SORRY FOR ANY TYPO. #NOTEDITED

MINAL'S POV.
   I took a deep breath thinking of what to say. To be sincere,  I have no feelings for Nasir but there's no way I can admit that to Al-Amin. I can feel their gazes on me as I played with the hem of my veil. 
  

"On the scale of 1-10, how much do you love him?" I repeat the question in my head. "Why should you care about his feelings when he has a wife? Just say what ever comes to your mind" the inner me said.
 

"8" I said confidently. There was a moment of silence before Al-Amin spoke.

"Wow! I never imagined that. Anyways" he said rubbing his hands.

"I'm speechless " he added after a while grinning.
  

I smiled at him and then turned to look at Umar who was so engrossed in what he was doing with his phone. 
  

We chatted for a while with Al-Amin as Umar kept mute. I glanced at my wristwatch and that was when I realized how long I've been in the hospital.  I grabbed my phone and texted Nasir who had become my designated driver to come and pick me.
   Nasir and Umar were talking about a random doctor who was flirting with me some minutes ago when a call came through.  I smiled as I saw the name that appeared on the screen. I stood up and adjusted my veil.

"I'll have to be on my way" I said calmly rubbing my hands. 

"So soon? " Umar who hasn't said a word to me since after the question I answered asked and if I'm not mistaken,  it was as if he was pouting 😡.
    

"I have to and moreover, I've spent quite a lot of time here " I replied smiling sweetly at him.  "OK then! " Al-Amin  chipped in.  "I'll drop you Minal.  I'll be right back Umar. Do you need anything before I leave.?"
    

"No Al-Amin.  Here's no need. Nasir is already outside waiting for me" I said sharply.

"OK then. Thanks for the visit Minal. Allah Ya miki Albarka  (God bless you " he said returning to his seat. "Ameen ya Rabb" I replied heading to the door.
    

"Minal! " I heard Umar's voice call softly making me stop dead on my track.  I turned slowly and fixed my gaze on him as he searched for what to say. He motioned me to come and I didn't realize when my legs started to obey before my brain could process what just happened.
     

"Promise you'll visit soon and regularly " he whispered making me almost want to weep.
    

"I promise Faruk. I will visit whenever time permits me. I watched him brought out a box from his pocket. I couldn't help but gasp as images began to appear in my head. 

"What happens when a guy brings out a ring box from his pocket?" I asked myself.
      

"Take this" he said handing me the ring.
  

"This is the ring my gave my mother on their wedding night and mummy passed it to me to give my wife.  The woman I love with all my life."
  

I gasped as I watched him as if he was insane. I'm in no way his wife and I can't help but wonder why he wants me to have the ring.  Or does he want me to give it to Amma his future wife?
  

"please take this Minal" he said softly.  "I'm so sorry Faruk. I can't take this.  You are meant to give it to your wife and I'm in no way your wife. Amma deserves this and not I " I said tearing up .
     

"Amma  doesn't deserve this Minal.  You do! " he yelled enough for someone at the last floor to hear. "You are the one I love Minal.  I fell in love with you at first sight.  That day at the kitchen where I met you weeping looking so tattered and helpless.  It took me so long to realize how much I love you.  I have always thought I cared out of pity.  Do you think I changed my attitudes towards you because I thought what Amma and her mum do say about your relationship with guys was true? No Minal!  I did that unintentionally.  It was out of Jealousy. Do you know how much it hurts to see you talking to another guy?" he paused and was trying to catch his breath as I watched him with tears streaming down my face.
   

"Wallahi Minal words can't express how much I love you. If only you knew how I felt when I was asked to Wed Amma.  If only you knew the number of sleepless nights I've had ever since I learnt you'll be engaged to Nasir. Minal I.... " he couldn't complete his sentence as he completely broke down and I couldn't resist the urge so I did what I've never imagined of.  What I've never imagined to happen even in my dreams.  I wrapped my arms around him as we both poured out our hearts. He took a sharp intake of breath as  the moment I hugged him. It's so unexpected.
     The sound of my ringing phone brought us back to reality.  I quickly backed off,  wiped my tears and then grabbed the box before running out of the room.  I didn't stop anywhere but in Nasir's car.

" Are you alright Minal " he asked and I simply nodded panting heavily with a swollen red eyes. He has learnt not to force me to talk so he simply started the car and drove off that which I appreciate.
   

"I don't think I can drive well if you keep crying " he said halting the car.  I slowly raised my head and looked at him. How serious he looks Ya Rabb.  I grabbed the handkerchief which he earlier gave me and wiped my tears and after what seemed like forever,  he started the garage and then the journey began for the second time.
   

After what seemed like forever,I got down from the car, thanked him and then rushed inside holding the box in my hand firmly.
   

"Minal! Where have you been? I've missed you all day" Amma said in a highs pitched voice pulling me into a hug. I almost froze thinking of a way to hide the cure little box in my  hand.  I didn't know how I managed to put the box in my dress because it was so fast.  It happened in seconds.
   

"I missed you more Amma." I said hugging her back.  "So tell me" I said pulling back. "What is it you can't wait to tell me? " I asked giving her the 'I know you're look.
  

"Ya Salam!  There's nothing Amma.  Like I said,  I missed you and that's all" she said rolling her eyes at me.

"Well,  since you said so.  I need a hot shower right now" I said  and started to walk away.
  

