Zaya's mother-in-law sighed in frustration with her sleepy voice before she asked,"What time?"
"1:30 a.m." Zaya replied.
"Is he trying to set a new record?" Zaya's mother-in-law asked.
"And today was our wedding anniversary, mother-in-law," Zaya pointed out.
Zaya's mother-in-law sighed again and sat upright on her bed. She had actually been sleeping when Zaya put the call through to her. She wanted to ignore it but after the second ring she decided to see who it was and was not surprised that it was Zaya calling her. Something must have happened again.
She was the reason behind why Zaya kept quiet all this while. Ever since the wedding, Mrs. Salma Asad has always been nurturing Zaya in her married life. Since Zaya's mother was not alive, Mrs. Salma decided to step up and play the mother figure in her life. A deed which both families were most proud of. Mrs. Salma knew of the kind of children she had, so whenever Zaya called, she definitely knew that it would be about Kabir.
She had tried to speak with Kabir softly and reasoned with him to change his ways, but Kabir was stubborn and refused to heed. When she saw that it didn't work out, she decided to lay the issue before her husband. Mrs. Salma knew that her husband loved her dearly and would certainly listen to what she said. Her husband did listen but was unable to do anything because, in the first place, he forced Kabir into this and Kabir told his father that if he got married to Zaya, then his father would not meddle in their marriage.
Since her husband was unable to do anything, Mrs. Salma resorted to asking her children for help. She told them to speak with Kabir and make him come to his senses and be a bit caring to Zaya, but still, her children's efforts met a dead end. Nothing changed with Kabir.
"I know that. Tell me what Kabir did again today." Mrs. Salma asked.
Zaya breathed in and out before responding.
"I think he knew today was our wedding anniversary, which was why he came late. Everything had been planned out and prepared for. I even made his favorite dishes, but he still chose to arrive late, probably spending his time with Lara." she explained.
"Lara? Who's Lara?" Mrs. Salma asked shockingly.
"His girlfriend from before. The one he used to date before we got married, mother-in-law," Zaya replied casually.
"That Lara? He is still seeing her? I never knew of that. You didn't tell me!" Mrs. Salma said in disbelief.
"Because it is not a big deal. I let Kabir meet up with Lara whenever he wants. All I ask for is a phone call whenever he is going to spend the night with her." Zaya responded.
Mrs. Salma could not believe her ears. So this was how Zaya's married life had been going.
"You still let Kabir see his ex-girlfriend, and you are fine with it? What rubbish!" Mrs. Salma voiced out.
Zaya was taken aback by her mother-in-law's words.
"I do not have a problem with Kabir seeing his ex-girlfriend," Zaya said.
"Zaya, my dear, you are a fool! A big one!" Mrs. Salma commented.
"Mother-in-law…" Zaya was taken by surprise by Mrs. Salma's insult to her.
"Mother in law, there is no need for insults. I know that I have been a fool, which is why I am asking for your help now." Zaya muttered.
"Before I give you my help, I need to know about the whole truth. How long has Kabir been seeing Lara?" Mrs. Salma asked.
"It has been going on for a year. Ever since we got married," Zaya said.
"Ever since you got married? So, you mean to tell me that Kabir has been going out with Lara for over a year?" Mrs. Salma asked in surprise.
"Yes, mother-in-law. They have been seeing each other frequently," Zaya answered.
"Oh My God! Zaya, you have been played. No wonder Kabir did not respect you because you gave him a free hand to do whatever he wanted to." Mrs. Salma uttered.
"I know, and now I'm asking for your help. I want to make Kabir respect me" Zaya voiced.
"Like I said, I am going to help you, but that would be after I know everything about the whole situation. Do you still meet up with Roy?" Mrs. Salma asked.
"No, I do not. Ever since we got married, I have broken off all ties with him. I don't know what has been going on in his life," Zaya answered.
"Then why did you let Kabir be in touch with Lara when you don't see Roy?" Mrs. Salma questioned.
"Because I wanted him to be comfortable in our marriage," she responded.
"Comfortable? Comfortable, my foot! Yeah well, you succeeded in making him comfortable in another woman's house." Mrs. Salma retorted. "I know there is still more to this story, so tell me all of it." She continued.
"Kabir came home late today and scoffed at me. I tried to ask about his whereabouts, tried to have a conversation with him, one thing led to another, and he ended up wishing I was dead and out of his life. He also said that I should never forget that this was a contract marriage, and he had nothing to offer to me," Zaya narrated.
"Kabir said all that? Kabir actually uttered those words? He wished you were dead and told you that he had nothing to offer you?" Mrs. Salma asked in disbelief.
"Yes, and it really hurts, Mrs. Salma." Zaya said, her voice trembling.
"This is it. This is the limit. I am going to teach Kabir a good lesson." Mrs. Salma said.
"Will you help me, mom?" Zaya asked.
Mrs. Salma's heart melted when Zaya called her mom. She felt so happy.
"I am going to help you. I am going to come over to your store later in the morning, and we will figure this out." Mrs. Salma assured her.
"Thank you so much, mother," Zaya expressed her gratitude.
"Don't worry about anything. Go to bed and try to sleep." Mrs. Salma said.
"Okay, mom," Zaya responded.
Zaya tried to end the call before her mother-in-law said something.
"Zaya, know that it is not your fault. You have been the best daughter-in-law and wife anyone could ever ask for. It's not you, it's Kabir that's the problem," Mrs. Salma said.