After checking in, Yusuf walked her to room 24 and stood in front of her. No one uttered a word for about two minutes before Larai decided to break the silence. "Bye." She didn't want to talk to him at that moment.

"Please take care of yourself. I'm just a call away." He reminded. "If you need anything, don't hesitate to call."

She hummed and put the key inside the keyhole. "Bye."

"Larai," Yusuf called as Larai turned the doorknob.

"Yes?" She responded, without turning to him.

"Are you still angry with me?" He was not supposed to ask her that again—he knew, because she had made it clear to him that she wanted some time alone. But he couldn't just turn around and leave, knowing she was still angry with him. He wanted them to sort things out as soon as possible.

"I said I'm not angry. I'm just sad, but I'm sure it will pass. I just need to wrap things around my head. You should go and think things through too. Talk to your family and then tell me what decision you've taken."

Yusuf nodded. "I will call you." He waited for her to go into the room, before leaving.

•

Yusrah and Yumnah were seated on the couch, in the living room, when Yusuf walked in. They both rose to their feet.

Yusrah advanced towards him and asked, "Where's Larai?"

"She's at a hotel for the time being," Yusuf responded in a low-pitched voice.

"Why did you allow her to leave?" Yusrah's forehead wrinkled.

"And why not? Did you expect her to still be here after everything that happened? After you and Ammi threw all sorts of accusations at her? You even went to the extent of slapping her. Who even gave you the right to touch her?" Yusuf clenched his fist; the whole scene replaying in his head. "If you ever pull a stunt like that again, I will not only have her retaliate, I won't spare you either."

"Yusuf, I—" Yusrah attempted to explain herself, but Yusuf abruptly cut her off.

"I thought you knew her. I thought you were her friend. I'm truly very disappointed in you. I have always thought you're sensible, but I guess not. I'm very disappointed."

"I'm sorry, Yusuf." Yusrah quickly wiped a tear from her cheek. "I was blinded by anger when I saw Abba and her locked up in the room. I thought she was lying because we caught her in his room and not in hers. I know I shouldn't have slapped her, but my anger was justified...I feel really ashamed of myself. I don't think she will ever be able to forgive me for this."

Yusuf sighed and ran a hand over his face. He suddenly felt bad for the way he spoke to his sister, but he knew it was something he had to do to prevent the same thing from happening in the future. Larai was the lady he wanted to marry and his sisters must learn to give her that respect. Even though Yusuf loved them a lot, he would not tolerate any disrespect from them. "You call yourself her friend and you still don't know her. Larai doesn't hold grudges against people for a long time. I'm sure she understands why you acted so irrationally."

"Hmm...Yusuf?" Yumnah walked up to her brother. "Is it really true? Are you and Larai in a relationship?"

"Yes."  He admitted. For the longest time, he had always wanted to tell his family about it. It was sad how things turned out. "Didn't you hear me saying it earlier?"

"I did, but I thought I misheard you. So you two have been in love all this while and I...I kept on bringing up the topic of your ex and I...I said all those things to you yesterday." Embarrassment washed over Yumnah's demeanor.

"It's not your fault," Yusuf said. "I should have told you all earlier. I had my reasons for keeping it a secret."

Yumnah grunted. "I don't know what to say or how to react to this. I'm shocked...like really shocked. You and Larai? How comes I didn't notice anything? This is strange."

"Which hotel is she staying at?" Yusrah inquired. "I want to go to her and apologize."

"No, I won't allow you to speak to her right now. She needs some time alone. Let's grant that to her."

"I just want to apologize and make—"

"Don't talk to me, Yusrah," Yusuf cut her off again. "I'm still mad at you for what you did."

"Yusrah only did what she thought was right. I think it's unfair to blame her." Yumnah stood up for her twin. "She's clearly remorseful and she has already apologized, so please forgive her already. She had no idea you love her—none of us did. We're even supposed to be mad at you for keeping your relationship from us for so long."

Yusuf knew his sister had a point, but he couldn't control his raging emotions. He was afraid of what Larai would tell him when he calls her again. It seemed he was just looking for someone to blame to ease the guiltiness in his heart. "Where is Ammi?"

"She's sleeping in her room," Yumnah responded. "Her blood pressure has shot up."

"Has she taken her medicines?" Yusuf asked.

Yumnah nodded in response.

"And Abba?" He questioned—not that he cared to know. He just didn't want to cross paths with him.

"He left the house and hasn't returned yet."

Yusuf sauntered directly to his mother's room and found her lying in her bed with her eyes closed.

He sat beside her and caressed the side of her face. He felt really bad for what his father had done to her. Yusuf knew she was deeply affected by his action. He knew she was only pretending not to be very affected.

Yusuf had always known his mother as the kind of person who prefers to hide their pains away from others. She never shares her pain with anyone.

Yusuf reclined forward and planted a kiss on her forehead.

He was about to leave but stopped when he felt a warm hand on his arm.

"Yusuf." Mrs. Hadiza's voice depicted tiredness.

"Ammi." Yusuf sat back down.

Mrs. Hadiza groaned a little as she sat up.

"Why are you getting up?" Yusuf queried, worry written all over his face. "You should rest some more. Yumnah told me your blood pressure is high. How are you feeling now?"

"Much better. I have taken my medicines. I don't have migraine anymore. I'm fine." She reassured. 

"Then lie down and rest some more." He insisted.

"I have been resting for many hours now," she shook her head. "I'm tired of resting. I don't want to rest."

Yusuf grabbed her hand and caressed it. "What do you want to do then? Do you want to go somewhere? Like a long drive? I will take you anywhere you want. It will help clear your head."

"I want to talk."

Yusuf swallowed. He wasn't sure if it was the right time for them to have the conversation. His mum was clearly not thinking straight at the moment.