"Can we please talk first." she asked calmly looking so worried. "Please!" she added.
  

"Sure we can talk but just give me a minute.  I'm pressed " I said and rushed to my room. "Fine!  Meet me in my room!" she yelled after me.
    I rested on the door after locking it and took a deep breath.  Just then,  I remembered the box which is hiding somewhere in my dress . I quickly brought it out and opened it gently.  Masha Allah!  The ring is so beautiful.  It has been in use for years but it doesn't look as if it has been worn for a second. 
     My hands shook as I carried it and quickly brought it to my lips. I dropped it back in the box and rushed to Amma's room after hiding it under my pillow.
  

"So tell me.  What's wrong" I said sitting beside her. "It's Umar Minal. " she said sounding so unsure. I felt a lump in my throat the moments she said those words.  UMAR? I asked myself hoping I heard the right thing.
  

"And what about him? " I asked "  I watched her as she turned her face and looked down which made me more confused.  "Talk to me Amma" I said almost loosing my patience.
    

"I don't like him Minal" she said so softly making me wonder if those words came from her. I don't know why but I felt relieved and felt as though I've overcome my worst nightmare.
  

"You don't like him?  I asked fighting the urge to grin. "Yes Minal.  Wallahi no longer like Ya Faruk. " she said almost in tears.
   

"This is surprising Amma .  The last time I checked , you could make sacrifices for him."
   

"That was then Minal.  And the last time I checked,  my feelings for him died" she replied rolling her eyes.

"And why is this Amma.  Is it because of his health condition? " I asked.
   

"That's why I like you Amma.  You know me so well.  For goodness sake Amma,  how am I expected to get married to a cripple? For God's sake Minal,  the doctor said only God's Miracle can bring him back on his feet but daddy still insists I get married to him.  Wallahi I can't!  I can't just imagine myself with a crippled husband. " she blurted out angrily.
    

"Calm down Amma . I don't think you are making the right decision. Are you trying to tell me you never loved him since day 1? Because if you did,  you will stay with him and never leave his side no matter the condition he finds himself."
  

She rolled her eyes and let out a frustrated sigh.  "I'm just realizing I never liked him Minal. Maybe I was carried away with his looks and personality. I think God made this accident happen for a reason."
    "And what is that? " I asked already feeling bad for Umar. I know he's going to be appreciate the fact that Amma doesn't want to get married to him but what will happen if he finds out the reason behind the decision she made?
    

"For me to realize I don't like him before its too late." she replied. 

" Are you sure this is what you want? To cancel the already planned wedding?  I asked.
   

"Yes Minal! " she said squeezing my hands.  " I'm no longer interested in the marriage but daddy fails to understand . He still keeps insisting on me getting married to Umar.  Please Minal,  help me talk to him."
   

I opened my mouth and watched her as she pleaded with me to talk to her dad.  It's not as if we're related.  We just met coincidentally.  What will daddy think of me when I present this issue to me.
    "You know what Amma? I'll think about this.  I'll get back to you in an hour " I said and exited the room without waiting for her reply.
  

I rushed to my room and after locking the door,  I brought out the ring and admired it as Amma's words kept Playing in my mind.  I decided to call Nana narrated all that happened to her.
    "you know what Minal? " she started after hours if listening to me. "I'll advice you not to talk to daddy about this.  All I'll tell you is just to mind your business because you don't know what can come after "
   

I let out a satisfied sigh when those words left her mouth.  I knew I just couldn't face daddy.

"So tell me. " breaking the 10 seconds silence. 

"Tell you what? " I asked pretending not to understand what she meant.
 

"What happened at the hospital of course" and I could tell the expression on her face.  I narrated all that happened to her as she listened attentively without interrupting me for once which is so unlike her.
   

"You hugged him? " she asked sounding do unsure. I hesitated for a while before speaking.

" I did Nana.  I didn't know how it happened. I guess I just couldn't control my self. " I said softly.

    "Then I suggest you know how to control your self and your emotions. For goodness sake Minal according to Islamic laws, any type of physical contact between men and non-mahram women is forbidden. It includes shaking hand, hugging, touching, kissing and the rest."

   I closed my eyes as I listened attentively to what she was saying and instantly regretted all that happened.  "It was a mistake Nana and I promise it's not going to happen again. "
  

   "You better don't. I'm already sleepy Minal.  I'll come over tomorrow In Sha Allah. Good night."

   "Chocolatish dreams Nana. Thank you" I replied and hung up. I plugged my phone and headed to Amma's room where I met her sitting on floor with her head buried in her laps.

    "Amma" I called making an attempt to lift her head. 

"What took you so long? I was already tired of waiting" she said rubbing her eyes.

   "Ehhmm Amma! I'm so sorry but the thing is that I can't.  I guess it would be better if you do it your self.

 
     I watched as she came over to where I was and grabbed my hand.

   "Please Minal do this for me.  Please I beg of you" she cried. 
 

  I winced in pain as I felt a sharp pain in my head.  I grabbed my head with both hands and rested my head on the pillow. "Innalillahi WA Inna ilaihi raji'un" I muttered.  There were no images and the pain in my head kept worsening.

 
   I couldn't bear the pain which grew worse. "Lemme get you some water" I heard Amma say before everything went blank.
  

Phew! *break knuckles"  I guess this is the longest chapter I've written so far.  Thank you guys for your understanding and the well wishes *wipes tears*
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