Two months have passed since she last heard from Ya Al'amin as she went back to her usual routine of working five days a week and going to islamic school during the weekends. She wanted to call him or text him but she didn't know what to do or where to start from. If only Reedah is alive she would've told her what to do. Hajar and Zuby are not reliable as they will just make fun of her. Ummi is busy with her studies and Yaya Shams, well Yaya Shams will give her a good advice but then he's her brother on one hand and Al'amin's Besty. She cried out her frustration  into her pillow, closed her eyes, took a deep breath and dialled Al'amin's line before she could change her mind. He picked at the second ring as if he has been waiting for her call all his life.

"Assalamu alaikum Noor" his cool voice hit her ears.

"Wa'alaikassalam, how are you?" She cringed at how casually she sounded. It is an impromptu call and she hasn't planned on what to tell him, she just know that she wanted to hear his voice to keep her sanity in check and a part of her want to know if he has given up on her after hanging him to dry for too long.

"I wasn't fine but I am now Alhamdulillah. How are you? Your health and everything ?" He replied after a few beats. She replied in the affirmative and the conversation flowed from there without any of them making it awkward. They talked about everything and nothing, he told her some funny jokes that got her in tears and she told him about the movies she had watched and their visit to an Almajiri school, how her heart went out for all of them especially the very young boys and what not.

"Aunty Rufy Mommy is back " Ummi came in panting from excitement or running the stairs. Rufaidah's heartbeat stopped for a second before it started beating rapidly. She had forgotten about the impending doom awaiting her when her parents get back. She is finally getting her life  back on track, she might have fallen in love even but they have to come back and put her back to the same misery they created with their own hands in her life. She nodded at Ummi who is expecting her to bolt out of the door to welcome her parents.

"Can I call you back later please? Mommy and daddy are back" she said in a sad tone.

"Okay Noor. Just take care okay? Don't stress yourself over anything, have sabr and treat them kindly. I love you" he consoled before clicking off the call.

Rufaidah wrapped her veil around her head after typing a quick text to Yaya Shams informing  him of their parent's arrival before heading to mommy's room who is busy barking orders at the maids. She looked on edge but her skin is glowing.

"Good afternoon mommy, how was your trip?" Rufaidah greeted her mother who is oblivious of her presence.

As if she has been thorned by a prick, Hajiya Aisha turned towards her daughter whom she have hurt so much and don't even know where to begin mending.

"Rufaidah!!! I didn't know you are at home. How are you? Where is Shams? Guess what? We visited your other brothers and they promised to come here soon" she rambled excitedly. Rufaidah shook her head, gave her mother a sad smile and asked if she can help with anything.

"No my dear, the maids will take care of everything, just make sure you come down for dinner, am happy to see you looking good"

She went to her Father's wing from mommy's room. He looked shocked as if he has seen a ghost. She plastered a fake smile, sat beside his legs and pay her respects.

"My baby! Look how big you've become. How have you been?" He asked patting her head with something akin to pride in his eyes.

"Alhamdulillah daddy, how was your trip?"

"It was fine but you weren't there to make it lively. Why didn't you come dear?" He asked sounding disappointed.

"We felt it's better if we go to the holy land instead. And alhamdulillah it was the best trip of my life" she replied with gritted teeth. He didn't even acknowledge the fact that she was sick and hospitalized.

He made an attempt to make conversation but she cut him off midway saying she has something to do. They will meet at dinner. She bumped into Shams wiping her tears. He hugged her to himself and let her cry her heart out whispering sweet nothings into her ears. He led her to her room telling her that he will come back in a bit.

Dinner was an awkward clink clank of cutleries as no one is in a mood to speak. The nonchalant attitude of Rufaidah's parents baffles her.

"Alhamdulillah, Rufy get your bag, we are leaving " Yaya shams cut the heavy silence midway. Rufaidah didn't show any sign that she isn't aware that they are going out. She nodded and stood up not sparing her parents a glance only to be stopped by her father's voice.

"I found a nice guy for you, he will be coming next week to see you and if everything goes as planned, you will be married in a month's time." There is finality, arrogance and command to his tone as Rufaidah's heart shattered into more tiny pieces.

What has she ever done to her parents to warrant what they do to her every damn time? It's as if they always sense her happiness and peace of mind and they are ever ready to wreck havoc in her life. She won't let them get the upper hand this time because she can never marry a pompous rich guy living in only God knows where to seal a business deal. She is not an item to be discarded at will, he can disown her or send her packing but she will never agree to this alliance.

