Chapter 38: Far. 

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"Love, n. A temporary insanity curable by marriage."

-Ambrose Bierce, The Unabridged Devil's Dictionary-

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The atmosphere in the Abideen household had been tense after the revelation of Yusra and Islah's plans of marriage. Nasreen ceased to minimal talking with Yusra, claiming that her child had broken her heart while Dawud told her to worry about her finals.

Days turned into weeks and into months before it was time for Yusra to sit for the finals. After the last practical exam, she would be a free bird. Until her masters of course. Seasons changed from summer to winter as her finals approached. Her sleep schedule changed and she found herself getting minimal sleep.

But she wasn't the only one worried. Islah worried about her equally. He wanted her to succeed in life and getting good grades in the finals would be her first step towards her dream university. He could pull a few strings with them but he knew she would not appreciate his intervention. So he kept mum.

While she was busy prepping for her finals, Maha was getting ready for her wedding that was to take place a day after Yusra's final exam. She was glad it was after her exams. Because of all the hassle and chaos in the house, she was mostly found in the library where either Islah or Rabail would drop off food and coffee for the woman. Often Islah would accompany her to the library and while she studied, he would stare at her to his heart's content.

And finally the day of her last exam arrived and Yusra was sure she would do well. She always has and this was cybersecurity, her favorite. After finishing her final task in the exam hall, she walked out with a grin.

The sun was out and shining upon her, making her even more happy. It's a good day.

"I take it the exam went well?" she turned around to face Islah, leaning onto his fancy jeep. He waved at her and she skipped towards him, halting right in front of him. He laughed.

"It was a good exam then." He stated and she nodded at him. It's good to see her finally smiling, he thought. 

"You hungry?" she asked him and he nodded, opening the car door. She got in while muttering a starving under her breath. Once Yusra was seated, her mind immediately began reeling on the events recently. With Maha's wedding in three days and her news of leaving soon, everything has been chaotic in the Abideen household. She felt guilty, really guilty as days went by. She didn't have any right to crush her mother's happiness like this. 

Islah saw her in deep thought as he pulled out of the parking lot of the university. He sighed. 

"What's bothering you?" he asked her. He knew something has been up lately but since she had exams, he didn't ask. Yusra refused to speak. Instead, she smiled uncertainly at him. How can I tell him it's my own mother who's against me this time? 

"Yusra." he began gently and she turned to him with glassy green eyes. He glanced at her and cursed himself for doing so. The emotions that laced her beautiful green eyes made his heart hurt. And he hated it. 

"It's okay. It's going to be okay. Whatever it is, it's temporary." he consoled her and she let out a smile. Despite not knowing what's bothering me, he still consoled me. 

"Am I doing the right thing?" she finally asked the deepest question of her heart. Islah was taken back by this. 

"Why are you asking that?" 

"Just answer, Islah." it was one of the few times she took Islah's name making him smile slightly. 

"Education, Yusra, is not something to be taken for granted. There are many others around the world that are praying for such opportunities so do not let go. Sometimes doing what makes us happy will make our families mad at us. Sometimes, we'll feel guilty for being happy while they are sad but its okay. It's okay to be happy and to accept things that are good for you. Our parents may not understand us sometimes so it's okay to wait. What I am trying to tell you is that it's okay to feel things occasionally. And when things are too hard, you know I am right here." he told her and she found herself absorbing his words. She asked him one simple question, if she was doing the right thing and somehow he ended up answering all her silent questions too. 

It's okay to feel things. It's okay. Yusra smiled at him, blinking away the tears. It's okay. 

"Where are we having lunch?"

The two of them drove to their usual diner where they met Rabail and Iravat for lunch. Rabail attacked her with questions of how the exam went and she calmly answered them while eating. Just as they were about to finish, she got a call from Nasreen asking her to be home soon. She didn't even ask how my exams went. Islah noticed but said nothing. There was nothing he could say anyway.

"Ah. I have good news." Rabail told her as they were finishing up food. Yusra raised an eyebrow at her.

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Rabail walked alone on the cement footpath, surrounded by nature. It was amazing how Lila had such a well-kept garden. She smiled at the trees and plants, recognizing some and silently apologizing to the ones she didn't know. Her thoughts were calm, her mind was serene and her anxiety slept somewhere in the back of her head. I have to return home, she was reminded yet again. For the past week or so, she has been alone a lot and let her mind wander too much. Yusra was busy prepping for her finals and masters while Islah and Iravat were busy with work. She was also busy but she was reminded time and again that her return home was coming near.

