Date: 23/06/2020

The Blue Eyes (Rifa Fathma)

Episode 3:

The Proposal!!

The whole of Islamabad was silent from any vehicles as it was Sunday. Yes, everyone's favourite day of the week.

After having eaten the lunch, all went to their respective rooms. Maira was in the kitchen, washing the dishes, singing something under her breath.

Her mother always used to stop her from doing any chore. Her mother never made her do anything. But the innocent Maira loved working and helping others. Now, her wish had been fulfilled in this house that too forcefully.

"Mai... Off, you are still washing the dishes?" She flinched hearing Laiba's high pitched and annoying voice.

Patting her foot on the ground, Laiba put her hand on her hips and raised her fake eyebrows. "When are you planning to settle my clothes in my wardrobe, huh?"

"You must be in my room within 10 minutes, got it?" Laiba didn't even wait for her to say anything.

"Okay, Laiba," Maira replied wearily. She could hear Laiba storming out of the kitchen. She heaved a sigh of relief.

Fast Maira!

She tied her hair into a bun and started washing the dishes fastly.

After a few minutes, she was done with the dishes and headed towards Laiba's room. Her heart was beating fast. Every time she went to Laiba's room, she heard so many bad words about herself from Laiba like she is worthless, ugly, orphan, no one loves her, she didn't deserve anything and a lot more. She was afraid to hear her tantrums again.

She took a deep breath before knocking on her door. She raised her hand to knock but halted in the middle hearing Laiba's whisper-scream on the other side.

"You ought to be kidding me!"

What's happening?

She was perplexed about to whom Laiba was talking. She decided to knock and so did she. But Laiba continued to 'whisper scream. She again knocked but this time a little louder. Again she got no reply. So, she chose to go in. She slowly opened the door and walked in.

Laiba was pacing here and there with her phone pressed against her ear. The lines were starting to form on Laiba's forehead. Laiba stopped on seeing her standing in her room. She gulped hard seeing Laiba's glares at her.

Laiba moved the phone from her ear. "Who gave you the permission to enter in?"

"You!" Laiba was shocked to see her come back. It's the first time she replied to Laiba back.

"Haa?" Laiba raised her eyebrows shockingly.

"You told me to come here to settle your clothes." She smiled. Laiba was silent for a few minutes. Not knowing what to say, Laiba looked behind her

"Ever heard of closing the door after coming in?" Laiba roared. She quickly closed the door and got to her work.

Laiba again pressed her phone against her ear. "So, what was I saying? Yeah! HOW DARE YOU take her out that day and lie to me that you are busy?"

She slowed down her work. Her eyebrows knitted in confusion.

"Just ENOUGH of your games Danial! I... WHAT?"

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN? I love shopping and so I was shopping JUST weekly once!"

WEEKLY ONCE? and that too just?

She never went shopping. Ahmed himself brought dresses for her. She was shocked to hear this from Laiba.

"You are just making an excuse to get rid of me, aren't you?" Laiba's eyes were red by now.

Is she crying?

"How mean you are." Laiba's voice was shimmering as she clenched her jaw. She disconnected the call and threw the phone on the bed. She threw herself on her bed and slept on her stomach.

"Laiba, today..." Fiza entered the room but ceased seeing Maira in the room.

"Come to my room," she commanded but received no reply from Laiba.

"Are you listening to me?? I said, come to my room ASAP."

"WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM, MOM??"

"Stop shouting at me because of that Danial. Now come!" Laiba angrily threw the pillow which landed on Maira and stormed out of the room with her mother trailing behind.

She grabbed the pillow and neatly positioned it on the bed. As she had finished her work, she stepped out of the room. She closed the door behind her and began strolling towards her room. But something stopped her.

A hushed voice was coming from Fiza's room. She decided to ignore but something was urging her to hear what was going on.

"... They must be on the way. So, get ready soon. You have to look beautiful in front of them. Got it?"

"But Mom, is Zayaan coming too?"

"Maybe yes. Go hurry or else Maira..."
After that, the voice became even low.

What are they speaking of?

She wanted to know what was it but agreed to ignore it and went to her room.

She opened her wardrobe and started searching for a dress to wear something today. She put her hands on her hips and narrowed her eyes as if thinking.

