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FLASHBACK

Third Person POV

For Khadija, while pregnancy had been difficult with twins, when they were born, they instantly became her whole world. It was difficult to deal with them alone, but she wouldn't give up the liveliness and adorable chaos for anything in the world. 

One particular afternoon, on a nice late spring day, Khadija strapped the toddler twins in their double-buggy and took them for a walk out in the park. In the swing area dedicated to toddlers, she took them out of the buggy to let them play around.

"Swing!" Anabia pointed towards the kiddie-swing and ran towards it. Khadija helped her onto it and started swinging her lightly. 

Meanwhile, Saim had taken out his little football from the undersection of the buggy and had started to kick it around.

"Careful, Saim!" Khadija called out as he almost tripped over the ball.

Another little kid started to play with Saim, and they were both enjoying themselves, and Khadija relaxed. 

It's been three years since she had moved to the UK after her marriage. She was still adjusting to life here, and she was still having some difficulty. But she knew that she had to learn to be stronger or the sake of her twins. Zohaib was always at work, so the twins relied solely on Khadija to be there for them.

Anabia lost focus on the swing and turned sideways to look at a bird pecking bits of food on a ground nearby. As Khadija turned to follow her gaze, she heard the unmistakeable sound of a kid falling over. Her heart pounding, she turned and saw that Saim had fallen over and had burst into tears. Quickly lifting Anabia up in her arms, Khadija began to rush towards her son.

"Hey, it's okay, buddy... You're a brave kid, right?" A warm, gentle voice made Khadija look up.

A man had walked over and had crouched down beside Saim. In his late twenties, just four or five years older than Khadija, he had cropped black hair and stylish-framed glasses. 

"Papa, boy fell!" The kid who had been playing with Saim told the man, wide-eyed.

The man helped Saim up and looked up as Khadija approached. "Your son?"

Khadija nodded. She had her dupatta draped over her head, and she lifted it up to cover the bottom half of her face. She set Anabia down and wanted to hug Saim, but her little boy was staring up at the man, curiously.

"What's your name, buddy?" The man asked Saim.

"Sam." Saim was still unable to say his name properly.

"Saim." Khadija corrected him. 

"I'm Hashir!" The other boy said, excitedly.

Khadija crouched down. "Are you okay, Saim?" 

Saim grinned widely. "Brave boy!" 

Khadija smiled, and hugged him, kissing his cheek that still had a tear streak. "My brave soldier." She suddenly tensed when she realised that her daughter wasn't there. "Anabia!" She glanced over her shoulder and saw that the little girl had run off to where some birds were pecking food. Little Anabia shrieked happily and the birds flew off, terrified.

"Twins?" The man asked, standing up.

Khadija also stood up, taking Saim's hand. "Yes, Ma Sha Allah." 

"I'm Kamran Arif. We've moved here recently from up north." The man said.

"I should go." Khadija whispered softly, before turning to face her daughter. "Anabia, come on!"

Khadija had often been told that she was a very beautiful woman: flawless skin, dark doe-like eyes and a dimpled smile that lit up her entire face. But she was modest and shy, and she wasn't comfortable at all in the presence of a non-mehram. 

"I wish I had a Mama." Hashir said, sadly. His eyes filled up with tears. "My Mama has gone to Allah because He wanted to look after her Himself."

"I'm so sorry to hear that, sweetie." Khadija's heart ached for the little boy, and she turned her head in the direction of the man. "I'm sorry for your loss."

"Thank you." 

Khadija strapped her twins into the buggy. Saim yawned, worn out. Anabia reached out and pulled his hair, giggling.

"Stop!" Saim smacked her hand away.

"Anabia! Saim! No." Khadija told her twins firmly. She began to push the buggy towards home. Zohaib had wanted a meaty dish tonight and she had to prepare it.

But before she left, she glanced towards the man discreetly and the little boy, her heart aching again for them. How lonely must a life be of a single parent!

Even though she was alone all day with the kids herself, she felt blessed that she had twins. The noise and the giggles of her babies provided liveliness into her home, stopping her from feeling lonely. She did get tired, but she would always chose exhaustion over loneliness.

