15th December,2018.

Allah Subhan Wa Ta'ala said :

"I have prepared for My pious worshipers such things as no eye has ever seen, no ear has ever heard of, and nobody has ever thought of. All that is reserved, besides which, all that you have seen, is nothing."

~~~Prophet Mohammed (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)
[Sahih Bukhari : book #60, hadith #303]

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CHAPTER 31 -
South Indian Cuisine.

As the cumin seeds touched the burning hot oil, inside the pan. It started to make a melodious sound of chitter-chatter, and danced all over the place. Causing the person, who added those seeds moving away from the kitchen counter, so that, they can stay safe from having any kind of burn due to the oil that was flying everywhere.

After sometime, the seeds settled-in as it was left in low flame. Aasiya quickly added some, freshly plucked curry leaves from the small pot, which was hanging near the window sill. And, some grounded garlic pieces, soon enough a delicious aroma of Thadka filled the whole area. Making her salivary glands to work like crazy!

She quickly added some other spiece into it, along with some finely chopped onions, with some water in it. And, when it was about to boil she added suji, and stirred it slowly inorder to prepare tasty upma for breakfast!

Once Aasiya got done with her coffee and, thier little breakfast at thier built-in garden, awhile ago. She flew off to prepare something special for her in-laws. As they just returned from a tiresome day, and must be feeling tired and hungry.

When Yusra greeted her, or should say teased her this morning. It completely slipped from her brain, to ask about thier visit and, how was everyone out there! She slapped her hand on her forehead, for her carelessness.

She quickly worked on Dosa batter, and mixed it well, ready to make thin and crispy Dosa. She rubbed her hands unconsciously, mentally patting herself for her work. Checking all the delicacies she had prepared for breakfast.

"Upma! Dosa! Coconut chutney! Idli.... Oh no wait! Where's the sambar?!" She counted everything and, suddenly she forgot to place sambar on the table. She swiftly sprinted off to the kitchen which was adjacent to dining area, fetch the dish carefully and, placed it on the table.

She was mid-way arranging the table, when she was greeted by Faiz. "Assalamu alikum Mami jaan." Faiz greeted with a shy smile. As his eyes were trying to caught the glimpse of the food, that was on table.

"Walikum assalam Wa rahmatullah, Faizu!" Aasiya replied to his Salam with one of the brightest smile, and a surprised look on her face.

Zara and her family left to visit some of the relatives from Saif's side of family. She thought, they were going to return only after this Sunday!

"How's your trip, Faiz!" She queries the boy, infront of her. Who was enjoying the aroma of sambar with a dreamy smile!

'Ah! He must be liking it!'

"Alhamdulillah! Mami. It's good." He stated, and quickly added asking her.
"Mami, did you prepared south Indian breakfast today?!" Faiz couldn't hold it, and finally bolted out his question with wide expectant eyes.

When Aasiya nodded her head, with a smile, giving him affirmation, that she did. His hazel orbs widened even more, with joy and, he just clapped his hands, along with a fist bump, out of enthusiasm!

Aasiya's smile got even more wide if that is possible, watching this little one's joy for his favorite food.

"Okay! Tell me what would you like to have?!" Aasiya questioned him, While adjusting her hijab pin, which was slipping from its place, with all the rush she made a while ago in the kitchen for the preparation of breakfast.

She grabbed a plate, and glanced at the little one's face, expecting an answer! "I will have every delicious delicacies that you've prepared, Mami!" He said, as his face broke into a slight grin. Showing his pearly white teeth!

Aasiya chuckled, "Okay! But, what will you like to have first?!" She showed him dish of upma and, idli as his height didn't reach till the table!

"Uhmmm!" He placed, his little-little finger on chin, and made a face as if he was asked to answer, who was the third president of India!
"I will eat, Dosa first, then idli-sambar, and last upma with sugar!" He finished, counting the items on his cute chubby fingers!

Aasiya couldn't help but, pull the little one into her lap and, smooch him with a peck on his cheek. Which caused the little Faiz to turn red, with shyness. He bent his head low, and wiped the area where she peck him.

"I'll go and, call everyone for breakfast!" With that he sprinted off towards the stairs. Aasiya shook her head, and smiled at his shyness and, cute talks.

'Ma sha allah!' She mumbled to herself!

