"hope for the best because Allāh is controlling your life; expect the worst because you are your worst enemy- hafsa."

Samantha Parker was very excited about the whole vacation her parents had planned out . She had been in extreme need of a break and since it was pretty much autumn back in London , she wanted to enjoy her summer here .When they had landed , she could feel the unmistakeable humid weather . She exclaimed with delight at how she would be able to savour ice creams and cold desserts .

Her studies were pretty tough and she wanted to enjoy herself as much as she could in the one month of freedom she had . Law wasn't exactly easy and she often felt her head break with the hardwork she had to put in . She was a very patient person under normal circumstances but sometimes stress got the better of her . That was one among the various other reasons Valerie and Victor had planned for a vacation to the beautiful Saudi Arabia . Gabriel and Sarah were both oppressed towards the idea but she had managed to persuade them by promising to do their homework and assist them in their assignments for a whole month . One month with all that and her studies definitely would not let her rest but she was ready to take the risk .

She had been visiting her aunt Elsa and cousin Afra for the first time ever and she was enthralled . Victor - her father - was an only son which meant no cousins from his side . But Valerie had Elsa and a brother , Franklin . This time everyone had decided to gather up at Elsa's place and celebrate their unison after several years . From what she had been told , Franklin and his family would be arriving soon as well.

Elsa had asked the girls to settle down in Afra's room , relax and warm up to each other .

"So , what do you study Afra ?" Samantha asked , watching all of the three girls undo their cloaks , scarves and veils .

"I just got a scholarship after I passed an exam . So in Shaa Allah , I'll be joining in aeronautical engineering ."

Afra replied coolly , while undoing her scarf and letting down her hair carefully .

"She means to say after being ranked as a country topper and being offered a scholarship at the best university here ."

Inaya corrected her friend's words as she pulled her hair into a high ponytail .

Samantha's mouth dropped open .

"You're all so gorgeous ."

She replied dreamily and faced Afra .

"And you , girl , you just did what ?!" Samantha shrieked , jumping off of the bed and shaking Afra by her shoulders .

Afra rolled her eyes and helped Samantha calm down . She toppled next to her on the bed and sighed loudly while popping a large strawberry from a plate in front of them .

Sarah looked wide-eyed at Afra too but she didn't say anything .

After all the five of them had comfortably settled on the bed , they started to chat lightly and start off with causal questions .

Samantha was loving her cousin and her friends . They all were very rational and friendly people . Not to mention , she was blown off with how gorgeous they all were . To start off , Afra was - she found rather similar to Sarah - in terms of her pale skin and large lips . Her hair was a shade between dark brown and black which she thought looked mesmerising as the sun's rays illuminated the unique shade of it . What had caught Samantha for the first time she greeted Afra was her eyes .

God , they were enchanting !

Hafsa - she loved the name - was a strong willed personality . Her athletic built easily gave the answer to how she had achieved to carry the large luggage bags in . On the contrary , her body style and language - though a little intimidating - had led her to delusional conclusions which she regretted .

Hafsa was a soft and sentimental kind of girl who would go to great lengths for the people she loved . Her voice held a slight bit of influence but it didn't overpower her gentleness . Her dark waves shook like the leaves would when wind blew - subdued and orderly .

"What do you study Samantha ?" Inaya asked , twirling a strand of her auburn hair between her fingers .

"I'm in my first year of studying archeology ."

Samantha replied as they smiled encouragingly at her .

Inaya had turned around to rapidly remind — as Samantha decided to think — Hafsa of some chores in a smooth Arabic accent , as she had guessed . And in that moment , she had to agree that the world seemed fazed and she was the spotlight . She was speaking a few words , but her voice was sweet and enticing like the smell of Daffodils . Perhaps the colour for her hair was a little off setting , but it added a very delicate uniqueness to her personality and Samantha felt rather self conscious around such warm hearted individuals .

She had not met any Muslims as such — except for Victor's best friend — but she loved their welcoming and joyful way of embracing everyone .

"What about Hafsa ?"

Samantha pointed out as Hafsa turned around to face them . She had been talking about something very exciting — as Samantha had presumed — with Sarah .

"I am in my first year of dentistry , Alhumdulillah ."

Samantha frowned . She definitely heard that word a lot more often , but never had the chance to enquire about its meaning . Surely it had to be somewhat special because Victor's Muslim friend always used it , without a miss .

"What does that — um , Al...ham...— or whatever it is mean ?"

"It's pronounced , Al-ham-du-lillah . And it has a pretty graceful and simple meaning . It means , 'All praises be to Allah or God' and we say this whenever we talk of the uncountable blessings we've been bestowed with ."

Afra cooed , taking pride in her words as Inaya rolled her eyes at her .

While savouring the fruit salad over glasses of freshly squeezed orange juice , Samantha had found herself lost in the little world they had created . It may have come off to many around — as a very judgemental misunderstanding — that these girls hardly led a life .

But Samantha hadn't met more adventurous ladies !

Apart from that , she had to mention that Hafsa was easily blabbering about her life to Sarah and her sister — who hardly would have managed to keep her head up — was having the laugh of her life .

She was originally not fond of having to deal with new people and the natural awkwardness it brought along .

But , boy , she was glad , most honourably glad , to have foreseen beyond their veils .

Faaris had left the moment he had dropped Hafsa at Afra's place . He had been invited by Elsa to visit her elatives and have lunch . But he didn't think Inaya would appreciate his presence .

He was aware that Inaya was never herself or never seemed to be relaxed when he was there . He winced as he remembered the night of their Nikaah .

The night had been very quiet and Inaya had been escorted to her room .

Faaris was aware of her uneasiness as they stood in the middle of her room awkwardly .

