10th October, 2016

It would be a crime to get Simran and Asif married and not show a few of their moments together. One that I wouldn't want to commit LOL. Soooo... here we go! Happy reading and please don't forget to vote + comment especially because due to a reason I don't know, this chapter was difficult to write but I love it nonetheless. I hope you do too :P :)

"If you were to count Allah's favors, you would not be able to number them; most surely humanity is very unjust, very ungrateful."

[Sūrah Ibrāhīm: 34]

Chapter 44:

A Fleeting Moment is a memory in the making

"So?" Tabasum grinned, wriggling her eyebrows suggestively.

"What?" Simran questioned, trying very hard, and failing to contain her smile.

"Has the feeling settled in yet?" She asked, laughing at her blushing friend.

Simran pretended to ponder at the question, and shaking her head while wearing a huge smile, she answered, "Almost."

"Ah after last night, I wouldn't doubt that," Tabbo replied, earning a light smack from her friend.

Diverting from the topic, Simran said, "Alhamdulilah, I'm so so so happy, Tabbo. Sssssssssoooooooo happy, the way Anam says it."

"Are you crying?" Tabbo asked, her smile turning to a concerned expression.

"I just can't contain my feelings right now. Every time I think about Asif, about us, my heart bursts in happiness and I experience so many emotions that I can't put into words a single one. It's surreal, really," she said, gulping her emotions as goosebumps graced her skin.

"Asif better thank me for choosing you as my best friend since school. There's no way he could find someone so beautiful on his own," Tabasum winked.

"I dare say it's the other way round," Simran corrected. "I'm so glad I met Asif through you."

"Ah there we go with sappy love remarks. Wait till he starts to be his annoying self, then don't tell me you regret marrying him, OK. I'm telling you, Simmy, my brother can be so annoying you can't even imagine," Tabasum warned jokingly.

"I can imagine, Tabbo," Simran grinned. "But it's alright, when you're in love, you accept the person for who he is!"

"People in love are weird," Tabbo stated, not battling an eyelid over Simran's indirect verbal confession of being in love with her brother.

Though she hadn't heard her say this earlier, the truth was established a long time ago. It had only taken her long to experience the sweetness of the feeling that made even the most sensible of men do silly things. Love - such a magnanimous four letter word.

"You don't want to nap?" She asked, turning to look at the watch. While the wedding was fun and a magical event, everyone was probably witnessing the side effects now after the long and tiring day.

"Not really," Tabbo answered, popping in a piece of crispy chicken dipped in honey.

At Asif's house, most of the members were on their long nap after lunch but Simran and Tabasum, like the best friends they were, were sitting in Tabbo's room, sipping chai while munching on the appetizers left from yesterday's wedding.

"I'm so glad we had some food from yesterday's wedding left," Simran started. "I didn't have much of an appetite yesterday and it would be so bad to not have my own wedding food to my heart's content!"

"I don't blame you, honestly. With so many Aunties sitting around you at the dining table, and giving those teasing looks while Asif offered you the first morsel of food, ugh...awkward!"

"Tell me about it," Simran replied, burying her face in her hands as she thought of yesterday's embarrassing moment.

After most of the guests had cleared out, Asif and Simran's family along with the relatives had sat for dinner. Since it was their wedding, the Aunties made a big show of asking Asif to feed his wife the first morsel and vice versa, snapping pictures and teasing them all along.

"I could barely eat," Simran confessed, thinking back to the event.

"If you're being honest, I'm sure it's more to do with Asif than the Aunties. With all the butterflies in your stomach, where was the place for food?"

"Tabasum!" Simran laughed. "Call me shameless but I'm not even going to deny that."

"Cute," Tabassum smiled, squishing her cheek and just as Simran was going to protest, a voice startled her.

"Definitely cute!"

Simran jumped up at that and looked around the room to discover the source.

Tabasum, however, doubled over in laughter as she moved the curtains of the window just behind them on the couch, and motioned for Simran to peek out with her.

While Tabasum was still laughing, Simran found her cheeks flame with embarrassment as she looked out of the window that opened into the balcony, adjacent to which was Asif's room. And now, he stood by his own window, smiling in all his glory.

"That's not fair, Asif," Tabasum said, once she had calmed down. "You can't intrude the best friends' conversation."