She resumed her work, and arranged all the dishes. Washing her hands with, a sanitizer, she turned around to go and, call everyone for breakfast. And, was greeted with a sight of sleepy Ahil, whose face was looking like, he was thoroughly drained and, mercilessly harrased by someone!

To prove her imagination, very much pleased, Yusra trailed after him, with a smug look plastered on her face. A knowing look, crossed Aasiya's features! As she shook her head.

'This girl!'

She just jumped on her little brother, and, hugged him, more like choking him with her insanely effectionate gestures.

"What the heck, woman?!" Ahil caught off-guard, and let out a yell. "Were you trying to choke me, or what?!" He tried to let go off from her hold. His eyes were still red, showing clear signs of his sleep deprived state.

And, to top it off, Yusra felt this is the very accurate situation to shower her crazy-insanely-effectionate-love to her poor brother!

"What?! Can't a sister hug her brother?" Yusra asked with a sad face and pout, wiping her imaginary tear drop. Alas! Her smile gave away her evil mind. "You know, LiAh, how much I have missed you?!" To her dismay he shook his head, and walked passed her to lay on the tempting soft couch which was awaiting for him to grace his presence!

"What?! I missed you soooooooooooooooooooooooo much! LiAh!" She made a gesture with her hands, spreading them wide. Showing how much she missed her brother, who was -by the way went to his college after his little vacation-, only for one day. And here, his drama queen elder sister missed him.

'Seriously?! Sister's!'

"Please, di! Let me catch some sleep, yaar! I'm really tired after my long lectures, and a field trip with my professor!" He grabbed the nearest pillow to cover his face.

"LiAh! You can't just shut me out, like this! Get up!" She threw the pillow, that he used to cover his face.

"Arghhhhhh!" He let out a desperate groan, and sat up abruptly.
"First, stop calling my name, in reverse order! It's.... It's irriiiitttating!" He dragged the word at bit farther. With his bulged muscular-manly arms. "And second, what are you?! A five year old. Grow up woman! Go and, play with your toys, and leave me alone for the sake of Allah!"

"Haaah!" Yusra's mouth was wide opened and, she made a face. "How mean!? Is this the way to speak with your elder sister, wait, I'll complain to Ryan bhai! Then we'll see!" She stomped her foot.

"Yeah!" He grinned, as if his point was proved in front of the judge!
"Told you! You actually are a kid, look how you are stomping your feet! Just like Faiz do, when he's upset with something! I guess you've got some screws loosened up there!" He said it all with a face of disbelief, as if he was serious about it. "Oh Allah!" He placed his hand over his fake creased forehead, and spoke. "We really need to check your mental stability!" He stated, as Yusra's face turning red, with each passing second by his words, his face was slowly painted into a lop-sided grin, as if showing he won this!

"Ahil...!" Yusra moved in her brothers way, when Aasiya called from behind, who was watching the little drama that was unfolded in front of her! With an amused look on her face, she made her way towards them.

"Ah ah ah! Bas! Bahut hogya! Stop this now!" She stood beside her best friend, and sister in law. Wrapping a hand around her waist. "Now I'm feeling nostalgic!" She placed her head on Yusra's veiled shoulder! To get the extra effect she sniffed a couple of times!

Both of the siblings-duo, gave her a alaramed look. "Bhabhi!?" "Siya?!" they both asked her in alarm! Thinking hard, as if what made thier sister-in-law, cry.

Aasiya smiled, as she lifts her head. "What?! Looking at you guys, makes me crave for my siblings! And, you guys aren't any help, when you both bickering all the time!" She folded her hands below her chest!

They both let out a sigh! Out of relief.
"You really scared us, you know?!" Yusra threw a fake glare on Aasiya's way, and hugs her from side. "Why do you have to miss anyone, when our Ahil is here?! He can be our bakara! You know?!" They both let out a laugh!

"Baraka?! Seriously Yussy-Missy! Just remind yourself, who fell in their own trap a while ago! You'll knows, who's bakara!" Ahil stated with a smug look, when Yusra gave him a narrow eyed glare, which only caused Ahil to grin even more wide.

"Okay! Okay! Enough of your rants! Don't you guys are hungry?!" Aasiya cut off in the middle!