Sensing the agitation , he had quickly shut the door and came to stand right by her side . His eyes reeked down her approvingly .

She slightly shuddered and dropped her gaze to the ground .

"You look beautiful . Ma shaa Allah ." He had said , the side of his mouth lifting into a soft smile .

She hadn't given him any response , nothing at all .

She had on nothing but a traditional jalabiya that Mariam had offered her . He had seen the disapprovment in her eyes as she pleaded her mother the night before as she had been handed the dress .

His eyes skimmed over her body quickly as he tried to understand the make of the dress . It was nothing but a light pink gown with silver embroidery and sparkly golden highlights.

He could sense her wince every time he glanced at her .

"Um , please go ahead and change . I'll wait outside ." He had murmured with his eyes down as he unlocked the door and left her alone for the rest of the night , making himself comfortable on a couch in the adjoining living room .

He remembered that night as clearly as glass and it hurt him . He was sincerely trying to offer her some agreeable help , and he really did think she looked beautiful . He did not expect her to be in a full fledged relationship with him , keeping in mind the circumstances they had married in . But she could at the least regard him as a human .

"Assalaamualaikum ."

He parked the car across the sidewalk and tried to concentrate on the voice on his phone .

"Walaikumusslaaam . Is this Faaris Ismail ?"

He couldn't make out the person behind the voice and it came off as suspicious that he knew his identity as well .

"That would be me , yes ."

"Ah , Alhumdulillah , I got you ."

The relief was evident in his voice and Faaris felt himself wonder who it was . He could have easily questioned him about it , but considering that the person on the other end knew him quite well disturbed him .

"Ah ! How stupid of me . You don't know who I am do you ?"

The voice remarked with a short laugh and a brief silence followed .

"I'm Aasiq Bin Rashid . A part of the National Security and Protection team . I'm sorry if I startled you ."

Faaris blinked blankly . He had applied for a post in nearly all of the security agencies one could find in the city — ranging from all sorts of fresh starters to experienced and skilled organizations . But of course , he had not in the least bit been prepared to hear from a member of a national level company . For the most part , since he did not the best qualifications to be considered worthy of their attention . It was also a rather sparse chance taking into account his zero experience in the field .

"Jazak'Allah for contacting me Mr Aasiq . May I know what is the purpose of this call ?"

Aasiq gave a short laugh — pretty carefree and informal — after which he blew a whistle .

"Faaris , don't be so formal . God , it feels like I'm being a strict and unruly boss here ."

Faaris chuckled at that . Though he was not ignorant of the man's weird behaviour .

"Sure . So , what is the reason you contacted me ?"

"You didn't see your mail yet didn't you ?"

Faaris frowned . How was that related to the topic ?

"Hmm , yes I didn't...?"

"I'd suggest you highly keep yourself updated Habibi , because you just were recruited !"

Aasiq exclaimed , a little too loud for his own comfort , and he had to pull the phone away for a bit . He finally managed to have the heart of hearing the squealing that was loud enough to have reached his eat despite the distance .

Faaris nearly dropped the phone .

"Are....you — are you serious ?!"

Aasiq chuckled on the other end .

"Technically , I'm a really really fun guy . But I know where to keep my limits and let my word be heeded sincerely ."

Faaris was too shocked to speak up . It was not easy to hear that he had been accepted in the nation's most largest and trusted company . His heart bet unruly and he could feel his breathing extremely slow and deep . It was truly far fetched and he found his hands trembling . 

"Jazak'Allah for letting me know . That's....I don't know . It's a miracle . Alhumdulillah ."

He spoke with difficulty — almost stuttering and barely sounding audible .

Faaris was blown away . Sure that he could have been a pretty good option for starters but never good enough for a company as widespread and specific at that . Was it a dream ? Or was it an illusion ?

It was impossible .

But it had happened .

To be able to fend for himself and probably for his wife , he had to take chances and risks . Nothing in life came along wrapped beautifully . Over the years , he had led rougher and lonelier years to be thankful to atleast have a family by his side at this point .

Bad happened and good happened .

And the reason to his unfazed smile and cheerful attitude was the most simple and common . It was to hold onto the good and eliminate the bad .  Albeit easily said than done .

"Mahn , I'm excited for you ."

Faaris rolled his eyes at Aasiq's squeak . Was that guy normal ?

"Oh oh , and in case you're curious , I'm the head of the specialized department of individual protection and security . Also the reason I contacted you ."

He was the head ? Faaris couldn't say why it felt so unbelievable ?

"It's an honour to have talked to you . I'm privileged to be a part of this team ."

"Yeah yeah and whatever . Take a chill pill . If I'd be in your place , I'd be proud of this position . God , you deserved it . You qualified perfectly for this team and so you are here ."

Faaris smiled a little . He did not know about how much he deserved what but he sure made a resolution to make his words come true . If they weren't already .

"Jazak'Allah for your kind words ."

"Don't be bothered . Now all that you have to do is get your credentials , put on your fittest suit , buckle down in your seat and come on a ride with my team ."

Aasiq bellowed in an octave higher than his loud voice . Faaris felt nervous . To the point that he wasn't very happy with the position and the team he had been put into . Aasiq was kind of getting on his nerves in a way .

"Sure . In shaa Allah and when do I join work ?"

"Tomorrow of course !"

Faaris nodded , tightening his grip on the steering wheel and shutting his eyes momentarily .

A miracle had changed his life .

He had a job now . Something that he could associate with being his dream job .

It was all due to Allah's mercy . If not , he had not been able to get anywhere .

"See you soon then ."

Aasiq howled and Faaris' mouth lifted into a half smile .

"In Shaa Allah , definitely ."