"How much did you hear?" Simran asked in panic.

"Well," Asif grinned, "Except for the part that you said you are ssssooooo happy, you're glad you found me through Tabbo, you'd love me even for my annoying self, and you have no place for food in your stomach, I didn't hear anything."

"That's practically everything!" Simran croaked, ducking under the window, much to the amusement of the two siblings.

"Oh by the way, I just came by the window to say I was waiting for you here. And Tabasum, you two may be best friends and stuff like that but she's my wife now, so you can't steal her away while I'm on a nap."

"Oh brother, excuse me?"

"Oh it's alright, you're excused," Asif smirked.

"Oh hello, she's my best friend before your wife. Sisters before Misters!"

"I really need to get you married!" Tabasum heard him yell as she turned her back to him. "Ok fine, but send Simran over here, it's important!"

"He's calling for you," Tabasum repeated while Simran looked mortified.

"Oh God! I can't face him after all that he's heard," she whispered, afraid he'd somehow hear this too, although she was now sitting on the bed, vouching she'd never even go near that window.

Somehow, everytime she had to confess her feelings for Asif, she had to do it near that cursed or blessed window and Asif would hear her.

Every single time!

She heard Tabasum laugh at her embarrassment as she ushered her towards the door and with painstakingly slow steps, Simran finally reached her room.

As she closed the door behind her and turned around, lying on the bed with his back resting against the head board was a very amused Asif.

"Hey," he greeted.

"Hi," she smiled, standing with her back to the door.

"So..." he started, a teasing grin on his handsome features.

"So?" She grinned back timidly.

She'd hate to admit it aloud but she was practically swooning over all these cutesy awkward moments between the two, since they were still so new to each other although it felt like they knew each other for a lifetime.

"So what's that important task for which you cut short my time with the bestie?"

As Asif patted the spot on the bed next to him, slipping on the pillow, Simran laughed and shook her head.

"You'll be late for Asr."

"Still have fifteen minutes for adhaan."

Since she couldn't really resist the offer, she walked to him and although her initial plan was to sit beside him, he pulled her to him, resting her head against his arm while wrapping the other around her, cuddling her close.

"This was the important task," he announced and Simran giggled.

"I see," she smiled, running her fingers through his beard.

However, she froze when she felt him dip closer and kiss her forehead.

"I'm the blessed one to have met you," he said, referring to her previous conversation with Tabasum.

"I can't believe you end up hearing my confessions every single time," she mumbled and Asif grinned, finding it adorable.

Once they had pulled back, he said, "I am seriously going to find the person who built this house and hug him! To have my sister's window adjacent to my room was the best thing ever!"

"What if he's dead by now?" Simran joked.

"I'll remember to thank him in Jannah, in sha Allah. Which reminds me, I have another person to thank in Jannah."

Simran looked up at him, slightly taken aback to witness a certain hoarseness in his voice and how his hand dropped to her stomach and he held her hand in his.

"Who?" Simran began to ask and she had just finished the question that she realized the answer. "Bilal?" She questioned, a sad smile gracing her features.

"It was so kind of him to send that mail," he said, his eyes glazing over.

Simran's heart broke as she heard that, mostly because Bilal was no more and partly to see her husband like this.

She knew he was hurting. And unlike the day where she had seen him by the porch steps of Bilal's house, so lost, heartbroken and helpless and yet she couldn't comfort him, this was different. She remembered the time she had to fold her hands and hug them to her bosom because that's just how badly she had wanted to extend it to Asif and take away his sorrows.

So now, she raised her free hand that wasn't interwoven with Asif's and brought it to his face, stroking his cheek as she said, "In sha Allah, he's in a better place, Asif. I know you miss him, you miss him a lot, but this is Qadr Allah."

"We had so many plans together, Simran. There was so much that we still had to do and although it looks like I'm strong and over it, I'm actually not."

This was the first time since Bilal's death that Asif was venting out his feelings and he had to admit he felt a lot better. Speaking aloud the thoughts of his mind, sharing it with someone he loved, made him feel lighter!

"I used to always go to Bilal when I'd get frustrated by the situation between you and I, and he used to tell me to stay patient, reminding me that if the two of us were meant to be nothing could stop us and if Allah had different plans, I couldn't stop them. He was more than a brother to me, and now that we're finally together, he isn't here to see it!"