"I'm damn hungry, with all the bickering. And,..... Oh! No! I've to be at campus before eleven o'clock!" Ahil ran up to his room, in hurry! Muttering somethings, along the lines of, 'he had to run some errands for his professor and, all'!

*******

"Ma sha Allah! Siya! It was a sight to behold!" Yusra mused, over something that she witnessed during her yesterday's visit! "She was literally glowing." She added, as continues, with a misty look in her coffee brown eyes. "After her deceased husband, she totally forgot how to smile! And, this Umrah trip indeed was an amazing start for her! Her face was so serene, and quite but a refreshing kind of quietness is there, you know!" She rose her brows. "She almost looked liked a hard-rock, with all those lines and, non-smiling face of hers!" Aasiya listened to all the words which, her best friend just filled her with, about Hajira!

"You know, what was the worst part Siya?" There is this unknown look on Yusra's face, as she continues. "She is just... just 24 for the love of Allah!" She let out a shaky sigh. "And... and she had to go through all of this!" Yusra almost choked on her words. Aasiya swiftly moved by her side, to comfort her buddy who was in distress.

Now, the picture was clear. So as to why, her bestie was over-enthusiastic this morning! She was in hurt from inside, so she choose to be bubbly, just she could over come with the pain and, sea of emotions that were swirling in her and, choking her heart from with in.

"Shh! Yusra! It's all qadr Allah! It was a test on her part. And, Ma sha Allah, I know she must be doing well in this!" There were unshed tears in her eyes too, as she could almost feel the pain that she went through a few months ago. She quickly regained her trail of thoughts, as she was walking into a forbidden lane!

"And, it would be best of her intrest, if you make loads of dua'a for her, to stay steadfast in her deen, and be strong in this phase of her life. Won't you be happy to see, a smile on her face when she reminisce about her past life with her deceased beloved husband, instead of a sorrowful look!" Yusra gave a gentle nod, as Aasiya said. "Then, pray for them, and, pray for her! You cannot gift a sister in deen, something as precious thing as your dua'a!"

"I know, Siya! But, it was too hard to see her in such a state!" Yusra spoke, "Alhamdulillah, for the change in her attitude after the Umrah!"Aasiya nodded in understanding, where she was coming from.

As much she heard about, this cousin of Yusra! She was sure, that her bestie loves this cousin of hers so much! And, sometimes that makes her jealous for some odd reason. But, now she can clearly see the sisterly love and, bond she shared with Haijra.

She met her, once on eve of their walima. Her mother-in-law, introduced, Haijra as Ali khan's (her father-in-law) sister's only daughter! On their first meeting, Aasiya could say that, something was wrong with her, or something must went wrong on her part. Even though, that was a brief exchange of greetings to each other.

"...its beautiful, right?! I know it is! What do you think, Siya?" She was dragged out of her thoughts, when she was addressed by none other than her not so silent buddy!

Yusra was holding a dark blue, al-most black colour- abaya with a hint of ivory touch to it, on its ends and, waist part. And, a slit was there in the middle area, which was designed with dark blue colour stone beads, that shone as the sun light fell on it. Not much glittery, but enough that it doesn't give a plain look to it. It's trendy and, eye catching with a hint of classy look.

"Siya! Tell me na, is it looking good on me?" Yusra made a face, which had an almost pout like look. Aasiya chuckled at her sister-in-law.

"Subhan Allah!" She answered with a genuine smile, playing on her lips. And, indeed Yusra would look marvelous in that dark blue abaya! A fish-cut design on the sleeve part, which was the top most favorite thing of hers.

"Awh!" Yusra cooed, and added. "Gift from Hajira, she said, 'I could just think of you when I saw this one' she quoted. And it actually is my kind of abaya!" She gushed, "Don't you think!" Aasiya nodded with a shake of her head.

'Yusra and her antics!'

"And, Ammi invited them for dinner this weekend! It's going to be so much of fun, In sha Allah!"

"In sha Allah!" Aasiya can visibly palpitate the happiness in her bestie.

"Okay! Enough of these gifts and all, now tell me how was your stay there, and, everything about it!" And for another hour or so, they both almost forgot about the world. So immersed with the chit-chat they had been in.

When they heard of Zuhr adhan, being called! Both of them, quickly wrapped all the mess they have created and, went on their ways to make wudhu for salah.

