In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

‘Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (s.a.s), his blessed descendents and noble companions.’

                                                                      -Aameen.

Dedicated to lollypop_sweety for she is sweeter than loads of lollypops ;)

Chapter Thirteen

A queer mixture of Reality and Romance

Dubai, U.A.E.

Maryam looked around the airport with resentment mixed with relief. Though she was dressed in a simple top and faded jean, there were no lack of admiring glances from the people who passed by her, as she stood there presenting a pretty figure unaware of her shining dark eyes and gleaming auburn hair.

Only the turbulence of her heart would have revealed that her eyes shone not because of excitement but of deep anger and repressed tears. For at present she was angry with the whole world, particularly with all the men including Sufyaan. Her fists were tightly clenched as she looked with burning gaze around the airport. It was yielding to her father’s persuading arguments that she had finally agreed to take this ship’s cruise. But their parting had not gone well. She did not like for a single second how Sufyaan had stood there alone with a brave smile pasted on his face waving goodbye and wishing her a happy time while she knew in her heart he would be far from happy.

Only the fear that Sophia and the others would think her as childish or foolish held her back from rushing into Sufyaan’s arms and declaring that the cruise of Costa Atlantica may go hang for all she cared!

Then she had to endure the nearly twenty four hours flight journey. Her mind was almost numbed while her body ached in the rest of the places where it was not stiff or cramped.

Yet Maryam would not have minded all that much as her eyes started to drink in all the new sights and experiences but an hour or two in the flight beside a middle-aged man was enough for her to wish that she had never undertaken this journey, to wish that she should have never yielded to Sufyaan’s persuading.

Her anger slowly started to smolder and brew as the man who was nearly her father’s age kept ‘accidentally’ touching her and apologizing with a slick smile behind which Maryam knew was not an iota of penitence.

Though Maryam was not a stranger to these things, still it was not like she was used to such perverted behaviour from a creepy stranger for nearly a whole day.

For he gave her creeps, Maryam’s heart admitted as her skin crawled every time his fingers brushed or pressed against her ‘accidentally’.

It took a lot of her self-control to not shout or hit him hard. And the knowledge that he seemed to be aware of her discomfort and enjoying it too only increased her fury until she became deeply angry even with Sufyaan. For it was because of him that she had taken this hell of a journey.

 And now as she finally stood there with her smoldering dark eyes and clenched fist, she suddenly became aware of the people’s gazes and threw all the men murdering glances pushing her luggage trolley and hurrying away with the one wish of hiding somewhere before embarking on the ship in the evening. Her words spoken to Sophia not a month back …I like being admired were long forgotten. For now, her angry response would be …I hate being admired!

It was only towards the evening that she finally cooled enough to call back Sufyaan and inform him of her arrival. To his anxious questions of whether she was safe and happy, Maryam only laughed and her beloved father on the other side of a thousand miles failed to detect the bitterness in it.

Looking at people with a strange new light, Maryam suddenly recalled and understood what Sophia had meant when she said,

“But Maryam being devoured and degraded is different…”

Remembering her trip, she slightly shuddered while her eyes followed some girls in abayas with a curious feeling of envy.

“Humair Di!” called out a tiny persistent voice as Humaira gave the final touch ups of the whole baggage.

She looked around the room and spied the little head of her nephew Yahya from under the bed.

Going down on all fours, she asked with an amused glance,

“What is it Yahya dear?”

Yahya shook his head mysteriously and beckoned her further under the bed.

Humaira sighed and crawled towards him with some misgivings. One can never be sure about little boys and their pranks, for the next moment they are bound to spring some other new trick or mischief from their inexhaustible nature of naughtiness.

“Alright what is it?” Humaira asked again, smiling a little.

“A secret.” Yahya whispered, coming close to her ear.

“Really? And you want to share it with me?” Humaira’s voice did not betray the rapidly increasing foreboding of her heart.

Yahya nodded again and pressed his mouth to her ear.

The next second Humaira’s fears came true as she felt her ear’s metabolism being shattered by a loud pitched scream.

For some moments, she sat still then dragging the madly giggling Yahya with one arm and covering her strangely ringing ear with the other, Humaira came out from under the bed.

“That was your secret huh?” She glared, pushing him upon the soft bed.

Yahya only grinned, and seemed not to mind her anger one-bit getting up again to escape from her.

“Ah not so soon not so soon.” Humaira blocked and tackled him back using the most dreaded weapon by children, tickling!

“He he he…” Yahya tried to push her away only in vain.

