Chapter 66

*

For the first time since their marriage, Afrah decided to call his mother.

She had been apprehensive at first, not wanting to involve her in something that was certainly not meant to reach her ears. But she was scared for Adnan, and she needed the help of the only woman who knew him better than she did.

She answered on the first ring.

"Assalamu alaikum?" Afrah cleared her throat, trying to sound normal.

"Wa alaikum as salam," she replied. "Afrah dear, is that you?"

"Good evening, aunt," she said. "I hope I'm not disturbing."

"Certainly not," she replied quickly. "This is the first time you're calling me, is it not? You don't know how happy I am to hear from you."

"I'm sorry I didn't call sooner," she said, glancing up to make sure the bathroom door was still closed. "It's just that..."

"Don't worry about it," Maryam said. "It's so good to hear from you. How's the honeymoon?"

"It's fine, Alhamdulillah," Afrah said. "Or at least it was."

"Oh. I heard about the news. How is Adnan h