Chapter 17: "Potential wife"

*

"It shows, 

Just by the memories 

and 

the expressions; 

that maybe 

this is 

love?"

-2am-

*

The night ended on a good note. The food was amazing and the people were even better. Yahyah and Yazdan met a whole bunch of new people around their age while Zaiha socialized more with women around her. She realized she liked quite a few of their company and just might want to hang out again.

Aanabia hardly ate, she felt full. Nahal saw this but did not comment. She knew something was up with her sister. Ruqayyah managed to stay out of the limelight, much to her happiness.

"I will see you tomorrow then" she hugged Aanabia who smiled gratefully at her. Ruqayyah turned the gesture by squeezing her hands lightly.

"It will be fine"

"Tomorrow?" the two turned to see the towering Iqraam Ibrahim, standing with a confused face.

"Yes tomorrow. I have a lunch date with Aanabia" said Ruqayyah and Iqraam was clearly surprised by that. His wife never went out with anyone unless they were family.

"That must be nice. I would drop you wherever you wish to go" he said, placing a hand on her waist. Ruqayyah smiled at him, knowing that others cannot see it.

"Alright then. Allah hafiz" said Aanabia, smiling at them before walking away. She walked towards the Sai where her sister stood, talking to Yahyah. She was surprised to see her talk to him outside of office. Yahyah noticed her and smiled at her.

"Hey" Aanabia nodded at him with a small smile. She was tired.

"Over-thinking got you tired?" remarked Nahal and Aanabia rolled her eyes.

Over-thinking is a very bad flaw of mine. No need to tell me that. Jeez.

"Can we head home now?" she asked and Nahal shook her head before motioning to Yahyah.

"Zaiha aunt is somewhere talking to someone while Yazdan is with her. We can wait for them?" Nahal made it sound like a question and Aanabia nodded anyway. She took the keys from Nahal and unlocked the car before placing her heels inside and standing on the cold pavement barefoot. She stared at her feet as she shut the car door.

Unhygienic Aanabia. Who really cares anyway? I guess.

She leaned onto the passenger side door and powered on her phone. She scrolled through her Instagram feed, smiling slightly at the memes that showed up. She did it for a while before she got fed up and switched it off. She decided to watch people.

Huh, that must be interesting. I should be reading right now. Not standing here, doing nothing!

Her eyes scanned the place until it landed onto three people, or more specifically Saher with Zaiha and.... Yazdan. She is talking to Yazdan. Why?

She watched as Yazdan let out a small laugh and smiled throughout the conversation. Zaiha was also happy and Saher seemed to be having the time of her life.

If someone saw this scene, they would probably think they are a happy family. And why not? She just may be per- what am I thinking?! There was no way I am losing Yazdan to her. Wait a minute. This is no game. Why am I even thinking this again? What?

She shook her head and powered on her phone before opening Wattpad to read. She was in the middle of a book called The Orsini Bride and so far, it was getting interesting.

Marco you dumb bro? How could you do that to her?! She is crying because of you!

No, Marco. Stop. You hurt her enou- what?!

Oh good lord, what is this Orsini trying to prove, huh?

"Why are you standing barefoot?"

Why, you little twat of a human! I wil- oh that's so sweet!

She looked up from her phone to answer his question. She was in no mood to do so actually. But she did anyway.

"I-'

"I see you never got over walking around barefoot, huh" she looked up to see Saher smiling at her. So she tagged along, huh. Interesting.

Aanabia looked down at her feet and then up at Saher who was smiling at her. She smiled right back.

"No" Saher let out a small laugh, covering her mouth in the process. It managed to tick off Aanabia. Not her laugh, but the mannerisms she showed when she laughed. Jeez.

"You know, Yazdan. She had this uncanny habit of running around without shoes all the time. Her mother used to get tired of her doing that even if it was unhygienic. Like now" said Saher and Aanabia's cheeks tinted. If only I was harry potter. I know what spell I would use on this one. Jeez.

"Huh what was that?" she asked Aanabia and the girl in question shrugged.

"Now, if you will excuse me-" she said, looking over to Yazdan. She met his eyes and felt her heart skip a beat. They were beautiful gray. She broke the contact and turned towards Nahal, over the hood of the car.

"Yo, Snow white. Lets go" she called out to her sister and Nahal turned to her with a glare.

"Fine, Snow Queen"

Yazdan let out a small smile at the nick name. Snow Queen, He thought.

-

"How did you find Saher, Yaz?" he looked over to Zaiha, who was seated at the dining table. They had changed and decided to watch a movie together.

"Saher?" questioned Yazdan, walking over to her with a large glass of water. He took a seat on one of the chairs and sipped on the water.

Saher? The girl I met today?

"The one he met today?" he looked up to see Yahyah walking to them. The said boy took a seat opposite of Yazdan and leaned onto the table for the gossip (if that is what this was called).

"What about her?" questioned Yazdan, with a confused state. Zaiha let out a sigh and smiled at him.

"Qaidah is worried you know" she said and Yazdan raised an eyebrow. Where is this going? He looked over to Yahyah who shrugged, before taking Yazdan's glass of water and finishing it. Yazdan glared at him.

"She is worried because she wants to see you settled, Yazdan" Ahhh. The whole marriage thing again.

"Uhuh"

"Yazdan! Anyway, I see Saher as a potential. What do you think?"

Excuse me. What?

The quizzical expression replaced the confused one on his face before it was replaced by an incredulous one. But before he could speak, Zaiha beat him to it.

"You don't have to marry her now, Yaz. I am just saying she might be a potential wife for you" she said and Yazdan leaned onto the chair and raised an eyebrow at his mother.

"Potential wife? And why would that be?" he asked challengingly. Zaiha let out a small laugh.

"Of course, potential darling. You need someone who is open, carefree. Who knows what life is about. Sure she may have her flaws but she must be one who is innocent and of a clean heart-"

"She had the tendency of running around barefoot" He unconsciously let out a smile.

"One who is brave enough to stand up to you"

"What is it?" I had asked her that day at the library.

"So you noticed" she replied, with a small smirk and laughter in her tone. "If you are going to look at me in the eye, then by all means do it"

"One who actually makes you questions your own sanity because Allah knows; Yazdan. Allah knows you need someone like that" said Zaiha and by then, Yazdan was almost laughing. At the memories of this onyx eyed human with a bright laugh and even brighter smile.

"What is it?! I am being serious here, Yaz!" reprimanded Zaiha and Yaz sobered up quietly.

I shouldn't be thinking about that, right now.

"I am sorry. It was just that......" should I tell her? No. It would complicate things. "-That I thought of something back home. Nothing else. I heard you Zaiha ma."

"Good. Now will you consider this girl as one of the potentials and actually get to know her?"

"I guess not" replied Yazdan and Zaiha raised an eyebrow at him.

"Why not?"

"Maybe she is...... she is not the....... One?" the boy was confused himself and Zaiha let out a knowing smile.

"Talk to her, Yaz. Get to know her. Maybe you would find something that complements you" she said, her statement giving Yazdan more confusion.

"I guess so"

"Great. I am going to pick movie. See you both there" she stood up, patted Yazdan's head and walked to the living room.

"Oh and the girls next door are coming over for movies"

Oh great.

He looked up to his best friend for support only to find the disgraceful elf eating popcorns. Yahyah grinned sheepishly.

"It was interesting okay!" 

*****

Hey Guysss!! Salaam. 

How are you all? 

Shabe-Baraat Mubarak guys! Pray and In sha Allah, all of your prayers would be answered. :) (Do throw in a few prayers for me too 😉)

| R - C - V |

xx, 

-aalihha-