A beautiful black salwar kameez caught her eyes. Smiling, she grabbed that dress.

After changing, she sat in front of the mirror and opened her hair which had been tied up into a bun. Her silky, black hair fell to the side, dancing. She seized the brush and began combing.

Her black eyes were staring back at her. It was as if her mother was staring at her. Tears cropped up in her eyes but she hastily blinked them away.

She resumed combing her silky, dark black hair when suddenly she felt that someone was standing behind her and gazing at her constantly. She looked in the mirror and was stunned to see that it was none other than her own father.

"Dear!" He smiled.

"Baba?" Her black eyes widened in shock.

"Leave your hair open. You look beautiful just like Qurrath." He was there. Her father was there in front of her. Her heart was pounding fast. Tears were rolling down her cheeks. She stood and went towards her father. She raised her hand to touch his face. But when she touched, he vanished. She blinked her eyes twice.

What just happened?

She looked at her reflection in the mirror to find no one standing. She was alone in her room. It was just a hallucination. She stared at her reflection in the mirror and indeed she was looking beautiful like her mother. She left her hair open. Signing, she took the black veil and covered her head.

She opened the Qur'an and started reciting.

She stopped her finger at a verse.

"Surely, good deeds erase bad deeds."

She sighed!

"Oh, Allah! You are so generous! People ignore a thousand good deeds because of one fault. But you, Allah, the forgiver and hider of faults, you ignore all the bad deeds because of one good deed." Tears were streaming out of her eyes.

"They say, a good friend is the one who stays and protects you from everything like a Knight in shining armour. But, I believe, you are the best friend, who stays with us despite knowing our bad deeds. You protect us from everything even if we disobey you." she felt relief after talking to Allah. She was about to continue the next verse but was interrupted. Fiza opened the door with full force and stormed in.

"What are you doing?? They are on the way and you are here?" She jumped at her voice.

"W-what are you saying? I have finished all the works?" She said getting up from the bed.

"No, the kitchen is dirty and you haven't made the dessert yet!"

"But the dessert is made for special guests and as far as I know, no one is coming today."

Fiza narrowed her eyes at her. "Don't play this game with me. Keep this dirty game of yours to Ahmed itself." By this, she stormed off.

She heaved a shimmering sigh and went towards the kitchen. The kitchen was clean as to how she had left before. She shook her head at Fiza's words and started making Gulaab Jaamun.

Through the window of the kitchen, the garden of the house could be seen. When she was done making Gulaab Jamun, her eyes caught something outside the window. She narrowed her eyes to see clearly what that was. A guy and a girl who seemed to be Laiba were standing, facing each other. She could not see Laiba as her back was facing her. The guy seemed to be explaining something to Laiba, who was constantly shaking her head.

But Maira heard a soft voice in her heart which made her heart beat fast.

"Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their chastity that will make for greater purity for them, and Allah is well acquainted with all that they do." (Qur'an: 24:30)

She heaved a sigh of relief and thanked Allah that she was not grown up like Laiba. How could Laiba go in front of non-mahram without putting on Abaya? How she wished Laiba to be a modest girl.

Is he that Danial?

But suddenly, Danial lifted his gaze and their eyes met. He stared at her without taking his gaze off. Her veil fell off from her head and she didn't even realise. And again she felt a whisper in her heart.

"And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty" (Qur'an: 24:31)

Her heart skipped a beat. She hastily turned around and fixed her dupatta and ran out of the kitchen.

ASTAGFIRULLAH, ASTAGFIRULLAH!! What have I done? She jiggled her fingers and bit her lips nervously.

Maybe I shouldn't have thought like that about Laiba!

She felt so guilty because she shouldn't have thought like that about Laiba. It's between Allah and Laiba. Who is she to judge her? who knows? Maybe Laiba could repent her deeds later. She thought maybe Allah showed her place.

The main door was opened with full force and Laiba stormed in. Her eyes were swallowed. She shooted glares towards Maira, which made her flinch.

The sound of the car's horn could be heard indicating that the guests had arrived.

She momentarily went to the kitchen while Laiba went towards her room to fix her make-up. Ahmed opened the door and the guests came in. He made them sit in the guest room and soon Fiza too joined them.

She gave some touchups to the food and made sure that everything was perfect. She could feel that Laiba too joined them.