Simran heard him speak, tightening her grip on him as she remained quiet, she honestly didn't know what to say.

They stayed that way for the next few moments and in an attempt to shift his thoughts, she started, "Asif?"

"Yeah?"

"How did you feel the first time you heard me say I like you? You know that day when I was explaining this to Dina in Tabbo's room."

"You seriously wanna know?" He smiled, his eyes regaining that spark.

"Yes," she answered softly, "I seriously wanna know!"

"I went numb, honestly," he replied, pushing back Simran's hair that had become messy by now, thanks to his explorations, behind her ear. "So long I used to think you had no feelings for me but when I heard you say that, I was like, 'Dayum! I want to marry this girl this very second!' You have no idea the torture I've been through, Sim."

"Was it worth it?" She asked, referring to their current state and how they were finally married.

"You are worth more than I can ever explain," he smiled, leaning closer and after what felt like ages, they pulled back only due to the adhaan.

They were madly in love and there was no looking back. But they couldn't be blamed, could they?

***

"Anam, sweetheart what's the problem?" Dina sighed. It was barely afternoon but she was already exhausted. It had just been a day since she shifted back to her apartment and now she was seriously rethinking her decision of not staying with Shabana and Jawed.

Anam and Khalifa were a handful!

Anam seemed to be showing a lot of tantrums everytime Dina took care of Khalifa and Dina had to remind herself she had to take that extra step for Anam if she didn't want her to feel neglected. With such small age difference between the siblings, this was bound to happen.

Say, for example, right now Dina was nursing Khalifa but Anam insisted on sitting on her lap.

"Fine, come here, come to Mama," Dina called, shifting Khalifa to her left while she made Anam sit on her right thigh.

"Subhan Allah, look at all the tears," she shook her head, smiling as she wiped her daughter's tears and kissed her cheek.

"Mamma!" Anam called, "Lovvvvveeee you," she said, extending both her arms to show the extent of her love and then turned around, burying her face in her neck and hugging her close.

"Mamma loves you too, my baby," Dina replied, kissing her forehead. "Do you love your baby brother too?"

"Fa!" She said, pointing to Khalifa, and even blew him a kiss, as if just a few seconds earlier she wasn't despising his existence.

Once Khalifa was done and had fallen asleep, Dina carefully put him down and carried Anam to the kitchen with her.

"Come on now, Mamma and Anam will have lunch."

"No!" Anam shouted, her mood shifting once again. "Gummy bayyy!" She ordered, pointing towards Dina's phone.

The young generation, Dina had realized, was too tech savvy for their own good. Every other toddler or kid she saw, had an I pad, phone or laptop in hand and she pitied them, if she was being honest. When she thought back to her childhood, it included moments like getting dirty in the mud, jumping in puddles, playing games like hop scotch, hide and seek, running and catching and what not. She'd be surprised if kids these days even did half of the things they had done in their childhood. What a shame, really!

Thus, Bilal and Dina had decided long back they'd keep the exposure of technology and digital games at a minimal to their children. What kind of a childhood was it if it didn't involve running around, falling and picking oneself up?

However, a week back, since Anam and Khalifa were being hard to manage, she played gummy bear on her phone to keep Anam occupied while she attended to Khalifa. And now she was probably paying the price for it.

"Anam, no gummy bear now. Only mummam!"

"No wan mummam. Gummy bayy!" Anam screeched and Dina huffed.

"So once upon a time," Dina started, scurrying behind her with her bowl of mashed banana. "There was a little girl named," she paused as her daughter turned to look at her mother who was narrating one of the stories she liked.

"Amuuuummmmm!" She said her name, looking with her big black eyes. Dina took the opportunity to feed her a spoonful and continued, "She had a cute little brother named," she paused.

"Fa," Anam said pointing to her room and Dina fed another spoonful. Just as she was about to run to Khalifa to give him a kiss, Dina hurried to stop her.

"Anam, dear, he's sleeping, you can kiss him when he wakes up, Ok?"

"Ok!" She agreed, giving her mum the infamous thumbs up but since she lacked the coordination yet, she ended up raising two other fingers along with her thumb. Dina laughed at her little girl and scooped Anam in her arms, bringing her to the dining table, narrating the story while feeding the little one at the same time.

