Page 29 of First Comes Marriage
Zafar slowly covered her hand that rested on the table between them with his own, squeezing it and hoping the warmth from his hand would penetrate into her cold one. It took her a few seconds to react, but she lifted her hand off the table and turned it in his, holding on tight as he strengthened his grip.
The transformation in her had been instant. Not five minutes ago, she was giving him words of reassurance no one else ever had before, aside from Murad, though Murad’s angle had always been different. He thought he was a robot of his grandfather’s creation, when that wasn’t quite the case.
With Reshma, there had been no sarcasm or judgement – even though she was well within her rights to give him the oldI told you soline after his poor performance in frontof her cousins. Instead, she had listened to him and offered her softness in return, her compassion. She’d not offered him empty platitudes but had been gently matter-of-fact and he’d never been more enamoured.
And then Ahsan Mir’s children had come around the corner, followed by his wife and then the man himself and Reshma had turned to stone.
After their rounds of photographs, they moved out of the way as other guests came to use the flower wall for the same purpose. His family were heading off when Ahsan looked Zafar and Reshma’s way, his neutral expression changing to one of uneasy surprise as his eyes landed on Reshma and then pleasant surprise when they landed on him.
He said something in his wife’s ear, who turned their way, gave a brief smile and then carried on after her children, while Ahsan made his way towards where he and Reshma were. He hoped the man wouldn’t say or do anything to make Zafar’s already stiff neck and tense shoulders any worse. He knew how to be pleasant with unpleasant people, but he had his limits.
‘Fancy seeing you here?’ Ahsan had a bland smile on his face as he nodded at Reshma and then his smile broadened when he looked at Zafar.
Reshma’s shoulders were almost touching her ears and he could sense the tension in her body because her ice-cold hand in his was stiff, her knuckles protruding and pressing into the flesh of his fingers.
‘Hey, Daddy.’ Her voice was subdued and Zafar tightened his hold on her hand, willing her to relax.
A waitress holding a tray bearing tea and coffee cups moved past them towards the entrance and Ahsan stopped her to take one. He stirred in a couple of spoonfuls of sugar as he looked past Reshma and addressed him.
‘Tell me, Zafar, how are you enjoying my sister’s hospitality and the wonders of Mombasa? You’re having a good time, I hope.’
Zafar came to a conclusion. Before, he hadn’t been entirely sure, but now, he was. Absolutely certain. One hundred per cent. He didn’t like Ahsan Mir. Not one bit. His initial opinion had been based on hearsay, but now it was based on primary evidence. He’d seen him in action with his own eyes and he didn’t like what he’d seen.
Apart from the fact that he’d not stepped up to the plate and cared for Reshma like any loving parent would – personal issues aside – he still acted like she didn’t exist, barely looking her way and giving her no attention whatsoever. How could he be more interested in knowing ifhewas having a good time rather than his own flesh and blood?
But his grandfather had taught him the importance of diplomacy, so Zafar gritted his teeth and exercised it. ‘I’m having a great time, thanks. Everyone’s been wonderful and Mombasa is just as magical now as I found it as a child. In fact, more so now because I have the chance to explore it and see its wonders with Reshma.’ He put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close to his side. Why he felt a need to do that he wasn’t sure, but he wanted the man in front of him to acknowledge Reshma.
Ahsan looked her way and smiled, though it seemed strained, before he was looking towards him again. ‘I’m glad. She’s lucky to have you as a husband.’
What? Was he serious?
First off, what did he know about either of them to make such a statement? And secondly, surely he should be telling Zafar how lucky he was that Reshma was his wife? But, then again, Ahsan Mir was hardly a model parent orone to use as a yardstick. Uncle Jawad filled that role in Reshma’s life and he did a spectacular job of it. In fact, Zafar thought of him as his father-in-law more than the man standing in front of him.
‘You’re wrong.’ He felt Reshma’s hand come around his back and squeeze him on the side Ahsan couldn’t see, probably in warning, but in that moment, his diplomacy disappeared in a puff of smoke, leaving behind raw honesty. ‘Between the two of us, I’m the lucky one. But you wouldn’t understand that because you don’t know how special Reshma really is. For that, you’d have to get to know her, and given that since we’ve been married, you’ve not seen her or spoken to her, I don’t think you know her at all.’
‘Zafar, please. Don’t.’ Reshma’s voice was soft, barely above a whisper.
He looked her way and saw sadness in her eyes, but there was also a sense of resignation and that broke his heart. As though she didn’t deserve better. As though whatever it was this man did was OK to ignore. Well, not on his watch.
This was completely out of character for him, but he felt out of character. Maybe it was his own disappointment in himself that lent itself to do the talking. He was usually the level-headed Saeed, the one who smoothed things over, while Ashar was more likely to be found calling a spade a spade in the most colourful language he could. But not now, not in this moment. He felt compelled to speak out.
‘Why not, Reshma? He’s categorically ignored you since he’s been here and seems to believe that I’ll be OK with that.’ He turned to face Ahsan Mir, his cheeks now taking on a ruddy hue and his mouth pinched. ‘I’m not OK with that. If you don’t have time for my wife, then I have no time for you.’
Zafar pulled his arm away from Reshma’s shoulders, interlinked his fingers with hers once more before turning and leading her away. She didn’t pull away from him or say anything as he moved back into the garden, through the archway and into a now empty dining area.
He let go of Reshma’s hand and went to the drinks table, pouring himself a glass of water and drinking it in one go, before refilling it and another one and taking them to where Reshma stood. She still looked wide-eyed, but there was a hint of colour returning to her cheeks.
‘What was that?’ Her voice sounded dazed, like she wanted confirmation of what had just happened.
Frustration and annoyance were still coursing through him. Some of it was at himself, but a great deal of it was at the way Ahsan had behaved – or not, depending on your point of view – with Reshma. ‘That was me politely giving that man a very small piece of my mind. He deserved a lot more than what I dished out, I can tell you.’
‘Why would you do that?’
Zafar looked at her, his expression now likely just as dazed as hers. ‘Is that a serious question or a rhetorical one?’
She shook her head, taking a sip from the glass he’d handed her before licking her lips and speaking in a tone full of resignation. ‘You shouldn’t have said anything.’
‘Please tell me you’re not upset with me for saying what I did to him?’
