"We Finally Meet!!"

On Monday morning, Tayyal asked Zoya to give him one of their wedding cards. When she asked what he wanted to do with it, Tayyal explained his plan.

"Are you sure it will work? Do you know how stubborn Zia is? If you need help with anything else let me and I will do my best to help her..."

"I know that Habibty. But I do need to meet the guy who stole my sister's heart without realizing it. And don't worry, I won't be that brother who would beat up a guy just because his sister likes him. I will talk to him and maybe we can be friends."

This made Zoya laugh knowing that Tayyal isn't that type of person unless he is provoked.

"I understand but remember that Zianna hasn't confirmed that she has feelings for him. Do you want me to go with you?" Zoya asked Tayyal.

"No need, you need to go shopping with mum and your sister for the reception, right? I will call and explain everything to you. In shaa Allah everything will be fine."

After saying goodbye, Tayyal got into his car and drove to Azhar's office, hoping that Zianna might not be there.

But one can hope, right?

In the office, Azhar was pacing, trying to formulate a plan to be a friend to Tayyal for the sake of Zianna.

He couldn't help but remember what his Mamma told him about marriage. But for Azhar, marriage is sacred just his parents'.

He always felt happy whenever he saw his parents' love with each other. Thats the kind of marriage and love he always wanted and needed in his future.

Mamma always said that Love will come when you need it but did it happen to me with Zianna? Maybe that's why I made those rules that she keeps breaking every time and she thinks that I don't see her but I always do. Why can't I open my heart to her?

"Sir, Mr. Khalid asked me to go and see him. He says he needs something from me," Zianna said interrupting his thoughts. "He says there's something missing in my work contract and I need to look at it right away," she added.

"Go ahead."

Zianna nods and walks out of the office leaving Azhar staring at her.

I wish I knew what to do in this type of situation. Only Allah knows. 

Miracles do happen when Tayyal knocks on the door of Azhar's office. This surprised Azhar who got up and let him inside the office.

"Asalam Aleikum, I am Tayyal Hussein, Zianna's older brother. I came here to introduce myself and invite you to my wedding, this month, In shaa Allah. For you and your family," Tayyal said, giving Azhar the invitation card he had with him.

"Walaikum Salaam, nice to meet you and my name is Azhar..."

"I know who you are, Azhar as your mother taught me when I was in school, that's before she retired. That's the main reason why I came to see you today. I am worried about my sister's health. She has been diagnosed with a heart condition and if it's left untreated she will die," Tayyal explained to him. "And I can't let that happen to my sister who has always been important in my life," he added.

"I understand but how do we even start? We can't tie her up and drag her to the hospital, can we? I have an idea, how about my Mamma talks to her. Yes, they have met and talked but Mamma doesn't know anything about Zia's condition."

"You are right, if anyone can help, Mrs. Hayat can. Thank you, I dont want to lose my sister, Azhar. She has no one in this world apart from our father who doesnt even care about her," Tayyal explains Zianna's story to Azhar who was shocked as to why her father would turn into a monster not caring about his daughter's well-being.

Why are people so cruel? She didn't even know anything about her father's other life. I promise you, Zianna to protect you from anyone that would try to harm you.

Azhar was shocked at what Tayyal revealed to him about Zianna's life.

"I have a question that might seem to offend you. Why doesn't your father help her?" Azhar asks.

"As I explained, my father doesn't care about Zianna. When he divorced her mother, he didnt acknowledge that she was his daughter. That's until Aunt Hania, who is Zianna's mother's death. Thats how I came to know about her..."

"And you accepted her as your sister."

"Yes, I did. Because she is my sister and she is innocent of what our father did to our mothers," Tayyal says nodding.

"I understand that. How about you come over for dinner with Zianna at my parents' house?..."

"That won't be possible, Azhar. There are some things that no one knows about Zianna and the relationships she has at home. She would always try to keep me in the dark but I always know that my mother has always abused her. Yet, Zianna would cover for her," Tayyal says interrupting Azhar. "How about we all go out for lunch and invite your mother to come along with us? I know that lying is bad but we need to do this for her. I will arrive at the cafe with her and you will coincidentaly be there with your mother, what do you think?" He added asking.

Azhar knew that Tayyal was right and their plan might work.

"Yes, that could work but do you mind if I tell my Mamma what is happening to Zianna and about her health?" Azhar asked.

"Yes, you can tell her. Your mother helped me realize that accepting Zianna for something she didnt do was the right thing. I remembered the day, she arrived home. The sadness and tears in her eyes were evident that Zianna wouldn't belong anywhere except with the people who would accept her as part of the family," Tayyal explained to Azhar. "I was angry at first but then I remembered what your mother always told me. She said; No matter what don't judge someone without knowing the story and even if you know the story, still dont judge them. There are always innocent people trapped in a web of lies created by people we know like our father," he added.

Azhar couldn't help but feel proud to be Hayat's son at that moment. His mother has helped a lot of people without realizing it. And one of them is right in front of him.

"Okay, it is settled. We will meet at the cafe, is tomorrow better for you?"

"Yes, it is. But you do realize that you are giving Zianna half a day off," Tayyal says chuckling.

This made Azhar laugh.

"Yes, I know and she deserves it after the way I have treated her in the past. Has she ever told you that I wrote a list for her to follow at the office?"

"No, but I did see it on her desk in her room. And I wondered why Zianna had them there. I thought that it was one of her bucket list..."

"Speaking of bucket list. There's a number that I want to complete for her and I would like your help to do it," Azhar explained to Tayyal about what he needed help with.

"I think thats a great idea. Why don't we do that after the lunch with your mother, in shaa Allah," Tayyal said.

"Okay, thats a good idea..."

Azhar was interrupted by a knock on the door, revealing Zianna who was shocked to see her brother sitting with her boss, chatting like old friends.

"You! What are you doing here?" Zianna asks pointing her finger at her brother not caring that her boss is staring at her with an amused expression on his face.

"Why don't you want me to visit you at your office anymore, Zian?" Her brother asks her trying to hold his laughter.

Zianna didn't even bother to answer her brother, she turned to face her boss who was holding his laughter.

"Sir, whatever this baboon said about me it isn't true. He loves making up stories about me. Don't believe anything he tells you..."

"Zianna, I didn't tell him anything except I invited him and his family to my wedding which will be in a month in shaa Allah," Tayyal says to his sister with a cheeky smile.

"I am watching you, Tay and with one wrong move, I will tell Zoya about what you are trying to do..."

Azhar watched as they started bickering like small children. He was reminded of his childhood with his siblings and how his parents would watch them and smile.

"Zianna, don't you think its rude to argue in front of your boss?" Her brother asks her while looking at Azhar who is amused at the two siblings.

Zianna turned to face her boss who had a huge grin on his face. She was shocked to see him like that, smiling without a care in the world.

"Sir, I am sorry for what just happened..."

"It is okay. It was nice to meet you Tayyal. My family and I will be there on your wedding day, in shaa Allah," Azhar says to Tayyal with a smile.

"Thank you, sir. And again I am sorry for my brother's behavior..."

Zian, I can apologize to your boss myself," Tayyal says interrupting her and then turning to face Azhar. "See, this is what I have to deal with every day. I will see you later," he added getting up from his seat and walking toward the door.

"Zianna, you can go with him," Azhar tells Zianna who nods and walks to where her brother is.

Zianna walked out and Tayyal turned to face Azhar and smiled thanking him.

Friendship can start without knowing how or when it started. It just happened when two people needed each other in their lives.