“Humair do you think I…”

Entering the room, Saif stopped short looking upon the giggling tickling scene.

“Yes bhaiya?” Humaira at last let Yahya go who jumped and ran away with a delighted squeal as she nonchalantly adjusted her dupatta and hair that was woefully askew.

Saif’s eyes twinkled as he raised an inquiring brow.

“Lured me under the bed saying he wanted to share a secret only to scream in my ear. I am sure it is gone by now.” Humaira said seriously, putting a finger in her harassed ear and giving it a slight shake.

Not believing her tone, Saif asked suddenly coming close to her poor ear.

“Want me to check?”

Perfectly understanding his intention to be the same as Yahya’s, Humaira threw a pillow at him and muttering something about ‘mad brothers’ stomped out of the room.

Then the afternoon flew without any further pranks or games from the boys as she helped Heena with the making of the most famous and favourite dish of Biryani for lunch and Falooda as the dessert, today being their last day in Dubai.

After Zuhur Salah and lunch, the excitement of Umar escalated as he ran, jumped, or skipped with the words constantly on his lips, Costa Atlantica!       

Yahya who had joined him in chorus soon realized that he won’t be going with his Umar bhaiya and promptly burst into tearful loud wailing and was also joined by his baby sister Hafsa.

It took the combined efforts of Humaira, Saif and his parents together with the promise of various treats to soothe him. While for Hafsa, she seemed to sense that her aunt would be leaving soon and refused to stop crying.

Then it was near mayhem, as they all got ready while at the same time conversing with Abdullah and the others through Skype. 

“Promise by Allah you won’t do anything rash Saif?” Saira asked anxiously, looking at her twin as he combed his hair.

Saif looked back at the laptop’s screen and said with his usual smile. “Like what?”

“Like sinking the ship…?” She suggested back with dancing eyes.

“Nah not worth it Saira, for you won’t be there in it you see…”

“Saif!”

Thus, it went on for another ten minutes until Habib declared it was time to go.

“Prayed Salat us Safar?” Saif asked Umar, clasping his watch upon the wrist.

Umar nodded and said earnestly,

“I asked Allah SWT not to sink the ship while we are in it.”

Saif chuckled and was tempted to ask ‘Afterwards?’ but remained quiet waiting for his sister to join them.

 Humaira who had just finished praying the two rak’ah Nafl Salat us Safar (optional prayer performed before going on a journey) asked Allah SWT for a safe and good voyage while her whole heart still thrilled at the thought that she would be sailing soon.

“Take care of them both. I gave my word to Abba that you won’t fail.” Habib whispered to Saif as both the brothers embraced each other.

Saif nodded and firmly clasped the hand of a restlessly hopping Umar.

They all were standing at the port and the huge Costa Atlantica was clearly visible not far in the shimmering water. It was brilliantly lit in the fading evening, and a steady stream of passengers seemed to have already filled it.

“Why didn’t you marry that Sheikh guy Humair?” Heena sniffed, taking back Hafsa from Humaira’s reluctant arms.

Humaira smiled through her tears hugging back her sister in law.

Then everything seemed to pass as if in a blur as Humaira kissed and hugged Yahya, fervently thanked Habib, then again hugged Heena and Hafsa, and was almost pulled away by Saif towards Costa Atlantica, towards their fate that would define their lives!

With the familiar echoes of ‘Fee Amaanillah’ and ‘Assalamu Alaikum!’, they all finally parted and Habib with his family watched them go with a heavy heart while his lips moved in a silent Du’a.

 After the usual checking etc, all the three embarked on board and were soon re-checked and cleared. Though Saif frowned and did not seem to like their photographs being taken as the usual checking method.   

All the hopping and skipping left Umar as he stared open mouthed at the grandeur of seeing the inside of a ship for the first time. He clasped Humaira’s hand and looked around them with bright wondering eyes making her think how many questions she will soon encounter from him.

As for Humaira, her heart danced and glowed not because of the ship’s gaudy magnificence or the quaint Italian flavor all around them but of the feeling that she was finally seeing a dream come true. Because now at last her mind seemed to believe that she was really in a ship and would be sailing soon towards her dear country.

To their surprise, an Indian steward welcomed them with a smile and showed the way towards their cabin.

As Humaira and Umar walked in front, Saif followed them close behind.

“…it is not Mary-am, it is Mar-yam.” patiently explained a feminine voice in American accent making Saif pause for a moment and look towards its source.

To his right were standing two girls, one of which who was explaining appeared quite beautiful to Saif’s gaze.

