2: Was It Her?

A/N: As salamu alaikum. Sorry for the delay in update. Hope you like this chapter. A long update.

Limitless is your Lord in His mercy..." Qur'an 6:147

God Almighty is full of love and kindness to His creation. All blessings and goodness in this world and the next are clear proofs of His Mercy. Indeed, Islam teaches that God is more merciful toward us than our own mothers.

Ahmad's P.O.V.

"You say, you like her even when you haven't seen her?! How's that even possible." Ayaan asked.

"It is. I've experienced it." I replied. "I don't even know her name."

We were having a coffee in Starbucks in a mall.

"Ahmad, listen to me carefully. If she is destined for you, no power of the world could separate both of you. And if she is not destined for you, no amount of power or money or anything can bring her to you. Keep this in mind. If Allah has planned better for you, so consider it. Take it positively." Ayaan explained.

"Yes, you are absolutely right bro. I'll take care of it, in sha Allah." I took a sip from my coffee.

"You need to take good rest. You've already fallen in love and I don't want you to fall anywhere else now." Ayaan joked.

"This heart won't fall for anything else now" I laughed.

We left the mall and we were having a walk. We were passing by some shops when I suddenly spotted a girl. This had to be her. The same eyes, the same scooter. She was exiting a cake shop. I wanted to ask her, at least her name. But what if the girl turned out to be someone else. I would get a slap instead of her name. I resisted the urge of going to her.

"Ayaan, it was her." I said in a dreamy voice.

"Who? The one in the blue skirt?"

"No man. The one in niqaab (veil) on that yellow scooter."

"Oh, typical Muslimah, your type." He winked.

***

"Ahmad, can you pass me the remote?" Dad said as I was watching the television.

I gave him the remote and he switched it off. I looked at him and he indicated me to come with him for dinner. I followed him. Rabiya indicated me that it was going to be a serious talk so better get ready and she knew it. She gave me be-prepare-to-die look.

"Ahmad, we are going to see a girl for you tomorrow and my dear, you are accompanying us not like other times like you run away." Mama said as we were having our dinner.

"And I don't want any excuse this time, alright?" Dad asked with a stern look.

I knew that I was going to reject the proposal at once. I wanted to tell my parents about that girl but I didn't find the courage.

"But dad, my head still hurts and my leg, ouch! You know mom, it still pains." I pouted.

"Ahmad, come on, stop acting like a baby now. Grow up!" Mom said.

"Let Rabiya marry first, then I will." I said.

Rabiya chocked on the water which she was drinking.

"Bhai! Why are you dragging me into this?" Rabiya asked as mom gently patted her back.

"Rabiya, don't worry beta." Mom said eyeing me.

***

Jannat's P.O.V.

"Princess Jannat, will you come down today or should we serve your dinner upstairs like always, your highness?" Sufyan teased.

"No, I am coming." I laughed.

"Clear the way for the great princess, her majesty."

"Oh come on Sufyan. Stop it!"

We were having our dinner quietly. Correction: I was having my dinner quietly while Sufyan and Zara were talking.

"Mom, do you know Sufyan ate all the cupcakes which Jannat made for me." Zara said as she referred to Rehana Aunty (maami).

"Oh yes, it was awesome Jannat. The taste returns to my taste buds as you speak of it Zara." Sufyan replied.

"You could at least have asked me whether I wanted it or no."

"I am not crazy to give you that precious thing."

"You are the worst brother."

"Thanks."

"Enough both of you. Behave like grown-ups." Zaid uncle interrupted.

I got up from the dining table and went to the kitchen as I finished my dinner. I went and prayed Isha and sat on the prayer mat while something endlessly kept running in my mind.

There was no one to help. I turned him onto my lap. His face...

And then, something similar.

She was unable to breathe. I held her hand tight as she lied in my lap. I lost her.

I held my head in my hands as I felt it bursting with pain. My phone buzzed beside me. I wiped my tears and checked Hamza's messages.

Hamza- As salamu alaikum J, are you free tomorrow? I am coming.

Me- Walaikum as salaam. Tomorrow when? I am free after 2.

Hamza- I will come there tomorrow. Asif was longing to meet you so he will come along.

Me- Why doesn't he text me if he misses me?

Hamza- He misses you more than he misses mom.

Me- Aww!

***

"Katie, this is the biggest order till now. I never made these many doughnuts." I said as I washed my hands.

"And I have never eaten these many at a time."

"What!?! And I thought my mathematic skills got rusted."

"Well, this is my seventh one. I thought you wouldn't notice." Said Katie stuffing her face.

"I didn't see you eating but I counted them seven times. You understand? Literally, seven whole times." I shouted.

"Can't you scream any louder?" Mr. Michael, our Boss said entering the door.

"Sorry sir." We chorused.

"Jannat, Katie, we have another order, so I am here to tell you about it. I know you have already worked half hour more but we really can't just slip this." We nodded at his statements.

"The order is to prepare a triple layered cake for a wedding. The details will be given at the reception counter." He informed.



We worked for 2 hours more as Katie forced me to make it extra ordinarily beautiful to impress our boss, Mr. Michael. We made it in the best simple decorations and icing. I left for home at five in the evening. I reached home and found Asif sitting in lawn on the swing.

"Aapi!!! I missed you a lot." Asif gave me a rib crushing hug.

