Are We Okay?

Chapter 9

"Sahil, where's Daneen?" mama asks Sahil, who's sitting beside Aisha. 

"In my room." He shrugs. 

"Sahil, you are married now, it's not just your room anymore. You have to take your responsibility as her husband to take care of her every way, of her every need understand?" mama says sternly. 

He nods, then clears his throat. 

Daneen walks into the dining room in a black abaya and pink hijab. 

"Asalam Alaykum, beta, how was your sleep?" mama asks with a smile. 

"Walaykum Salam. It was fine," Daneen replies. 

"Sit, I'll serve you today." I smile, then make sit her down beside Sahil. I serve them all some parathas (stuffed flat breads) with methi (an Indian spice).  

Sitting down beside Abdullah, Daneen and I say our prayers before eating our food. 

"Sahil, why don't you take Daneen out somewhere today?" mama suggests. 

Sahil raises an eyebrow, then glances at Daneen, who's looking at him also. 

"Do you wanna go somewhere?" he asks. 

"With you? No, but I don't exactly have a choice now, do I?" Daneen replies. 

"Oh, you are so lucky I'm being forced to take you. I don't exactly want to be anywhere with you either," he snaps back. 

"Daneen, Sahil, both of you calm down," baba says. 

Daneen glares at Sahil, then she stands up and storms off into her and Sahil's room. 

"Daneen." I sigh, then get up. 

"No, leave her, let her cool off," mama says. 

I obey her and sit down. 

"Sahil, your behavior is not acceptable. She's your wife not your frenemy anymore, treat her like your wife," mama snaps angrily. 

"I'm sorry, ummi, but I didn't exactly have a choice in marrying her when you practically made me. This isn't what I dreamt of my marriage either, so can you stop acting like she's the only victim in this?" he says, then gets up and storms out of the dining room. 

"Sahil!" mama yells. 

"Ummi, leave him. I'll talk to him, Aminat talk to your sister," Abdullah says while getting up. 

"It's not her fault here, she's hurting," I tell Abdullah, but he just shrugs. 

"This isn't her fault. We didn't force him. If he didn't want to, he had a choice to back out. Don't you dare blame Daneen for this!" I yell in anger. 

"Aminat!" mama yells. I suck in some air, then gasp and cover my mouth. 

"Ya Allah. I'm so, so sorry I shouldn't have talked to you like that," I apologize instantly. 

Abduallah doesn't say anything. He just stares at me before walking past me and out the door. 

I cover my face in embarrassment, then rush to Daneen's room.