Inayat's POV

What?? He is going to throw words at me in front of his sister??? This can't be happening.
Oh ya Allah, see me through this phase I am about to enter.

You see, I have been having a crush on this lady since like forever. He started.

Oh no, he really does have someone else in mind. Then why is he saying it now???  What is this? A confession night or what? Why say it for me to hear, he should just go ahead and tell the so called "lady". I groaned with my subconscious.

Silence filled everywhere as neither Aa'yat nor I said a word in return. I guess we just wanted to pay full attention to what he was going to say.

I would never forget my first encounter with her. That very day, when we came for our admission letter. He continued.

I was in a haste to submit my files and get registered in the department completely when she walked past me. Nervousness and confusion written all over her.

She was wearing an onion color hijab, perfectly ironed and very lengthy. Her lashes were so long that it needed not to be looked at twice before being noticed. Not to mention her bulgy eyes and perfect brown skin.

Why does this scenario sound so familiar???

I could tell she was also a fresher from the way she kept looking around the buildings as if in search for some lost treasure.

I could never look at a lady for so long but that day was an exemption. I kept staring as if I had never seen a lady before which of course was somewhat true.

Mansur ran over and pulled me out of the trap I had already fallen in. Astagfirullah I muttered immediately I turned to Mansur.

She halted somewhere not too far from where Mansur and I stood as if in search for some missing papers or something, when a paper fell out of her files.

She didn't even notice she was missing a paper to tell you how carried away she was.

Mansur immediately took the paper and wanted returning it back to her when I stopped him. I would rather do the honor of returning it to her. I smiled as I collected it from him.

Where is this story heading??? I don't remember losing a paper or so😪

Junaid turned to Aa'yat and he chuckled loudly before he continued.

I collected the sheet from Mansur and decided to take a quick peep at the piece before me. It was a photocopy of  her waec result and believe me, she had excellent grades.

I was about to hand over the paper to her not for any other motive since I wasn't the type to talk to ladies but just because I wanted to see her face once more.

Before I could mutter the courage to go over to her, An average looking man walked closer to where she was a called her out. "Inayat where have you been???" The voice asked laced with concern.

How could you have come with your Dad Inayat??? Junaid queried as he turned to me and flashed a smile.

OMG!! Subhanallah, He really was talking about me.....

Waw Subhanallah Junaid, I can't believe all you are saying. Was all I could mutter out while Aa'yat just kept chuckling non stop.

Your Dad's interruption killed my urge to even say a word to you so I just took my leave with Mansur by my side. Junaid continued while I paid attention.

Your waec result in my hand as I stared at it with so much joy. "Inayat Yusuf" I kept on saying out your name lovingly while Mansur kept teasing me non stop. He laughed.

That sheet is still with me somewhere in my room just so you know. He flashed a smile at the opposite direction.

Is he confessing his feelings for me right here??? Waw Ma Sha Allah, this wasn't what I expected.

I didn't see you again till the very first day lectures began. That was the first day I saw you with your friend Sabeerah.
You wore a maroon hijab and looked as gorgeous as ever. He said out also with a smile.

Ya Allah, how could he still remember all those???🤭🤭🤭

I have liked you since the very first day I saw you Inayat. He finally let out.

What??? This isn't happening, I have heard of people saying their hearts pounded loudly as if it wanted an escape out of their chest, and also of people saying they had butterflies but this was actually my first time feeling it so real.

I didn't say anything again but just felt Aa'yat hands hold mine tight. Thank Allah she did that, the childish part of me was about to jump up and scream to the whole world that finally "I got Junaid y'all!!!" Or better still, "I am about to".

I just exhaled calmly while he kept staring at a direction where no one even stood.

I don't want you to say anything Inayat, I don't want you to talk because I would do all the remaining talking there is to do. Junaid said out.

Pheeeeew! I wasn't even going to say anything duhh, Allah knows if I were to say anything, I might just end up shedding tears of joy😭.

