Hisham leaned against the kitchen counter,waiting for the kettle to boil as he thought of how his life had turned out.Just some months back he had been a happy, carefree guy surrounded by people who loved him for who he truly was.But most of all, he had been happy.Extremely happy.

But then his life had changed drastically.Was he happy now?Not at all.As much he had not wanted to get married but he had been trying to make it work from the very first day.He had tried to cater for his wife's every need.He showered her with all the love that he had but nothing seemed to be enough for her.

He was jolted back to reality when the kettle went off.He quickly made himself some black coffee afterwhich he opened the fridge to get something to eat.

But it was...

Empty.

Hisham sighed.Wow.Like at least she could have put some water in it to cool if nothing else.He quickly switched off the fridge from the mainswitch.He was definitely not going to be paying electricity bills for something they were not using.

He then opened the snack cupboard...

Empty.

The larder...

Empty.

The fruit basket...

Empty.

He cringed inwardly.Even when he had gone off to university, never had their kitchen been this empty yet they had all been boys.Not that he believed that a woman's place was in the kitchen, but seriously, what did this woman do at home all day?She could at least have shopped for some food since even half of his paycheck went to her.

His eyes landed on a small packet of crackers that lay near the water filter.The type of crackers you got for free when you bought a bottle of detergent or something.Guess that would have to do for now.

He opened the packet and munched on a cracker as he made his way to the bedroom.

"Zulekha habibty, wake up,its time for fajr," he said as he entered the room.

"For goodness sake Hisham, what are you munching on so loudly?"

"Umm,crackers?"

"Then stop making that cracking sound.Its irritating and im trying to sleep," she said sleepily.

"How does one eat crackers without making a cracking sound? And secondly wake up, its fajr time."

"Im too tired."

"Tired after doing what Zulekha?Im sure Yasir and Yumnah have woken up for prayers yet it was their Walima yesterday.Stop whining and get up.Tired is the last thing you should be," he said in frustration.

"Dont compare me to that woman, Hisham.Im sure she just married that blind brother of yours because of money.No one marries a blind man these days."

"My brother may not be able to see but he is still a human being.So treat him like one," shouted Hisham.

Wow.What a great way to start the day and to think that he had not even prayed his first Salah yet.

He quickly grabbed his shoes and began walking out.

"And where are you going off to now?"

"To the masjid.Since you are not interested in praying together,i might as well earn some Hasanat by praying with the brothers at the masjid," he said as he slammed the bedroom door really hard on the way out.

Guess the masjid was the only place left for him to get the peace he really needed.

********

Yumnah woke up to find her husband's face buried deep within her neck.She could clearly hear his heavy breathing and she was glad that he had been able to sleep peacefully.

"Yasir?" she whispered.

No answer.

"Yasir?"

"Mmmmh?"

"Its time for fajr,love."

"Good," he said as he buried his face deeper into her neck.

Yumnah chuckled as she tried to push him away but he immediately groaned.

"Stop pushing me away Yumnah,you are so warm.Are you sure it really is time for fajr?" he asked his eyes still closed and once again Yumnah heard his breathing even out.How could someone fall asleep so fast?

Yumnah laughed as she sat up so that she could get a clearer view of him.He indeed was so handsome MashAllah.Even with his ruffled up hair and slight stubble, he still looked perfect.She moved closer to him and slowly, really slowly, placed light kisses on both of his eyes.

"Wow, now i am definately awake."

"Kind of ," he quickly added as he felt for her pillow and buried his face in it.

"What shampoo do you use Yumnah?Is there one for men?" he mumbled as he tried snuggling closer to her.

Yumnah laughed shaking her head.Wow so Yasir Hosseini could really be a child sometimes huh?

"Garnier.Pineapple extract," she replied.

No wonder.

Yasir inwardly groaned after she mentioned pineapple.Not pineapple again.It reminded him of that pineapple tart that he had been craving for years now.

"Yasir come on, wake up," she said as she caressed his cheek.

"Yumnah if you continue doing that,then i am definately not going to wake up," he said his voice still laced with sleep.

"Fine fine.Then this should definitely work," she said as she gave him a slight pinch on his stomach.

"Ouch! Yumnaaaaah.Okay fine.Im awake.Never do that again though, i have sensitive skin."

"Yeah right," she said rolling her eyes.

"Race you to the bathroom?"she asked as she immediately got out of the bed and seconds later Yasir could hear her running to the bathroom.

He let out a laugh shaking his head.Guess his wife did not really consider him blind.He couldn't race with her even if he wanted to.He slowly got up, picked his cane and headed towards where their bags were kept.

"If you are looking for you're toothbrush habibi, i already have it," shouted Yumnah from the bathroom.

