chapter Eight

Zahir & Sameera's Nikkah Preparation Part One.

Hayat's Pov.

I was angry at the way Jameela spoke to me. I am not her. I know my values are important to me. She messed with the wrong person when it comes to my mother and father who are very important to me.

Am not going to stress about it because I want to enjoy my best friend's wedding without any hitches or any problems.

I knew that Sameera had already gotten a whole matching outfit for me. How do I know that, well she has this urge to make everything perfect?

She would give me gifts saying it was for my birthday and it had either passed or was coming soon.

Alhamdullilah.

I have asked my papa's permission and he knows how much Sameera means to me.

"Hurry up and prepare the breakfast you insolent child. If your father wasn't here you would have gotten what you deserve", Maryam tells me. I knew the reason she told me this was because of what happened with Jameela.

All I could think about was what Papa talked to me about.

The marriage proposal.

Who were they?

I made breakfast and as usual, I made my way to my room but I was stopped by Papa.

He was standing outside the door to his office waiting for me. This time I couldn't avoid him.

"Hayat could you come in?", he called me inside his office. I took a deep breath and walked inside along with him.

I took a seat beside him waiting for him to speak. He then took my hands with his.

"What is it, papa?", I ask him nervously waiting for his answer.

"I wanted to ask you about the proposal that came for you, what have you thought about it? What is your answer, my Hayat?", he asked me.

I haven't thought about it as I was busy helping Aunt Hasna with the wedding preparation for Sameera.

"Papa whatever you decide for me. But I would want to pray about it first if you don't mind", I tell him.

Papa knows how much my future means to me, especially after promising Mama that he would ask me first before making any type of decision.

"Okay my dear. Take your time. No need to rush", he got up from his seat and then kissed my forehead, and then walked out of his office leaving me to my thoughts.

I went to my room to get ready to go to work.

Alhamdullilah it is half as the end of half-term is on.

Many people will say yes to getting out of the house but for me, my father is more important than any marriage proposal.

I decided that the answer that Papa had was the best one.

Allah knows best, right?

I decided to do the one thing that I can do at this point and that is pray to Allah to give answers.

Making an important decision that will affect your future is something that should be handled with care.

I got dressed and as I was about to prepare my bag, my phone rang.

I looked at the caller and it was none other than Sameera.

She is probably panicking.

I answered it but before saying anything I could hear her sniffles. I immediately knew that she needed me.

Alhamdullilah papa already knows about me going out to go and see Sameera.

I quickly pinned my hijab and walked out of my room. I passed by Papa's office to let him know that Sameera needed me.

I wanted to knock when I heard voices. I knew that it was Maryam and Papa talking. As I was about to walk away when I heard them say my name.

I couldn't help but listen to them.

"Can we just make them accept Jameela?", Maryam asks Papa who is silent. I knew that he was trying to control his anger toward her.

"We can't ask them that. Because it is their choice who they want their son to be with. And besides it is not proper for you to ask them that. We shouldn't....."

"You are treating Jameela as if she isn't yours. I know that but......"

"That's enough, Maryam. I love both of them equally and I haven't deprived Jameela of anything that she wants. She even took the car that was supposed to be for Hayat. But Hayat didn't say anything because she respects you and me. I am not going to ask them to choose Jameela. I will let their son choose who he wants to be with", Papa interrupts her. I knew that Papa's anger had awakened in her.

I walked away not wanting to listen to anything else and walked out of the house. I then took a cab straight to Sameera's place.

I knocked on the door and her mother opened it for me without saying a word she pointed for me to go to Sam's room.

I walked into her room but it didn't look like a room because of the clothes that were thrown everywhere. In the middle of the mess was Sameera crying her eyes out.

I walked to her and tapped her shoulder. She jumped and hugged me tightly sobbing.

"Shh! Its okay. I am here now", I calm her down while she continues crying on my shoulder.

"Sam, whats the matter? Did Zahir hurt you?", I asked her. "Tell me", I added putting both of my hands on her face. I then wiped her tears.

She shakes her indicating that he didn't do anything.

"I don't want to leave mum and dad. I want to stay here with them forever and ever", she tells me.

I wanted to laugh but I knew that it was hard for her to leave home after marriage.

"Sam, listen to me. You can visit your mum and dad any time you want. Besides I don't think Zahir will restrict you in doing that. I am always going to be there for you any time, day or even night," I tell her. "Now whats all this mess?", I ask her.

"I was trying to pack but I had a meltdown for awhile. I am sorry if I disturbed you...."

I gave the meanest glare I could muster.

"You didn't disturb me. You did me a huge favor getting me out of that house", I explained to her what had happened including the mysterious marriage proposal that Jameela wanted for herself.

"He has a kid and she wants him. Are you sure you are talking about Jameela or someone else?", she asked me knowing how much Jameela disliked kids.

"Yes, it's her. And it is because the guy is rich that's why she wants it and Maryam has been trying to get dad to tell them to accept her and not me", I explain to her. "Now, let's finish your packing and I will explain more to you", I added standing up holding her hand, and leading her to her bed to sit.

"What did she mean that you helped her and she liked you?", Sameera asks me as she hands me the clothes to put into the empty suitcase.

"Do you remember that lady that was carrying too many bags for food to distribute to the orphanage near the mall?", I ask her.

Sameera nodded.

"I think that's her. But I never saw her again".

"Do you know their names of the parents of the guy?", she asks me.

"Dad told me their names are Leila and Nabeel Muhsin", I told her.

"Aayan's parents", she says her eyes wide open.

"Who is he?", I asked her.

"He is Zahir's best friend. They were together since they were kids. But he isn't the type of person to pursue anyone after his wife's death", she explained.

"Allah knows best, best friend. We are done, now what do we do?", I asked her as we closed the last suitcase.

"Well, we have to apply Mehdi. And no you cant say no to that", she quickly dragged me downstairs to the living room where two women were waiting for us.

"Sam...."

I swallowed what I wanted to say when she gave me her deadliest glare and I just sat down before doing that I had to go look for her mother.

"I will be right back", I tell her as I rush to the kitchen to find her there.

"Asalam Aleikum Aunt. I am sorry I couldn't greet you....."

She didn't even let me finish she just hugged me and kissed my forehead.

I miss you, mamma.

Her hug felt like home.

"No need to apologize for anything as long as you are here with us. What was the tantrum about?", she asks raising her eyebrows.

"She says she doesn't want to leave you and uncle. That she wants to stay here forever and ever", I answered her trying to hold my laughter.

"Yeah thank you for calming her down. But for now go and apply the Mehdi with her or else she will come here and drag you. By the way, happiness its on its way to you. Accept it, love", she tells her as she pushes me out of the kitchen.

Like mother like daughter.

I walked back to the living room and took a seat beside Sameera.

"Okay, ladies this is my best friend and I want her mehdi to be the best like mine, okay?", she tells the ladies who were there.

"Don't listen to her. She is the bride, making her Mehdi more beautiful".

I watched how happy Sameera was. She deserves all the happiness in the world.