Chapter 38:

Munching the now cold fries, Ali could still remember Hafila's retreating form. Her words ringing bells in his ears.

He did not wanted to create any more trouble so he skipped breakfast and entered the school gates earlier than ever.

Drastically; he was sad, embarrassed, hopeless and so much more.

But all over, his trust in his Allah increased. For now, he was sure and content that he did not commit any mistake to be shameful in front of his Lord.

For he wanted to please his Lord in every aspect of his life. This was one among it. Placing his love and life in stake, just to please his Lord. And that was what that matters.

If you try pleasing people, one after the other will point out to you that you haven't fulfilled this, you haven't fulfilled that, and finally they will end up saying they are not pleased.

And when you try to please your Lord. Beg his pardon, then He is the Most Merciful and the Most Forgiving. Pleasing him is so easy. You just need to take a step and he will be pleased with you.

Narrated Anas:
The Prophet said:
"My Lord says, 'If My slave comes nearer to me for a span, I go nearer to him for a cubit; and if he comes nearer to Me for a cubit, I go nearer to him for the span of outstretched arms; and if he comes to Me walking, I go to him running.'

"So what are you going to do now", Steve broke the silence seeing Ali lost in thought.

"I don't know", Ali shook his head. "Will try to look for some place to move in quick, as in really quick".

"You can stay in my place Ali, there is so much room for you as I live in a pent house all alone", Katie intruded earning a glare from Steve at her ending word's.

Ali again shook his head, "Don't worry Steve", he patted his friend, "I am sorry Katie, but it's not permissible to be alone with you, though I think of you as my sister".

"But..", Katie started while Steve cut in, "I will look out for you".

"Thanks", said Ali continuing his lunch. They all fell silent.

"What was Fathima's reaction on having you back", Katie asked her eyebrows squinted together.

"I didn't faced her yet", Ali replied going again in thoughts.

How will he face her?

What is she thinking about him now?

Is she super angry?

And there the questions started spinning through his head.

......

"I am home", he called out to no one particular and dropped his bag beside the bed.

He sat down and started loosening his shoe lace in order to remove them.

"You are back", Hafila said standing by the door way, hands crossed like the typical mother she was. "Did anyone abandoned you from doing your breakfast?".

"I am sorry, I didn't feel like it", Ali mumbled to himself, his head hung low.

"Till you find somewhere to live in, this is your home", Hafila said her eyes depicting her in depth care. "Dinner is ready".

"Alright, will fresh up soon", Ali got and pulled the towel.

Dinner was going good until Fathima chose to drop by.

.......

Fathima was upset was an understatement.

She locked up herself full day was another issue to look around.

Her parents, the always good people chose to call Ali back was not her problem. But to be around him below the safe room was not acceptable for her.

She was a person embodied with love but why did she have to have hate, for a particular person suddenly.

All her life, she didn't hate anyone.

Not even one person to pinpoint.

But, today she didn't hate anyone rather she felt something strange to this someone particular.

She only wished that his stay over here, doesn't take too long.

A knock on the door disturbed from her cringe of thoughts.

She opened the door, to let her father in.

Usman after a close look at his daughter sat on her bed and patted the spot near him for her to join.

"Do you have time for a small story?", he asked.

Fathima's brow furrowed, she didn't know where the conversation was leading to, so she shook her head to continue.

"You know that me and Maahi's dad are twins right? There was a time that we suffered poverty. Our dad was not rich. Rather he was a sewer, his income was too low for his own good. Your uncle and I chose to start working, and we quitted our education", he paused and she looked up to him to continue, still not having her finger placed on what he was actually narrating all this for?

"Your uncle started a small business, and I started looking for a good job. During the start, it was very difficult. Your uncle had to handle all the expenses of the family, business and me. Me because I was still unemployed. Your Grandfather was keen on adding me to the same business as your uncle. But I had other goals",

"I was always the one to be fond of being unique. I didn't wanted to be under anyone's reach. I wanted to be independent. Mindless to your Grandfather's pleas, I flew abroad", she glanced at her father.

"I have not known you to disagree with your parents?", she asked.

"At that time I was young. I had very little knowledge about deen", he replied scratching the back of his neck, and she nodded.

"And then what happened? How did you make up the money?", she asked.

"Your uncle was generous Fathima. He believed me enough to send me with all the money he had saved, with day and nights work out", Usman's lips broke into a huge smile, remembering his other half, other mate, other soul who born during the same moment as him.

"Do you think Maahi will be like him one day?", she wondered.

Usman stood up and went towards the window, through which one can see the peeking Moon glittering in the sky.

His hand reached to wipe the small beads of tears which threatened to fall.

Fathima quickly took his side.

" He has all of his Father's characters", he replied.

"Then? What did you do with the money? Where did you go?",

"I went to Dubai. As the clock clicked, seconds turned to minutes, minutes to hours, hours to days, and days to months. But I was still the one, unemployed. My Dad loathed at the sight of me, when I returned bare handed. My brother suggested me to join him. I felt broken and I felt like waste. I lost belief in myself ",

She held his hand.

"I joined your uncle's business. My dreams and my goals suit cased under the deep chambers of my heart. Life went by in a blur. Until one day, when I thought I woke up at the wrong side of my bed, not knowing to the beautiful journey the day lead".

.......

Oieee!!!

How was the chapter?

Any guesses as to what is going to Happen?