Chapter 33: Hey. 

*

"Marriage is not about age; 

it's about finding the right person."

-Sophia Bush-

*

Dinner went well, with everyone praising the boys for the food. Nasreen did not comment on Rabail anymore, though the boys and Rabail were a little conscious of her and Maheen. After dinner, Rabail opted to make tea for everyone and to do the dishes. Yusra followed Rabail to help out with Maha.

"Don't worry about things here, the dishwasher shall do it." Rabail told them as she loaded the dishwasher. Yusra nodded and Maha's phone chimed with a notification. Maha checked her phone and her face lit up with a smile. Yusra grinned.

"Who's it?" she teased her and by then, Rabail was with them too.

"Nahwan." Yusra and Rabail exchanged mischievous smiles before leaving the kitchen to let her have the privacy. The two walked towards the living room where the ladies were seated. Yusra took a seat beside Lila and Rabail took a seat beside her. Lila immediately took her hand in hers and grinned.

"So, how is work?" Work. Yusra let out a smile immediately, a thin coat of blush on her cheeks.

"Good."

"I hear there's a workshop this coming week?" Yusra nodded at her. Lila turned to Nasreen and Maheen, seated opposite them with their cups of tea. "Rabail will be there so you don't have to worry. These workshops are high security and Islah will also be there." Nasreen nodded at Lila with a smile, even though Yusra could see through her smile. She is still contemplating.

"Absolutely right," Yusra looked up to see the men entering the living room. Ahmad smiled at Lila, rubbing his arms. His wife smiled back affectionately. Yusra was awed at this, because perhaps she did not see that at home. At home, it was mostly her mother over ruling her father. She had never seen them share such loving looks or anything.

"It's cold outside," Islah muttered and that's when Yusra realized he was seated right in front of her. Her eyes met his and he grinned, showing his pearly whites. Damn this boy, he is so beautiful he could power the entire house with that smile.

"Yusra?" she immediately broke contact and turned to Lila who had called for her attention.

"We really like you for Islah." Her heart stopped right at that moment. She felt warm, a new feeling erupted in her chest and she immediately clenched it tightly with her right hand. Lila saw this and placed her hand over Yusra's in a calming manner. It's okay Yusra. It's okay. It's just a proposal. From Islah's family!, her mind replied.

Lila turned to Dawud and Nasreen with a smile. Ahmad also turned to them.

"I know this seems out of order," Lila began, "But the reason we invited your family for dinner was because of this. I don't know how proposals go about but in all honestly, when we first saw Yusra, we knew. She is so charismatic, beautiful and amazing. Inside, out." Islah glanced at Yusra who was tomato red by now, with all the compliments. He grinned.

Dawud and Nasreen exchanged glances before Nasreen turned to Lila with a smile.

"Lila. It would be an honor to let my daughter be part of this family." Nasreen said and Yusra glanced at her. Before Nasreen could say something else, Dawud began.

"But this is a big decision. We trust Yusra with all her decisions and it doesn't change anything about this one." Dawud was firm in his statement and this made Yusra proud. They trust me enough to make my own decisions. Islah on the other hand, felt his body go rigid. His main question was, what if Yusra says no considering what he just witnessed in the kitchen?

Lila and Ahmad nodded at them.

"We agree." Lila said before she turned to Yusra beside her. "Take as much time as you need. And it is fine if you say no." Ah. Such understanding mother-in-laws are rare.

"Tea?" Yusra had never been so glad for an interruption. She glanced over towards Rabail (she had no idea when the woman had left them) with an appreciative smile. Rabail winked back.

"Yes please," Ahmad replied, standing up and taking the tray of cups from her. And just like that, everyone went to discussing different topics despite the earth shattering proposal that happened a few moments ago.

Rabail took a seat beside Yusra again and smiled at her.

"Guess we will be in the same family after all," she whispered and Yusra blushed, looking away and sipping tea.

-

The night ended well but it was the day which followed that over-whelmed her to the core. She was expected to give an answer, soon. By Allah, she knew her answer. Yes. A thousand times, yes. But she was too afraid to say it out loud. Because to Yusra, saying it out meant it being real. She would soon be betrothed to Islah Reza-Ibrahim and then married. She was afraid she wasn't up for such responsibility just yet.

Monday morning, she was too tired to function. She was excited, anxious and maybe a little confused. She knew she should talk to Islah about it but she was too scared. Scared that he will not understand.

With another dose of caffeine (her nth one today since morning), she set to work. There were a few reports she needed to submit before she was free to leave. It was the last week of her here before university opened again. She knew she wanted a few more days, weeks or perhaps months here but education has always been her priority.

"Yusra?" She looked up to see Rabail leaning onto the partition by her desk. She smiled at her.

"Hey."