"She has a suitor daddy, he is coming to see you tomorrow. You can marry her off to him by the end of this week" Yaya shams intervened irritably, trying so hard to keep his anger in check.

"Who is he and what does he do? Whose son is he by the way? The guy I have in mind is one of the richest bachelors in Africa" Daddy seethed banging the table.

"Don't you think she is old enough to make her own decisions?  she has a right to choose her life partner according to the dictates of Islam not business propaganda"

Rufaidah froze the moment her dad uttered those hurtful words. She can hear the exchange between her brother and father but couldn't move an inch. It is like her life has come to an end. Just when she is ready to let go of her fears and give love a chance, her parents are bringing up an absurd idea, trying to break her heart, show her that she mean nothing to them, her happiness don't matter and that she is just a means to an end.

"Who is the guy Shams?" Mommy chipped in. Yaya shams didn't respond, he gave his father an intense look telling him he's not going to back down before holding Rufaidah's hand leading her outside. They found Al'amin pacing the lot.

"Sorry i didn't tell you he is coming, he is so worried about your encounter with our parents and wanted to make sure that you are okay " Yaya Shams rambled apologetically, seeing the blank look Rufaidah is giving both of them. He left her there staring at space and he ran into the house to bring her veil, bag and phone.

"She can sleep over at your house, just take her far away from this place please. I will deal with this issue in shaa Allah" he instructed Al'amin who doesn't even know what to do or say after seeing the condition of his Noor.

"No" Rufaidah whispered " I am coming back to this house tonight. I am tired of running to others for help whenever I am hurting. Allah is sufficient for me and He will see me through every obstacle by His will" she wrapped her veil around her head and stomped to Al'amins car banging the door in the process.

Al'amin assured Shams that he will bring her back soon before zooming out of the house thinking of ways to bring Rufaidah out of her misery.

"Noor" he whispered knowing that she can hear him.

She burst into tears instead of replying him. Al'amin is having a battle with himself, all he wanted is to gather her in his arms, take away her pain and keep her happy all her life.

"I don't know what happened, I have no idea how badly you're hurting but I know that it hurts me more to see you in tears. Have sabr Noor, whatever it is, it shall come to pass like all the other trials you went through. Allah doesn't burden a soul with more than it can bear. I know you're strong and you will get through this. Tell me what to do to make you feel better, to put a smile on your face, to make you forget about your pain even if it is for a second. Just don't hurt or cry please "

"He said he is going to marry me off to some guy in a month's time" she finally released the bomb.

"Innalillahi wa inna ilaihi rajiun" Al'amin shouted coming to a screeching halt, almost bumping into a pole. "Noor tell me you're kidding , tell me you're pulling a prank on me, tell me it's not true" he said, holding his shaky hands together.

"I wish I am but it is the truth, i still can't believe that it actually happened but it did and by Allah if he insists I'd rather die than marry whoever the person is" she vowed wiping the tears that refused to stop flowing.

"Allahumma ajirni fi musibati wa akhlifni khairan minha. Innalillahi wa inna Ilaihi rajiun!!!" Al'amin kept repeating the duas until Rufaidah joined him. They kept saying it together until they feel ease in their hearts, until their hearts start  beating normally and head cleared off.

"What do we do now ? Should we go back home so that I will introduce myself to him or we should wait for tomorrow so that Baba and my uncles will come? I know that you didn't even agree to be my girlfriend but I just can't let this happen to you. My selfish reasons of wanting you all to myself aside, i can't let your parents hurt you more than they already did" he rambled in frustration.

"I don't even know what to do anymore! Mama always tell me to be patient, to obey them and treat them kindly and to not hate them no matter how badly they behave but by Allah am holding on by a thread. I don't want to drag you into this roller coaster ride of pain with me"

They kept mum for a long while before Al'amin fished out his phone and dialled his mother. He told her everything as narrated to him by Rufaidah. She kept repeating yahsalam! At intervals as she listened with keen interest.

"I am speechless and confused right now. Tell her to be calm down and keep praying. I will meet Baba and we will plan on what to do. It shall be well in shaa Allah" she consoled sounding angry.

Al'amin drove around the town aimlessly, soothing Rufaidah with encouragement until she fell asleep.

"Sleep well Noor. In shaa Allah I'll drive away all your nightmares and make you the happiest" he whispered.

☘☘☘
Juma'at mubarak blessed souls. Don't forget to read suratul kahf. May Allah continue to guide and bless us.

Shukran Jazeel.