In his hands was a tiny box. He opened it and brought out a diamond ring. He knelt down on one knee, facing Humaira. Her eyees grew wild at the ring he was holding.

'It's not what I'm thinking, is it?' she widened her eyes in amazement.

"Humaira Sanni Ahmad. When you feel weak, I am here to be strong for you. When you are strong, I’m here to lift you up and make you stronger. When you are sad, I am here to bring a smile to your face. And when you are happy, I am here to enjoy every minute of it. Because you do all these things for me. When I am weak, you give me strength. When I am sad, you make me smile. I am so grateful for you and our life together. I have found my perfect life partner and the mother of my children in you. Would you take this step with me and crown my love for you Humaira, would you be my wife?"

One could hear her sniffles as she turned her back to him, unable to say yes. Well, she was too shy for that. And everything seemed to good to be true.

Zainab went to Humaira and held her hands.

"There are times when we’re together, we’ll be out at a restaurant or maybe just at home, sitting on the couch or going about our days, and I’ll look over at you and I’m struck by how much I love you. I know when you're happy, Humaira and I know when you love someone. You have no idea how happy I am to see you happy. Yet, I have no idea how much this doctor have sacrificed for you but I think he really loves you. Say yes sis, accept his proposal and make me the happiest sister on earth."

Hearing her say this made Humaira more emotional. She felt tears pricking in her eyes as she gave Zainab one tight hug. They cried the tears of joy once more...

"Come on, reply him already. His knees must be hurting." Zainab whispered in Humaira's ears which made her blush.

Humaira then turned back to Zayn, with confused eyes. She just nibbled on her lower lip, trying to hold the tears back.

"It’s just like the first time, my love. I see you and it hits me. Only now, unlike the first time, I realize how incredibly lucky I am to have you, Humaira. So... what is your reply?"

"Yes, Zayn! Yes, I'll be your wife!"  She muttered happily.

How annoying that she had to get the courage to tell him yes. All thanks to Zainab. If she wasn't here this might not be possible. Well, Zayn held her hand and fixed the ring into her ring finger. It fitted so perfectly, Zayn kissed the ring and wrapped his hands over her waist. Humaira buried her very red eyes in his white Jalbab. She cried on his shoulders while Zainab and Khalid smiled at the union. It was a beautiful sight indeed. The four of them finally stepped out of the mosque and took a stroll outside. They took pictures on the streets of Makkah and talked about themselves to each other.

However, earlier that night, Zayn planned to propose to her when they get in from the shopping but he had to wait patiently for her to finish her prayer.

That was a special day indeed. After they ear together before heading back into her rooms. Zainab followed Humaira. She don't know why but she was there. Probably because she's used to sleeping with the sister.

"Perhaps, It's been a while." Zainab smiled shyly and went to sleep in Humaira's room.
About to sleep, Zayn called Humaira to his room. It was around 3:00 a.m already.

"What's it dearie, you called me."

"Yes.. I just wanted us to spend time together. You know."

Zainab chuckled at him. "We're not in Nigeria, Zayn... You're making me feel shy right now."

"Don't worry." He said and held her arm, leading her to his bed.

She sat right next to him as he held her hands into his.

The gazed into her eyes intensely... Thinking about what happened earlier brought him more joy.

"I really want to thank you for accepting my proposal today, Humaira. You've made me the luckiest man. I finally feel blessed to have been your doctor."

"Awwwwn... There's no need to say these, Zayn. You want to make me cry." A smile makes its way to her lips.

"Don't cry me dear. But you're only allowed to cry tears of joy." He warned.

"So.. I'm your fiancee now?"

"Yes dearie. We're now officially engaged. I can't wait to get married to you. I can't believe I'll be asking Zainab for your hands in marriage." He left out a deep sigh.

Humaira chuckled in for a while. "Sure, she's going to give her blessings." Humaira muttered and suddenly look gloomy.

"What's it dear. Anything on your mind?"

"No... It's nothing so serious. I mean... I just wish my parents where here. I really wish they're alive to withness all of these. I wonder how I survived alone with Zainab to this stage. It still baffles me."

"Don't worry Humaira, I'm sure your parents would be happy wherever there are." He muttered emotionally. "And... I'm sure that as long as you're here with me, there won't be any more problems."

Zayn stared into Humaira's dark eyes and tilted his head a bit while leaned forward, moving a bit closer to him. She closed her eyes as his lips captured hers into soft touch. His held her firmly and brushed his lips upon hers, in a very passionate way. Humaira placed her hand on his chest too, she could feel his throbbing heatbeats buried his his built rocky chest. She loved his kiss so much and wanted to drive in more wet kisses but Zayn ended it with a smile.

"What are you to doing on my chest?"

