.

---

The next day after lunch, Arshad and Sofia baaji went to meet Sabiya’s family and returned late, after dinner.

"Why are you both this late?" Amma jaan asked as Arshad entered her room. I was standing beside her bed, about to give her medicine when he came in. He glanced at me briefly before looking at Amma jaan.

"We went shopping and then to dinner, so that’s why we’re late," he replied, sitting beside her.

"Okay... now tell me, do you like Sabiya’s family?" Amma jaan asked, taking her medicine from me.

"Uh...yeah...they are nice, but I think Sabiya is a little arrogant," he said thoughtfully.

"Just like your wife," Amma jaan teased. He chuckled, making my heart flutter.

"I won’t argue with this."

"And that’s what makes you fall for me," Sofia baaji entered with a proud smile. She stood behind Arshad and wrapped her arms around his neck from behind. "And Amma jaan, I never show you my arrogance," she pouted, making a fake angry face. Amma jaan laughed at her.

"I never said you show your arrogance toward me, but still, I know you," she teased, making Arshad laugh.

"Suna apne...everyone can see your arrogance," he teased back, making her glare at him.

"Isha," Amma jaan broke my trance as I was busy gazing at the couple in front of me with a heavy heart.

"Ji? (Yes)?"

"Beta, go and sleep. You have college tomorrow," she said, clearly dismissing me. I smiled a little and began walking toward the door.

"She is studying, Amma jaan?" I heard Sofia baaji’s surprised voice.

"Yes," Amma jaan replied.

"Oh...you’re such a nice woman, Amma jaan. Pehle apne ise ghar me rakha phir uski padai. Kuch log ehsan ke qabil nahi hote (First you let her live in this house and then her studies. Some people don’t deserve kindness)," Sofia baaji said. I stopped at the door.

"Sofia," I heard Arshad’s firm voice.

"What? I’m not saying anything wrong. Those orphan girls could be dangerous. Who knows how much she might take advantage of Amma jaan’s kindness."

I closed my eyes as tears escaped. It wasn’t the first time someone warned Amma jaan about me. Her friends, relatives—whoever came—after learning about me and knowing she was letting me study, they all warned her just like that.

Taking a deep breath, I opened my eyes and walked to my room.

---

Arshad’s POV,

I was offended by Sofia’s words. I knew she said it genuinely, but she should think before saying such things. Isha had been here for almost two years; she had never done anything wrong.

I turned toward the door where Isha had left, praying in my heart that she hadn’t heard Sofia’s words.

"No, Sofia. She’s not like that. She is a nice and loyal girl," I heard Amma jaan defending Isha. But my eyes stayed fixed on the door, on the sight of Isha’s flowing dupatta. I knew she had heard Sofia. I ignored the urge to go console her, to tell her that Sofia didn’t mean it in a bad way.

---

The next day, we were at the breakfast table when Isha came out of the kitchen.

"Where are you going?" Amar asked, stepping in front of her just as she was leaving the dining room.

"College," she replied shortly and turned to leave.

"You can’t," he stopped her, blocking her way. I frowned, staring at them. "Come and serve us breakfast," he ordered.

"Kubra bi will serve. I’m getting late," she said, but he shook his head.

"We don’t pay you to roam around and go to college. We pay you to do what we say. Now go and serve us breakfast," he ordered and sat down. Isha kept her gaze down, blinking a few times before walking toward the table.

"Isha, you’re still here? Go, Bablu is waiting for you," Kubra bi came in with dishes in her hands.

"She will go after serving us," Amar said, sitting at the table.

"But she made all this breakfast alone, and this is my job to serve you all," Kubra bi argued.

"It’s okay. I’ll go after serving," Isha gave her a small smile and began walking toward the kitchen.

"Isha, wait," I finally gathered the courage to speak. I couldn’t stay silent anymore. This was wrong. She looked at me, frowning. I could feel everyone’s eyes on me. "Go to your college. Kubra bi will serve us," I said with authority.

"Bhai..."

"I said, go, Isha," I raised my voice sternly. She nodded and hastily walked out of the dining room.

I looked at Amar, who was still staring in the direction Isha had gone.

"Amar," my voice snapped him back.

"Yes, bhai," he replied, looking offended.

"It’s not the way we treat someone, Amar," I said firmly. I didn’t like how he behaved with Isha.

"Bhai, you don’t know her, she—"

"Whatever she is, you don’t have the right to behave like this with her," I cut him off, narrowing my eyes.

"Don’t be mad at him, Arshad. She’s just a maid," Sofia spoke up. I swallowed hard, something disturbing stuck in my throat.

"She is not a maid, Sofia. She’s here to take care of Amma jaan," I said, then looked at Amma. "Why aren’t you saying anything, Amma jaan?" I asked in disappointment.

"I’ve told him so many times, but he won’t listen. And now, I’m tired of scolding him," she said, glaring at Amar. He shrugged and began eating his breakfast.

"Now leave that and have your breakfast," Sofia said, and everyone shrugged it off before eating.

I never thought Isha could become a maid in this house.

I never thought Amar would behave like this with her.

I never thought Amma jaan would be tired of defending her.

I never thought.

★★★