For a second his teasing dark eyes met fully Maryam’s amused black ones, then he dropped his gaze and moved forward.

 Maryam who had embarked an hour before had spied another girl like her who seemed to be travelling alone and soon opened up a conversation. They both exchanged names and discussed their cabins and facilities.

As Maryam met his gaze while explaining her name, her heart’s beat suddenly seemed to increase madly and did not slow down until Saif was long gone.

Still shaken from her flight’s experience, Maryam did not understand her quickened pulse and tried to forget it after a reluctant conclusion that it was because the man had looked different, his dress had appeared different, and he seemed to look every bit a Muslim!

As Alex looked around his grand suite of cabin, he quickly decided that it did not look much different from the other cabins in the previous ships he had travelled before. As soon as he had embarked, Alex put down Costa Atlantica as showy and the Italian style and imitations as passable.

He did not know why he had agreed to this cruise… even until this morning, he was in no mood for it yet towards the evening the thought that it would soon sail away consumed him and before he knew, he was on board of it. How was he to understand that it was Fate, which had pulled him towards it…?

Not wanting to face the blare or clamour of the Main Dining Room (MDR), Alex chose to eat his dinner in tranquility at the alternative restaurant Club Atlantica. Though it was not that much crowded, the loud music played live jarred upon his nerves making him shun it after partaking only a little dinner.

“Here Humair Di here!” declared a very much sleepy Umar, pointing towards one lower bed in their cabin.

“Want me to convert both into a Queen size?” Saif asked, looking at Humaira who was still in her abaya and stood there slightly frowning at both the lower beds.

“No bhaiya,” She shook her head. “But where will you sleep?”

“In the sofa of course. You have seen how spacious it is…”

“But bhaiya it is not long, please let me take the sofa and you sleep on the other bed.”

Saif laughed slightly. “Well I agree it is a bit short, still it doesn’t mean I will allow you to sleep on it.”

“Then how can you expect me to allow you to sleep there?” Humaira argued back, patting the pillows and turning to face Saif while Umar changed into pajamas.

“Alright Miss little Just, we will take turns Insha Allah, satisfied?” Saif asked with his teasing smile and was promptly rewarded by a dimple.

All the three had dined at MDR and it had been a very novel experience with almost every sort of nationalities mingling with each other. Their tablemates were an American couple who were a bit too cheery and at first openly stared at both Saif and Humaira.

In fact, the whole MDR seemed to turn and look at their entrance. Saif in his snowy white jhubba and pants, together with a Topi upon his dark head made a striking contrast among the formal wear of suits and shirts. While for Humaira, she seemed to be serenely unconscious of the attention her abaya and Niqaab covered face was evoking among the passengers and crew alike. Her whole focus was upon Umar whose awe of the surroundings was fast wearing out and she was afraid into what scrape he would soon get into.

However thankfully, he seemed to become engrossed in the food being served and though Saif carefully ordered only veg, he seemed quite pleased with the different types of pasta and sauces and the odd-looking mushroom soup etc.

The American man looked disappointed and his girlfriend almost aghast when Humaira ate without removing her Niqaab but only slightly raising it.

Saif as usual commented drolly almost about everything making Humaira chuckle or suppress her laughs that resulted in weird noises, to which the girl opposite her gave odd looks and the man looked slightly in concern.

“Ya Allah Saif bhaiya, please don’t talk so the next time while I am eating,” Humaira began as soon as they started back to their cabin. “I’m sure those people thought I had become sick or something by making such noises in my throat…”

“Well Humair, all I spoke was the truth. Don’t tell me you didn’t agree with what I said, for you know how that man…”

A slight stamp on his foot stopped him and Humaira gestured towards Umar with her laughing brown eyes.

Saif rolled his eyes and grinned charmingly.

It was after that, the argument about who will sleep where started only to end soon as both became satisfied with idea of taking turns.

Completing their Esha Salah and tucking Umar in his bed, both the siblings continued with their Dhikr and Qur’an recitation. It was nearing ten when Humaira got up from her prayer mat and asked Saif in a whisper to accompany her to the deck for a stroll.

He looked at her as if she had gone mad but yielded when she playfully threatened she would go alone without him. Locking the cabin, both quietly left.

“Happy now little Humair?” Saif asked, his words filled with deep tenderness.

It was fifteen minutes since they came out and Humaira had directly gone towards the long deck chairs, which were neatly arranged in rows near the ship’s railing. It was not a surprise that they were all completely empty as most of the passengers were either at the bar or club or simply asleep.

