Chapter 31: Meetings and Stuff. 

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"A great marriage is not when the 'perfect couple' comes together. 

It is when an imperfect couple learns to enjoy their differences."

-Dave Meurer-

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To say Islah's house was large would be an understatement. Yusra did not exactly realize how rich Islah was until she saw their property. Islah's house had a modern look to it, with concrete and red-brown trex fence surrounding it. Their family name was written in fancy calligraphy on the metallic plate attached to the fence. The afternoon sun cast a multitude of colored hues around the house, reflecting on the glass doors and windows. Yusra was momentarily mesmerized.

Her father pulled through the gates that opened automatically and Yusra had to stop herself from swooning. Let's just say, she had a thing for beautiful houses. She drove through the gates and parked behind her father's cruiser on the concrete pavement. She looked to the house to see Rabail and Iravat walking out of the house, behind Lila and Ahmad.

She unlocked the door and the cousins got off. Taking her phone and fixing her hijab, she got off too. She locked the car behind her and walked towards them, on the marbled path surrounded by green grass. Her eyes scanned the place, searching for familiar blue-gray eyes but she didn't find him.

"As salaam alaikum," she said trying her best to hide the little disappointment she felt. Immediately she was pulled into a hug by Lila and then Rabail. She laughed as soon as they let go.

"Wa alaikum mus salaam. Come in." Lila told them, guiding them inside. Yusra looked around the place. There was a garage (which was closed) right infront of where her father parked the car. The front yard was large, with flowers and plants and winding pebble paths everywhere. Scattered but organized? Is that supposed to be a thing?

Rabail grabbed her hand, breaking her thoughts effectively and they walked into the house. The doorway had a place for shoes (she followed Rabail, taking off her shoes and placing them beside a pair of Nikes that looked exactly like hers, except bigger). She then followed Rabail into the house, as silently as her socks clad feet could walk.

The living of the Reza-Ibrahim house had a white and gray theme; white walls and gray sofa's, floor to ceiling windows with charcoal gray colored curtains and high ceilings from which, hung a beautiful chandelier. Yusra admired the place as she took a seat on the lush sofa's. Where is Islah?

"As salaam alaikum," she turned towards the stairs to see the man in question, walking towards them. Oh wow. Masha allah, he would put the afternoon sunset to shame. Her heart raced and she felt warm. A course of happiness rushed through her, at finally being at his house. His place. His turf. He did not meet her eyes so she zeroed in on his hair. It's wet. He was showering? Now? Islah walked over to her father and Abaan, shaking their hands. She diverted her gaze from Islah (afraid that either she'd die of a heart attack or her mother would catch her looking) and turned to the snacks on the table.

Rabail gave her a plate, taking a seat beside her. She turned to Rabail with a questioning look.

"Eat." With that, Rabail began filling her plate with different snacks. Samosa's! Along with that, there were Falafels, Kofta, Chicken Nuggets (Yusra was overjoyed by this) and Potatoe Wedges. Yusra grinned at the variety of snacks and picked up the Samosa's.

The elders soon were engrossed in their conversations while Islah and Iravat set with their father and Dawud, talking business and stuff. Maha, Rabail and Yusra were soon engaged in the latest trends and of course, food. Fifteen minutes later, Ahmad stood up and announced they were going to pray Magrib and Lila asked if the ladies wanted to pray now or after the males, since they had only one prayer room.

Yusra looked to her sock clad feet, digging into the dark gray rug of the living room and wondered what the other parts of the house looked like. The place is really well kept. I mean look at this spotless living room!

"Ah. While they pray, let me show you two around the house." Rabail said, standing up. Lila nodded at the girls to go. Yusra looked over to Nasreen who nodded with a smile. Guess she is liking the idea of me getting married into this- Hold up. Married. An unknown feeling erupted in her chest and she struggled to breathe properly. Her hands instinctively went to her chest as she took deep breaths. Damn you anxiety attacks! Don't come now.

"Yusra?" she looked up to see Rabail standing in front of her with a concerned look. Yusra smiled at her and stood up.

"I am fine." Rabail did not look convinced but nonetheless, began walking. They walked out of the living room, following Rabail. There was a dining table, placed a step up from the living room. Right past the dining table was the kitchen counter with bar-stools. Yusra recognized the kitchen from the pictures Rabail sent her recently.