Since then, I have been keeping my private tabs on you with Mansur in my aid. Junaid continued.

We were both always watching after you in classes, escorted you to your hostel secretly, and always wandered behind you whenever you were outside especially at nights. He blurted.

I don't know what you think or if perhaps you are engaged to someone else or something. I wouldn't have still told you how I felt I mean I have kept it just between Mansur and I for the past few years, I can still continue to do that but I don't just know why I felt like telling you today. Junaid exhaled.

Do you remember when you had an attack in front of the faculty of engineering??? Junaid questioned without even looking at me.

Yes, I remember you were the one who Allah sent and came to my rescue. Thank you so much for that, I never had a chance to thank you. I smiled.

You are welcome. He returned with a friendly smile.

Well, need I tell you that it wasn't coincidental at all for me to be there at that time. He sighed.

Huh???

What do you mean???. Aa'yat and I questioned in union.

Yes, it wasn't. He continued. I always trailed behind you whenever I saw you at nights especially alone. I followed you to the faculty, waited till you were done reading, and also witnessed the incident before finally safely returning you to your base. He Chuckled.

Subhanallah Juanid! I called out in surprise. This really is baffling, I can't believe it. I finally said out in a sentence.

He smiled and gave me a nod before he added. And that wasn't all,.....

Just how much of a stalker can you be Junaid sultan???? Aa'yat joked as we all laughed.

Well a whole lot. He continued with a smile and we all reacted in our various ways.

Do you also remember the time you met with me while we were at home??? Uhmmmm the grocery store yes. Does that ring any bell??? He said out.

Well of course it does. I could never forget that day, the day our results came out and my mum sent me to buy her Mr chef seasoning cubes. Of course it does, one of the days he paid me no attention at all.🙄

Oh, yes it does. And what is with that huh?? I plainly answered with a shy smile.

Okay, here it goes. He started. Mansur had informed me that there were shops to rent blocks away from where you live, so I went with him to check them out.

I could remember lying to you that the shop was owned by a cousin of mine or sort right? He queried and I nodded a yes.

Well, I had to seek lots of refuges from Allah swt because I lied. He smiled out.

Woah.... Not surprised. Aa'yat teased while I smiled.

I bought the shop instead just to be so close to you. He shyly said out while I blushed badly inside of me. I managed the shop with Mansur, he and I waited for the very day you were going to show up but unfortunately he wasn't around the day you finally visited. He added.

So why did you stop your business? I queried.

Well, my Dad made an unexpected return to Nigeria one day and forced Mansur to tell him why I wasn't at home. Mansur had to spill it out and I was forced to sell the shop out and continue my daily life. He laughed out.

Way to go Dad. Aa'yat chuckled.

That was so crazy. I smiled out.

Na'am, you bet it was. He smiled back.

That and manymore Inayat. But, why am I telling you all this??? He asked but waited for no reply before answering.

I am not telling you all this because I want you to love me back or because I want to be in a relationship with you.

Lah (No) he shook his head. I am not going to be romantically involved with you Inayat, at least not now. He clarified.

I must admit ouch, that broke my heart but I understood where he was coming from. I wouldn't want to be romantically involved with him now too.

I understand. I feel to same way too. I said out.

Fine, I just told you to at least secure a space even if it is a little just for now, because I wouldn't advice you to give me a whole lot of space for now. Who knows, Allah might have other plans. He sadly said out.

It hurts but so true. How can someone be as smart as he is??🤭

Well, that is just it Inayat, I like you, I like like you. For the sake of Allah.

Like, like??? Did he just use my word😲🤭❤️??

Yes, I really do. I hope to complete half my deen with you if Allah agrees. And I am telling you In Sha Allah that would be a dream come true. He concluded.

My mind suddenly went blank. The only thing I could hear was a loud echo of the sentence "I like like you".

Inayat!!!. Aa'yat woke me from my thoughts as she shook me widely.

Na'am, uhmmm... I.... I stuttered.

I honestly don't know what to say.

