To say that his mother was not happy about their marriage will be an understatement. The more his mother found out about his wife (general information) the angrier she gets.

Well, that is not his concern. Who he marries is none of his mother's concern. He doesn't even need his mother's permission to do so and if she gets angry or curses him for it, he is not sinful. He, as much as any woman, has a right to marry who he wants. Women still require a father or brother to sign for them. A man doesn't require anyone.

He prepared all of it. The wedding date, and wedding dresses (after fussing and asking her to go with her daughter, secretary, and caregiver to buy them with his card). He knows she finds it annoying when he fusses over her. But, he also knows it is only because women don't usually have anyone in their lives who takes care of them or fusses over them. It is usually the opposite and they just get used to it.

He made sure she had the marriage contract with a detailed summary of each point in it for a month to go over. He had his lawyer on call if she had doubts. Every point that she mentioned in their talk (especially having a second wife,, later on, was something she doesn't like) was added to the contract.

Well, he is not going to ever stop fussing over the two women or the people associated with them. The list is short. It is only Henna and Anima. He knows for a fact that she doesn't have a father anymore. She doesn't even have a brother and the person who will be her wali (guardian) is a man who runs the shelter she stayed in. As much as he hates that, he had to visit the man there to seek his permission. He only hated that she had to stay in such a place. He had nothing against the man who runs it or the place in general.

Because if it wasn't for the man, many women would not have a safe space. As safe as it gets.

After that was her daughter, and for a month, he had a small interaction with the intelligent little girl. She was advanced beyond her age. He had heard from Rohan that people who lose one ability had often seen to have something extraordinary. Maybe, Sudur, has that intelligence of hers.

Besides that, he manages to take Irsa to the hospital for a checkup for her blood sugar. Turns out, she needs medication to maintain her blood sugar now. He had read through many articles and found all the side effects and diet she needs with that medication.

He spent a generous amount of time understanding things that he could do to make both women happy. Doesn't take much but constant effort. Not once in a while effort, but, everyday effort. Small or big doesn't matter.

He had asked his soon-to-be wife to buy a suit for him. He said that because he knows she will imagine him in a specific color and he wants to wear and look exactly or even better than what she imagined.

"Sudur". She called her daughter as she sat down on the couch after a day of shopping, "I need to speak to you, beta".

"Ji, Ammi?" (Yes, mom)

Her daughter came running to her and she wraps her arms around her thin body bringing her in her lap.

"Tomorrow, I will be married. I need to know what you think of it. If you don't like Hani I will not marry him".

"I like him". Her daughter said without any hesitation and she rolls her eyes because Hani does have charm and it seem to affect both of them differently

She moves her daughter's hair away from her face, "And why do you like him?"

Her daughter placed a hand on her chin as she thought, "He speaks softly not liking daddy (her birth father). He never treats me like I am inferior to him. Even when I know he knows more than me, he never acts like he is superior or makes me feel stupid. He listens, mama, he really listens to everything I say. He treats me nicely".

"I am sorry about your Baba".

Her daughter shakes her head, "You told me about our Prophet being an orphan at a young age and how much he suffered, right?" And she nodded, "So, it's ok. You said life is temporary and we all have problems every day, we just need to embrace and be at peace. I don't know what peace is yet, I am too small, but I will have it someday, mama. But, you need to have peace too, ok? Do you like Hani?"

"I do. He is a very good man".

"Then we can be happy together with him. We need to make sure he is happy too, mama. Sometimes I feel like he is sad, I don't know and I don't like it".

She kissed her daughter's forehead, "You are an amazing child".

"You are an amazing mama. I love you". Sudur giggles and she laughs kissing her cheeks

The marriage day did last longer than she thought. He insisted on having a small intimate nikkah where it was just family members. While she had only her daughter and Anima on her side.

She remembers when she looked at her husband. It was surreal. He had cleaned up nicely. She didn't expect to feel such a weirdly warm feeling inside of her. Maybe, it was because she finally made the right decision. Because she shouldn't feel scared of her future with someone who is her partner. Partner goes together against everyone

He had kissed her forehead while mumbling a prayer.

He did mention he is an affectionate man. Yet, the way her heart fluttered after a small kiss meant she was long gone.

Then, he presented his daughter with a soft stuffed toy that looks like a cloud explaining for at least a few minutes the shape while asking her to run her hands around the object to visualize it.

That moment she knew she will fall for him. Maybe even harder than all the last three combined.

He had taken her hand while asking her to hold her daughter's hand as they walked out of the masjid. After Anima's insistence, he had let his daughter leave, not without a dozen guards.

Then they entered the Walima location that he had arranged and that she had selected. With the way people were looking at them, it was pretty clear no one cared for them to be happy. They were just judgmental. His mother didn't even see them once.

Which was fine by him. He didn't want to ruin his day or his wife's day. He had spoken to his mother enough times already. His mother refused to speak to him. She especially warned him that if he got married to her, she would never speak to him.