"That's the kitchen. Ah the boys are fabulous cooks." Rabail threw a grin over to Yusra who laughed. Of course he is. What is he not good at? Rabail pointed to the door in the kitchen. "That leads to the dinner house outside." Since it was dark, they refrained from going outside despite the house having good security.

They walked out of the kitchen and Rabail pointed to the door on the side. "Laundry and restroom." She then pointed to the door on the adjacent to the laundry room. "Guest room." As they walked, Rabail continued telling them what was where. Yusra admired the place with bright eyes. This is home. Weird that there are a lot of pot plants around but home still. They walked up the stairs when Yusra's eyes caught a sight of Islah. In prayer. Her actions slowly halted as she became mesmerized by the person sitting in Qiraat, with his eyes closed. Perhaps it was the lighting of the room or perhaps it was her eyes, but in that exact moment she knew. Islah Reza-Ibrahim is the man I need in my life.

The realization shocked her to the core. It shouldn't have been surprising really, considering she liked him so much.

"Yusra!" she looked up the stairs, diverting her eyes from Islah to Maha. Maha gestured for her to come and she nodded before giving Islah one last glance and walking away.

-

Islah could not believe Yusra was finally at his place. He was cooking with his mother and was late to meet them. Lord knows how fast he had to get ready when he heard them arrive. Despite the rush, he managed to look good (according to Yusra anyway) in his washed denim jeans, white t-shirt and a navy blue shirt atop it with it's buttons open.

"Islah! Iravat!" their mother's voice called out for them and immediately the boys stood up, excusing themselves. The men of the house were seated in the patio, outside the living room. The night was cool and bright, hence they opted to sit outside discussing their favorite topics; politics and science.

Islah walked into the house to his mother. Lila set in the living room with Maheen and Nasreen. When she saw her son, she smiled.

"Help Rabail with dishing out the food, please." She told him and he nodded before walking towards the kitchen.

"Rabi-" he came to a stop when he heard Nasreen speak.

"Isn't it a little awkward that an unmarried woman is staying in the same house as your two unmarried sons? That too, a woman who is neither their biological sister nor aunt." Islah was sure Iravat heard this because he heard him inhale a breath audibly. Something in his head snapped and his blood ran hot. No one said anything about my Rabi and gets away with it. It doesn't matter if it's Yusra's mom.

He turned around to go give Mrs. Nasreen Abideen a piece of his mind but he was held back by Iravat. He turned to his mother, who let out a laugh. It's fake. The laugh is telling Yusra's mother to brace for her sarcastic wrath. Lila may be a poised and proper lady but when it comes to her family, she has proven it multiple times that she can be vicious. 

"Rabail is a family matter. I appreciate your concerns but please refrain from it. Heavens forbid, if my husband hears it-" she left the sentence hanging and Islah saw all color drain from Nasreen and Maheen's face. Serves them good. With a content look, he turned towards the kitchen to see Rabail standing by the dining table. When she saw him, she gave him a small smile and walked away.

"Rabi-" Iravat called out, rushing towards her. Islah decided to leave the two. He walked into the kitchen to see Yusra standing by the large refrigerator.

"Hey," he said, startling her as she let out a gasp. She turned to him and shot him a glare. He then realized water had spilled over her hijab. Opps?

"Hey," she finally replied, wiping away the water droplets. Islah leaned onto the kitchen counter, staring at her with a content smile. She looks right at home. Just how I like it. Yusra's eyebrows furrowed at his staring and her cheeks tinted pink.

"What?" she finally asked him, leaning onto the sink counter herself (opposite Islah). Islah shook his head slightly and it reminded her of a wet dog, shaking off water from it's fur.

"Thinking how perfect and at home you look right now." He teased her and she grinned, looking away.

"Lila aunty offhandedly asked my mother for my hand in marriage," Yusra informed him and Islah grinned at her, showing his pearly whites. For a moment, Yusra thought she would be blinded by his bright face. She did, didn't she.

"And?" he asked her. She shrugged at him, fidgeting with her fingers. When he saw this, he frowned. Something is bothering her, what is it? Maybe she doesn't want to marry me? The thought scared him but it may be a possible answer.

"Yusra?" he called for her attention. She looked up to him, meeting his gray-blue eyes. "What is your take on this?" Yusra stayed silent. One moment passed, two did and a few more did.

