CHAPTER FOUR

The next day, Norah seemed to be in a very happy spirit. And this time, it wasn't because of Ramadhan only but something else.

"Are you still not going to tell me why you're so happy?" My kids just left after our two hours session.

"It's nothing." She said.

I shook my head "Whatever."

She laughed.

"So tell me, what is your answer?"

She stopped laughing "I...i don't know, Sis."

I frowned "Didn't you perform Istikhara last night?"

"Yeah! I mean I feel really positive about it but..."

"But what?"

"How...do i know if he's the right guy for me?"

I chuckled "When do we perform Istikhara?"

"When we are indecisive about something, when seeking guidance in a decision."

"Do you believe in it?"

"Of course, i do."

I smiled "Then why do you still ask if he's right for you when you've already seek for Allah's guidance?"

"I'm sorry. It's just that i'm scared."

"Then you pray and depend on Allah. Because only He can help you out. You tell him all you want and inshaa Allah, he will answer you."

I stood up from my bed and walked to hers.

I sat down beside her "I'm pretty positive about this, think about it and go for it. Whenever you're ready, just tell me and i will talk to Mrs Aisha."

She hugged me "Thank you very much. I love you, Ava."

I hugged her back "I love you too."

...........

When it was a half past six, we all left for Iman's place. Dad is a good friend of her Dad's, so he agreed to go. And Noor had no other choice but to go with us, not that he wouldn't want to.

The men went to the Masjid immediately we got there while we the ladies prayed in Iman's room.

After reading our Salah, Na'ima went to serve the men their food while we, the ladies ate in Iman's room.

"Alhamdulillah!" I muttered after eating.

"Jazakillahu Khairan for the food!" Norah said happily.

"No problem inshaa Allah. Hope you wouldn't mind helping me out in the kitchen?" Na'ima said.

"Sure." Norah replied.

I didn't like being left out "I can also..."

"Don't worry, Aunty. It's okay."

I sighed "Okay."

"How was the meeting last night?" Iman asked as they left.

I knew she was talking about the meeting with the Khadir's family.

I smiled "Alhamdulillah! It was okay."

"That's it." She sounded disappointed.

"What do you want me to say?"

"Everything. Details, now."

I sighed and told her everything.

"He asked her if she likes sports cars?" She laughed.

I laughed with her "It's funny, right?"

"Do you know what Zain asked me in front of Habib? Do you like eating Pizza?"

I bursted out laughing "Really?"

"Really. I guess he was really nervous."

"How is Na'ima coping?"

I heard her sigh heavily "It's been hard on her but she will be okay."

I couldn't imagine the kind of pain she was in. After their parents' divorce, Iman had always been there for her. She was very young during the divorce, so she took it the hard way. She refused to stay with their Mum because she thinks it was her fault.

She hadn't seen her Mum for a long time now. Poor thing!

I stood up from the floor and laid on her twin bed.

"I feel like sleeping." I whispered.

"Don't you dare. It's almost time for Salah, and you should let your food digest before laying down."

I ignored her and sighed "Do you think i will ever get married?"

She didn't reply.

"I'm almost 24 and no one has ever come to my house to ask for my hand. It... it's just so sad."

"Don't say that, Ava. I'm sure that Allah has planned something great for you. You need not to worry, just have faith in Him and be prayerful."

I sighed again "Alhamdulillah! I am really grateful for being alive and given the opportunity of being a Muslim. I might not be able to have a husband and complete half of my Deen but i will do my best in being a good Muslim."

Before she could respond, the door opened.

"It's time for Salah. We should go to the Masjid." Norah announced.

I sat up straight "Okay." I groaned standing from the bed.

After praying, we returned to their house.

"Assalamu alaikum Dear!" I recognized Uncle Osama, Iman's Dad's voice.

"Wa alaikumus salaam Uncle!" I replied.

"Wa alaikumus salaam!" Norah replied.

"He's in the living room with Dad, Habib and their cousin from yesterday." She whispered lowly to me and i nodded.

"Ramadhan Kareem, dear ones." Uncle said once more.

"And you too, Uncle." Norah and i replied simultaneously.

"Assalamu alaikum Ava!" Habib greeted sounding happy.

"Wa alaikumus salaam! Thanks for having us."

"You're welcome!" He replied.

"Assalamu alaikum to you both!" An unfamiliar voice said.

When i didn't reply immediately, Norah whispered to me "It's their cousin, Ali."

"Wa alaikumus salaam!" We both replied.

"Hope you broke your fast well?" He asked.

I kept quiet "Yes. Alhamdulillah! Thank you!" Norah replied for us both.

"I guess it's time to go. Get ready girls." Dad said and i nodded.

"I will get your bag." Norah said to me and left.

"Let's go to the dining room and wait, uhn?" Iman suggested.

I nodded "Okay."

A few minutes later, we were ready to go.

"See you at out place tomorrow." Dad said as i got into the car.

"Inshaa Allah Akhi!" Uncle replied.

When we got home, i immediately showered and went to bed.

Ramadhan went by quickly that i felt sad because it was the most fastest Ramadhan i had witnessed since my birth. Eid had been awesome as we got together with families and friends.

A day after Eid, Iman got married (though she was supposed to get married two weeks ago) and left with her husband to a city far away from our small town in Portland. She promised to always keep in touch.

Norah's wedding was also around the corner. She agreed to marry Khadir after that day and their wedding was fixed to a week after Ramadhan.

I sighed as i went to take my bath. Norah and i were going grocery shopping that morning. I woke her up after taking my bath.

"Go take your bath now!" I ordered as she groaned.

"Okay. Just give me five more minutes."

"You've been saying that for the past twenty minutes."

She groaned loudly and got up from the bed. When i heard the bathroom door shut loudly, i sighed in relief.

Just then the clock beeped, meaning it was nine in the morning. Since i couldn't see, my family made almost everything easy for me.

I went to my side of the huge closet and picked out jeans and a knee length top.

After getting dressed, i went into the kitchen to make a light breakfast for us. Dad and Noor were still sleeping in their rooms.

After taking cereals, we were ready to go. We took Norah's car as the shop was a little bit far and there is no way we would be able to carry everything ourselves.

"Your to be mother-in-law called earlier, she said she would be coming on Tuesday for the preparations." I announced. Aunty Aisha has been so sweet and had promised to come help out since it was only me.

"Okay." Norah whispered back a reply. I knew she was shy, that's why.

When we got to the grocery store, Norah helped me get down from the car, i didn't bring my walking stick with me, once in a while, i would pretend to be normal, Today happened to be one of those days.

I wore my dark shades and smiled.

"Just hold onto my hand with your free hand and let's go." She said sounding happy.

I sighed and held my purse close to me. All the times we had tried this, we always end up successful.