Which is haram. He told his mother that she can be angry with him. But, don't anger the Lord with herself by saying such things.

His mother and siblings disagree which wasn't something new. He had made sure there was enough security around his house so none of his family members could enter her sanctuary. He will not tolerate anyone who violated her.

Once they enter his house which she had not done before. Her eyes brimmed with tears as she walks inside. It was exactly how her house was just bigger. He had cut off all the edges that could hurt her. He had polished the furniture so no texture hurts her daughter. The ground has tactics pavement which helps when her daughter needs directions.

"There is something else I did". He said nervously as he looks at her, "Hello, cloud".

She heard the voice activator for the house come to life.

Her heart leaps out of her chest as the warmth spreads through her body. She clenched the couch next to her to keep her tears at bay. She wasn't a crier. Yet, this man shook her.

He runs towards her gathering her in his arms, "I am sorry. Did I overstep my boundaries? I am so sorry. I was searching for all the new equipment I can bring for Sudur I didn't mean to upset you".

She sniffed, leaning into him, "No. I am not upset. I am just so relieved. I am so happy that I married you".

"Oh". He was embarrassed now

"Oh? No, you don't understand what I mean, Hani. This, everything that you did is beyond my imagination. I liked you even when I had no idea of this. I liked you for the man you were, Hani. This, just made me love you".

His eyes widened, "You love me?"

"I respect you as my husband, as my equal, and as my partner. I adore you as a fatherly figure for my daughter. I love you for the amazing man you are".

His eyes became misty and she laughs adding, "Now you know how I feel when you did all of this".

"I didn't do this to get something from you". His voice is low, "I did it just for the sake of it. But, your words and you, God, you as a woman, my partner, my wife, and my future is everything I ever need. I respect you for the amazing woman you are and I love you for making me a better man".

"Us against the world?"

"Us against everyone".

It's been that way. It took her some time to adjust to this new life. It was something she wanted to take slow. Her husband agreed that they need at least the first three years to understand each other and Sudur. Since he was added to their small family, they needed time to understand him. How to function together. How to manage things.

Which reminds him, that Sudur was mad at him. When his wife said that Sudur throws a tantrum, he was ready for it.

"I don't want to meet him". Sudur said angrily, "I don't like him. He makes me think I am stupid. He hates that I am blind and he always mentions all his other kids. He compares me to them, Hani. He says bad things about you and Ammi. He says he will take me away and force me to come live with him".

Sudur started weeping.

This wasn't a tantrum per se. It was her emotions. Her first-ever emotional breakdown in front of him. Her mother was in the office for an emergency meeting and asked if he could help, and he was happy to do so.

"Listen to me, Sudur". He sat in front of her as he wiped her tears away (he hates watching her like this), "In life, we meet countless people and we stay with them. Not all of them are exactly how we want them to be. Not all of them consider our emotions. That's ok, they were raised that way. I can hide you away from the world if that's what you want. But, you are a strong girl, aren't you? You know what your dad is doing is wrong and what he says is not the truth. You will meet more people like him. You know what you can do?"

Sudur wipes her tears, shaking her head as he spoke softly, "The more they say you can't do anything, show them that you can. The more they want you to break down, show them that you won't. Don't argue with idiots because that is what they want. Instead, show them. You have been selected to be in another of the biggest competition internationally. No one can beat that. You are an exceptional girl, Sudur. I am proud of you and so is everyone who actually cares about you is proud of you. What you need to do is listen only to those who care for you and forget everyone who doesn't".

"Why can't I decline to meet him?

"Because our Lord doesn't like that. If he was anyone else, I wouldn't let it happen. He is your father, Sudur, I can't take away his rights".

"Just like how our Prophet let their family be even when they were meanie?"

"Exactly! Do you remember their rewards and how they patiently achieved so much more?"

Sudur nodded a little more relaxed.

"Then we need to face the world and it's a hardship. I won't promise you a peaceful life, I promise whatever that you face I will be there. Ok?"

"Ok, Baba".

His heart stopped.

She never called him that. She never even calls her father 'Baba' even when she calls her mother 'Ammi'. To hear her address him that way caused his heart to burst. He wipes his tears away not wanting to scare her.

"Good. Let's go face him and then we will go celebrate that you manage to handle a hardship".

"Yes!"

Later that night, she read through her book while her husband read through his emails in their library.

"Sudur was happy today".

"That's nice to hear".

"She usually isn't happy whenever her father visits".

"As much as I could help her, I did. However, I was thinking if it fits Sudur we can relocate closer to Rohan's house. The community they live in is small but very good. Each man that lives in that community is powerful and like a brother plus they have nicer families. I was thinking maybe Sudur can meet the children now and then. Just for exposure. Rohan suggested something similar with children around us, but I don't feel comfortable letting Sudur meet random children I don't know about".