*

PRESENT

Khadija finished her prayer, and for a while just sat on the prayer mat, lost in her thoughts. She had been furious at Anabia for being so emotional, but it was for Anabia's own sake. She hated that Zohaib Waleed had exploited his own daughter! Anabia was a sweetheart, and her family was her weakness, and Zohaib had taken advantage of that.

She lifted up her hands in a dua once again, although she already had made a dua after prayer. "Ya Allah, meri bachi ki zindagi main khushiyan bhar de. Har dukh, har takleef se dur rakhde use. Jitne takleef use uske baap se mili hai, us sab takleef se dugni khushiyan de use. Ameen."

*"Oh Allah, fill my daughter's life with happiness. Protect her from all sorrow, all pain. Give her double the amount of happiness than the amount of pain she had received from her father. Ameen."

There was a knock on her bedroom door. "Mama?"

"Come in, Saim." She called out, standing up. As Saim walked in, she was about to reach down to pick up the prayer mat, when he rushed forward and picked it up and folded it for her. "Bless you, beta." She ran a hand over his head.

"Are you okay? Laila said you've been in your room all morning." Saim looked worried.

"I'm just a little tired, Saim. The worry didn't let me sleep at night."

Saim put the prayer mat away in his mother's cupboard. "Worry?" 

"The pain that Zohaib caused Anabia. I cannot stop thinking about how it must have impacted her emotionally." 

"Anabia will be fine, In Sha Allah." Saim came back and grabbed his mother's hands. "She has Rehan Bhai, and she's about to start her life with her twins, In Sha Allah."

Khadija smiled up at him, tearfully. "It's not easy raising twins, I know, but you and Anabia are my biggest blessings. I have no idea what I would have done without you two. What if Zohaib had chosen to fight for your custody...?"

"I would have given him the middle finger in the court." Saim joked.

She lightly slapped his arm. "Chup karo, badmash! Das saal ke thay, mere se dhaant khate aisi harkat pe."

*"Shut up, you cheeky boy! You were just ten, you would have been scolded by me for such an act!"

"I hope Ana has two boys!" Saim grinned. "Can you imagine two more Saim-ish individuals?" 

"My poor bachi." Khadija shook her head. "She has done nothing to deserve that!" 

"Mama!" 

Khadija laughed. "Rehan and Anabia will inform us all tonight." She glanced up heavenwards. "Allah, no matter what, let the babies be healthy and a source of peace to the hearts of their parents, like my Saim and Anabia always have been for me. Ameen."

"Ameen." Saim wrapped an arm around his mother's shoulders. "But I gave you more peace, right?" 

"Saim!" Khadija laughed again, pinching his cheek.

*

Rehan

Everyone was looking at us with stifled excitement; the pursed lips, the wide-eyed gazes. It was amusing and heart-warming to watch.

"I know you are an author, Rehan Tariq," Mum said. "But I swear, if you leave us on a cliffhanger and ask us to wait for another day to find out..." 

Gathered in our formal living room were my parents, Yasin, Mama, Saim, Laila, Hareem, Faisal and Josie. The twins' special extended family.

"We're going to get you guys to write down what you think we're having on slips of paper, along with your names." Anabia told everyone present. 

"What do the winners get?" Hareem asked immediately, making everyone laugh.

"What do the winners get, Rehan?" Anabia looked up at me. She was sitting on the armchair and I sat on the armrest, my hand on the back of her neck.

"A round of applause?" I shrugged.

"Kanjoos." Faisal muttered, making everyone laugh again.

*"Stingy."

I smiled. 

Hareem gave out the slips of paper and pens to everyone in the room. Once everyone had written what they thought we were having, they folded the slips of paper and put them on the coffee table.

Saim stood up. "Hareem, let's calculate the results." He and Hareem unfolded the slips of paper to determine who voted for what.

Dad: Boy and girl.

Mum: Girl X2

Mama: Boy and girl.

Yasin: Two boys.

