Like a deer in a spotlight

"..."

In all honesty, you never expected such a question out of the blue, and from Ahel, whom you were aware didn't pry overly much into Abirit's affairs even on phone or video call.

"Um... where is this coming from?" You hesitantly asked.

"The looks you're giving her?" Said Ahel, "I remember the kind of look you gave Abirit, and it's the same I give to my husband when we did it."

Yikes, she was sharper than you thought.

"And... maybe a hint of hickeys on the side of your neck?" She said.

You unconsciously flinched, your hand clutching the left side of your neck by instinct.

And Ahel simply chuckled at this.

"I'm just joking," Said Ahel.

You sigh exasperatedly, saying, "Please don't scare me like that next time; I don't want to be accused of cheating."

"But Abirit has turned more beautiful after giving birth, hasn't she?" Said Ahel.

"I don't deny that," You said, "Actually, wait, aren't you sounding rather chipper about this?"

"Me? Oh please, I just wanted to have a little fun!" Said Ahel, "I mean, it's been about a year since we last met, and I wanted to see how you all were doing!"

You merely chuckle, saying, "I'd say we're doing good, all things considered. I mean, she's taking good care of Chasidah."

"But what I really want to ask you is... is..."

"What's the matter, okaasan?" You asked.

Ahel sighed heavily, saying, "Is she alright?"

"...I'm sorry, but what do you mean by that?" You asked.

"Is she settling well into her new home?" Asked Ahel, "I worry others will discriminate against her; being a young mother, a foreigner and a Jew... I worry that she may be discriminated against, and if she's bottling up such things."

"...I wouldn't say she didn't have problems," You said, "She did get into a few arguments sometimes, and there were those who tried to bully her. She's strong and smart, but that made quite a few at my school jealous of her. And some in our neighbourhood weren't really fond of a foreigner living here."

"I suspected as much," Said Ahel.

"But she's never let such things get her down," You said, "Sure, she might be bottling up a few things, sure she might not talk about them a lot, but she's always standing strong, and that's what we love about her."

"That's my girl," Said Ahel fondly, "She's so lucky to have you and all her friends. But I have to ask though..."

And this was where Ahel's eyes narrowed dangerously.

"How long have you been doing it with my daughter?"

A cold pit in your stomach told you that she was not joking this time.

"...For the past year," You said, "But... why did you say that earlier?"