Yasir smiled as he slowly walked in the direction her voice had come from.

"Here you go," she said as she handed him his brush which already had toothpaste on it.

"Thank you."

Wow, he really wouldn't mind getting used to this.

They stood near the sink both quietly brushing.

"You can do you're wudhu first," he said as he dried his face with a towel.

"Okay."

Yumnah began washing her hands, a mischevious glint in her eyes.She glanced at her husband who stood patiently waiting for her to finish.She grinned to herself as she hurriedly finished up.

"Are you done?"he asked.

"Almost," she replied as she filled water in her hands and flung it at poor Yasir.

Yasir immediately shuddered as soon as the cold water hit him.

"What was that for Yumnah?"he asked when he heard her giggle.

"Showeeeeeer tiiiiiiime!"

"Oh il show you what shower time really means," he said as he felt for the tap, scooped some water and threw it in her direction.

"Seriously Yasir?Thats your aim?You missed me by quite a few metres."

Oh so was she challenging him now?As much as he loved challenges, he loved winning them too,even if it meant cheating.He smiled to himself as he thought of what to do.Seriously, his wife had no idea of what was coming next.

"Aah,Yumnah habibty my eyes are burning.I think some water went into my eyes.My eyes always burn from chlorine water," he yelled knowing very well she would fall for it.

Yumnah quickly rushed to him, worry etched all over her face.What had she done?How could she have been so careless?His eyes must definitely be sensitive.

"Ya Allah Yasir.I am so sorry, i didnt know..."

At that very precise moment,Yasir grabbed on to her,pulled her to his chest and trapped her with one arm.

"Let go of me Yasir," she screamed.

"No way Yumnah.You started it, now watch and learn habibty," he said as he scooped water in his other hand and splashed it directly on her face.

"You lied," she said she tried to get out of his grip but he was too strong for her.

"Everything is fair in love and war," he said as he sent another handful of water flying at her.

Yumnah gasped as the cold water hit her.There was definately nothing blind about this man for sure.

"Next time habibty, dont mess with me," he whispered in her ear afterwhich he let her go.

Yumnah stood in shock as she watched him do his wudhu a prominent smirk on his face.Okay, whatever.

"Last one to the prayer mat is a smelly frog ," she yelled as she sprinted out of the bathroom.

Yasir let out a chuckle as he completed his wudhu.She was definitely crazy.She was obviously going to win there.There was no way he could defeat her in a race.

"Hurry up ," she said as he came out of the bathroom.

"Says the other loser who just lost the waterfight."

"Shush.We are getting late for fajr."

Yasir stood next to her on his prayer mat and together they prayed fajr large smiles playing on their faces.

****

"Do you usually read the Quran after fajr?"she asked him after they were done.

"Yes i do, but i listen to it not read," he said whispering the last part.

"Of course.So which is your favourite Surah?"

"Surah Yaseen," he replied smiling.

"MashAllah, mine is Surah Ar- Rahmaan."

"Thats another of my favourites as well," he said as he felt for her hand and pulled her closer to him.

"So how do you listen to it?We can listen to a Surah together," said Yumnah smiling.She had always imagined reading of rather listening to the Quran with him.

"I have a recorder but i forgot to carry it," he said and Yumnah didnt miss the hint of disappointment in his voice.Well, she could always play it from her phone but then again she had a better idea.

"Mind if i recite a Surah and you listen to me?" she asked.

"I would love to habibty.Which Surah will you recite?"

"I think il recite Surah Yaseen since you like it so much," said Yumnah as she removed a small Quran from her bag.

As she began reciting,Yasir closed his eyes as he listened to each and every verse clearly.He fell in love with her melodious voice and he planned on making her recite many other Surahs for him from that day onwards.

"Ameen," said Yumnah after she was done.

"Ameen, Mashallah that was amazing but you made a mistake towards the end."

"Oh really, where?"she asked.

Yasir recited the part for her and Yumnah quickly checked it up.

"Thank you Yasir," she said as she gave him a kiss on his cheek.

"You're welcome but what was that for?"

"Nothing.I just felt like doing it," she replied blushing.

How could she tell him that to her, him correcting her meant that he loved her.It meant that he had indeed been listening and he loved her enough to correct her.

She smiled.Ustadha had been right.Love was all about moving forward together.Moving forward in their journey towards Jannah and she was extremely grateful that Allah had chosen Yasir to be that person with whom she would share the journey with.

"So, what time are we leaving for home?"she asked.

"We aren't leaving today."

Yumnah turned to Yasir in confusion.She was extremeley sure that they had booked the hotel for only one night.

"But we had this room only for a night Yasir."

"Well, that gets changed then," he replied calmly.

"But why?"

"

.