"You will not believe what happened yesterday night Zubs" Rufaidah squealed into the phone, sounding as excited as she feels.

"Everyone knows what happened you clueless woman! Your man finally bared his heart out. Am so happy for you darling! May Allah increase the love you have for each other and everything good"Zubaidah replied leaving Rufaidah slightly confused. Ugh! She should have known that one doesn't have a secret when it comes to family affairs.

"You're a traitor and I hate you for betraying me right now. How could you let me ramble after knowing who the person is?" She seethes gritting her teeth.

"Calm your horses girl, you have to admit that the way he approached you was fun and romantic and everything in between" Zuby adds, making no attempt to apologize. She drilled Rufaidah to the last bit of information she can get about what happened the other night before she allow her to breath.

"What have I done to be stuck with a drama queen like you?" Rufaidah face palms letting out puffs of air through her mouth.

"You love me anyways. I have a test in a few minutes and here I am doing amebo. You have to appreciate the little pleasures and sacrifices in life hun" she clicked off the call laughing at Rufaidah's misery.

She planned on spending the whole Saturday with Mama but how can she look the woman in the eyes after knowing that she knows everything about her son's feelings for her. Will life get more awkward for her? Why does it have to be him of all the men in the whole universe?

Because he is the best choice, Allah chose him for you because you're a perfect match. Her inner voice reasoned but she ignored it.

After much deliberations for two days, she got ready and went to Reedah's house praying to not see Al'amin even though it's a weekend and there is 99.9% probability that he will be at home.

"Assalamu alaikum"she made her presence known fighting an internal battle to either go back or proceed inside.

"Waalaikissalam! Manyan baki ne damu a gidan yau kenan. Welcome my dear, you came at the right time" Mama answered coming out from the dinning area. Rufaidah knew right that moment that she is doomed and the stars aren't clearly in her favour. How can she face everyone including him? They are close knit family so everyone will be there, why did she even come this early? It's a frigging 10am on a frigging Saturday morning.

"Mama I'll wait in Reedah's room, I have eaten" she dabbled looking at anywhere but Mama. Mama wouldn't take no for an answer saying they are having masa for breakfast.

"Okay come and say Hi to Baba since you're being adamant" Mama finally gave in. Rufaidah followed suit with a wild beating heart to greet Baba. Their eyes collided for a few seconds as she hastily break the contact willing the earth to open up and swallow her whole being.

"Good morning Baba" she crouched down a bit to pay her respect.

"Morning Rufaidah. How is your health hope you're better now ?" He replied cheerily as always. She replied in the affirmative and greeted the rest of Reedah's brothers in general not wanting to mention name. No one made any attempt to make things awkward, they all act oblivious to the fact that Al'amin has finally told her his feelings. Maybe no one knew and it's all in her head. She made an attempt to leave but Baba insisted that she joined them so she has no choice than to do as exactly as she was told.

The only empty seat happens to be directly opposite that of Al'amin's, she tried to trade seat with Reedah's younger brother but he refused to budge saying it is his permanent seat. Throughout the meal, she feels his gaze following her every move as she fights the urge to raise her eyes to look at him. She finally lose the battle of will and looked up only for him to mouth you look beautiful to her.

After breakfast, they moved to the living room for a chit chat before the guys went to their rooms to do whatever they love doing on weekends.

"What's up with you dear, you look disturbed" Mama observed. Rufaidah kept mum for a while before saying " Nothing is wrong with me Mama. I'm just too tired with everything that is going on in my life right now" she sighed.

"Keep praying and being patient my dear, Allah is Just and never burden a soul with more than it can bear. If you believe that He has better plans for you, He knows what you're going through more than you do and His choice will always be the best for you then you have nothing to be afraid of my dear, nothing will bring you down and your heart will be content that there will be no room for depressed thoughts in it" Mama consoled packaging an order of textile materials that is to be delivered to another city.