Once she was done, it took her another half an hour to put Anam to sleep and then she headed to the drawing room to put away Anam's toys.

She had the last of bits left when a sudden memory startled her. Although Anam was a pampered child with lots of new toys, she still had a few of her toys from last year since they had stepped into the apartment after so long.

When she was still a few months old, Bilal had purchased a clay modeling kit and although Dina had tried to tell him it was for children above three years, he insisted Anam would be equally fascinated to see him mould the clay to different forms even if she herself couldn't do it.

At the memory, Dina realized, she may have been strong all along, she may have been praised for her courage and patience, but at the end of the day she was still a gentle soul whose heart ached with the raw wounds of her loss.

She didn't even realize she was crying until her eyes pricked with tears at the memory of her husband. It had to be one of the toughest tasks to live in the same house with Bilal's memories spluttered all along but Dina knew she'd no way have it any other way. She still felt his presence linger in the four walls which the two had together made a warm home. He was there in every corner she gazed, his smell, his presence, his comfort still existed.

Etched in memory only, but it was there nonetheless.

Instinctively, she opened the box and a soft gasp escaped her lips. The wetness on her cheek made her realize she was crying but she didn't even care to wipe away those tears as she gingerly lifted a blue clay mould and gazed at it for eternity.

Dina had never used the clay modeling set, never used it, which meant the dents of fingerprints on them belonged to only one person.

Subhan Allah, she felt a rush of emotions as her heart softened thinking of Allah's mercy and how He sends the reminders when we needed them the most.

Ever so slowly, she moved her fingers and fit them in the moulds of Bilal's fingertips, closing her eyes as she thought back to the hundred thousand times he had held them. It was hard to describe, but she could literally feel the warmth of his hand, the feel of his touch as she took in a shaky breath, biting her lower lip.

She sat with it for the longest of time and finally when she went back to clearing the rest of the things, she placed the mould in the safest place of her wardrobe, the one she loved the most for it was a little drawer with the articles that were a reflection of the best of memories she had lived with Bilal.

A Memory - that's all that it was. Nothing to a few, but everything to others.

Later in the day when she was preparing to go to Jawed's house along with the kids, she was interrupted by the ringing of the door. She hurriedly put on her hijab on the Abaya she was already wearing and found her neighbour as the guest.

"Hi! Dina, right? How have you been?"

"I'm fine, Mrs. Linda. Please come in," Dina greeted politely.

"Oh no, dear, I'm actually in a hurry. I would love to drop in some day and spend time with you but for now, I just came to deliver this box. It came in your husband's name a couple of months back but since your house was locked, the post man dropped it in my place."

"Is it?" Dina mumbled, accepting the box. As she bid Mrs. Linda goodbye and looked for the sender's name, she didn't know how to feel anymore.

After a very long time, Dina felt her stomach churn in anticipation while her heart beat picked up pace. How couldn't she, when the package was shipped from a familair land, containing all of Bilal's personal belongings.

***

"Mum, do you need help?" Simran asked her mother in law, and Sumaiya smiled at the question.

"No, Simran. What kind of a mother in law would people say I am if I let her new daughter in law, who's in this house for just one week, cook lunch already?"

Simran shook her head at Sumaiya's dramatics and replied, "They'd have nothing to say since I'm doing this by my will."

"Are you a hundred percent sure that you won't make me to be a typical MIL whose hobby is to torture the poor bahu because she's evil like that?"

"I won't."

"And when Asif returns from office you wouldn't complain to him that I gave you a hundred chores and you don't want to stay in this house anymore?"

"Why would you think that?"

Simran laughed while Sumaiya grinned at her. Asif's mother was such a cool personality, so full of mirth and energy!

"Now I know from where Asif gets the easy going attitude," Simran said as she proceeded towards the chopping board.

"Of course it's from me! Cool mom equals cool son!"

"So totally agree," Simran grinned.

"You know, when he was a kid, he used to be so afraid to take me to the parent teacher meetings in school because the teacher always had a long list of complains for him."

Simran nodded, smiling at the memory of the little Asif.

Back then, she thought him to be nothing more than Tabbo's elder brother. And now, he was her everything.