"Woah". She said a little taken aback, "You did a whole research. I was planning to work on it on weekend".

He shrugged, "Sudur gives me motivation and I like doing things for her. To see her learning and growing so beautifully is such an amazing experience. Rohan suggested the voice-activated computer which is a blessing for Sudur. She is learning too fast. Rohan said he was in a process of opening a school for people like him. I want to be closer so I can admit Sudur in it. That's why I need your opinion. I don't want to be just handing you things. I need you involved".

She smiles, which was something she loves doing now, "I appreciate it. I know I lack sometimes-".

"Nonsense. Sudur will never be the way she is without you teaching her all the lessons she needed when she was young. I am just watering your plant, Irsa. Yes, like any other human, you can have a tired day, week, or month, it is not a bad thing. Just lean on me, ok?"

She nodded, grinning, "I think it is good to move away. Sudur needs a change something bigger and exciting. We can speak to her together after we finalize the details".

"Good. Now, will you give me some time or do I need to schedule it?"

She laughs, standing from her seat and walking towards him. He didn't even let her completely be near him as he takes her hand pulling her over him.

"How was your day?" He asked as he place a strand of her hair away

He always loves this time. Mostly because in the past few months he had realized that she loves talking. Much like her daughter. And he realized he loves hearing them talk. In the timing that they arranged around their schedule, he was the one who suggested that every night they have time to themselves where do they what either of them like or just talk. Mostly, they talk. About anything and everything and he likes that. On other days, he reads a book to her of one of the Prophet or stories that they should revisit every other day.

It helps them build themselves before they stand together in front of Sudur. As much as he was grateful that Sudur loves Islam, he fears that too much or too little can affect her, especially with the new change they are planning. He doesn't want to lose that touch with her.

The fact is that Islam should be the first thing taught to a child. Disabled or not, it is important they understand that life will come with tests for them. We don't necessarily have to scare them off. But, prepare them. Life won't be sunshine for long and when they finally see the night, they need to know how to handle it instead of losing their path.

"It's so annoying". His wife breaks his attention and he looks at her, "They just don't understand that my daughter doesn't need to know or understand what colors are. Yes, they exist for those who can see them. Why will I ever want my daughter to feel bad, depressed, or stressed that she will never see color? Why does she have to know the knowledge that is of no use to her?"

It took him some time to realize that too. The current educational system is a trap. Same thing for all students when it should be designed in a way that helps every student. A different group with a different education program.

Someone who can't see he/she has a different priority. They need to learn to navigate the world instead of colors. Instead of staying in 8 hours of school learning stuff that they won't need, there should be classes that teach them about navigation.

Yet, the system is still lacking.

"They don't understand because they don't have children as special as our Sudur. People lack empathy and brain cells these days too".

"I swear". She grumbled leaning into him, "Sometimes I really want to slap them".

He chuckled.

His wife tends to tolerate stupidity decreasing by the day. He doesn't mind. As long as she speaks about her worries and is not stressed alone is fine with him.

"Do you see it?"

"See what?" He asked softly when he saw she was ready to sleep

"Another child in the future".

"I do".

"What will you want that child to be?"

"Healthy". He kissed her forehead, "As long as you both are healthy I don't care".

"I want another daughter".

"Why?"

"Because you lost your daughter and I want you to have one so you can be at peace".

He smiles, as he looks at his Lord thanking him for the blessings in his life.

"IN shaa Allah".

That was them.

Irsa and Hani.

The end.

+++++

Ahhhh, it's been so long I felt this way. I honestly had no time to write stories even when I wanted to. I don't want to write anything I can't complete as quickly as I used to.

Finally, one more story.

There is so much that I want to say through this one. It's a very mature theme (in a different sense, I think). There is no FML and ML drama beside around them which I feel comfortable with.

What I want to focus on was two points beside what I mentioned in last chapter.

I feel like due to external influence we forgot to teach children the stories of suffering, peace and love of Prophet. Even if someone do, it's not constant. Which brings me to the point, whenever something bad (someone is being mean) or something else happen we usually blame the other person or circumstances instead of teaching our child that it's ok it happened, Allah wanted it that way and that this is not the only problem or one time problem they will face. We need to start associating pain to Allah. Just how Hani taught Sudur. It is easy when child understand that these suffering are from where and their "why" is easier to answer.

Another point is being blind. Most of people I see usually just give up on their children. They don't try finding methods to actually make their life easy. Yes, not everyone can afford these new technology doesn't mean their aren't other methods. Sudur was taught things before Hani brought technology in. All it took was extra efforts.

I don't like the system that says that all children must learn same things.  I spoke to someone I know and we discussed this. It's a waste honestly. People with disability needs assurance and ways to make their lives easier not stress about colors 🙄😵‍💫.

Anyways, how was the story?

I will see you all soon.

Your author,

Faiqa