"Do you think I've gained weight?" Zainab asked, her voice laced with curiosity as she struggled to zip up her red gown an anko she did with her twins sister Zara.
She stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the fabric, trying to make it fit. It reached her ankles, elegant yet snug, but the zipper refused to cooperate.
Mubarak sat on the bed behind her, leaning back against the headboard. Dressed in a casual all-blue outfit that complement his sharp features, he look effortlessly handsome, as always. His blank expression didn't waver as he finally responded, "I didn't even notice." His gaze shifted away, settling on some distant point, as if lost in thoughts only he could understand.
Zainab turned to him, her lips curving into a small smile. "Really?"
He didn't respond.
"Mubarak," she called his name,
Mubarak blinked, snapping out of his thoughts. "Oh… sorry, Zainab. You're beautiful just the way you are. Don't stress yourself about your that."
Zainab sighed, studying herself in the mirror. She was four months pregnant, and although her belly wasn't showing much, she had heard enough comments from her family and friends about how she had gained weight.
"Even so," she continued, "I think I want to go on a diet. And I want you to be my dietician and personal trainer."
Mubarak gave a dry chuckle but said nothing. He wasn't about to argue with a pregnant woman or atleast not yet.
Zainab glanced at him through the mirror, noticing the slight tension in his posture. She sighed. "can you please tell me, what's bothering you?"
Mubarak shook his head. "Nothing."
She came to him. "It's not like I'll be gone forever. It's just a two-day trip, and I'll be back next tomorrow, In Shaa Allah."
She knew exactly what was troubling him—her upcoming trip for her friend Safina's wedding. It had taken her a full week to convince him to let her go, and even then, Alamin had to step in. Mubarak didn't think she was strong enough for the journey, especially since her pregnancy was still troubling her at times.
"Yeah, but.." he murmured before adding, "Hmm, Zainab, do you think maybe we should go together?"
Zainab had always wanted him to come on the trip, given that it was his cousin's wedding. Yet, instead of agreeing, he had asked her to stay home with him. When she refused, he planned to spend the weekend with his sister and her kids instead. She wondered why he didn't want to attend his cousin's wedding or why he didn't want her to go alone. And whenever she brought up the topic, he always dismissed it quickly—until she got tired of asking.
She turned to him in surprise. "Really, Mubarak? You would come? But didn't you say you'd be visiting your sister Barakah this weekend? Your nieces and nephews are waiting for you."
"Yes, I know," Mubarak admitted, his voice calm yet resolute. "But right now, I just want to do what gives me peace. And you, Zainab—you are my peace."
His hands found her cheeks, his touch warm, grounding her in the moment. His eyes held a quiet sincerity, nothing else in the world mattered more than her presence.
Zainab's lips parted slightly, unsure how to respond. A soft chuckle escaped her, though uncertainty flickered beneath the surface. "Hmm… what if Barakah gets angry with me for stealing her brother?" she teased, hoping to mask her unease.
She hadn't told him before, but Barakah had joked about it often. It was a lighthearted family jest, yet one laced with an undeniable truth. Even Barakah's children missed their uncle, their innocent questions about his absence tugging at her heart.
Would they blame her for the distance?
Mubarak, sensing the shift in her expression, gently squeezed her hand. His touch was reassuring, his conviction unwavering. "No, we'll still go next week, Insha Allah."
Zainab exhaled, feeling the tension ease from her shoulders. A soft smile graced her lips as she leaned her head against his shoulder. The steady rise and fall of his breathing soothed her. "Thank you, Mubarak," she whispered.
She knew, she wants him to go, They had never been apart since their marriage. Two days without him felt like an unfamiliar void to her also but now all is well.
And next week, they would go together. And for the first time, she would meet Barakah's children also.
Mubarak hugged her. Apart from worrying about her health, something else had been troubling him. Ever since Zainab mentioned this trip, he had a bad feeling about it—especially since the wedding was tied to that house.
Yet, she kept insisting on going. He could only hope that everything would be fine.
She loosened herself from his grip, and he let go.
"Since you're already dressed and all packed for the trip, I think I'll need your help here. Or do you think you need to change anything?" Zainab asked, eyeing him. He had also packed his clothes for his visit to his sister's place, but now that they were heading to a different event, she wondered if he might need to make some changes. Still, for now, she needed his help first.
"where?" Mubarak asked innocently, though he knew exactly what she meant.
Zainab, already standing in front of the mirror, gave him a pointed look. "Don't pretend you don't know—I need help zipping up my dress."
Mubarak smirked. "Wait, didn't you say you wouldn't need my help anymore?".
He had been waiting for this moment. Earlier that morning, she had insisted she could handle everything on her own—just to prove to him that she was strong enough for the trip. He had been waiting for her to call for his help, but she stubbornly hadn't. She really wanted to go on this journey.
Zainab shot him an annoyed glare. "Mubarak!"
Chuckling, he got up, walked behind her, and zipped up her gown effortlessly. "Better?"
"Whatever," she mumbled, rolling her eyes.
Mubarak shook his head with a smile. He reached for her necklace, clasping it around her neck, then helped her into her jacket. As she wrapped her veil into place, he crouched down to clean her shoes before placing them in front of her.
Then, he turned to repack his clothes while she sat waiting for him.
Once they were ready, they locked up the house and left. Mubarak muttered a silent prayer, hoping for a safe journey as he tried to shake off the uneasy feeling that had been creeping over him.