"I want us to talk about what happened today," she repeated. "I don't want to keep being in the dark."

"But, Ammi," Yusuf started. "You are not very well yet. Talking about that will only stress you out. You don't need that now."

"I'm tired of keeping my thoughts to myself." She replied. "Bottling these feelings up will stress me more."

"Alright, Ammi, if that's what you want." Yusuf knew her mind was already made up and he wouldn't be able to convince her otherwise and besides, he needed to know what her thoughts were regarding Larai and him.

"What your father did was terrible. I never imagined he had it in him to do that to an innocent girl such as Larai. He even went to the extent of attempting to frame her and I...I supported him blindly. I thought since I know him longer than I know Larai, I could trust him. I blamed Larai despite her begging me to believe her. I feel ashamed for insulting her so much."

Yusuf felt a heavy burden being lifted off his shoulder. The fact that his mother felt remorseful gladdened him. At least she would be able to accept her as his future wife.

"It's not your fault, Ammi and Larai know this. She understands why you reacted that way. Every wife would react the way you did in that situation..." His voice trailed. "Or even worse."

"Do you really love her?" Out of the blue, Mrs. Hadiza questioned. " I mean Larai."

Yusuf didn't need to think twice. He was certain of what he wanted, and Larai was the one. "Yes, Ammi."

"And what would you do if I decide not to accept your relationship?"

For Yusuf, it was a tough question. A really tough one. Though he loved his mother a whole lot and was willing to do and sacrifice anything for her, breaking things off with Larai for no valid reason at all, was something he was not sure about. She had done nothing to deserve that from him. Had his mother had a valid reason, he would have done it in a heartbeat, but it wasn't the case. Yusuf wasn't sure if he would be able to do it. It would be unfair to Larai and him as well.

"Don't answer that." She withdrew his hand from his. "You can go ahead and get married to her."

Bemused, Yusuf's jaw dropped. "I...can?"

"Didn't you just say you love her?" She hummed.

Yusuf hesitated for a while before nodding.

"This is me, accepting your decision right now." His mother stated in a firm voice. "You can do ahead and marry her if that's what you really want to do."

Right from the beginning, Yusuf knew his mother would not be able to deprive him of his happiness because she had always had his best interest at heart. As a child, he was known as a mummy's boy, because he was always around his mother, and he was much closer with her than with his father. Mrs. Hadiza had never missed any of his events in school. She had always supported him in all of his endeavors and just like always, he knew she wouldn't disappoint him.

"This easily?" After what had happened, he thought his mother might have a difficult time accepting their relationship. To say he was surprised by how quickly his mother accepted Larai was an understatement.

"Enough for me is that she's a good girl." She shrugged. "She still has to impress me though."

Yusuf smiled. "I knew you'd support me on this, Ammi. Thank you. I love you so much, Ammi."

"More than Larai?" She raised a brow.

"More than anyone else in this world." He kissed her palm. "No one is ever going to be able to take your special place, my Ammi."
"Truth be told, I have always liked Larai for you. I didn't say anything to you about her, because I thought you might not like her, and I didn't want to force you into a commitment. I secretly wished the both of you would fall in love with each other and eventually get married. The girl is almost perfect. She's a combination of beauty and brains. Plus, she's very respectful, religious, and well-mannered. Over the years, I have studied her and I can proudly say you chose the best girl to be your wife. You will never be able to find someone better. Larai is a gem of a person. You should always treasure her. Don't you dare hurt her, because if you do, I will forget you're my baby and we will gang up on you."
"Never, Ammi. You've raised your son well. Your upbringing and Allah's blessings will always guide me to the right path. All I want is your blessing and everything will go right."

"My blessings are always with you, Yusuf. May Allah shower his unlimited blessing on you."

"Ameen, Ammi. Your prayers are what keep me successful. Thank you."
Mrs. Hadiza cupped Yusuf's face with one hand. "My son is all grown now. I can still remember when I held you in my arms for the first time ever. I can't believe that little soul is planning to get himself a wife soon."

Yusuf smiled. "No matter how big I become, I will always remain that little baby you held in your arms twenty-eight years ago."

Mrs. Hadiza wiped the tears that had welled up in her eyes and nodded. "When do you plan to take things forward? I mean sending the proposal to her family."

"We haven't talked about it yet, but I will be sure to ask for her opinion when I see her next."

"Alright then, you should do that. I see no point in delaying this any further since the both of you love each other and are ready to settle down. But..." Mrs. Hadiza trailed off  "do you think her parents are going to agree to this? Will they allow you to get married to their daughter after she eloped with you?"

Yusuf had thought about it before. He also didn't have the answer to his mother's question, but one way or the other, he knew their love would conquer all hurdles. "That's why you are here. I trust my Ammi will be able to convince them, alongside my uncles."

"And what if they refuse?" Mrs. Hadiza questioned.

Yusuf didn't want to even think about the possibility because he was already so used to Larai in his life. He had dreamed of making her his wife for the longest time.
For a fact, he knew he would never be able to give her up. "I will convince them and if they refuse again, I won't stop convincing them until they eventually agree. I will fight for Larai and I'm certain she will also fight for me as well."

Judging by the smile on Mrs. Hadiza's face, Yusuf could tell how proud his mother was of him.

"If Allah wills, Larai will be married to no one else but you, but if it doesn't happen, then I will pray for someone better for you."

"It will happen, Ammi." There was determination in Yusuf's voice. He would pray and ensure it happens. "Erm...what will happen to Abba now? I heard he isn't back home yet."

"I don't know. It's left to Larai to decide if she wants to file a case against him or not."

"Okay." Yusuf sighed. "I will wait for her to tell me what her decision is. No matter what her decision is, I will go by it."

•

Assalamualaikum/hello!

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