"As salamu alaikum. I missed you too my cutie. How are your studies going?"

"Hectic. 10th is dangerous."

"What was your midterm score?"

"89%"

"Good, Masha Allah!" I patted his back.

We waked in together and I greeted everyone.

"Wow! What a perfect timing!" Hamza said sarcastically.

"Sorry."

"Great timing indeed. Just in time for tea." Rehana aunty handed me a glass of water and I mumbled Jazakillah.

"Jannat, why were you so late today?" Mom questioned.

"Actually mom, we-"

"She must be hanging out with friends, weren't you?" Sufyan interrupted teasing me.

"J, you have friends?!" Zara teased emphasizing on the word 'have'.

"Yes, I do. Not fake friends like you have but a single loyal friend. Sufyan-"

"What!?! Me? I am your single loyal best friend?!" Sufyan interrupted as he dramatically covered his mouth with his hand.

"No! I was asking, why are you home so early today? Total headache!" I asked annoyed.

"I am not early dear, you are late. It's 5:30 now."

"What?! My Asr Salah!"

"I asked you something beta." Mom asked again.

"Mom, we suddenly got another order which was important for the boss so he requested us to wait."

"Well, you should at least call me. Go and pray your Salah."

I rushed to my room and Asif followed me. I was praying my Salah while he sat on the bed peeping into a novel. I sat with him on the bed after my Salah and found him so interested in the book that he didn't realize that I was beside him.

"Asuuf...Where are you?"

"Deep down in this book."

I didn't disturb him for some time until he himself spoke.

"Whoa! Now that's called a novel. Perfectly written words!"

"I know. Why else is she my favorite writer? She writes beautifully."

"She surely does. What's her name?"

"What do you wanna do?" I giggled.

"So, is this the only book of hers?"

"No, there are so many. And my personal favorite is '11 days of halal dating'. It's awesome, no, it is mind blowing." I said in excitement.

"Aapi?"

"Yes."

"Why don't you stay the same way in front of everyone?"

"What do you mean?"

"You know...umm, like...happy."

"Asif, I stay happy only around the people who love me."

"Everyone loves you Aapi."

"We may leave that topic for another day."

"J." Hamza said as he entered my room.

"Yup."

"What do think about marriage?"

"Life turning into hell." I replied sharply.

"No, I am serious."

"So am I."

Asif was once again lost into the book.

"Jannat, dad is considering a boy for you. Would you like to meet him?"

"No." I said his expected reply.

"Jannat, consider it for me.

"Why should I destroy my life?"

"He's a good person."

"Oh, and how do you know that?"

"Because-"

"And what's so cool in being good, what difference does it makes to me. Marriage is just a curse, and I don't-"

"Come on Jannat, stop it. I met him."

"Don't you understand Hamza?"

Hamza was silent. I didn't usually raise my voice in front of my brother from the previous nine years.

"Okay sorry, I will meet him, but still won't be considering it."

"Fine, as you say. But still, he is a great guy."

"Blah, blah, blah"

"J, don't. See, I bet you, he will win over you." Hamza challenged.

"Let's see."

***

"As salamu alaikum." I said as I entered the huge living room of my dad's house.

I placed the tray on the center table. It was so hard to balance the tea cups and the cupcakes on the large tray. I turned around quickly in the presence of the two non-mehrams.

"Wa alaikum as Salaam." Everyone chorused.

I went back to the room adjacent to the living room and greeted both of them i.e. aunty (the mother of the person whom Hamza claimed to have met already) and a beautiful young girl who sat beside her (who was obviously her daughter, I guess). I placed the smaller tray consisting the tea cups and cupcakes on the table. I sat down and adjusted my hijab. They both replied to my greeting.

"Masha Allah, beta, you look so beautiful. What is your name?" Zainab aunty said.

"Jazakillah khair. My name is Jannat."

"So, you don't live here?" She asked, starting a conversation.

"No."

"Do you work beta?"

"Yes aunty, I work at a bakery store. You must try some cupcakes, please."

"Did you bake them?" Rabiya, Zainab aunty's daughter asked.

"Yes. I hope you like it."

"Masha Allah! You bake so well. Splendid!" Aunty said with a smile as she placed the cake down back on the tray.

"Jazakillah khair aunty."

"Will you teach me how to bake these." Rabiya requested as if I was ready to marry his brother.

"Umm, sure."

***

Ahmad's P.O.V.

I didn't even care to look at her when she entered, but the cupcakes surely were delicious. My dad and Hamza's Dad were having a chat.

"My little sis is a bit too silent person. She doesn't speak much." Hamza informed.

"Oh. That's totally opposite. I speak a lot."

"You'll have to teach her that then." He joked.

"In sha Allah." I replied unwillingly.

Our parents asked us if we wanted to talk and led us to a separate room where Hamza was present.

I got a mini heart attack as soon as I saw her. She was awfully, extremely, amazingly, extra ordinarily beautiful. Ma sha Allah. No exaggeration. But it seemed like she had some kind of deep sorrow in her life. I was confused and only one question hit me. Was it her?

Sometimes, you have the power to pursue everything you want but you don't. Even though you desire it the most, you want it to come to you all the way round. But then too, Allah puts it in your way and brings it to you because he loves his slaves. Allah is Ar-Rahman, Ar-Raheem. He is the most gracious, merciful and All-knowing.

Subhan Allah!