Saim: Two boys- because Anabia was annoying :P

Laila: Two girls.

Hareem: Two super-awesome ladies.

Josie: Two girls ♡

Faisal: A boy and a girl.

I exchanged a smile with Anabia.

"So who won?" Hareem asked us.

Anya stood up, glancing around at our loved ones. "Mum, Dad, Mama...you guys are our parents, and Rehan and I thought that you three should do the honours."

"But...we don't know!" Mum looked confused.

I exchanged a look with Anya, then took the three white envelopes out of my pocket and walked over to hand one each to Mama, Mum and Dad. "Open it, read it and then on the count of three, read it out loud. Please keep you expressions neutral."

Mum, Dad and Mama opened the envelopes, each with small smiles on their faces. 

"One...Two...Three." I spoke slowly. 

"Two girls." They all said in unison.

Mum burst into tears, Dad had a wide grin on his face and Mama placed a hand over her mouth as her own eyes also filled with tears. Hareem and Josie jumped up squealing and hugged each other, before pulling Laila in for a group hug. Yasin and Saim high-fived, congratulating each other. 

Dad walked over to me and tightly hugged me, patting my back. He wasn't speaking, but it was obvious that he was emotional. Mama and Mum came over and engulfed Anya in a hug, both mothers sobbing and giving us countless duas.

Yasin came up to me. "I'll take so good care of them, In Sha Allah, that you'll be proud of me." He gave me a hug, and I patted his back the way Dad had done to me.

"I'll still be the best uncle though." Saim grinned, making everyone laugh- some even through tears.

"It's a challenge!" Yasin turned to him.

A feeling of warmth filled me as I glanced around at the most important people in my life. I glanced at Anya, who was hugging Hareem now as Laila and Josie waited in line. 

I quietly walked out of the room and went upstairs. Performing wudhu, I prayed two nafl to thank Allah for this beautiful blessings.

My daughters.

May Allah give me the strength to raise them fairly and justice, with Anya by my side. Ameen.

*

EARLIER

The sonographer smiled warmly at me and Anabia. "Mr and Mrs Rehan, you two are having..."

"Wait..." Anabia held up her hand. She looked up at me. "Promise me one thing?"

"What?" I looked at her.

"One daughter or two, cherish them unconditionally. Daughters naturally have a lot of expectations from their fathers, and when they are let down by their fathers, the pain is unbearable..."

"Do you think I'll be a good father to my daughter or daughters?" I asked her, softly.

"I have no doubt." She replied without hesitation.

"But, if promising will make you feel better, than I promise that I will laugh any daughter or daughters that I am blessed with more than life itself. In Sha Allah." I kissed my wife's forehead. We both then glanced expectantly towards the sonographer.

"Well, Mr Rehan, prepare to live up to that promise because you are having two baby girls." The sonographer said.

A grin appeared on my face almost instantly. "Alhumdulillah. Ma Sha Allah!"

Anabia laughed lightly and looked up at me with tears in her eyes. "Prepare for years and years of pampering, In Sha Allah. First it was just me, and now two more of me."

I chuckled. "In Sha Allah. And I should be the one pampered, don't you think? The only man in the house...so far." For a few seconds, I rested my forehead against hers, both of us smiling. And then I leaned down to kiss her.

"So...next time it should be a boy so that you don't get too big headed." Anya giggled.

"Next time?" I glanced teasingly at her.

The sonographer was giving us a smile as she cleared everything away. She gave Anya some wipes to clear away the gel.

Cleaning up her stomach, Anya got up and adjusted her clothes. "I want three or four kids, as I told you."

"Goodbye s*x life." I muttered jokingly as we walked out, my arm around her.

"Rehan!" Her cheeks turned pink as she lightly slapped my chest.

I grinned, kissing the side of her head.

My daughters. Alhumdulillah.

I can't wait, In Sha Allah.

*

PRESENT 

Anabia

I was so tempting to immediately go shopping for my girls.

My girls. I had to bite my lip to stop squealing in excitement. 

"My dreams are coming true." Mum sighed dreamily. 

