The Perfect Union

Chapter 19 - Getting used to my new life

Aliyahs POV

I woke up and as per usual it took me a few seconds to get my bearings. I picked up my phone to check the time. 8.30am on sunday morning. Wow I thought to myself its already been a whole week and I didnt even realise.

A whole week in my new house and everything was still new. The house was new, my family was new and most of all my husband was still very very new. I slowly peeked over at Ahmeds couch and he wasnt there. Just as the feeling of anxiousness and stress was about to engulf me i quickly remembered. Its sunday so he would have gone for his jog.

Silly me I decided to get up and make everyone breakfast. I was kind of used to the routine of the house now. Aunty and Uncle tended to stay up after Fajr and on the weekends the kids went back to sleep.

As I made my way to the bathroom I spotted one of my walima sandals on the side and remembered when Ahmed had helped me put them on. Even the memory made me blush. The walima had been simple yet elegant. All my family had come down to see me and that was also the last time I had seen Samaa. Maybe Il give her a call or surprise her by going down.

Most of Ahmeds family and friends had already been down to the house to congratulate us so I was sure Aunty wouldnt mind if we went out for a few hours.

To be honest my in laws were very nice Alhamdulillah and they had really helped me settle in. Well from tomorrow I have to be on full daughter in law mode as Ahmed was going back to work. We had to postpone our honeymoon because one of his co-workers had a baby 4 weeks premature. Not that I minded, we were still getting used to eachother so going away alone together would be a whole different kind of awkward. Not that he noticed as he had assured me that he will be whisking me away soon.

I quickly got dressed and made my way downstairs. I could hear voices. Aunty and Uncle were there but I could also hear a 3rd persons booming voice.

'Its nearly 9 oclock and your daughter in law is still sleeping. I dont care if its the first week Sara. If you spoil her anymore she will end up expecting being treated like a queen I am telling you. Do you know my Rehana brings me breakfast in bed everyday without fail.' Its Aunty Nazia I recognised her voice as I suppressed a groan. Aunty Nazia was Ahmeds Dads older sister so she was Ahmeds Puppo. I thought Aaminah had been overexaggerating when she described her as being bossy and always complaining but in the short number of days that I had been here I realised Aaminah was right. All she did was complain about everything and she was never happy. Even Ahmed who was alot more maturer then Aaminah and tended not to say bad things about anyone ended up rolling his eyes at nearly everything she said.

So far I had been told that Aunty Nazia was a widow and all her children were married. Yet she still liked to come down every now and then to stay at Ahmeds house. I had met her 2 sons, their wives and her one and only daughter Jaweriya at the walima and once when they had come down. They had all seemed very nice although I dont know why I had a feeling Jaweriya didnt like me. When I asked Aaminah she was about to tell me something but we got interupted by Ahmed.

I took a deep breath, plastered a smile on my face and walked into the room giving Salaam. Everybody replied and I walked round to Aunty Nazia and welcomed her with a hug and a kiss.

'Good morning Aliyah. I didnt wake you did I?' She asked innocently 'you see in our family we have the habit of waking up early and getting our jobs done. Otherwise we get restless.'

'Of course not Aunty you are welcome anytime you want. This is your own home. Hope everyone in your family is well Inshah Allah....Anyway I was just going to make something for Ahmed he should be coming home soon so please excuse me.' I quickly added trying to make an exit.

'Sure sure dont let me stop you. Im here all day today so we will have plenty of time to chat.....and Aliyah please dont go to too much trouble for me. A few different snacks and something sweet will be enough' She added giving me her not so innocent smile.

'Of course' I said walking into the kitchen. Great the old bag is testing my cooking skills. Well Aliyah its time for the battle, lets blow her socks off.

Just as I was rummaging in the pantry for the ingredients Aunty Sara came into the kitchen. 'Im really sorry Aliyah. Nazia is very traditional and old fashioned. She always has to get her own and since she is a widow everybody lets her do it. Dont worry i will wake Aaminah to help you. Just make a couple of things she will have to be satisfied with that.'

I walked over to Aunty and as I turned her towards the door I said ' Its ok Aunty you have nothing to say sorry about. I will take care of everything. And I will make sure she has nothing to complain about'.

'Well I doubt that. Ive known Nazia for over 30 years and she always find something to complain about' she said whispering as we both laughed before sending her into the living room.

I looked around the kitchen. Come on Aliyah its time for your first test.

Ahmeds POV

I finally got home at 9.30am. Todays run was so refreshing. Maybe Aliyah would be up by now and we could have breakfast. As I turned the key in the door the first thing that hit me was the beautiful aroma of food. Who the hell is cooking in my house at this time on a Sunday morning I thought to myself but before I could ponder on this any longer I heard the booming voice of Aunty Nazia and for once in her life she seemed surprised.

'Oh Mashah Allah. I didnt know Aliyah that you were such a good cook. All I knew was that you worked in an office somewhere. Anyway it all looks lovely.....guess I have to taste it to see if its any good first' she said.