What should I do? How will I serve them the food?

Few minutes passed of her, pacing here and there.

"Maira, what are you doing here? I was searching for you alone. Come and join us." Ahmed entered the kitchen and told her to which Maira shook her head, gulping hard.

"Sorry, Father! I can't come," she said nervously.

"Why dear? Wh... Wait... You are not coming because you are covering from these people, aren't you?" He asked. She kept quiet making his father think that what he had said was true.

"Oh, come on dear. There is no one here. Only a man of your father's age and a lady." She was confused on hearing this. The words of Laiba echoed in her ears.

"But Mom, is Zayaan coming too?"

When Ahmed found Maira staring at him without saying anything, he continued. "And now don't tell me that you are covering from Ibrahim too, who is just of your father's age." He said disbelievingly. Whatever the matter was she couldn't go.

"But, Fath-"

"Dear! Look you have dressed just like Abaya. Look, black colour with full sleeves." he said pointing at her dress.

"I know you will obey my words and will come there within 5 minutes," he said patting her cheeks and was about to leave the place when she stopped him and said.

"Father, could you please do me a favour?"

And a few minutes later, in a living room, there were seated. Maria, Ahmed, Fiza and a woman from their guests. Maira had said she would appear before the female guest alone.

In the guest room, the male guest managed to have a conversation with Laiba. Soon, he got a call to attend. So, he excused himself and went out. Not knowing what to do, Laiba joined the living room.

She entered the room with her head bent down. The whole room became quiet as she stepped in. She looked up only to see a woman of her parents' age, smiling at her.

"Assalamu Alaikum!" She smiled, showing her cute dimple.

"Wa Alaikumus Salaam Warahmatullah! Masha Allah, she is so beautiful just like Qurrath!" said Mehar. Ahmed smiled and gestured for Maira to sit beside him. She placed the snacks on the table and sat beside Ahmed with only one thought in her mind.

How does she know my mother?

On seeing Maira's confused face, Ahmed decided to introduce themself.

"Let me introduce. Mehar. She is Maira, my most favourite and shy daughter." Ahmed said, patting Maira's back lovingly with a smile on his face.

"And Maira, she is Mehar. Mine and your father, Sulaiman's sister. She has accompanied here with his husband Ibrahim," Ahmed said pointing at Mehar, who was continuously smiling at Maira. Maira just nodded with a cute smile on her face.

They continued their conversation while Maira moved her gaze towards Fiza and Laiba. Fiza was being irritated on seeing the guest, who was not paying any heed to them. She was shifting on her seat and then she looked at Laiba, who was wearing a cream knee-length dress. Her face was fully caked by make-ups and she was beyond pissed. Maira tried her best not to laugh on seeing Laiba's face to which Laiba glared at her.

****

Maira was in her room writing something in her diary.

LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL!

If you become the LIGHT to bloom in the DARKNESS.

If you become the CHALLENGE to win the OBSTACLES.

If you become the POWER to remove WEAKNESS.

If you become the STRENGTH to overcome FEAR.

If you become the Beauty to make the life beautiful.

Yeah! Indeed,
LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL!!!!

~Maira Sulaiman.

She was happy, really happy today. She was so grateful for this life. Despite her foster mother's and foster sister's rudeness and hatred towards her, she felt that her life was blessed. Whatever it was, she was living her life peacefully.

She thanked that blue-eyed girl for all these things. She was the one who taught her everything about 'Islam'. After her parents, it was that blue-eyed girl, who showed her the right path.

She tried asking her to introduce herself to Maira but in vain. The blue-eyed girl never revealed herself.

The blue-eyed girl wasn't ready to reveal herself as her thought was that she was helping Maira for the sake of Allah. After Maira convinced her a lot, she finally said that she will reveal herself when the right time comes.

And Maira was waiting for that 'Right time' now.

She even asked Ahmed. But he was always like "I don't know, dear!" It seemed that Ahmed knew that girl quite well as he said that once he asked that girl why she is showing so generosity towards Maira and helping her with everything. The girl said,

''I see myself in Maira. when I saw Maira in that lifeless street with her dead parents, I felt a sting of pain in my heart. I wanted to protect her. But I could not do so as I do not live in Islamabad and besides, I was too small to make a sudden decision. I brought her to your home but when I saw your family on the threshold, throwing a disgusted look at the orphan I was carrying, I knew that they won't love or respect her. I have no other option left but to leave her to you as I know you will take care of her. I always will keep in touch with Maira and try to be the best sister. But one day I will take her away from this house.''