It had been one week since their wedding and it was the first day that Asif had gone to work, promising her that he had planned for an elaborate honeymoon the coming month because he had a tight schedule currently at office.

Simran had been alright, more than alright with that and couldn't wait to travel with him. As for now, she was having fun bonding with the ones he loved. But there was only one problem - after one week of spending time together, Gosh, she missed him terribly and it wasn't even funny.

It was safe to say Asif wasn't too excited to go back to work either because he had kissed her goodbye three times and still made no move to go until Simran literally pushed him out of the door.

They were in love, alright.

"- and from then on, he was never afraid. I used to nod to everything the teacher said and agree to her that Asif needed to stop with being a prankster but the minute I'd leave the classroom, I'd high five him for his glorious work. What's life without some fun?" Sumaiya said and Simran giggled, hoping her MIL wouldn't find out she had zoned her out while thinking of her son.

"But how do you strike the balance, mum?" She questioned. "If you give a child that much freedom and encouragement, isn't there a chance they turn out to be ugh... a brat?"

"Do you think Asif is a brat?" Sumaiya asked, a stern expression on her face as Simran's eyes widened at her tone.

"No, I'm sorry, that's not what I meant, it's just that-"

"Relax," Sumaiya laughed, "I was just pulling your leg."

"Oh!" Simran exclaimed, relieved that she hadn't been misunderstood.

"I know you're asking this advice on parenting for your future children," she winked and Simran's cheeks flamed up in embarrassment.

She didn't just hint over Asif and her babies!

"So to answer your question," Sumaiya started, getting the poor girl out of her misery, "I used to always draw the line. See, Asif was very soft at heart, and his pranks were usually harmless so there was no need to stop him unless those times he used to get out of hand and earn a smacking. Of my three children, Asif has earned most of them. But he was the kindest of them all too, when a baby pigeon had died in his balcony, he had cried the entire day. And once when we had a cat and it was winter, he insisted on giving away his blanket to the animal so she wouldn't feel cold. He is a good guy, Simran, remember this when he drives you crazy."

"I will," Simran smiled, glad to have gathered so many of Asif's childhood memories. She learnt something new about him everyday.

Once they had had lunch, she helped in clearing up and sat with her parents in law and Tabasum, talking about nothing in particular. An hour later, her father in law, who had come for lunch, went back to work and everyone went about their chores. She had thought of calling Asif but had stopped herself, knowing that he would be busy.

Now, once she had prayed Magrib, she walked to her room to unpack more of her stuff and put them in the wardrobe. She was just putting a dress in the hanger that the doorbell rang and she found her heart rate accelerate.

When it rang for the second time, she rushed to answer it, guessing that Sumaiya must be engaged in Salah and Tabbo mostly was in the backyard.

"Assalamu alaikum," she greeted, a bit breathlessly and was surprised when Asif put his head inside and looked around the drawing room. When he was sure there was no one in sight, he wrapped his arms around her, the hug leaving Simran a bit dazed.

"Wa alaikum as salaam," he whispered, kissing her cheek. "I missed you."

"Asif, someone may see us like this," Simran mumbled against his chest.

"So?" He smirked, breaking from the hug with an arm still placed around her as they walked inside. "So what, Sim? We're married, did you forget already?"

"I know we're married, I don't need reminders," she answered, shaking her head at him.

"Ok then, come to the room if you're so bent on privacy," he joked.

"That is not what I meant!"

"Really? Then what did you mean?" He questioned.

"Asuuuff, you're back?" Sumaiya called and Asif groaned.

"It's Asif," he corrected just as Simran pulled away from him. Getting lovey dovey in front of the MIL was so not her thing.

"Asuuuff, my little boy," Sumaiya teased him purposely in front of his wife.

While Simran laughed at his annoyed expression, Sumaiya continued, "Alright, why don't you go and freshen up and we'll set the table. Simran has made your favourite snacks."

"Yeah?" He asked, raising his eyebrows, "That's very nice of her."

He was just about to ask Simran to come to the room with him when Sumaiya said, "Simran, come here with me."

As she held her hand and took her to the to kitchen, Simran looked behind, giggling at Asif's sulking expression. She waved him goodbye while he narrowed his eyes at her.