 She was slightly leaning on the rails, her face upturned towards the dark heavens while the slight breeze played with her Niqaab.

Without turning to her brother who was sitting behind her on a deck chair, Humaira sighed in complete bliss and murmured,

“Would you like that your heart becomes soft and that you acquire what you need? Be merciful with the orphan, pat his head and feed him from what you eat. This will soften your heart, and enable you to get what you need.… And how beautiful is Allah SWT to have fulfilled this dream wish of mine just for passing my hand over a little orphan’s head, only He knows how thankful I’m to you, I admit it, sometimes you are indeed very good to us Saif bhaiya…”

“Only sometimes Humair?”

Humaira chuckled at his teasing tone and remained quiet.

Alex who had left the Club restaurant had gone back straight to his cabin, only to become restless as he realized that the ship had begun its sail.

From the lounge to the pool, every place was teeming with people and noises making him again wonder why the heck he had agreed to take this cruise. He had spotted Captain Sy, wearing a tight immaculate white uniform and flirting openly with some girls near the crowded bar.   

Alex had moved away before Sy could notice him and wandered around before finally pausing near the long rows of deck chairs.

He saw that they were completely empty except for two persons whom he could not make out clearly in the dimly lit lights.

Supposing them to be a couple, Alex passed them and was about to go further away when a soft woman’s voice spoke strangely arresting him.

More than a minute passed before his mind could grasp that he perfectly understood what she was saying, though in a language which he did not come across often. What was that which was most similar to Hindi? Ah yes, Alex finally realized that the woman was murmuring softly in Urdu.

“…Isn’t this dark night’s sky lit by its infinite twinkling stars, some bright, some obscured by clouds look just like tiny diamonds sparkling or hidden by bits of flimsy laces on a magnificent black velvet gown?”

She paused with an inquiring air and Alex heard that the only response from the man who was sitting was a grunt and a yawn.

She seemed not to mind him but continued again, more softly in a throbbing tone,

“Rabbanaa maa khalqta hadhaa baatilan subhaanaka faqinaa 'Adhaaban naar (Our Lord! You have not created (all) this without purpose, glory to You! (Exalted be You above all that they associate with You as partners). Give us salvation from the torment of the Fire) …Oh Saif bhaiya I pity the girl who will marry you, for I have found out you are most unromantic after dinner.”

And Alex heard her laugh merrily when the man replied back whom he understood now as her elder brother by her term Bhaiya.

“Oh Romance is alright Humair as long as it comes in my dreams and don’t trouble me during light.”

“Poor girl! With what expectations she would marry and look forward to spending with you…but there you will be asleep snoring and dreaming about romance!”  

“I think this ship’s cruise has gone to your head Humair…”

Humaira continued to laugh but admitted shortly,

“I think so too bhaiya, looking at the sea and the heavens and feeling this breeze…realizing that I’m finally cruising on a ship makes my mind feel so light while my heart is just overflowing with laughter and happiness…oh I don’t know what to say except Alhamdulillahi Rabbil ‘Alameen!”

“You know Humair you are so easy to please…”

But he was cut short by her knowing tone. “Saif Bhaiya?”

“Yes my lady?”

“You don’t have to feel the need of complimenting me,” Her voice bubbled with laughter. “I know you are feeling sleepy, I will go back now, Jazak Allahu Khair for coming with me.”

“No Humair it was actually the man who passed us sometime before, he is still standing quite close by and I don’t like the look of him…”

For the first time in many days, Alex’s face broke into a grin in the darkness.

Humaira chuckled. “Oh Saif bhaiya, you don’t like the look of any man who is near me.”

He stood up and smiled somewhat sheepishly, taking her hand in his.

“Well what can I say, when you have a beautiful sister…”

“Don’t be silly Saif bhaiya!”

As they walked away from him towards the lights and cabins, Alex stood there for a long time gazing at the heavens with whirling emotions and thoughts while the soft melodious voice recurred again and again in his head,

“Rabbanaa maa khalqta hadhaa baatilan subhaanaka faqinaa 'Adhaaban naar ”

He knew it was Arabic but failed to understand it properly and wondered what she had meant by it.

*****

A/N ;)

Can you believe that there are more important things to be done in this world than writing this story? Impossible to believe huh? I thought so too only to be pointed otherwise by my family… Lol!  I know repeating excuses is really not good, so forgive me with that beautiful heart of yours for the late update and all I hope is you enjoyed this much awaited chapter, Jazak Allahu Khairan Kaseeran Kaseera!

With Duas and Salaam,

abdurRahman (Gudi ;))