6. Happy

Ameena

"Assalamu Alaykum mom," Suhad said ambling in the kitchen. She had just gotten up and was ready to have breakfast already.

"Wa Alaykum Assalam. Did you brush your teeth?" I asked, busy making breakfast. I know she was all grown up now and about to get married but for a mother, her children will always be that--children.

"Yes, mom."

"Assalamu Alaykum mom," came Haroon's voice. He came and kissed me on the cheek. He was all ready for work and was just waiting for breakfast.

"Wa Alaykum Assalam. Call your dad dear, breakfast is ready."

Javed, my partner for life and father of my two children. He was the best thing that ever happened to me. Alhamdulillah. He was caring and loving not only to me but also to our children. He was a professor in college, and Haroon coached the football team in school. They both loved their jobs because both followed their passion. Suhad was a pastry chef and wanted to open her own patisserie. In sha Allah she will one day. I couldn't be prouder of my family. Mashallah!

"Assalam Alaykum everyone," Javed said coming into the kitchen with Haroon. We all greeted him. I put breakfast--bread and omelet-- on plates and turned around to set the plates on the table. That's when I saw what Suhad was wearing. I should have known. I clicked my tongue.

"Suhad, go to your room and wear something proper," I told her while giving breakfast to Haroon and Javed.

"What do you mean by proper? This is proper." She said pointing to her sweatpants and a baggy t-shirt.

"Suhad, honey, you're about to get engaged. Your in-laws can barge in this house any time of any day. You should be presentable, always." And of course, I knew that Khadija was going to be here in half an hour. I mentally smiled smugly. I was so happy she was getting married to Khadija's son. Khadija was so practicing Mashallah. And I know her son would be too. After seeing her get rejected so many times I had gotten very anxious for my lovely daughter. And then like an angel that Allah has sent, Khadija happened to call about her son. That's when I knew I couldn't, wouldn't let this opportunity go to waste.

"Okay, mom. I will be right back." Suhad said and went to her room. She was a sweet child. Every mother thinks that her child is good, that they are flawless. But I know my babies are flawed. Suhad won't ever back answer anyone, she hasn't even raised her voice once. People look at her manners and appreciate her and I have always felt proud about it and Alhamdulillah my child was on Allah's path. But Suhad was too emotional. She let emotions cloud her judgment. She can't understand right from wrong when she gets emotional. I pray for my babies every day.

"How's this for proper?" Suhad asked walking into the kitchen in a Salwar suit and dupatta.

"Much better. Come now, breakfast is getting cold."

We ladies started to have breakfast while the gents left for their respective works. We had just finished breakfast and cleaning up when the doorbell rang.

"I will get the door," I said knowing who it was at the door. "You clean up."

I fixed the dupatta on my head and went to open the door and of course, it was Khadija with her daughter Zarine. "Assalamu Alaykum!" I said happily and hugged Khadija, then I did the same with Zarine. Zarine and Suhad were of the same age and I hoped that they will become good friends after Suhad gets married in their family.

I invited them inside and let them settle on the sofa. "I will go get Suhad," I said to them. I was so happy I was beaming.

"Suhad, prepare tea for four and come with it in the living room. There are guests in the house."

"Who is it?"

"Your mother-in-law and sister-in-law," I told her and I could see her blushing. I went to her and gave her a one-armed hug kissing her on the cheek.

"She'll be right out," I said walking into the living room and striking up a conversation with Khadija. We mothers were really excited for our children. There were lots of things to be done--choosing a date, deciding the venue, the wedding dress, jewelry... O my Allah! That's a lot.

Suhad came in with tea and something to eat and greeted us. Oh, my baby had grown up.

"Sit over here, Suhad," Khadija said patting the empty spot beside her.

She went and sat beside her. I could tell she was nervous, I was too at my time. I smiled at my daughter.

"Zarine, give me the box," Khadija told her daughter who did not oblige immediately. Was I seeing things or did she look unhappy?

"Is anything wrong, Zarine?" I asked her wondering why her face looked like she had swallowed slugs.

"Everything's just fine aunty." She said with what I thought was a sneer while handing the box to her mother. I decided to ignore her. I didn't want to ruin my daughter's special moment.

Khadija opened the box and took out a gold ring with a single stone in the center. She placed the ring on Suhad's finger and kissed her on the forehead. I was so happy I couldn't explain. Seeing Khadija kiss my daughter like that--the same way I do-- made me feel that even if Suhad left here she wasn't going to feel the absence of a mother. My daughter was in good hands. Alhamdulillah.

"This tea is bitter," Zarine complained making a face.

"What are you talking about Zarine?" Khadija said. "It's the perfect amount of sweet. I think there must be bitterness in your mouth. Go wash it, honey, we don't want it to stay there, do we?" She said in a honey-sweet voice seeing right through her daughter.

Zarine folded her hands and huffed. I bit back my laugh. With Zarine now silent we started the discussion of the upcoming event. We decided that two weeks are more than enough to make all the preparations and also we didn't want to delay. Suhad suggested getting married on a Friday since it was sunnah and also because the month of Shawwal had passed. We just agreed with her because she was right. When the time came for deciding the venue my lovely daughter said she wanted to get married in a mosque with very few guests in all simplicity we could manage. We agreed with that too. Suhad couldn't have decided any better.

With everything decided Khadija left with Zarine but not before engulfing Suhad in a hug. Zarine... Well, she just went out without saying anything. Alhamdulillah, she was married. At least she won't be there to give my daughter a hard time. So much for my daughter getting along with her.

After closing the door I turned to look at Suhad. I held her by the shoulder looked her in the eye and told her how proud I was of her and kissed her on both cheeks. She blushed and I laughed.

My daughter was on sirat-al-mustakim, Mashallah.

O Lord of all that exists! Stay with my daughter and protect her from Shaytaan. Give her all the happiness in this world and the hereafter. You indeed are our Protector, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

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Assalamu Alaikum everyone!

How did you like this chapter from Suhad's mother's POV? What do you think of Zarine, huh? She is not on her good behavior it seems.

Please tell me your views and help me build this story in sha Allah.

Please comment and vote my beautiful readers :)

Jazakallah Khair :)