CHAPTER SIX

"Are you sure you miss me?" Norah's excited voice sounded from the other line.

"No, i'm not." I replied sarcastically.

"Of course you do. To make it better, i miss you more. Why don't you come stay with me for a while?"

"I stayed the weekend with you last week, isn't that enough?"

"No, it's not. You know i will never get tired of seeing you."

I chuckled "That's so sweet of you."

"Of course it is." I smiled.

"Khadir sends his regards."

I sighed "Same here."

Ever since they got married, they were inseparable. My stay with them was somehow awkward because they were always together...like seriously together.

I did enjoy it because i got to spend a little time with her, when her husband is away on a visit or something else.

I sighed again "I love you, Norah. Talk to you some other time."

"Okay Sis. Love you! Bye!"

"Bye!"

I hung up and set my phone on the bed. It's been two weeks after Norah's wedding. I went to her house for the first time, a week after her wedding. Iman came to visit me two days ago and had gone back that day.

Currently sitting on my bed, drawing whatever came to my mind. I let my mind take over and drew. I love drawing, it was a hobby. Anytime i was sad or bored, i would draw.

There was a knock on my door then someone came in "Assalamu alaikum!" It was Noor.

"Wa alaikumus salaam!" I replied smiling.

"How are you?"

"Alhamdulillah! You? I thought you went to your friend's house."

"Yeah...i just came back. Didn't want to stay long anyways, i wanted to come keep you company." I felt the bed dip beside me.

I pouted "So sweet of you."

He snorted "Whatever. What are you drawing?"

I shrugged "Don't know, just letting my mind do it all."

He chuckled "Let's see what you got over here."

"What is it?" I demanded after a few seconds of silence.

"It looks like...Mum." He whispered.

"Really?"

"Yeah! But how is this possible? You can't possibly remember what she looks like. Heck even i don't remember her face except in pictures."

I shook my head "I still see her in my dreams sometimes...i can never forget her face. But this is the first time i've drawn her."

"Ma Shaa Allah! She looks very pretty."

A smile made its way to my face "That she is."

We spent a few hours talking about random things. It was one of those few days we talked for long because he was hardly home. If he goes to work in the morning, he comes back at six in the evening. The same with Dad.

"I better get going to the Masjid before Dad starts yelling for me." He stood up and placed a kiss on my forehead.

Ruffling my hair "See you at dinner."

"You've got to stop doing that." I hissed, smoothing my hair.

I was not praying due to nature. I sighed and laid back on my bed. I closed my eyes just for a tiny while. There was a loud knock on my door and i jolted up in surprise. I had fallen asleep.

I rubbed my eyes "Come in." I replied in a tiny voice.

The intruder came in "Madame, it's time for dinner." Miss Lia said softly.

"Sorry. I somehow fell asleep, i will be there in a minute."

"Yes Madame." And the door closed.

I walked into the bathroom and splashed water on my face. I used a small towel to wipe it and i made my way out of the room.

On my way to the dining room, i tightened the ribbon on my high ponytail and rolled it into a bun. Due to my extremely long hair, it was always disturbing me.

"Look who finally showed up." I heard Dad's voice as he helped me take a seat.

I grinned "I fell asleep."

I felt for a spoon or fork on the table "It's pasta." Noor said softly.

After eating, Dad said he had something to tell me.

"What is it, Dad?"

I heard him inhale sharply before answering "Some boy called me last night, it appears he has interest in you and he wish to come ask for your hand tomorrow itself."

My breath almost caught in my throat "W...what?"

"I approved his coming over."

"I...does he know of my condition?" I whispered.

I felt my Dad place a kiss on my forehead "Yes, he does."

"Why don't you go for it, Ava? He might just be the one for you." Noor suggested.

I shook my head "I...i don't know."

"Just try." Dad said.

I nodded and left to my room. I needed to talk to Norah or Iman. I felt for my phone on the bed and turned on the Google voice.

"Dial Norah's number." I commanded.

.........

The next day, i had Norah with me helping with the snacks.

After i explained everything to her last night, she assured me it was a good thing and that i shouldn't worry much. Also she promised to come over in the morning which she did.

I didn't call Iman because i didn't want her to get worried and come over considering she lives very far from my place.

"It's time. You should go get dressed, Miss Lia here will take care of the rest, right Miss?" Norah said, tugging on my shirt.

"Okay." I reluctantly agreed. I was very nervous, infact nervous is an understatement for how i was feeling.

After getting dressed in a simple gown, Norah put some mascara on me which i highly opposed to but she wouldn't have any of that.

"What color is my gown, Norah?" I asked while she wrapped a hijab on me.

"Navy blue...and i'm using a yellow hijab on it for you."

I nodded "Do you think i look okay?"

She chuckled "You're very beautiful, Ava."

I let out a deep breath when she announced that we were ready.

Her phone rang "Okay, thanks." She said to the person at the other end.

"That was Noor. They are here." She told me and i felt my heart almost fall to the ground.

"O...okay. Let's go." I replied shakily as i let her lead me to the living room.

"Assalamu alaikum!" Norah said as soon as we stepped in then a loud gasp followed, coming from her.

Then silence.

"What is it?" I whispered.

Silence

"Wa alaikumus salaam!" A very familiar voice replied.

"Uncle!" I whispered.

"Yes, dear."

"What are you doing here?" Norah asked in surprise.

Dad cleared his throat "They are the family here to ask for your sister's hand." He announced and at that moment my heart almost skipped a beat with the thought that perhaps Habib was the guy who had come to seek for my hand.

If he was, i didn't know whether i would say yes or not. My mind drifted to his words a few years ago.

"If Ava wasn't blind, i would have made her mine."

Had he changed his mind? Does he really want this marriage? Was he forced?