Yes, I have started to refer to my in-laws as 'Mum' and 'Dad' as well. They had more than earned this respect.

"And we are getting twice the blessings!" Mum continued. "I can't wait to go shopping! Khadija, we must go together!"

"In Sha Allah." Mama smiled. She placed a hand over my upper arm. "I'm so glad you kept this gender reveal simple. It's best to keep these things small and intimate."

"I feel the same, Mama. And Rehan agreed." I replied.

Saim and Yasin came into the living room where we were sitting. It was just our immediate families now; our friends had left.

"It's okay. Next time around, it will be a boy...or boys." Yasin was saying.

My cheeks turned bright red, as the mothers burst out laughing. 

"Yasin..." Mum narrowed her eyes at him after she had stopped laughing.

"What?" He looked at her, confused.

"Do you want to go and get some rest now?" Mama asked me.

"Yes, my back is starting to ache from sitting around." I told her.

"Come on." Mama helped me up.

"We better get going as well." Mum stood up and ran a hand over my head. "Take good care of yourself, Anabia. And if Rehan troubles any of my girls, let me know." 

I smiled. "It's more likely that I am going to trouble him." 

Mama shook her head at me in disapproval. 

I hugged my mother-in-law. "You have a great son, Ma Sha Allah. He doesn't trouble me at all."

*

"Mama, stay here with me tonight." I whispered, as she tucked me into bed.

"Here? How can I, Anabia? Rehan..." She looked uncertain.

"He's working late upstairs and he said that he'll sleep upstairs, probably after Fajr." I replied.

"Okay, but at least tell him." She sat down on the bed beside me.

I took my phone from the bedside table and dialled Rehan's number.

"Hey, you okay? Need anything?" He answered.

"I asked Mama to stay here with me tonight, so she'll be sleeping down here with me." I informed him. So, don't make any plans to sneak down here in the middle of the night, dear husband.

"Okay, that's great. If you need anything, let me know."

"Can you get a spare duvet from upstairs?" I asked. Whenever I'd shared a duvet in the past with my mother, I'd always ended up pulling it over myself, leaving her in the cold. She never complained, but I always felt guilty.

"Okay." 

Once the call ended, Mama shook her head. "This is so inconvenient, Anabia."

"Is it an inconvenience for you to be around to look after me?" I pretended to pout.

She lightly slapped the side of my head. "Don't be silly. It's inconvenient for you two." She sighed. "Let me go tell Saim and Laila."

"They can stay as well if they want."

"No, they can go and have some peace themselves." She smiled lightly. "Tell Rehan to give me the duvet halfway." 

I scoffed. "Good luck. See how Rehan will let you bring it." 

Mama headed out of the room.

*

Khadija

"Tussi aao na kadi saday kar." Rehan's voice made me look over my shoulder.

*"You should come to our house sometime." 

I was scrubbing down the counters after washing a few remaining dishes. 

As Rehan came into the kitchen, he raised both eyebrows at me before glancing at the counters. 

I turned away sheepishly before washing my hands with the hand-wash.

"Tussi din dasso, jadon tussi available o." Rehan headed towards the coffee maker and switched it on. "Jadon wi, Kamran Sahab. Thodi marzi." He chuckled.

*"You tell me the day, whenever you are available."
"Whenever, Mr Kamran. Up to you."

"Okay, let me know. Allah Hafiz." Rehan ended the call before turning to me. "Mama, what were you doing?"

"Do you consider me family?"

"Of course I do."

"Then please don't question me regarding this, beta." I told him.

"I'd question my own mother if she was doing housework in my presence, especially in my home. You're like my mother to me too." He grabbed a mug. "Would you like some coffee?"

"No, thank you, beta. I'm just going to go to bed." She said. "Should I make it for you? I can make a quick snack. Anabia said you'll be working late." 

"Please go rest, Mama." He said gently but firmly.

"I didn't know you spoke Punjabi." 

"Not often and not too well." He admitted sheepishly. "But Kamran Sahab is an old family friend, and every time he's around we all end up speaking in Punjabi: him, me and Dad."