"How many doses of caffeine have you had?" Rabail asked her, walking over to her. The office was fairly empty at this time around since everyone was out for lunch. Rabail pulled a chair from the next desk and took a seat beside her, crossing her legs over one another.

Yusra shrugged at her question, flipping through the printed pages she was organizing. Rabail saw this and placed her hand over the papers, effectively stopping her from doing any work. Yusra sighed and turned to her.

"What's bothering you?" Rabail asked. Yusra felt her eyes water a little. No one noticed this until now. Except Islah since he didn't see her until now. Something to do with a meeting. Rabail saw this and let out a small smile. She got on her feet and pulled Yusra's hand. Yusra sighed and stood up before being pulled away by Rabail to her cabin.

Once in the safety of Rabail's cabin, Yusra let the tears free. Emotions that she had build up over the night and morning came pouring out while Rabail stared at her in distress. The older woman had absolutely no idea how to console Yusra for she had never seen her cry. Yusra is always so happy.

A while later, Rabail passed a bottle of water to her and took a seat in front.

"Tell me."

"I- I- I don't know. I don't know why that happened." Yusra replied, after drinking water. Rabail let out a small smile.

"Your emotions were over flowing, its okay. The entire situation is too much on you and it's understandable." Rabail comforted her because Wallahi, she believed every inch of it. Yusra only sniffled and wiped away the tears.

"It's okay. It's okay to say no. It's your life Yusra. No one else's." Rabail told her and Yusra shook her head frantically.

"It's not that I want to say no. By Allah, I don't. It's just that......." Yusra looked up to see Rabail, gauging her expression. What if she judges me? A part of her mind told her Rabail was the last person to judge anyone, let alone her. So Yusra told Rabail everything.

"I am scared that if I say yes, I will be committed. I have so much to achieve in my life and getting married before them will only add more responsibility to me. I don't know if I will be able to handle it, Rabi. I don't. And Islah, I cannot do that to Islah." She was to tears by the end of the sentence too. Rabail smiled sadly at her. Yusra wiped away her tears and sniffled.

"I really like Islah! But my plans didn't include marriage just yet. And I don't know what to do now. I am so torn," Yusra told her and Rabail let out a big smile.

"Talk to Islah." At the mention of his name, Yusra looked up. Talk to Islah? Should I? What will I say to him anyway? Rabail placed her hand over Yusra's. "I have known Islah all my life, Yusra. He will listen. Talk to him, tell him what is on your mind. By Allah, he will find a way to solve everything. Trust him."

For the first time in a few hours, Yusra let out a genuine smile. She had to talk to Islah.

When she returned home that afternoon, Yusra had made up her mind. Nasreen greeted her at the living room and she knew her mother wanted an answer. She showered, changed and prayed before heading downstairs. It was after sunset, a little before twilight appeared in the horizons. She was anxious with her decision but she felt it was the right thing to do.

"Yusra. Have you thought about the proposal?" her mother asked her, once everyone was in the living room. Yusra, who was sitting beside her father with her legs folded underneath her, let out a small nod. Nasreen moved in front, to the edge of the chaise she was seated on.

"I wish to talk to Islah before saying yes." Her voice was so firm that Nasreen almost toppled to the rugged floor with her announcement.

"You what?"

"If Islah and I are to be married, Shouldn't we talk first? We barely know each other and there are things I'd like him to know." Yusra said, her voice calm while her mind, heart and soul on fire. She was shaking inside and no one knew.

"Yusra! Allah Allah! What would you have to discuss with him?" Nasreen did not understand her daughter. She never did actually. But this time, she especially did not want to understand her. What of her reputation? Her upbringing? Won't they be questioned if anyone found out her daughter used to meet a man before marriage?

"Mum-" Dawud stopped her daughter.

"Very well. I will talk to Ahmad and see what they say." With that, he stood up and walked away. Yusra wasn't surprised at her father supporting her. What surprised her was the fact that he didn't look at her, not once throughout the evening. Did I do something?

What Yusra did not know was that Dawud was as scared as Yusra, perhaps more. He was letting his only daughter, his noor, his life and his everything, go into another family. He was going to have to let her go, out of his protective wings. Even though he gave her freedom to do whatever she wished, she was still sheltered. She still came home to him and Nasreen.

With a small smile, Dawud wiped away the stray tears that escaped his eyes. By Allah, if Islah did not treat his daughter like a Malik-hathun, he would commit dreadful sins. 

****

Malik-hathun: Queen.

|UNEDITED|

As salaam alaikum my Panda's! How are you guys?

I have been busy, unfortunately. With school mostly. 

I am a huge believer of being independent before commitment. Because to me, it's a huge deal to be committed. If I am with someone, I don't want my priorities, like education and career, to be compromised. But that's just my opinion. Whats yours? 

Stay safe, happy and hygienic. 

Remember: Mental Health is equally Important!

I love you guys. 

| R - C - V |

xx,

-Aalihha.