Nothing gives me so much joy than coming to see one or two more reads and votes for this story. So this chapter is for you, dear reader.
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Meena gazed at the clouds sailing along, blocking out the full moon, but never dimming its light. She sighed: If only my hope could be as bright as the moon, undimminishable, no matter the size of trials that come along.

She turned away from the window and plopped back on the bed, eyes now on the slowly turning ceiling fan. She pursed her lips. It had been three weeks and Nur still hadn’t called. Did that mean he had failed? That he didn’t succeed in convincing his mum? She turned to her left and pushed both hands under her pillow to prevent herself from wiping the tears that threatened to fall. If that was the case, then they had both failed.

Oh God, Why did I agree in the first place? She wondered as her mind replayed the past event that had led to her current predicament.

“Can you imagine?!” Meena screeched, taking her eyes off her phone. 

“What is it?” Kauthar asked, glancing at the phone, then at her.

Meena showed her the text. After reading the text, Kauthar raised her brows, “Okay, what’s the problem?” She gestured with an open palm. 

“What, what do you mean, Is it now he’s realizing the need to talk? What excuse does he have to give this time?” Meena said, face hardening.

Kauthar sighed. “This is not the time to get angry o,” Meena gaped at her.
“Ehen na, at least hear him out first before you start sparking.”

“But-” She started to say, but Kauthar held up a hand. “Calm down, find out what he has to say. He may have a valid explanation for all this.” 

Still frowning, Meena sighed. “It better be.” She said, then headed for the bathroom to freshen up.

She ambled out of the house, ignoring the curious and teasing glances from her folks. she strolled towards the backyard where an old mango tree stood-its leaves as long as her hand-with three white plastic chairs arranged underneath. 

Nur had his back to her. As she grabbed the chair beside him, he turned to her with a knowing smile, eyes twinkling. The orange bulb hanging above them made his light skin beam against his pitch black beard.

“Marhaban habibti,” He grinned, but she glared at him, then turned away.
He let out a low chuckle. “I know you’re mad at me.” 

She narrowed her eyes, “mad ke, hmmm,” She shook her head, “You haven’t seen anything.” Nur nodded. “What happened earlier was embarrassing, Nur. What is going on exactly? cos I know it’s more than you let on. And with the way Aunty Intisar behaved, it seems she’s also clueless about it.”

Nur sighed. “You’re right and I’m sorry for the way things turned out. Trust me,” his eyes met hers, “If there was any other way to avoid it, I would have, but…”

“But?” Meena folded her arms.

“My mum isn’t exactly okay with our relationship.” He said and averted his eyes.

Why am I not surprised? Meena shook her head. “Why? She never showed any disinterest when we talked.” She rose her shoulders.

“Yeah. Don’t get me wrong, she likes you, but…”

“She doesn’t think I’m the one for you.” She completed and looked down. His words came at her heart like a pin, poking it, deflating it like a tyre, slowly. “Why?” She breathed out, not sure what she was asking.

Nur watched her, his anguish mirroring hers. “Amina,” He called softly, like the breeze caressing their skins. “don’t let this bother you, okay?
Look,” he licked his lips, “My mum is very difficult. Trust me, this is not the first time she’s doing something like this.”

“Why?” She asked again, her voice surprisingly steady.

“Because she doesn’t want me to get married!” He said loudly, opening his arms, as if to contain the words.

“Look, she’s obsessed with some kind of perfect wife image she has for me. An image that is impossible to contend with but…” He shook his head, face squeezed like some of the leaves littered around them. “She’s just impossible.”

Meena stared in surprise. She had never seen him so agitated and helpless. She knew things were bad, but not so bad that the cool and collected Nur couldn’t prevent. But then, this was his mother. 

“But you have nothing to worry about,” He continued, “I already told her, she can’t do anything to stop us from being together.” 

“Nur,” Meena called out in alarm, then turned her face away, releasing the unsaid words in strings of laughter. “I can’t believe this,” She turned to him, “so you mean you’re okay with getting married without your mother’s permission?” 

“Look, you don’t understand. You’re the sixth girl I’m presenting to her this year. And I already told her the last time my ex and I parted ways, that I won’t let her drive away the next woman that comes into my life.
She just laughed, believing that I wasn’t capable of doing this without her. But not this time, especially as you’re the first woman I fell in love with within a short period of time.”

“So this is just a game to you people, abi?” Meena asked.

“No!” He shook his head fiercely.

“Yes na, cos it seems that this is just your way of proving her wrong.” She said.

“Trust me, I wouldn’t be here with my aunt and my uncle if I cared less about you. I really want to be with you,” he leaned forward and whispered, “from dunya to akhira.”

Meena stared, lost in his tender gaze. Here was who she wanted, here was where she belonged. Why couldn’t his mother see that? Why couldn’t fate see that?

“Nur, your mum is not the only one against us. My mum is too. I told you before.” He nodded. “But didn’t you see, despite everything, she still showed her support today. She did everything a mother would to welcome her in-laws. Not for herself, but for me.” She pointed at herself, “because she still cared and she wanted to give it a chance. Your mum could do the same for you, if she truly loves you. She would support you, you just have to make her understand.”

At that, Nur burst into laughter, using a hand to rub his eye. “Nne, do you think I’ve not tried?” he asked her, still grinning. “Trust me, I have tried, and if you know my mum, you’d understand.”

“Then can’t someone talk to her? like your uncle and-”

“Chab,” he exclaimed. “My mum is the most stubbornest person in the world.” Meena cracked a smile at the word, stubbornest. “She doesn’t listen to anybody, not even aunt Intisar or our older relatives. At least, Aunt Intisar argues with her, but the others, all she does is throw some money around, and that’s all. They’ll support whatever she proposes.” He shrugged.

“And this your uncle nko?” She pointed towards the house. 

“He’s from my father’s side, and she doesn’t even know he’s here, if not…”

Nawa o. “So that’s it, we’ll just go behind her back?” She rose her shoulders, pursed her lips for some seconds, then said, “But what if my dad talks to her? maybe she’ll agree.” 

Nur frowned, “I prefer to do this my way.”

She glared at him. “Okay na. try and convince her then.” She hissed loudly.

“Ah ah, do you think I can’t?” he asked in mock horror.

She rolled her eyes while he winked in reply.

“I’m serious na.” She moaned.

‘I know, and don’t worry. we’ll handle this.”

“You mean you will handle this.” she fired back.

“Okay, just give me...three weeks to convince her.”

“Three weeks?” She folded her arms and gave him an incredulous look. “Are you sure?"

“Yes,” he nodded firmly. “I’ll try my best. You’re worth it, so yeah.”

Meena scoffed, fighting off a smile. “Let’s pray it works out.”

“In sha Allah, Ameen.” He rubbed his palms across his face and she did the same.

“Toh, shall we?” He stood.

She laughed and nodded, following him back into the house, trusting him to guide them to their happy ever after. 

But now, her trust shook like the umbrella leaves by her window. What was going on? She glanced at her phone: 04:00 a.m. 

“I should pray.” She said loudly and climbed out of bed. After purifying herself, she stood on her prayer mat, bathed from head to toe in a white glow from the moon, praying, finding rest in the remembrance of her Lord.

A/N
Assalamu alaikum, all, did you miss us? I missed you o!

Poor Meena💔💔💔

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