For the first few weeks after marriage, everything seemed like a dream to Mehreen. Although there were many strange rules within that dream—yet she told herself, "Everything will be fine."
Rashed had rented a small house in a quiet alley in the city. The house was not very big—a small room, a kitchen, and a window.
But that window had become very important to Mehreen.
Because it was through that window that she could see the outside world.
Every morning, when she woke up, the first thing she did was stand by the window. She would stare out at the street for a long time.
People going to work, shops opening, children going to school—everything seemed very normal.
Only her life was a little different.
She wondered, if anyone knew she lived in this house, would they know whose wife she was?
No.
Because this marriage was a secret.
Rashed usually came two or three days a week. Sometimes in the evening, sometimes late at night.
The day he came, Mehreen's house seemed to brighten up a little.
She cooked carefully. She made Rashed's favorite food.
Rashed would sometimes say while eating—
"You cook very well."
These small compliments were a great joy for Mehreen.
But the problem was elsewhere.
When Rashed left, the house would become strangely silent again.
That afternoon, Mehreen was cooking rice.
Suddenly, she thought—Rashed wouldn't come today.
So who was she cooking for?
The fire in the stove slowly died down.
Mehreen stood silently.
She felt—she was stuck in a waiting situation.
A waiting situation that she didn't know where to start.
That afternoon, she was sitting by the window.
A family was walking across the street.
A father, a mother, and their little son.
The son was walking, jumping, holding his father's hand.
Tears welled up in Mehreen's eyes.
She too had such a dream.
A normal family.
Where she wouldn't have to hide.
Where if anyone asked, Rashed would say—
"This is my wife."
But the reality was different.
When night fell, she would lie in bed.
And she would tell herself—
"Wait a little longer… everything will be fine."
But that "a little longer" seemed to be moving further away every day.