"I hoped to teach my kids Punjabi, but it's pointless." I smiled, shaking my head.

"I'll try with Anabia, but no promises." He grinned. "Anyway, let me know if you need anything." He winced. "But let me go get the spare duvet first."

"Beta..."

He left his coffee behind and rushed out.

I leaned against the counter, still smiling. Alhumdulillah, mere Allah. I am so glad that my Anabia found such a caring husband, Ma Sha Allah.

*

Anabia

"Why didn't you remarry?" I asked Mama as she lay beside me. "You were only thirty-one when you got divorced. Is it because of me and Saim?" 

"Well, yes, it was because of you and Saim. But not in the negative way that you're implying." She caressed my head repeatedly. "I wanted you and Saim to be my whole world. I didn't need anyone else."

"But people need companionship as well, especially after the kids grow up."

"I never thought about it, Anabia. I only thought about raising you and Saim as best as I could." 

I lay on my back, staring at the ceiling. "I'm going to tell Rehan to get married again if anything happens to me. I would want my twins to have parental love from both sides."

"Allah! Anabia!" She lightly smacked my head. "May Allah give you a long healthy life. Ameen." She leaned down to kiss my forehead. 

I yawned and turned on my side, grabbing her hand. "I'm going to sleep now, Mama. Your granddaughters make me really exhausted."

"Akhir betiyan kis maa ki hain...aur bhanjiyan." Mama smiled.

*"After all, who is their mother...and whose maternal nieces are they?"

I fell asleep next to my mother, filled with bliss and peace.

*

Hareem

I was at the Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park with my siblings, their spouses and their kids. As we wandered down the paths, staring at the colourful lights, Tamanna and Aizah held my hands.

"I want to go on the haunted house ride!" Farhaan shouted out suddenly, pointing towards the haunted house which was basically a baby-level roller coaster indoor.

"No." Anaya Bhabi immediately refused. "The last time you went on a ride like this, you got a nightmare."

"No, I didn't, Mama." Farhaan looked embarrassed as Jibril and Mikael teased him.

Wearing black jeans, a knee-length cream winter coat over a white turtle neck sweater and black knee-high boots, I grinned at my nephew in amusement. "Yeah, you did. I heard you all the way out in the annexe."

"No, Phupho! Come on! I thought you were on my side!" Farhaan frowned.

"You want to go with me?" Faiz Bhai asked Anaya Bhabi quietly, a teasing smile on his face.

"Oohoo, Bhai just needs an excuse to romance." Sumaira Appi teased.

"Sumi, for Allah's sake!" Rida Appi shook her head at her.

"Well, whose gonna go or not, you guys deal with it." I held up both hands in surrender. "I'm gonna go until then!" I walked off, even as Farhaan protested.

The truth is, I was a little hesitant to come with my siblings and their families. I felt like the odd carrot, on my own. I wished Anabia was here, like old times. 

"Where are you running off to?" 

I turned around and saw Emaad jogging up to me. "Emaad! What are you doing here? Assalam Alaikum."

"Walaikum Assalam!" He smiled. "Faiz Bhai invited me, but I am a little late." Wearing dark jeans and a thick winter jacket, as well as a black winter hat, he looked exceptionally amazing. Ma Sha Allah.

"I am going to the haunted house, even though my nephew will never forgive me."

"Can I join you?" 

"Sure." I shrugged. I slid my arm through his and smiled as I thought about how he had seemed surprised when I'd first done this when we were in the US. Now he was very casual about it. "How are Aunty and Hamna?" 

"Alhumdulillah, all well. They are completely engrossed in the Valima preparations."

"Phupho, we're coming!" I heard a shout and turned to see Farhaan and Jibril racing towards me, with the rest of our group behind them. I couldn't help smiling.

"Farhaan!" Anaya Bhabi looked exasperated.

Emaad greeted everyone, and they all replied warmly.

"Happy now?" Dani Appi teased me.

Emaad started talking to the brothers-in-law of the Jamshed family, and our group slowly started heading towards the haunted house. I lagged behind, a smile on my face.