"I don't know." She finally spoke. Islah did not know if he should sigh in relief or cry in stress.

"What do you mean?"

"I- I don't know, Islah! We haven't exactly talked about-" she did not complete the sentence and Islah knew her words. Us. But he wanted her to say it, speak out her mind. He wanted her to know he was her safe space.

"About?" so he urged her. Yusra sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose.

"Us." She finally spoke and Islah smiled.

"Then shall we talk about it now?"

"Now?" Yusra looked around the place. Islah nodded at her.

"Now."

"Your mom asked for dinner."

"Dinner can wait." Islah told her and she huffed a sigh. She turned and walked over to the counter where bar stools were placed and took a seat there. Islah took a seat on the kitchen island, where Yusra was previously leaning on. Yusra eyed him with confusion.

"There are bar stools around, you know." She said and Islah shook his head, grinning. I can see your perfect face from here. Also I would be able to see if someone comes this way. I don't think I want the world to know about us just yet anyway. 

"I am fine here," he said, pulling up his legs and crossing it on the island.

"Fine."

"So what are we discussing?" he asked her. Yusra stared at him incredulously. When he caught this, he held his hands up in surrender.

"Fine. What do you want to know?"

"About us, Islah."

"I like you, Yusra. A lot. Contrary to what other people may say about falling for someone at first sight, I fell for you then and there when I first saw you." Islah was straight forward about his feelings and Yusra felt pride in it.

"The meeting?" Yusra asked him and he shook his head.

"ACM competition two years ago. I was there to pick up Iravat when I saw you, on those computers. I did not know who you were or what you were doing there, just the way your fingers moved gracefully on the keyboard. I saw your face though," he explained and Yusra frowned. She is recalling? He watched as her expressions changed from confused to realization to embarrassment.

"You know me since then?" she asked him and he shook his head.

"Not really. I know you when I first met you during internship. Also. I need to apologize for being so harsh on you all. I was just-" craving your attention. But he wasn't going to say it. Yusra raised an eyebrow at him teasingly.

"Just?" she said and he rolled his eyes at her.

"Just that."

"Admit it, you wanted me to notice you!" she said with a chuckle. Islah stared at her, clearly mesmerized by her manner of speech. Absolutely perfect for me.

"I admit to that." He said without thinking. Yusra immediately stopped chuckling and her rosy cheeks grew redder. Ah she is blushing more.

"Right." she coughed awkwardly, looking away. Islah let out a small laugh at this. Why is my little kid so cute? So cute?

"That was me. You?" he asked Yusra. Yusra looked (up since he was sitting on a higher ground) at him and met his eyes. Islah felt his heart soar at the sight of his human.

"I guess I like you too?" she made it sound like a question and Islah face palmed himself. She is still unsure? Yusra let out a small laugh.

"I am kidding. Remember the day I fainted?" she asked him and he nodded at her.

"Don't ever scare me like that again," he told her and she shrugged.

"Well. I kinda, might have realized then I liked you?" she (again) made it sound like a question. Islah raised his eyebrows at her.

"Kinda? Might have?"

"Ahum. I do. I like you too, Islah." She said, looking everywhere but at Islah with blushing cheeks. Her words did a lot of things to Islah's body, mind and soul. For one, he felt his heart race at abnormal speed and his mind go haywire. It was as if he were on cloud nine and perhaps that was exactly where he was. His soul finally felt at peace. Wallahi, this is the feeling I never want to give up. He watched her blush brighter. She has been blushing so much today. My cute little kid! Islah finally grinned at her.

"Let's get married," 

****

I apologize for the late update. Been busy with exams. 

But. I have good news. A few actually. 

First: The third book of The Zaeef Series has been given a name, officially. It's called: The Sabr Untold. I am working on it's script right now. 

Second: To all my Trapped With Mr. Billionaire fan, I have successfully began editing the novel. Through about 10% of it. 

Third [EDIT]: I am not leaving you guys any time soon. In Sha Allah, we'll course through this together. 

Four: I have accomplished a good name on Wattpad and that is ALL thanks to YOU GUYS. I appreciate it alot. 

That is all I have. Tell me your thoughts on this. (Please no negative comments, I am stressed out as it is.) 

Thank you. I love you my beautiful Panda's. 

| R - C - V |

xx,

-Aalihha.