IZEL'S POV

"Oi, maar khani hai kya?" ["Hey, do you want to get beaten up?"] she said, half-serious, half-teasing.

"Hawa pass ho rahi thi. Aur chup chap so jao, agar kuch aur karne ka iraada nahi hai toh," ["Air was passing through. Now go to sleep quietly, unless you intend to do something else,"] I warned, the edge in my voice clear.

She didn't reply, knowing exactly what I meant. Her whole body heated up, and I could tell her ears were red again.

I smiled, satisfied, before turning off the lights. In the comforting darkness, sleep gradually took over, pulling us both into its embrace.

As I woke up and realized my bed was empty and cold, a strange disappointment washed over me for no apparent reason. I got up, went to the bathroom, and completed my usual morning routine.

I headed downstairs and made my way to the kitchen because I was really hungry.

I greeted aunty, "Aslamwailkum." ["Peace be upon you."]

"Wailkaum Aslam, bacha," ["And upon you be peace, child,"] she replied. "Uth gayi? Bhook lagi hai?" ["You woke up? Are you hungry?"] she asked.

I nodded. "Ji aunty, thodi si." ["Yes aunty, a little bit."]

Her expression suddenly changed.

'Bhai, yeh nahi bolna tha kya ke bhook lagi hai? Glti kar di kya? Ho gaya kaam aaj mera, gayi main toh, khatam tata bye bye.' ['Bro, was I not supposed to say I'm hungry? Did I make a mistake? I'm done for today, I'm gone, finished, bye bye.']

"Ab tum is ghar ki bahu ho, toh tumhe rules and regulations bata deti hoon pehle." ["Now that you are the daughter-in-law of this house, let me tell you the rules and regulations first."]

"RULE NO. 1: Tum mujhe Irfaz aur Dewan ki tarah mom, mummy, ammi keh kar bulaoge," ["RULE NO. 1: You will call me mom, mummy, or ammi like Irfaz and Dewan,"] she asserted, leaving me shocked.

"Ji aunt... ammi," ["Yes aunt... ammi,"] I replied.

"Kya ho raha hai kitchen mein?" ["What's happening in the kitchen?"] Dad came from behind and inquired.

"Asalamwailum uncle," ["Peace be upon you, uncle,"] I greeted him, and he returned the greeting.

"Isko ghar ke rules samjha rahi thi," ["I was explaining the house rules to her,"] Mom replied.

"Or kya hein, begum? Kaunse rules?" ["And what else, my wife? Which rules?"] Dad asked.

"Yahi ki mujhe ammi bolna shuru kar de. Kal maine ignore kiya, situation dekh ke, shayad comfortable na ho, but aaj se nahi. Ab isko adjust karna padega," ["Just that she should start calling me ammi. Yesterday I ignored it seeing the situation, thinking she might not be comfortable, but not from today. Now she will have to adjust,"] Mom explained to Dad.

"Yeh toh bohot ahem rule bata diya aapne, toh sahi kiya," ["You've explained a very important rule, so you did the right thing,"] Dad said and turned to me.

"Jaise tumhari mom ne bola, same goes here-you should call me Dad too," Dad said, patting my head.

My eyes filled with tears of happiness.

Then, I quickly blinked away the tears, not wanting to seem too emotional. This warmth and acceptance were overwhelming in the best way possible. I had always longed for a family like this, and now, being surrounded by people who truly cared for me, it felt like a dream.

"Thank you, Dad," I managed to say, my voice slightly trembling.

"Ab yeh sab chhodo, aur kuch kha lo," ["Now leave all this and eat something,"] Mom said with a smile, trying to lighten the mood.

She turned back to the stove, her hands busy preparing breakfast.

I walked over to help her, but she gently stopped me.

"Aaj sirf beti ban kar raho, kaam toh hota hi rahega," ["Today, just stay as a daughter, work will keep happening,"] she insisted.

Then, I couldn't help but smile. This was new for me, being treated with so much love and care. As I sat down at the table, I felt a sense of belonging that I hadn't experienced in a long time. It was as if all the worries and uncertainties of my life had melted away, at least for now.

"Mom, Irfaz kaha hain?" ["Mom, where is Irfaz?"] I asked cautiously.

"Woh office gaya hai. Important meeting thi, isiliye shaam ko ayega, don't worry," ["He has gone to the office. There was an important meeting, so he will come in the evening, don't worry,"] Mom assured me.