I really don't know what to say. I finally said out.

Ok. Junaid answered plainly.

What do you mean you don't know what to say??? Aa'yat asked out.

Tell him how you feel too and seal this once and for all. He isn't going to ask you to be in a relationship with him now, he isn't going to make you feel uncomfortable or so. You guys are just going to have to stay this way at least till we graduate and Junaid speaks to your family. She blurted.

Right Junaid?? She added.

Right. Junaid nodded.

How would I say it, I feel so shy and those mere words I blurted out easily to Aa'yat and Sabeerah suddenly turned heavy now.

Fine, I feel the same way about you. I said out with my eyes closed.

Just that??? Aa'yat eyed. You can do better sis. She teased.

Just let her be girl! Junaid groaned.

Oh, sorry to butt in. Aa'yat said out while I laughed in turn.

Fine, I also want to complete half my deen with you if Allah wills. I said out more uncomfortably.

Now you are talking. Aa'yat cheered while Junaid and I smiled out of joy.

It is said and done between us then. We both just have to wait till we graduate and I finally get and have what it takes to be a husband. A year would do In Sha Allah. He turned to me still not into my eyes.

Okay then In Sha Allah. I smiled out.

So it is a yes! Aa'yat said out in joy.

Yes!. I smiled back in reply.

Keep it down baby doll, it isn't really official yet. Junaid blushed at Aa'yat.

Duh.... Whatever. She blurted at him.

Just wait for me Inayat. If we really are meant to be, I would surely be back to ask for your hand in marriage.  He said and I smiled with a nod after muttering an Ameen.

Also, I am promising you that from my side, things would remain the same till we are officially married. He added.

But.... I wanted saying but he interrupted.

I would start contacting you through Aa'yat once we graduate. He smiled as if reading my mind.

Truths be told, that was what I wanted asking.

I felt so happy within and by Allah, this is one of the happiest days of my life.

We baded Junaid bye and entered the hostel.

Upon getting to the room, Aa'yat was the first to break the big news to Sabeerah. She in turn turned out to be even happier than I expected.

I so love this girls ya Allah, please make us happier together than expected. I prayed to the Almighty as we all celebrated brightly in our various ways.

I just accepted a proposal! Oh yes I just did. Alhamdulilah ❤️💕😍😍

Junaid's POV

I tried to control my excitement as I danced my way into my hostel.

I barged into the room after a quick Salam and saw Mansur and Sadeeq lying carelessly on their various beds discussing.

Look who seems to be happy. Sadeeq acknowledged.

Yes, that is true, tell us what happened. Does being with your sister make you that happy. Mansur eyed jealously.

Cut it out bro!, You don't have to be bitter, who knows she might be yours someday if Allah wills. Sadeeq teased.

Uhmmm I strongly doubt that. I joked with a smile while they both murmmered words I didn't care about.

So what happened? Tell us dude. Mansur said eagerly.

Yes, tell us. Sadeeq added.

I just proposed to Inayat and she accepted. I said out joyfully.

What?

Waw, Ma Sha Allah guy.

That is so sweet. Alhamdulilah.

I am so happy for you dude. They chorused in turn.

So when is the wedding??? Sadeeq asked out and we all laughed.

What wedding? We agreed that I would meet up with her parents if she can wait for me and Allah wills when we graduate and I become stable. I answered with a smile.

Woah, that is so nice dude. Mansur commented happily with a smile.

Na'am, It is.
Turns out she likes me too and have always felt the same way. I said out again.

I am so happy for you man. May Allah spare our lives till and after the wedding In Sha Allah. Sadeeq prayed and Manusr and I answered an Ameen.

I wish to get married to Aa'yat too that same day you know. Mansur pouted.
I always wanted us to get married on the same day. He sighed while I threw a pillow at him jokingly.

I can't believe all those happened, this is so unbelievable. Alhamdulilah rabil Alameen❤️💕😍😍.

See you next time Allah's willing 💕

Yhu_so_shy.