******

Aasiya walked through the long-broad hallway, that lead her to a set of wooden doors, at the end of the corridor. She inclined her head, to a side in thought. She took a deep breath and, adjusted her hijab before turning the door knob to right side. As the door opened, she was greeted by a whiff of fragrances, the authentic smell of oudh mixed with some traditional khusboo, her mother-in-law's signature itr, making her to drew a long and, relaxing breath. She was instantly calmed by it.

As if sensing, that someone was in her territory, Muskaan turned in the direction of her intruder. A smile graced her beautiful face, making her eyes shone with delight.
"Assalamu alikum, Mama!" The word felt foreign to her tongue, 'Mama' she repeated it in her mind, as if tasting it's hum.

As everyone's getting so confused, as Aasiya address her mother and, mother-in-law with same word, 'Ammi'. So, Muskaan suggested her, to call her Mama, instead of Ammi. Alas! She would love to be called as Ammi, but anyways! She will still love her daughter-in-law, same, a word of addressing can't change her love for her, can it?! Nah!

"Walikum assalam Wa rahmatullah, beta!" She replied her greeting with a smile of her own. Making her chocolate brown pools grin with mirth. 'Ma sha Allah! He inherited them from his mother! Subhan Allah!'
"Please come inside, I was just arranging these!" She placed the last hanger of clothes, into its hook and, walked out of the closet.

Aasiya always admire the interior of this homey kind of mansion, making her to wonder, are they deal with interior designing stream? Each and, every bit and, corner of the mansion was designed with precision. Every room, had a unique kind of signature effect in it. As if, they wanted everything in a branded kind of way.

It's not like, Aasiya's former mansion was anything less when compared to this, but, there's something more unique and, more fancy kind of thing in this, like, modern but, an authentic effect to it. Like the person who designed it, wants to bring out the home-ly feel in every corner.

"Ah! Let me help you with this!" Muskaan smiled at her kindly and, sat in her high armchair. Aasiya occupied the chair next to Muskaan, after placing the empty basket, in the corner for maids to fetch it.

"How are you doing, beta?" Muskaan spoke, with a gentle look in her eyes.

"Alhamdulillah, Mama! Everything is good. I just want to have a small talk with you, we didn't get time to catch up after your return. And, you seems to be busy too." Aasiya paused, and said. "How's the trip, Mama?" As she was about to say, there's a knock on the door, followed by a maid who drag the trolley containing a pot, with hot tea and, some hand made oat-cookies for her mother-in-law.

"Ah! You don't have to do this..., Awh! Jazak Allah, may Allah reward you habibiti!" Aasiya poured some tea in two cups and, first passed on to her mother-in-law, and a plate of cookies for her to have.

"Please have it, Mama. I feel like, you are becoming weak day by day. And, all will say, that your new bahu is not taking good care of her mother-in-law!" She said with a pout, and Muskaan's face cracked into a smile.

"Oh! Dear. If anything, I'm feeling a decade younger and, healthy after your arrival into this family and, in his life." She continued. "And, I'm glad the I've got you for my son before anyone could have that chance to." She stated, making Aasiya to turn crimson with haya!

"Mama!" She ducked her head down, and tried to cover her face with her hijab. Muskaan laughed at her daughter-in-law's shyness. And, send a silent prayer for the happiness of these two children of hers.

*******

Assalamu alikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatauhu lovelies!

I hope you all are doing good, Alhamdulillah! And, Alhamdulillah hi rabbi, I'm doing fine as well!

So! It's an update! 😁

Hope you guys enjoyed it, and loved it a little bit too?!

How's the chapter anyways? Is it okay? Or so boring?

Favorite dialogue?

Favorite scene?

Favorite South Indian breakfast?😉

Liked it? Or loved it?

And, it's full of Siya, and Ryan darling was missing?! Did anyone missed him out there? 👀

Don't worry, he'll be back in next chapter, in sha Allah! Can't promise, coz, I've planned something and, it might take a while for Ryan to enter!

How's this side of Yusra? And, LiAh? Haha 😂 Ahilllll!

Hajira?! 🤔 who's this newbie? Let's find out in upcoming chapters!!! ☺

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Till then,

Assalamu alikum,

#Bush!