***
Once Haider finished recounting the events of the past few days of his marriage, silence settled over the table.
Yusuf and Zayne wore identical expressions.
Utter disbelief.
Yusuf was the first to speak, his usual frown somehow growing even deeper.
"So..."
He folded his arms.
"You're telling me that for the past few days, all you've done is pray and eat with your wife?"
Haider cleared his throat awkwardly.
"...Yes."
Normally, Zayne would have burst into laughter by now. Instead...he simply stared.
A long, disappointed sigh escaped him.
He slowly wrapped an arm around Haider's shoulders before speaking in the tone of an older brother preparing to deliver difficult news.
"Haider..."
He shook his head.
"As your brother...I have to tell you this to your face."
He paused dramatically.
"You are unbelievably dense."
Haider blinked.
Confused, he turned toward Yusuf, hoping for at least one ally. Instead-
"Don't look at me."
Yusuf answered immediately.
"When it comes to matters like this..."
He pointed toward Zayne.
"Even without experience, he's more competent than you."
Zayne instantly puffed out his chest with pride.
Ignoring him completely, Yusuf continued sipping his drink.
Zayne pulled Haider closer again with a grin.
"As a genuinely kind friend...I shall grant you my wisdom."
Haider listened attentively.
He truly wanted to understand what he had done wrong.
"What should I do?"
"Simple."
Zayne grinned.
"Take her out this weekend."
"..."
Haider froze and his eyes widened.
"A..."
He swallowed.
"A date?"
The word barely escaped his lips.
Yusuf and Zayne exchanged a glance before looking back at him as though he had just said something utterly ridiculous.
Their expressions said the same thing.
I'm done with this guy.
Yusuf pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Why are you suddenly acting like a coward?"
He jabbed a finger toward Haider's chest.
"Your name is Haider. It literally means 'lion' or 'the brave one.'"
He glared
"So act like it."
Zayne clapped happily as Yusuf finally snapped at Haider.
Haider took a moment to process the words before quietly letting out a breath.
"...What exactly do people do on a date?"
Silence.
Both men looked as though they were on the verge of tears.
They had finally reached the conclusion that Haider was hopeless.
Zayne slowly turned toward the ceiling, smiling so brightly that it somehow looked hostile, while Yusuf merely sighed and continued eating, deciding it was no longer worth questioning.
Haider blinked, his expression filled with genuine confusion. He couldn't understand why they were reacting so dramatically.
Zayne cleared his throat and folded his arms across his chest, attempting to imitate Yusuf's stern posture.
He even lowered his voice to sound more authoritative.
"Aunty!"
He raised a hand toward the counter.
"Bring us more sodas. We're going to be here for a very, very long time."
***
I glanced at my phone and found a message from Haider.
Haider: Assalamualaikum. I'll be home late today. My friends wanted to spend some time together. Please have dinner without me. Don't wait up.
I switched off my phone and left it on the kitchen counter before loosening the apron tied around my waist.
Perhaps...
It was for the better.
I wasn't sure I could face him today.
My Lord had spared me from an awkward situation.
I quietly took my seat at the dining table.
Tonight, there were fewer dishes than usual.
Whenever Haider was home, I found myself preparing at least three different dishes, hoping there would be something he liked.
Now...
The house felt strangely empty.
The faint minty fragrance that always seemed to follow him no longer lingered in the air.
Absentmindedly, I rolled up the sleeves of my pink hoodie.
My eyes wandered toward the front door.
What am I looking at?
A small sigh escaped my lips.
I lowered my gaze and continued eating, the warmth of the spices spreading across my tongue.
I didn't have to wait for him tonight.
He had never once asked me to wait for him.
Yet...
I always did.
Perhaps because I had grown up watching Mother wait for Father every evening.
It had simply become second nature.
TING! TING!
A sudden alarm echoed through the apartment. Startled, I quickly hurried toward the sound.
My footsteps slowed.
I stopped.
It was coming from Haider's room.
I stared at the closed door.
Should I go in?
Curiosity quietly tugged at my heart.
Using the alarm as an excuse to enter his room...
Would that be wrong?
I swallowed nervously.
My heart began to pound inside my chest as my trembling hand slowly reached for the doorknob.
CLICK
Instantly-
The familiar minty fragrance enveloped me the moment I stepped inside.
The room was noticeably cooler than the rest of the apartment.
Just as I had imagined, tall bookshelves lined one side of the room, each shelf neatly arranged without a single book out of place. A neatly made black bed rested against the wall, while a sturdy wooden desk occupied the opposite corner. A soft grey carpet stretched beneath my feet, and on a nearby shelf sat a mint-scented air freshener.
A faint smile tugged at my lips.
So that's why he always smells like mint...
Curiosity quietly guided my steps toward the bookshelf.
Books filled every inch of it.
Murder mysteries...
So that's what he enjoys reading?
Beside them were copies of the Qur'an, books on Islamic teachings, journals filled with neat handwriting, and even a few comic books tucked between the larger volumes.
Then...
One particular book caught my attention.
It looked older than the rest.
Carefully, I reached out and placed my fingers along its spine before slowly pulling it free.
CLICK
The door behind me opened.