Realisation

Maira struggled with the grocery bags as she unlocked the door to her parents' house, nudging it open with her foot. She let out a breath of relief as she stepped inside, setting the heavy bags on the kitchen counter.

She hadn't intended to buy this much, but one thing had led to another, and now her arms ached from carrying them all the way home.

Her mother, who had been folding clothes in the living room, glanced up at her. "Why didn't you take the car?",

Maira sighed, unwrapping the hijab to let her hair free.
"It wasn't that far",
Her mother frowned. "You should have at least taken the guard you know how Zahid could be",

"I'm fine, Ma", Maira assured, shaking her head. "Honestly, it wasn't a big deal",

But her mother didn't look convinced. And unfortunately, the real storm was yet to arrive.

Just as Maira started unpacking the groceries, the front door swung open sharply. She didn't even have to turn around to know who it was.

Zahid's presence alone filled the room with tension, the heavy fall of his foot against the floor reflects his barely contained frustration.

"Tell me I didn't just hear correctly", Zahid's deep voice rang through the house, heavy with restrained anger.

Maira closed her eyes briefly, bracing herself. Here we go.

She turned to see him standing in the middle of the living room, he was glaring at her with disbelief. His tie was slightly loosened, his brows furrowed, and his sharp gaze locked onto her, burning with anger and....concern.

"You went out alone and walked back home?", he asked, voice low but firm.

Maira blinked.
"Good evening to you too",
He ignored the sarcasm, his hands clenching at his sides.
"Tell me it's not true",

Maira sighed, exasperated. "Yes, I went to buy groceries, and I walked back",

"You didn't take the car",
"No",
"No driver. No guard",
She rolled her eyes at him.
"Zahid, I don't-'

He took a slow breath, as if trying to steady himself. Then, without warning, he turned toward her mother. "Ma, you let her do this?",

Her mother lifted an eyebrow. "She's a grown woman, Zahid. How can I stop her from going out",

Zahid's jaw ticked. He turned back to Maira, his voice dangerously calm. "Do you have any idea how reckless that was?",

"It was broad daylight. I was fine", Maira crossed her arms. "Stop overeating",
"You should not go out alone without security", Zahid bit back.
"Security?", Maira scoffed. "I went to buy vegetables, Zahid. I didn't sneak into a war zone",

"I am not some fragile porcelain doll that needs an escort everywhere", she added further.

"That's not the point", Zahid snapped, running a hand through his hair. "I don't care how capable you think you are, Maira. It's about not putting yourself in unnecessary situations when there are people to ensure your safety",

She scoffed. "Wow, so now me getting groceries is an 'unnecessary situation'?",
His eyes flashed, "Alone, yes"

Maira threw up her hands in frustration. "I lived here for years before you waltzed into my life, Zahid! I survived just fine without a bodyguard tailing me like a shadow",

Zahid exhaled sharply, stepping closer. "Things are different now. You are my wife",
"So what? Am I supposed to give up every ounce of independence because I married you?" she shot back.
"This is about your safety", he snapped back.