Her father, Sa'ad Darwish missed her daughter terribly and wanted her home as soon as possible. Despite the video calls and messages they had, she knew her parents missed her terribly in the house. She was the light to her parents lives and she knew that. They were the ones who picked her up when she was broken, they didn't try to fix her; instead they tried to let her heal on her own. She learnt everything from them and that's when she realized she missed them a lot too.

"You have the over-thinking face again." She didn't need to turn to know who spoke. Ah so he found time now to talk to me? Iravat had been busy with work lately so he rarely saw her and the past two days, they didn't see each other at all. And we live in the same house!

"Rabi?" he called for her attention again and she heaved a sigh, slowing her steps.

"What is it?" she asked him, turning towards the small roses stacked on the wooden crates. Her fingers grazed them gently as she smiled. Iravat watched her with fascination. How can someone be so calm and collected yet have a storm underneath their skin simultaneously?, Iravat thought.

"Walk with me?" he told her finally, catching her off guard. Walk with him? What's wrong? She turned to him with questioning look until she saw him smiling.

"It's your evil smile. What are you up to?" she asked him, narrowing her eyes and he laughed, throwing his head back slightly. Rabail tried her best not to be in awe by the melody of it but failed miserably.

"Nothing. I just want a walk with you." Rabail narrowed her eyes at him but nonetheless followed him.

Soon the two stood in front of the small fountain in the backyard of the Reza-Ibrahim house. Rabail looked around her and she found nothing out of the ordinary. She frowned and turned to Iravat who was staring at her with doe like eyes, as if he wanted to say so much yet he couldn't. Perhaps that's exactly whats going on?

"What is going on?" she found herself questioning him, as she looked around again. Why are we here?

"Rabi?" he called for her attention and she gave it to him. He smiled at her. "There is something you must know." Rabail nodded at him. Speak.

"I- I am in love with you." Or so you made it clear years ago. Despite her mind being sassy, Rabail stood rooted to her ground. She knew this, expected this but hearing him say it out loud did things to her heart, things that could have her hospitalized because Wallahi this is too much.

"Rabi? Rabail?" Iravat stared at her as all color drained out of her face before flicking his fingers in front of her. She snapped out of her trance with her eyes wide.

"Correct me if I am wrong but you said you loved me." She said slowly, her mind still a mess. Iravat face palmed before shaking her shoulders. This seemed to bring her back to her senses before she frowned.

"Why?" Iravat groaned.

"We are not having that conversation, Rabail! Hear me out, okay?" Rabail nodded at him before straightening her back and staring ahead. Don't go blank this time, please.

"Right. So as I said before, I love you. I have loved you for-"

"Wait Wait-" Rabail interrupted him. Iravat glared at her. She smiled sheepishly at him.

"What is it?" he finally asked.

"Right. So when you say love, you mean like love me as a sister or-"

"RABAIL!" Iravat bent down and picked up some water in his hands before splaying it over her face. "Let me complete, okay?" Rabail, now wiping her face, nodded.

"Right. Anyway. We've known each other for a long time already and I know, I know I am not the best person out there. But. Will you consider maybe spending the rest of your life with me?" when he saw Rabail open her mouth to speak, he added quickly. "As my wife, Rabail. Not my sister." Rabail stared at the man in front of her with pride in her eyes. She remembered the time he first confessed in Bali. Oh the good memories. What have I done to have such a man in my life? Truly, Allah takes away something to give us something better.

"Rabi?" she snapped out of her trance and smiled at him.

"Is this your version of proposing?" she asked him and he rubbed his neck while shifting from one feet to another. He is so cute, Masha Allah.

"I- I did Google this but everything was too....... Not us." He muttered, looking everywhere but her. She let out a laugh before placing her hand on his cheeks. The said cheeks turned red immediately making her retreat her hand. She knew he didn't appreciate her touching him but she had too. He was too cute not to.

"Yes."

"Hmm?"

"Yes. Yes I'll marry you." She told him making him turned to her in surprise. Why are you surprised, Iravat?

"You sure about this?" he questioned her making her laugh. You were the one who asked!

"A hundred percent. Because if you hurt me, I know your entire family will disown you." She stated proudly and he laughed.

"I guess I should tell mom it worked?"

"Tell mom what?!"

The night ended with happiness, laughter and love. Allah has said if something is taken from you, it will be replaced with something even better. You just have to trust the Creator above all. 

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Haha I guess Lila had a little something to do with this. 

As salaamu alaikum my loves. It's exam season but before going into study mode, I thought of updating. Give a little happiness. haha. Pray for the world today, please. 

Take care. Stay Safe. Till we meet again. 

| R - C - V |

xx,

-Aalihha.