It had only been three minutes that Sumaiya and Simran were in the kitchen that they heard Asif call from his room, "Simran, can you please come here? I can't find my shirt."

To say Sumaiya was amused would be an understatement. All these years, he was more than capable of finding his belongings and refused her help in his room. Of course, only now when his wife was in the house, the situation had to change.

She laughed at the statement and turned to Simran. "You must go help him find that shirt," she said with an amused grin and with flaming cheeks Simran walked up to their room.

This son and mother were going to give her a heart attack!

"Liar," Simran said as she entered the room. "Your stuff is right there!"

"Ah ha," he shook his head, "I don't lie," he replied as he walked towards Simran with slow steps and a teasing grin.

"But you said you couldn't find the shirt and it's right there in the closet!"

"Actually, I didn't even look for it and obviously, I didn't find it. So technically, it wasn't a lie," he shrugged.

"Mum so knew that wasn't your reason for calling me up here!"

"You were the one who asked for privacy," he grinned and Simran shook her head at him being impossible.

"Mum's waiting for us downstairs," she warned.

"I don't seem to find that shirt," he mumbled distractedly, and when they finally walked downstairs, Simran was careful to not make eye contact with him if she didn't want to resemble a tomato at the dining table.

"Mum," Asif started, "No Aunty is calling us for dinner tonight right?" He asked. For the past week, they'd been having lunch at one relative's place and dinner at the other's. He didn't know why each relative found it necessary to invite the married couple to their house for food but that was about it and he was honestly tired.

He could bet that just one week since marriage, but he must have put on at least ten pounds, no kidding. When it came to serving the food that they had prepared by their own hands, no one could stop Desi Aunties until they were satisfied seeing a mini mountain of food on your plate. Until then, the platter looked 'empty' to them.

Desi Aunties were such extremes, you'd have to meet one to understand.

"You must be glad Tehreem has booked tomorrow for dinner, so you're free to go," Sumaiya replied, flipping through the television channels.

"Dinner date, huh?" Tabasum teased and Asif nodded.

"Something like that."

"You wanna come along, Tab?" Simran asked, just to be polite. She didn't want her to feel neglected.

"Simran, dude!" Asif groaned. "What will my sister do on our date?"

"Exactly!" Tabasum laughed. "I'm so interested to become the third wheel," she answered sarcastically.

"I like my kebab without the bone," Asif teased his sister, stating the old Hindi proverb used for third wheels.

"And I liked my best friend without you," she replied, sticking her tongue out.

"Awww how sad, you have no choice but to deal with me now. Not only am I going to annoy you as your brother, I've already taken your best friend away from you!"

"You are such an evil monster," Tabasum answered, shaking her head at his silliness.

"Asif, stop being rude!" Simran chided, although she was smiling by now.

"Oh leave them, beta," Sumaiya called behind her. "Asif and Tabbo always have such fights."

"Fine, I'm going to get dressed then," Simran announced and just as she started to proceed upstairs, Asif caught her hand.

"I'll come with you," he smiled and Simran shook her head at his suggestive look, wondering how long it would take for them to leave now. As they walked upstairs, hand in hand, her heart skipped a beat at the thought of having the first date with her husband.

Although all they did was talk, eat and walk, this could easily pass as some of the best moments of their life, with smiles that didn't leave their faces the entire night.

That was the thing about being in love - you didn't have to do anything yet every moment spent with the person seemed magical.

_________________________________________________________

So the next part is going to be the Epilogue, in sha Allah. *cue the tears* Anyhow, is there anything specific that you'd like to see in the final part of this book? Let me know in the comments below and please do not forget to vote if you like the chapter. I am so overwhelmed to receive your support alhamdulilah :")

Some of my readers made me beautiful covers and I thought I'll share them here. (If I've missed yours, please leave a message on my message board. NOT my inbox for I haven't been able to keep a track of them, my apologies!)

@rain_pearl made this beautiful and apt cover:

@Twinkle_Teardrops made this gorgeous cover:

@flamboyant.lass sent this amazing cover on insta with an equally kind message:

Thank you guys! I adore them <3

Reminder: We're in the blessed month of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, and It's prescribed to fast the 10th of Muharram, and as the hadith goes, we're recommended to fast on 9th or 11th along with 10th.