Zakir Khan

"Why won't you let me be happy?" Laila screamed.

"I already told you that Khaliq is not the one for you," I hissed.

"How? Tell me that," she glared.

My father answered for me. "He isn't right or as practicing as we would like him to be. We only want what's best for you, Laila. We're not trying to make you depressed," my father said softly.

"I wanted to marry him," she whispered with tears in her eyes.

At this point my body shook with anger. Why doesn't she realize that he's not the right guy? She's blinded by infatuation not love.

"Laila, tell me truly. Can you imagine Khaliq raising your kids? The father of your children? Can you imagine him to be the perfect guy you say he is for the rest of your life?" I asked her with an edge to my voice.

I was very well aware that Khadijah and Zaynub were watching this argument between the two of us. All I wanted to do was stay with Zaynub in our room all day. After the Zaid incident, I just wanted to hold her. But, look where I am now. I'm dealing with a girl blinded by infatuation. Honestly, why doesn't she see the truth in this?

Laila stayed quiet for a few minutes. She seemed deep in thought. I decided to add more fuel to my words.

"Marriage is a big deal. This is the person who will help you raise your children. The person who will be by your side for the rest of your life. He won't always be perfect. Allah never made us humans to be perfect. Love isn't effortless. It takes work. Lots of work," I said a little softer this time.

She stayed quiet again. I know she was thinking of a better rebound, so I sent a pleading look towards my father. He seemed to get the message.

"Zakir is right. There is a difference between love and infatuation. Infatuation is lust, Laila. It's when you just think fantasy level or crave the person's touch. You are lovers, but not friends. Your spouse is suppose to be your closest friend. The person you can tell anything to. Your spouse is suppose to be the one who encourages you to do better. You're not only suppose to crave the person's touch, but you should also think of them as your best friend. You need to think beyond attraction," he said.

Go, Dad!

 I wished Aunt Yusra heard that speech. Wait a minute. That's it! I knew how to get this information to her. Why didn't I think of it before? First I needed to deal with Laila, then I had to call Tariq.

Laila was deep in thought. "I-I need some time alone," she said before she ran up to her room.

Dad and I let out a sigh. Then we both collapsed on the couch.

"And I thought dealing with a teenage girl would be rough. A young adult is like World War III," muttered my father.

Zaynub, Khadijah and I laughed at that.

"Now Zakir, would you mind telling me why there is a huge bruise on your jaw?" asked my father.

I groaned, not this again. Zaynub and Khadijah shared knowing glances. Khadijah whispered something in Zaynub's ear and they both giggled.

I shot Khadijah a glare. "I swear if that's another animal joke, I'll punch you."

Khadijah raised her hands up defensively and smirked. My father cleared his throat, a sign for me to tell him.

I sighed. "I got punched by some guy," I mumbled.

"Zakir! Why would you get in a fight to begin with?"

"I didn't start it. The guy came on me and I used self defense," I said.

"Son, be more careful and avoid fights," he sighed. "I can't believe you would even do such a thing. Violence is never the answer, I raised you to be better than that!"

"Alright alright, I got it. Now if you'll excuse me I need some ice again," I groaned as I got up.

I walked into the kitchen and pulled out an ice pack. I kept it on my jaw and pulled out my phone to talk to Tariq. The phone ran five times before he answered.

"Assalamualaikum."

"Waalaikumussalam. Dude, I know how we can get some sense into Aunt Yusra but it's gonna take a lot of work."

"Really? How?" he asked.

"I have to give a lecture on the importance of a person's spouse, so I was thinking we could bring her there," I said.

"Won't it be hard for us to make her just go to it?" he said and I started realizing the flaws.

"We should hold a dinner and talk to her as a family and see how it goes. Then we'll come up with something from there."

"Okay, but when is your lecture?"

"A week from today," was my simple reply.

"Alright cool. Well, I need to go. Assalmualaikum."

"Okay. Waalaikumusalaam," I said and hung up.

"Well, what an interesting plan," I jumped at the voice. I turned around and saw Zaynub leaning against the wall.

She changed her clothes and was wearing pj bottoms and a long sleeved shirt. Her hair was put in a messy bun and her side bangs fell over her right eye. Since the only males in my house was my dad and I, she was allowed to show her hair to us. She was stunning though. I just couldn't get enough of her.

"I never pegged you as a spy," I grinned while opening my arms. She laughed and walked into my opened arms. Her head rested on my chest while my chin rested on the top of her head. I put the ice pack down and held her tightly to me.

"Your mom has been talking about our Walima," she breathed into my neck.

"Oh snap. I completely forgot about that."

She laughed. "Can you blame us? A lot has happened in seven months. Your mom has it all set up. The Walima is suppose to be next month."

"Woah. That's fast," I chuckled.

She pulled away from me and put the ice pack back in the fridge. Then she turned to me.

"Come on. You need to rest if you want that jaw to heal."

I shook my head. "Can't. I have some paperwork to deal with," I sighed.

"You work too much. Can't it wait till tomorrow?" she asked.

I pulled her to me again and softly kissed her lips. "As much as I want to get into bed and cuddle with you I can't. I have to work in order to buy us our own place to live in."

"Wait. Does that mean that we're moving?"

"Yeah it does. I'm trying to buy us an apartment that's close to my job."

She seemed a little hesitant. "How far?"

"Don't worry. It's only like thirty minutes from your school."

"Okay, but you should still take a break," she said. When Zaynub starts something she sticks to it.

I looked at her and saw that she was pouting at me. Oh my gosh. That face is so irresistible. Her lips looked so kissable right at that moment. 

"Zaynub, you're killing me here," I groaned.

She placed her hands on my chest and smirked. "Good because this way I can make you take a break. Too much stress is bad for health."

"I still think I should finish those paperworks," I said while watching her bit her lip.

This girl is killing me. She looked up at me and pouted more and I gave in. I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her tightly to me while dipping my head down until my lips locked with hers. Her lips were so soft. I nibbled her lip, but she kept them shut. My hold on her hips tightened. I tried again and she did the same thing. I groaned and pulled away.

"Are you teasing me, little kitten?"

"Maybe," she giggled.

"You're so in for it now," I grinned before grabbing her from running away from me.

Everything felt so right, but I knew that we were basically about to enter a war with trying to fix family problems. Oh Allah, please help us get through to Aunt Yusra.

Assalamualiakum!

How was that for romance? Remember to vote, comment, and fan! Thanks:) P.S make sure to check out my other stories.