By then I had reached the living room. As I went in and gave Salaam my eyes went directly to the 6 or 7 different dishes on the table infront of Aunty Nazia.

As I looked up I saw Aliyah standing just by the kitchen door with a tray of tea in her hand. As she looked up and our eyes met, she smiled at me and said 'Just in time for tea.'

'Let me have a quick shower first' I said as my mum invited me to join them to eat.

'Sure Il make you a fresh cup of tea. By the way I didnt know what you would want to eat. Tell me now and it will be ready by the time you come back' Aliyah asked.

'Dont you think you have already made enough' I said as I gestured towards the table. I saw how she started to blush and thought its best to put her out of her misery. 'Surprise me. I will eat whatever you make'. As I said this Aliyah just nodded and went into the kitchen. I just sat there watching for a few seconds and I didnt realise that everyone around me had stopped talking until Aunty Nazia cleared her throat very loudly.

'Ahmed beta, I thought you were going to have a shower?' She asked very amused as she had managed to embarass me.

I quickly got up and ran upstairs.

Aliyahs POV

Oh great....Surprise me....what kind of an answer is that I thought to myself. Couldnt he have just told me what he wanted that would have made my life so much easier.....I know I'll just make him a spanish omelette.

And with that thought I got down to making my world famous ultra amazing spanish omelette.

Just as I was about to start I heard a grumble that sounded abit like 'good morning' and as I turned around I saw Aaminah standing in the kitchen.

'Hey what you doing up so early' I asked her as she came over and leaned on my arm half asleep.

'I agree what am I doing up so early. Thanks to the great being Aunty Nazia. Not only did I just get a lecture about waking up late she just shouted at me about my pjs. I didnt know it was a crime to wear what you wanted in your own house. By the way mum woke me to help you but you look like you have already done everything. You would think all that food would keep her quiet but no she still finds something to complain about' Aaminah said as she carried on ranting.

'Ooh this puri is too crispy, the chanas have too much salt and the halwa is not sweet enough. My Jaweriyas halwa is the best after mine' she said doing an impression of Aunty Nazia.'Seriously Baaj I dont know why you bothered?' She asked me.

'Ok grumpy....thats enough. No more backbiting and impressions regardless of everything she is your Aunty and an elder you should respect her' I told her 'Now stop leaning on my arm I have to make my husbands breakfast' I told her jokingly.

'Ok so you are making special breakfast for Ahmed bhabi jaan' she said then put on a sad face 'what about me?'.

'Well I was going to make you pancakes but seeing as you demoted me from sister to sister in law in a matter of minutes Im having second thoughts' I told her pretending to be angry.

'Im sorry Im sorry....of course your my baaaj....Ahmed who?? Please please please make me pancakes' she said hugging me.

'Okay okay I will. Help me clear the table inside then Il make you pancakes ok' I told her as I left the omelette to cook and went to clear the table.

As I went inside both Ahmeds mum and dad praised the food highly that made me feel happy as well as abit shy.

'Well next time I come I will let you know in advance so that you can cook something better. Anyone is capable of making these snacks and cakes' Aunty Nazia told me. I just smiled but I heard Aaminah behind me grumbling under her breath.

Just as we started clearing the table Ahmed came down stairs. His hair dripping from the shower and dressed in a long black thobe left me staring for a few seconds too much. When our eyes crossed I quickly looked away hoping no one noticed the blush on my cheeks.

'Where are you taking the food?' Aunty Nazia asked 'Ahmed has just come'.

I groaned. I didnt really want to serve his breakfast here so she could give everyone her unwanted opinion.

'No Puppo' Ahmed said as he came to my rescue ' I prefer to eat on the breakfast table in the kitchen. You guys carry on talking we will have a breakfast in the kitchen' and with that he picked up a few dishes and walked into the kitchen leaving everyone looking quiet speechless.

On the way to the kitchen I asked Aaminah quietly 'why was everyone so shocked in there?'.

She whispered back 'Bhais never picked up a glass of water let alone carry dishes to the kitchen. Ah oh Aunty Nazias going to think you have already got him under your thumb'.

So he was trying to help....thats so cute I thought and quickly walked to the kitchen.

When I got there Ahmed was already seated at the table. I said a quick pray as i plated up his spanish omelette and brought it over with his cup of tea.

'Aaminah told you didnt she?' He asked amused.

'Told me what?' I asked totally confused.

Ahmeds POV

The look of confusion that was on Aliyahs face I couldnt tell if she was serious or a very good liar.

'No I didnt tell her how much you love omelettes. She had already started making it before I came down for your kind information' Aaminah quickly said as she left the kitchen leaving me feeling embarassed.

'Guess I did manage to surprise you then didnt I?' Aliyah said and thankfully I was glad she hadnt gotten angry with me. 'So what prize do I get?' She asked me cheekily.

'Thats up to you' I told her throwing the ball in her court.

'Well there was one thing' she asked hesitantly.....