"Bhabhi, mujhe toh lagta hai bhai ki dusri biwi ho aap, unka pehli biwi toh hamesha kaam hi rahega," ["Sister-in-law, I feel like you are brother's second wife, his first wife will always be his work,"] Dewan said from behind me as we served breakfast.

I laughed at his antics.

"Kuch bhi bolta hai," ["He says just about anything,"] Mom scolded him.

I know how passionate someone can be about their work.

'Mujhe hi dekh lo, subah shaam kaam karti rehti thi mein bhi. Dekhte hain ab infuture kya hoga mera. Meri bhi first shohar kaam na ho.' ['Look at me, I used to work morning and evening too. Let's see what happens to me in the future. Hope my first husband isn't work too.']

As I dug into the food, Dad sat down across from me.

"So, how do you like it here so far?" he asked, genuinely interested.

"I feel like I've finally found a home, a family that truly cares about me."

Dad's face lit up with a warm smile.

"We care about you very much, beta," ["child,"] he said, his voice filled with affection. "We're happy to have you as a part of our family."

I felt a lump form in my throat as I looked at Mom and Dad, feeling grateful for this new chapter in my life. As we finished breakfast, Mom started clearing the table, and I jumped up to help her. This time, she let me, and we worked together in comfortable silence.

It was a small moment, but it felt like a big step towards building a new life with my new family.

IN THE AFTERNOON

"Izel... ek kaam hai, kar doge?" ["Izel... there's a task, will you do it?"]

"Ji mom, kya baat hai?" ["Yes mom, what's the matter?"]

"Yeh Irfaz ke office de aana. Woh bina breakfast ke chala gaya office." ["Go give this at Irfaz's office. He went to the office without breakfast."]

"Ji mom, mein de aungi. 5 min mein burkah pehen ke aayi." ["Yes mom, I will deliver it. I'll wear my burqa and be back in 5 minutes."]

"Driver tumhe drop aur pick karega, don't worry," ["The driver will drop and pick you up, don't worry,"] she assured me.

I went upstairs, put on my burkah and niqab, and was all set to go.

As I reached his office, it was an impressive glass building surrounded by greenery, luxurious looking.

Kher, meri office konsa warehouse ki tarah dikhta hai, woh bhi mashallah bohot sundar hai, elegant hai. [Anyway, it's not like my office looks like a warehouse; that is also, by God's grace, very beautiful and elegant.]

I went inside and asked the receptionist for his cabin since I had never been to his office before; he always came to mine.

"Excuse me," I looked at her nameplate badge. "Sakshi Roy," I said.

"Yes, how can I help you?" Sakshi asked.

"May I know which floor Mr. Irfaz Ahmed's cabin is on?" I asked politely with a smile.

Oops, meine toh niqab pehen rakha hai, woh meri smile kaise dekhegi. Tu bhi na, Izel. [Oops, I am wearing a niqab, how will she see my smile? Oh you, Izel.]

She looked at me suspiciously and asked, "May I know your purpose for visiting him?"

"I brought his lunch," I replied, trying to sound innocent.

She gave me a sarcastic smile, exchanged a look with the other receptionist, and asked,

"Do you have any appointment?"

"No! I was sent here by his mother."

"Mother... for real?"

Okay, now my patience is running out.

"Miss... Sak..." I paused as my phone rang. It was Mom.

Shukar hai Allah ka, warna mein isko sunati ab buri tarike se. [Thank Allah, otherwise I would have scolded her badly right now.]

I picked up the call. "Hello!" I purposely put my phone on speaker.

"Beta, Irfaz mila?" ["Child, did you meet Irfaz?"] she asked.

"Mom, receptionist mujhe bata nahi rahi hain unka cabin," ["Mom, the receptionist isn't telling me where his cabin is,"] I said.

Suddenly the atmosphere changed. I know why heheh.

"Ma'am, this way, please," she guided me toward the elevator.

"Why?" Mom asked.

"They're guiding me to his cabin themselves," I played with my words sarcastically in front of their receptionist.

"Okay, then I packed your lunch too; eat together. Bye," she ended the call before I could start arguing.

As the elevator reached the 23rd floor, a girl approached.

"Sakshi, what are you doing here?" the stranger girl asked her.