Chapter 12

Atifa's pov :

I woke up the next day obviously because of my annoying alarm. It never let me sleep peacefully. But nevertheless, my mood was surprisingly not that bad today and I had a smile on my face. Even I didn't know the reason for that.

After praying and reading the Quran I called Emaan, knowing very well that she might be sleeping now, after praying. I yawned, even though I was sleepy, I couldn't sleep until I made breakfast. Especially since I didn't know at what time the 'guest' woke up. I was waiting for her to pick up the call when I caught my reflection in the mirror. A small smile was playing on my lips and I didn't even realise it.

"Assalamualikum whoever it is, please leave a message for Emaan if it is important and she will call you back. She is busy in a meeting right now." I heard her irritated and sleepy voice. Chuckling, I quickly covered it up with a fake cough.

"Walikumussalam. Emaan. What are you even doing right now? Weren't you supposed to come to my home early today? Don't tell me you forgot that I'm getting married? And here you are sleeping peacefully with no care in the world. As if you don't even know about it!" Suppressing my laughter, I told her in fake seriousness. I knew what I was doing and I also knew her upcoming reaction.

"WHAT?! YOU ARE KIDDING ME RIGHT?! YOU NEVER TOLD ME THAT! I SWEAR IF THIS IS JUST A JOKE IMMA COME THERE AND KILL YOU FOR DISTURBING MY PRECIOUS SLEEP! ACTUALLY, EVEN IF THIS IS ACTUALLY HAPPENING I WILL COME THERE AND KILL YOU FOR NOT TELL ME EARLIER!" She exclaimed, her sleepy voice now replaced by her loud and shrill voice and she probably sat up in her bed due to the shock which I gave her.

I couldn't control my laughter anymore. "Seriously Emaan? You couldn't get any other work? I mean, meeting? Which meeting, Miss?" Laughing again, I ignored her threat.

"Don't tell me you told me all that to me just to wake me up from my beauty sleep. If it is true, then you are done, remember that!" She replied furiously and I knew she might be glaring daggers at the wall right now.

I laughed. "I'm sorry, maybe it is true maybe it isn't, but who knows? I just wanted to let you know that ammi wanted you to come to our home early today. She also wants you to do your lunch here." Beaming, I replied.

"Are you sure your ammi said that? I mean... Wasn't she like... Not talking to you guys and stuff? I'm really happy that she invited me but is everything okay?" She inquired, concerned.

"Yes everything is alright Alhamdulillah. Even I'm shocked by her sudden change but... I'm happy for her. So will you come?" I asked her, trying to change the topic. And I was thankful that she didn't question me about that marriage thing.

"Yes sure! I would love to. In Sha Allah I will be there early. And save the cake for me." She responded happily.

I laughed. "Ok ma'am."

"And by the way, before I forget to ask you, what did you mean by maybe it's true maybe it is not? What is happening there? And tell me the truth." Maybe I spoke too soon. An involuntary sigh escaped my lips.

"I will tell you everything once you come here." I replied while absent-mindedly playing with the hem of my hijab.

"Wait... Does that mean that something is actually going on?" She asked me, more like yelled at me. I removed my mobile from my ear until I was sure that she was calm and wouldn't shout anymore.

"Hahaha, maybe? You will know once you get here. For now I'm going to make breakfast so bye. We will meet soon In Sha Allah." I replied nervously while a mischievous smile played on my lips.

"Ya Allah girl! You are going to kill me because of curiosity one day. Bye, Take care, Allah hafiz." She replied in frustration while I just chuckled.

"Take care, Allah hafiz." I said before hanging the call and getting up from my bed, where I was sitting till now.

Tieing my hijab properly, I went towards the mirror to check if I looked okay. Satisfied, I slowly tip-toed towards ammi's room and opened the door slightly, hoping that she was still sleeping. I was relieved when I saw her sleeping form on the bed. Heading inside while leaving the door slightly ajar, I sat down on the bed beside her.

She looked so peaceful as if life was like a bed of roses for her. Like she was a carefree woman, with nothing to worry about. Like she didn't have to face anything in her life. Like life was going on smoothly. Like she... I sighed while shaking my head. I didn't want to continue further and trigger my memories, so I just continued to gaze at her.

Running my hand through her hair lightly, not wanting to wake her up, I softly pecked her forehead. Standing up from the bed slowly and trying not to make any noise, I tip-toed out of the room. Closing the door behind me, I went downstairs.

Keeping in mind that the stranger was still in my home, I tried not to make much noise. I decided to make Aloo parathe, an Indian dish which consists of potato stuffed tortillas.

Keeping the potatoes to boil, I started making dough. I had to hurry up because ammi had to go to her office.

As I worked in silence, I thought about what the sign of Allah could be. About the Istikhara which I did. Because I certainly didn't see any dream. But I remember waking up with a smile on my face. Was that a sign? I was not sure... But if it was, then does that mean that I should agree to this? This whole marriage thing?

I was still confused about it. I didn't want to rush into any decision. I wanted to take some time to think about it and see how things turn out. And also, I didn't know his answer.

With these thoughts roaming in my mind, I continued to make breakfast. Also thankful about the fact that 'no one' came in the kitchen. Just as I was done with two parathas, I saw ammi coming in the kitchen, all ready for work.

"Assalamualikum Atifa." Smiling at me warmly, she looked at what I was making. "I see something special is being made for someone today. Hmm..." She remarked with a slight smirk on her face.

I could feel my cheeks heating up a little. This was embarrassing. I was definitely not thinking about anyone when I decided to make that."Walikumussalam ammi, you can sit, I just have to brew the coffee. The breakfast is almost ready." Trying to ignore her remark, I replied while returning her warm smile with warm cheeks. I just had to make one more paratha for her lunch.

Although she almost always had her lunch with us, sometimes if it gets late or she feels hungry, she eats it in her office.

"Oh it's alright, I will brew it. You can continue with the paratha." She replied while turning on the coffee machine.

Standing there, she watched me and I felt like she was trying to read me or see through me. It felt like I was having an exam and she was the examiner. Trying to ignore her stare, I focused on my work.

When I finally looked at her after completing my work, I realised that although she was looking at me and observing me, her thoughts were somewhere else. She was thinking about something else.

"Ammi, the coffee." I reminded her. She smiled at me before turning towards the coffee machine. Taking her breakfast at the table, I sat there, waiting for her to join me, lost in my own thoughts.

Coming with coffee's in her hand, she handed me one. Thanking her, I started sipping it. This time too, the breakfast table was silent, but it wasn't the usual empty silence which we had gotten used to, this one was tranquil silence. The one which didn't need anyone to talk to fill it.

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