"In shaa Allah Mama. Thank you for always knowing the right thing to say. I don't know what I would become without you in my life. May Allah bless you with a mansion in jannah and put barakah in your affairs" Mama mumbled an amin and they continue to sort out fabrics. Rufaidah wanted so many beautiful laces but she doesn't want Mama to tell her to just pick them without paying. She has given her too much already.

"I know you want them dear. The price tags are there, pay me my money" Mama winked at her after surprising her again.

"How did you know?" She can't help but ask. Mama smirked and ignored her question. The maid came to ask what's for lunch at noon and Rufaidah sprung to her feet saying she will help her with lunch.

"Are you sure you're strong enough to cook?" Mama asked her retreating figure. Rufaidah laughed saying Mama should really stop babying her around.

She had so much fun with Mama for the whole day until 8pm when she decided to leave saying that she is going to spend the night at her uncle's house.

"You should have said so earlier. It's already late and I won't let you drive alone at this hour. It's no longer safe" Mama protested. She insists that either Rufaidah stay the night or let someone take her to Uncle Jibran's house. She opted for the latter thinking that Al'amin is not at home. Mama summoned him and told him to take her there with his car then she will send their driver with hers the next day. If she didn't like the arrangement, she didn't show. She thanked Mama and left.

The drive is an awkward one. Each avoiding the other like a plaque. They were almost home when Al'amin broke the tense silence.

"Are you mad at me or something?" He looked as if he's going to cry.

"Not at all, why do you think so?" She replied. He didn't say anything for a few minutes tapping his hands on the wheel.

"I don't know Noor, I just feel like you're mad at me for telling you that I love you. I don't want it to be awkward around each other, if you don't like me you can say it and save me the misery and sleepless nights waiting for your answer. Nothing will change, I will still be your brother and all. I know that I said I can wait for as long as it takes but it seems like I can't. Two more days and am sure I will breakdown or run mad" he released a frustrated sigh which she found cute.

"You should get some sleep Alhaji A. I am not giving you my final answer but know that I will never turn you down. You are a gem, only a blind or mad person will say no to you" she bolted out of the car saying goodnight and thanks for the ride. Al'amin sat rooted there feeling like shouting on top of his voice to tell the world that she indirectly said yes!

Everyone is in the living room when she arrived. She joined the banter and they have a very good time. She was about to call it a night when uncle Jibran called her back.

"Al'amin came here a week ago seeking for my permission to court you. He is a very good guy from a respectable family and if am to choose a spouse for you it will definitely be someone like him. You have my blessings dear. Allah ya muku albarka ya tabbatar da alheri"

Rufaidah suddenly feel shy she couldn't utter a word. She nodded and scurried out only to be summoned to Hajia Samira's room.

"Amaryan Al'amin" she teased, tapping a space beside her for Rufaidah to sit. She advised her to seek for Allah's counsel before giving her final verdict and that she have their hundred percent support to court him.

"You have gone through so much already, you deserve someone that will understand you and give you space and support you whenever the need arise. Shams came here the other day and he was so happy that there is a chance you might like him back. Don't say yes for the sake of anything or anyone but yourself. Listen to your heart but use your head also".

She thanked her and left to meet her cousins who were eagerly waiting for her to come and gist them.

"Amebos, am so tired I can't speak right now oya scoot lemme sleep" she fake yawned removing her hijab.

"You're so mean Rufaidah, literally the meanest person in the whole wide world" Zubaidah whined puckering her lips in a pout.

"Whatever makes you sleep at night babes" Rufaidah stuck her tongue out drawing the duvet to her torso.

She has no intention of sleeping anytime soon but she can't tell them that. She will lay quietly and think about Ya Al'amin who looked so handsome in a casual Tee and jeans.

Yah Allah! Choose the best for me. I hand  over all my affairs to you.

☹☹
Am sorry okay ? This is a one month old draft. Manage and don't come for my  head please. Until next time in shaa Allah.

Shukran Jazeel.