Faiz Bhai turned to look at me over his shoulder and slowed down, waiting for me. "Don't tell me you're scared?" 

I grinned at him. "Please. The supernatural needs to be scared of me." I lowered my voice. "Thank you, Bhai."

"For?" 

I glanced towards Emaad and nodded discreetly, before returning my gaze to Faiz.

He gave me a little smile. "I mean, it was only fair. All of our spouses are here, so why not yours?"

"Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for everything that you have done for us, Bhai. Rida Appi, Sumi Appi, Dani Appi, Rumi Appi and I don't say it enough, but you are big brother goals. We all love you like a father. You've done more for us than Mr Jamshed Rehman ever did." 

He wrapped an arm around my shoulders. "Since when are you so emotional?" 

"Since I realised that I have been mourning for what I don't have, while not appreciating enough what I do." I whispered. "I dwelled in the past, feeling sorry for myself, while missing out all the blessings that I have right in front of me. Alhumdulillah."

"I'm proud of you, Hareem. We often worried about you because you have been through much while so young, but now I'm confident that you will handle everything maturely and responsibly. And Mamma feels the same."

"Are you two coming?!" Rumi Appi called out to us.

"I was just telling Hareem that there's nothing to be scared of." Faiz Bhai chuckled.

I glared up at him. "But I was telling you that!" 

Good-natured laughter filled through our group.

*

"Are you scared?" Emaad asked me as he sat in the ride car beside me.

"These things don't scare me." I shrugged confidently.

He took my hand and I slid closer to him. 

As the car moved forward into the dark tunnel, I grinned in excitement. Even though this was like a low-budget horror film compared to a high-budged Hollywood superhit horror with amazing special-effects, I still enjoyed these things, regardless of its cheesiness.

I heard the cackling of a witch and I laughed myself. It was one of those silly things, were things like skeletons or witch props popped out randomly, as well as actors dressed up supernatural characters.

Emaad freed his hand and wrapped his arm around my shoulders instead, and I snuggled up against him, almost losing focus on the ride.

"You smell nice." I blurted out.

He laughed loudly, surprised. "Thanks. So do you."

"Behave, kids!" Ibrahim Bhai's teasing voice came from behind us in the dark.

I shook my head, smiling and Emaad laughed again.

*

"Are you going to take good care of our Reem Khalla?" Tamanna tilted her head back to look up at Emaad, wide-eyed.

"She's very special and amazing. Be nice to her." Aizah nodded.

Emaad crouched down on the ground in front of them. "Your Hareem Khalla/Phupho is my partner. We'll take care of each other. But, promising from my side, I'll do my best."

"Good. Then she can go with you after the Vamila." Aizah crossed her arms over her chest.

"Valima." Tamanna corrected her.

"My jaan, thank you for your permission. I'm sure your Phupho and Emaad Uncle are very grateful." Anaya Bhabi told her daughter. 

"Of course, Bhabi. This was a vital permission. From my Dream Reem Team." I held both hands up for my nieces and they high-fived me.

I smiled to myself as I thought about Anabia's daughters being part of my Team Reem, In Sha Allah. Anabia's daughters. It's still so strange. We literally grew up together and now she is going to be a mother to two twin girls. In Sha Allah.

When I had told Mamma, she had also gotten overwhelmed with joy and had called Khadija Aunty to congratulate her.

I was genuinely happy for my best friend. I knew without doubt that she was going to be a good mother, In Sha Allah. 

May Allah bless Anabia and her family with long, healthy lives. Ameen.

*

Rehan

When I came downstairs, I saw that Mama had already prepared breakfast. "Assalam Alaikum. Mama, come on..."

"Walaikum Assalam." She smiled at me. "Rehan, can you please make sure that Anabia is up? The breakfast will get cold. I already woke her up, but she has a tendency to go back to sleep... and this was since before pregnancy as well."

Not wanting to argue, but feeling bad about her making breakfast, I headed to our temporary bedroom and stepped inside. "An..." I stopped.

