SS: Do You Sleep - Part 2

16.40 to 19.00

Part 2

‘Hareem you listen to your story and then I’ll come and take you to sleep.’

It was the first time Khirad had come into their old room, into Asher’s room and she wanted to leave as soon as possible. She wanted to stop her eyes darting to the side-table where she used to keep her jewellery at night, or to the wall that now hung bare no evidence that it once held up a picture of a happily married couple, or the dresser that was no longer adorned with bangle stands and ornate perfume bottles.

‘Mamma you lie down and listen to the story with me as well.’

How easily that request fell from Hareem’s lips. How casually she sat on the very same bed where her existence had begun nearly 5 years ago, where Khirad had given her existence to Asher.

‘I’ll stand here and listen, okay.’

She had never wanted Hareem to hate her father; his offences against her were hers alone to bear. So she had always spoken highly of Asher when Hareem enquired about her father but now when she saw how well Hareem had taken to Asher in the space of a few weeks, Khirad secretly resented the relationship they had formed with such ease.

‘No Mamma please lie down and listen to the story with me.’

Khirad gripped the tray in her hand. How could such a small request shake her so much? Hadn’t she already returned to Karachi for Hareem’s welfare? Already stepped back into the house and the life of a man she had reconciled to forget forever for her daughter?

‘Hareem, good children aren’t obstinate.’

‘Mamma please please please.’

But how could she refuse her sweet beautiful daughter anything she wanted? When her daughter’s future lay uncertainly in the hands of Allah and Khirad didn’t know how many more nights she would be blessed with Hareem how could she refuse to share a bedtime story with her tonight?

---

Asher jerked awake, his eyes instantly drawn to the soft weight on top of his hand. A burst of pleasure shot through him as he remembered many nights falling asleep with Khirad’s hand in his. As quickly as that thought had come it left, chased away by the memory of Khizer and Asher pulled his hand away.

When he saw her eyes opening he looked away, disgusted with himself for even thinking of their past, disgusted with Khirad for her past.

---

Khirad opened her eyes blearily, confused as to her surroundings. She sat up slowly and looked at Asher, wondering at how strange it was to wake up in your own bed, with your own husband and yet feel as if you were in a foreign place.

He turned to look back at her, loathing written all over his face and Khirad felt herself wilt under his gaze. She put her shoes on slowly and made her way out of the room.