Ahmed promised the girl that he too will give the support she deserved.

She never got to know who that girl was. She was a mystery.

Maybe it will remain a mystery?

She felt sad to think that this will remain a mystery forever. She wanted to know who she was very badly.

She hadn't met anyone from the day she was brought into this home. Neither she met any of her fosters' relatives nor did she meet her own relatives. She didn't have any hint of that blue-eyed girl nor she had any slightest idea about her.

Maybe she is an angel, whom Allah has sent down to help me?

That's when she thought about that girl's words, ''But one day, I will take her away from this house.'' What if she really was an angel and her words meant as in to take her soul away when Allah wills.''

She shook her head. Silly me.

She always used to think like this. But she couldn't able to believe this as she thought that those things only happen in movies, not in real life.

But still, who knows...

There is this sound coming from the hall, which made her think that something was not well. She thought to check what was happening. So, she closed her diary, kept it inside her drawer and went out.

She was shocked to see Laiba, who was crying, sitting on the sofa with her head in her hands. And Fiza was shouting at Ahmed, who had been opening her mouth to say something but closed when Fiza shouted. She quickly descended the stairs.

"Oh! See, who has come finally. Our princess!! No, queen! Right?" Fiza told Ahmed, gritting her teeth.

"Or else you will scold me for calling her 'Princess' instead of queen, eh? " She air-quoted the word 'princess' with her hands.

"B-but, may I know what the matter is? Is everything all right?"

Fiza glared at her and turned towards Ahmed, "See, she wants to know that so-called 'Matter'. Now go, take her to your room and narrate the 'whole story' drinking tea which you love the most from Maira's hand alone."

Ahmed kept quiet not saying anything till now.

"I see, you are giving her much priority only because she is a so-called 'orphan'. You have completely forgotten that we are a part of your life. But no, for you, only Maira is revolving around your life. Don't know what magic she has done on you to love her so much!"

"ENOUGH!!" shouted Ahmed.

"I have been listening to your rubbish till now, Fiza! But you dare say a word against Maira hereafter. Therefore, as for the orphan, do not oppress (him). (Qur'an: 93:9)"

With tears, showering out of her eyes and sobs from her mouth, Ae quickly rushed towards her room.

****

She knocked on his door and waited. Ahmed called Maira to meet him in his room. He opened the door and found Maira, standing outside with her head bent down.

"Come in, dear!"

She lifted her head and smiled sadly. She entered the room and sat on the bed while he closed the door. He came and sat down beside her. He stared blankly at her without starting the conversation. She bent down her head, waiting for Ahmed to say something.

He finally said. "Dear, when Mehar got married to Ibrahim, they settled in Lahore. As the time passed they were blessed with a baby son. They named him Zayaan!"

Oh! So, this was what Laiba was saying!

"After one year, Sulaiman got married to your mother followed by our marriage after a week." He smiled.

"Two years later, you were born followed by Laiba six months later. Mehar wanted to get Zayaan married either with you or with Laiba so that our family will be held together firmly."

"Oh!"

"Then they had sent Zayaan to England to continue his higher education. Just a few days ago he returned from England and started his work in Ibrahim's company. As Zayaan has been settled in his life and he has stood in his own feet, his parents are looking forward to getting him married."

"So, today they came to ask for my daughter's hand," finished Ahmed with a smile. Now, little by little, Maira was able to understand everything.

So, they came today to ask for Laiba's hand. But as Laiba is in love with Danial, she is refusing this proposal. That's why she was crying before!

"So, are you okay with this?" When Maira didn't say anything, Ahmed asked.

"Why are you asking this to me, Father? You have to decide as you are the father here."

"Haha! Dear, I'm okay with this proposal. In fact, in my opinion, this proposal is the best for my daughter. If I leave this proposal, then I can never get a guy like Zayaan. He is amazing in his way. But I want your answer, Dear!"

"Father, this is not my place to answer. You have to ask Laiba as she is the one who is getting married here. Not me." Ahmed was confused at her words.