She sat on the bed, softly reciting Ayat-ul-Kursi, with both her hands over her stomach. She blew the supplication over her belly once she was done and closed her eyes. "Ya Allah, keep my twins safe and healthy. May my daughters live long, healthy and blissful lives, with strong iman. Ameen."

"Ameen." I walked over to the bed and placed a hand over her head. "And May Allah also give my wife a long, healthy and blissful lives, with a strong iman. Ameen."

She recited Ayat-ul-Kursi again and blew it over me as she stood up. "May Allah give you a long, healthy and blissful live, with a strong iman. Ameen. You are going to be my strength and our daughters, In Sha Allah." 

I took her hands in mine. "I know what you've been through, Anya. But I promise you, in my lifetime, I'll be a shelter for my daughters-and you- against all metaphoric storms. I'll protect you all, take care of you all, and I will not spare anyone who messed with any of you. And this includes any future kids we might have as well. May Allah give me the strength to be your strength and support. Ameen."

"That applies whether I'm there or not, right?" She asked, her eyes filled with tears. 

"Anya..." I frowned.

She wiped away her tears, shaking her head. "I'm just feeling a little emotional. But Rehan, they are our daughters. They'll at you and me first and foremost for safety and protection, and that has to be in all circumstances, no exceptions."

"I don't really like what you're implying, Anya."

"Of course a writer easily ready between the lines." She smiled sadly at me. "In fact, I told Mama that I'll ask you to remarry if anything happens to me..."

I grabbed her by the upper arms, my frown deepening, staring wordlessly into her eyes. A tear was running down her cheek, her eyes reflecting deep sorrow. 

"I plead with Allah for your long and healthy life with every prayer." I finally manage to speak. "I have faith in Him."

"Just remember, faith doesn't rely on whether duas are answered or not. Faith also means to accept His decisions when we feel that our prayers are not answered. Even if our dua is not answered the way we wanted it to, Allah knows it's what's best for us, and He has something better planned."

Her words sent a chill up my spine- not because she was wrong but because she was constantly implying the same thing, and I didn't like that.

*

BONUS SCENE

Josie

"Are you actually going?" I whispered.

"What are you doing here?" Faisal asked me.

I was at his threshold, knowing that he'd be flying off to Pakistan soon...to get engaged or married, I wasn't sure. "Is this your final decision, Faisal?" 

"My parents are too conservative, Josie. I can't...they'll never agree. I can't go against them."

"I don't want you to go against them, but at least try talking to them..." 

"They'll never agree." Stubbornly, he shook his head.

And that's where my self-respect stepped in. "Okay. Well, I wish you the best in your life, Faisal Akhtar." I turned to go. I heard the door close behind me and I barely held back my tears as I rushed away from his flat as fast as possible.

*

Faisal

I couldn't bear the pain.

I leaned against the door, taking deep breaths. My parents only wanted me to marry a Pakistani Muslim girl. That was the only thing they'd asked me for, after all the sacrifices they'd made for me.

But...but I was too deeply and irrevocably in love with Josie and I loathed myself for hurting her.

But my love was not above my parents. Their regard was the highest after Allah and our Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). I felt a tear escape my eyes because I knew that I had closed all doors that led me to Josie.

My love for Josie had grown since I'd found out that she had been reading the English translation of the Quran, even having performed wudhu each time to do so, out of respect. She was learning about Islam deeply. And I'd never forced her or encouraged her to do so; it was all her own choice. She had said her interest in Islam had developed while working as Rehan's PA. 

Ya Allah...ease this pain for Josie. She deserves the whole world, someone better than me. Please give her all the happiness in the world. Ameen.

*

Congratulations, #TeamGirls. I decided this not only due to amount of readers on this team, but also because Faiz and Anaya already had a boy and a girl, and Anabia and Saim were already a set of twins that had one boy and one girl. It was time for a change.

Why is Anabia talking like this...constantly?

Khadija... 🤔 What's in store for her?

Will Josie and Faisal find their happily ever after together or apart? Who ships them?

Thoughts and comments?

Thank you for reading and don't forget to vote!