Your happiness is finally here

Chapter 48

She arrived at the house placing the tiny proposal ring on my counter, I look towards her with confusion. How Mutaq got the crazy idea of wanting to marry and be with her out of the blue…doesn’t seem to add up to me.

“ why do you think he proposed to you suddenly?” I ask

“ something about me helping him face a part of him he never wanted to…we’ve been in good contact for a year, back in high school he was like this kid who managed to do, I can’t remember…he was in the same cooking class as mine...i think he dated, umm..m”

“ How he's like younger than the both of us?”

“I have no idea either…but we do have some history.”

I smile at her noticing the new glow she possessed, “ go for it!”

“what? I thought you’d disagree.”

“look Elham, Mutaq is a genuine guy…and if he’s willing to give you something he'll go all out. Trust me I know him.”

“ of course you do, what if…what if he still likes you!”

“I doubt, ever since you waltzed into his life he has treated me completely different, I know for a fact that he’s over me.”

She smiled placing the ring on her finger as she rushed out with Zafar's car, I hope everything works out for the both of them.

“ you ready to go, ” he says walking into the house.

“ yes, but we going to have to take our bikes. Elham has a mission to fulfill.”

“ I’ll ask about that later, hurry up…we’ll be late for your appointment!”

I run out with our keys.

~Mutaq~

She said she wanted to meet up with me urgently and asked if I could rush over to her office, she arrived gasping for air before leading me for a cup of coffee. I was nervous…what if she called me over to reject me.

After swallowing a large glass of water she took out the box I gave her placing it on the coffee table, “ here…”

“so you won’t accept me…” I say taking the box, “ if there’s something you don’t like about me, I can change…Elham, I really can’t deal with any more rejection at this point…especially not from you.”

“ I did not say im rejecting you,” she said lifting her finger, “ I do Mutaq, I’ll be your wife, on one condition tell me when did you start having feelings for me?”

“ Remember when you sent me off for the military service…I couldn’t stop thinking about you since then…to top it off you’ve always been there for me even if I was in love with someone else, Elham…unlike Zayn I promise to treat you well, give you a safe and comforting home, I want to make you happy.”

After wiping her tears away with a laugh she spoke, “ Mutaq, all I want is to be the only one in your heart…and nothing more!”

“that’s easy, im sure that over the years I’ll love you even more.” I wiped away her tears as I placed the box away. Now I know why Allah didn’t allow me to end up with Nura, he had something, someone better written for me...and my long lost first love.

After going for lunch we made the engagement final by informing each of our parents through video call before heading back home, Elham…actually phoned Nura's mother.

***

I set out the table after meeting up with Elham, she finally attained the happiness she deserves. I took out my phone ordering a cake, mine and Zafar's anniversary was the day my dojo, art gallery opens up. After hiding everything at the studio and finalizing the last art pieces, I took a walk down the street…it wasn’t the same without Zafar or the university buzz but it still brought back a few of my good memories as a teenager. I never thought I’d be this old without any children, this old without and purpose or stability in my marriage…I felt bad for myself, and for Zafar, over the years I caused him suffering, heartache, and yearning, he had to forcefully be patient and wait for me whether he wanted to or not.

“im home!” he yelled gently closing the door as he pulled me into his arms.

“ How was work?”I ask placing his bag down

“Work Is work, I took my leave for tomorrow I can’t wait to see your dreams come to life!”

He kissed my forehead grabbing a fruit before heading upstairs to take a shower. A quick change as I waited downstairs for him the room candlelit.

“Happy anniversary!”I yell spilling confetti everywhere.

He continued to walk towards me taking his seat in front of me, “ you remembered,”

“ I know it’s tomorrow but we'll be too busy with the move.”

He grinned pulling me towards him, “ that I know…you look stunning by the way, im glad that you only dress up for me.”

With a hidden blush I bury my head in his chest listening to the sounds of the crickets outside, and the silence that brought in echoes from our voices.

“ im sorry for giving you such a hard time, I say taking my seat.”

“ food solves everything besides I enjoyed every single moment with you, for me nothing was difficult beside you.”

He was right without him I felt exactly the same way, he never judged or picked at me for being human, whenever he was around me I felt like the circumstance was a lot easier, a lot calmer, a lot better…he made even the toughest times feel like the happiest moments of my life, and I wouldn’t change whatever happened for the world.

“ I love you Nura, ”

“ I love you too.”

“I think im ready to take on another battle with you, the parenthood war, what do you say? Let’s leave all the stress and anxiety behind.”

“ I would love that.”

Anything that includes Zafar involves my happy place.

The next day we completed the decorations and set out the ribbon, the opening was in the afternoon immediately after the sunset prayer. A day that had three things going on, the opening, our anniversary, and Mutaq wanting to properly and formally purpose to Elham once everyone settled down for the formalities. With the ordered snacks arriving and Zafar ordering everyone's lunch I had my final interviews with my fellow art graduates.

Mutaq was going to be the part-time sensei at the dojo so even if I couldn’t make it for class on a particular day he would cover for me. After lunch we continued then rushed back home for a quick change, Zafar walked up towards me placing a chain around me, removing the locket he handed to me the day before our leave while he was still studying. I look up to him after he completed his task as he pocketed the old piece of jewelry…” and this,” I asked picking up the heart-shaped diamond as I watched him stick in the matching earrings.

He placed my hand into his as he led the way to my art gallery. Confused by his silence I followed him quietly observing him.