The grandeur of Khan Haveli was a stark contrast to the lively streets of Hyderabad. The opulent interiors, with their intricate carvings and plush furnishings, were set to host a rather unconventional guest—Zarina Khala. Known for her boundless energy and sometimes overbearing charm, Zarina Khala was arriving to bless the newlyweds, Meerab and Murtasim. Though her visit had been delayed, she was now ready to make up for her absence with a flourish.
As Zarina Khala entered the haveli, she was greeted by Murtasim, whose expression was a mix of relief and trepidation. “Khala, it’s so wonderful to see you!” he said, embracing her warmly. “We missed you at the wedding.”
Zarina Khala’s eyes twinkled with mischief. “Murtasim, my dear, it’s delightful to see you too! I’m terribly sorry I couldn’t be there for the wedding, but I’m here now, and I intend to make up for it.”
“Thank you, Khala,” Murtasim said, guiding her into the sitting area where Meerab awaited. Meerab, who had been nervously preparing for the visit, greeted Zarina Khala with a mixture of warmth and apprehension.
“Assalamualaikum, Zarina Khala,” Meerab said, trying to project calm. “Welcome to our home.”
“Waalaikum Assalam, Meerab dear!” Zarina Khala said with enthusiastic affection, enveloping Meerab in a tight hug. “You look radiant! Just like a new bride should.”
Meerab’s cheeks flushed, and she forced a smile. “Thank you, Khala. Please, make yourself comfortable.”
Zarina Khala settled into the plush sofa with a sigh of contentment. “I’ve been dying to catch up with you both and hear all about your honeymoon. But first, let me bless you with a little gift.”
From her handbag, Zarina Khala produced a small, intricately wrapped box. “I’m so sorry I missed your wedding. This is just a little something to make up for it.”
Meerab took the box with curiosity and unwrapped it to reveal a delicate, intricately designed necklace. “This is beautiful, Khala. Thank you so much.”
“You’re welcome, dear,” Zarina Khala said with a satisfied smile. “Now, let’s talk about married life. How are you two settling in?”
Murtasim cleared his throat, glancing at Meerab with an uncertain look. “Well, we’re still adjusting. It’s been a few days, so…”
“Oh, adjusting?” Zarina Khala said, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “I remember the early days of my marriage like they were yesterday. Your khalu and I were so infatuated, we could hardly keep our hands off each other!”
Meerab’s face turned crimson. She glanced sideways at Murtasim, who looked uncomfortable but was trying to maintain his composure. Zarina Khala’s stories were growing increasingly personal, and neither of them was prepared for what was coming next.
Zarina Khala continued with unabated enthusiasm. “You know, on our wedding night, Khalu surprised me with a romantic setup. We had candles everywhere, and the room was filled with the scent of roses. But, oh, the best part was when we...”
Zarina Khala’s voice lowered to a conspiratorial whisper. “Well, let’s just say Khalu was very inventive. I remember one particular evening when he decided to try something new. It involved a lot of... let's just say, unconventional positions and techniques. It was exciting, to say the least!”
Meerab’s discomfort grew evident as her face flushed deeper. She glanced at Murtasim, who looked equally troubled but was trying to mask his unease. Zarina Khala, oblivious to their growing distress, continued to regale them with explicit anecdotes.
“And then there was the time Khalu decided to try out a new... uh, accessory. It was a bit of a surprise for me, let’s put it that way. I was caught off guard, but oh, the thrill of it all!” Zarina Khala said, her eyes gleaming with nostalgia. “I’m sure Murtasim here would have plenty of similar stories to share.”
Murtasim, now visibly flustered, tried to steer the conversation. “Well, Khala, we’re still getting used to each other. It’s... a learning process.”
Zarina Khala was not dissuaded. “Of course, of course! But tell me, Meerab, how are you finding things in the bedroom? Are you both... enjoying each other’s company?”
Meerab’s eyes widened in panic. “Oh, um, well, we’re...”