"No... Umm.... It's nothing." She stammered and shyly looked away.

Zayn could help but to sniker at her. It felt as if his love for her grew every single day. It's the last day they'll be spending in Makkah so he wanted it to forever remain green in her mind.

Lifting he face with his hand he suddenly jerked as if he remembered something.

"Umm... That reminds me. I have another gift for you."

He went to the corner of the room and brought out a white shopping bag.

"What's that?" Humaira asked out of curiosity.

"You'll get to know, dearie." He placed the shopping bag on the middle table and brought out two boxes from it.

One was bigger while the other one was very small. Like a tiny box.

"What's this surprise about again, Zayn. You won't cease to amaze me." She joked.

"Yes, Humaira. Making you happy is my duty." He reminded her.

"You'll always have a special place in my heart, Zayn." She assured.

"Awwwwn. My fiancee is so cute." He smiled at her while she joined in.

There were nine pieces of cup cakes arranged in a small cartoon in different shapes and colours. Although it was very small but it looked so yummy.

"Wow! When did you get this?" She limped with joy.

"Hours ago when we went for shopping." He explained and brought out tiny candle stikes.

It was he size of crayon sticks. He placed each candles in the middle of the cup cakes and sang her a birthday song.

"Awwwwn.. this is so lovely. How do you know that today is my birthday?"

"Come on Humaira, I read it in your hospital file. 25th of September. But I've forgotten the year. How old are you now, hunny?"

She let out a smile and replied him.. "26."

His smile went down almost immediately.
"What?! 26!!"

"What's wrong with my age, Zayn. Am I too old?"

"Oh my! And you're still single? What have you been waiting for, Humaira!"

"I don't know. Maybe I was waiting for happiness and be warned, please. I'm no longer single! I'm engaged!" She hissed, showing off with the engagement ring on her finger.

"Ugh! You're so impossible." He rolled his eyes at her.

"What about you?" She asked.

"Well, I'll be 32 next month."

"32?! You're old o. Old papa! And you're not married."

"I'm still in my youth Humaira! Perhaps, I've been studying and working to become a medic. And here I am today. Again, I'm not single. I have you by my side." He ended the word with a peck on Humaira's cheeks.

"Your so impossible!" She she pulled away from his grip and lit up the candles.

"Well, thank you Humaira. Make a wish and blow the candles out."

"I already have all I need." She explained.

"Just make a wish..."

With a smile across her face, Humaira made a silent wish before blowing out the candles. They took off all the candle sticks and took a bite from one piece.

While eating, Zayn's gaze focused on the other tiny box on the table. He opened the second box and brought out something shiny and beautiful from it.

And he placed it around her neck.

It was a silver neckless with a beautiful flowery pendant that had rubies and diamonds on it. She held it in amazement.

"Isn't this too much? Aren't you showering me with so much?" She asked, anxiously.

"No, Humaira. Let me spoil you with so much. I never get to buy these for any woman before. Too bad, I lost my parents when I was very young but my anut took me in and took care of me like her son. As it is Humaira, I grew up with my cousins. I'll introduce you to my family whenever we get to Abuja."

"Awwwwn... That's good. I can't wait to meet them. She looked at the pendant again. Thanks a lot for this, hunny. Thanks for making me happy." She explained. You know, I stopped celebrating birthdays since I was 10.

"And why is that?" He quirked an eyebrow.

"It was one of the saddest days of my life, Zayn. I lost my dad on that day." She stared down and murmured.

"Innalillahi wa Inna Ilaihi rojihun. Aww! I'm so sorry about that. But you should move on, Humaira. You too deserve happiness just like everyone else in the world."

"Really?" She asked

"Yes. You should leave all the past behind move on with your life. I'm sure your dad would be proud of you wherever he is right now. You've done great so far."

"Awwwwn... You just have the right words for every situation." She admitted with sincerity in her eyes.
"The thing is, after my dad's death, I couldn't think about being happy. I put all that love in Zainab's happiness instead. Because I feel if she's happy, I'll also be happy. Taking care of her has been my priority."

"Taking care of you is my priority now, Humaira." Doctor Zayn smiled as they munched the remaining cake.

It was already 4:00 a.m, the couple spent the time gisting until sleep covered their eyes.

***

The gaint clock tower chimed 5:00 a.m as the azhan called for prayer. That morning  after Subhi prayer, they prepared they luggage and carried it into a car that took them to the airport.

They sat right next to each other and the Journey was successful. Alhamdulillah, the plane landed in Abuja where, Mrs. Maikuddi and her driver, hakimi were awaiting their arrival.

***

Words and Translations

-Jalbab: Jalabbiyah, A long garment worn by Muslim men and women.

-Azhan: Adhan,  call to prayer