"Laiba?" Ahmed then realized the misunderstanding of this little brain of Maira's.

He laughed, "Oh, Dear! It's YOU I'm talking about for so long. They came here and asked for YOUR hand, my daughter! They have chosen you in marriage with Zayaan, my dear!" Ahmed said with so much love in his eyes.

"W-what? But father. This is so sudden. I never tho-"

"Yeah, I know that you never thought about your marriage. You always seek forgiveness of yours and for your family. Now, include Zayaan in your prayers," he said smiling.

"But, Fath..." She was again interrupted.

"Dear. Marriage completes half of your Deen."

****

A car halted in front of The Centaurus Mall. She stepped out of the car and lifted her gaze to see the tall building shining under the sun rays. Her body was fully covered with Abaya except for her eyes.

Maira and Ahmed had come for the marriage shopping. After thinking and asking help from Allah, Maira said 'yes to this proposal.

At first, Maira denied to come for the shopping and said Ahmed to buy any dress that he thought would be the best. But Ahmed wanted to drag her along with him and to make her choose her marriage dress on her own.

They proceeded in and went towards the 'ladies' section. When Ahmed got a call, he left Maira there to choose the dress.

It was troublesome to find a good one. Finally, after checking a lot of dresses, her eyes caught a beautiful golden coloured full-sleeved gown. Golden beads were attached to the upper part of the dress. Full zardozi embroidery and full races were embedded on the lower part of the dress, which was a net-like cloth. A bow was attached at the waist of the gown which looked more attractive.

"This will do. May I know the price?" She took the gown in her hand with a smile on her face.

When she finished shopping, she paid the bill. As she turned to leave, she stopped on seeing the man in front of her.

"Hey, beautiful!" Danial said with a smirk on his lips.

Allah, Allah! Where have I put myself into?

She stepped back slowly as he too took steps towards her. Sweats were forming in her forehead as she continued to seize steps backwards. When her back hit the wall, he smirked. She gulped hard.

"Throw Zayaan away and marry me!" He continued to walk towards her.
She kept quiet with her heart pounding hard in her chest. Her whole body was shaking due to fear. She didn't know what to do. So, she decided to do one thing and that is...

Astagfirullah! Astagfirullah! Astagfirullah! Astagfirullah!...

She started reciting. The scene of him seeing her in the kitchen from the garden was playing in her mind. How she wished that she hadn't been there at that time. Never in her life had she ever shared a glance with a non-mahram.

"You know how much beautiful you are?" On hearing his hoarse voice, goosebumps rose all over her body.

"Maira?" Ahmed came on time making her heave a sigh of relief.
On hearing Ahmed's voice, Danial's eyes went wide. He hastily stepped aside giving her space to go. She quickly ran towards Ahmed.

"Father, let's go please!" Ahmed was shocked to see her in this state. He knew that if he asks something, she will never share. She never shared her problems with him. So instead, he decided to let it go.

"Okay, let's go." He turned and headed towards the exit with Maira behind him with a single thought in her mind.

O, Allah! Please pardon me, forgive me, please!!

"And seek the forgiveness from Allah, for Allah is oft-forgiving, most merciful." [Quran: 4:106]

****

It was night when they finished their shopping. Ahmed dropped her at home and went somewhere as he got some work to finish.

"Do you think that he will accept you?"

Maira had just returned from shopping and was closing up the door when she heard Laiba say behind. She turned around to face her.

Laiba was there, standing in front of her with her hands crossed across her chest, giving her a questioning look.

"Are you expecting him to accept your so-called 'Abaya'?"

She knitted her perfect eyebrows in confusion.

Smirking, Laiba took a few steps towards her. "Listen. I heard that Zayaan is a modern guy, who wants a modern, stylish girl like me not a pious, optimist girl like you."

"Look at my dress and see your... Abaya. " She said pointing at her knee-length dress. She emphasized the word 'Abaya' with disgusting, indicating how much she hated these types of clothes.

"He will surely kick you out of his home." She let out a snigger and left the place, leaving her there alone... Stunned.

Is this... Is this what going to happen at the end?

But then, she heard a whisper somewhere in the core of her heart.

"Good men are for good women and good women are for good men." [Quran: 24:26]