Murtasim, feeling cornered, decided to play along with Zarina Khala’s probing questions. “Yes, Khala, we’re, uh, adjusting. It’s definitely... an experience.”
Zarina Khala’s face lit up with approval. “That’s wonderful to hear! You know, Khalu and I didn’t waste any time. We were eager to explore and discover what worked for us. And it was the best decision we ever made. I’m sure you’ll find your rhythm soon enough.”
Meerab shot Murtasim a pleading look, her discomfort palpable. The contract they had signed, which stipulated they wouldn’t consummate their marriage without mutual consent, was a sensitive topic. Zarina Khala’s relentless questions were making it even more challenging for them to navigate their unconventional arrangement.
Zarina Khala continued with her tales, each one more explicit and detailed than the last. “And there was this one time when Khalu was determined to make things extra special. He went all out with a... romantic surprise. It involved a lot of... let’s just say, it was quite adventurous!”
Murtasim, feeling increasingly awkward but determined to maintain his role, nodded vigorously. “Yes, I’m sure those experiences were... very memorable.”
Meerab, struggling to maintain her composure, glanced at Murtasim with a mix of frustration and embarrassment. She wanted to explain the situation but couldn’t bring herself to reveal the contract. Instead, she forced a smile. “Khala, maybe we could focus on something else. Perhaps you could tell us more about your travels or recent events?”
Zarina Khala looked momentarily puzzled but soon shrugged it off with a laugh. “Oh, dear, you’re too young to worry about such things. This is the time for romance and family. And speaking of family, when are we going to see a little Murtasim or Meerab running around?”
Meerab’s eyes widened in alarm, and she glanced at Murtasim, who was increasingly uncomfortable. “Oh, well, we’re still...”
“Yes, we’re certainly considering it,” Murtasim said, his voice strained as he tried to keep up with Zarina Khala’s relentless enthusiasm.
Zarina Khala’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “Good, good! You know, Khalu and I had our first child within the first year. It was such an exciting time, full of new experiences. I’m sure you two will be just as happy.”
Meerab, feeling overwhelmed, looked at Murtasim with a mixture of anxiety and helplessness. Zarina Khala’s intimate stories and probing questions were pushing her to her limits.
As the evening dragged on, Zarina Khala’s stories grew increasingly explicit, and both Meerab and Murtasim struggled to maintain their composure. Zarina Khala’s enthusiasm showed no sign of waning, and the newlyweds were left to endure the uncomfortable barrage of personal anecdotes.
Finally, as the evening began to wind down, Murtasim managed to steer the conversation towards more neutral topics. “Khala, we’re so glad you could visit and share your experiences with us. It’s been... quite enlightening.”
Zarina Khala beamed with satisfaction. “I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Remember, the key to a happy marriage is to embrace each moment—whether it’s romantic, humorous, or even a bit awkward.”
Meerab forced a smile. “Thank you, Khala. We appreciate your advice.”
As Zarina Khala prepared to leave, Murtasim and Meerab exchanged a long, relieved look. The visit had been both overwhelming and humorous, revealing the tender affection Zarina Khala had for them but also highlighting the complexities of their own situation.
“Well,” Murtasim said, running a hand through his hair, “that was certainly an experience.”
Meerab laughed softly, shaking her head. “You can say that again.”
They both laughed, the tension finally breaking as they realized they had survived the awkward encounter. Despite the discomfort, their shared humor and understanding made the situation bearable.
Murtasim took Meerab’s hand in his, his eyes softening. “We’ll get through this, Meerab. We just need to keep supporting each other.”
Meerab smiled warmly, squeezing his hand. “Yes, we will. And hopefully, the next visitor will be a bit less... enthusiastic.”
As they stood together in the fading light of the evening, Murtasim and Meerab knew that their journey as a couple was just beginning. They were still learning and adapting, but with patience, humor, and a bit of compromise, they would navigate the complexities of their marriage together.