Atifa's pov :

I woke up the next day obviously because of my annoying alarm. It has never let me sleep peacefully. But nevertheless, my mood was surprisingly not that bad today and I had a smile on my face. Even I don't know the reason for that.

After praying and reading Quran I called Emaan, knowing very well that she might be sleeping now, after praying. I yawned. Even I was sleepy. But I can't sleep until I have made the breakfast. Especially since I don't know at what time the 'guest' wakes up. I was waiting for her to pick up the call when I caught my reflection in the mirror. A small smile was playing on my lips and I didn't even realise it.

"Assalamualikum whoever it is, please leave a message for Emaan if it is important and she will call you back. She is busy in a meeting right now." I heard her irritated and sleepy voice. I chuckled but quickly covered it up with a fake cough.

"Walikumussalam. Emaan. What are you even doing right now? Weren't you supposed to come to my home early today? Don't tell me you forgot that I'm getting married? And here you are sleeping peacefully with no care in the world. As if you don't even know about it!" I told her in fake seriousness. I know what I did here and I also know her upcoming reaction. I suppressed my laughter.

"WHAT?! YOU ARE KIDDING ME RIGHT? YOU NEVER TOLD ME THAT! I SWEAR IF THIS IS JUST A JOKE IMMA COME THERE AND KILL YOU FOR DISTURBING MY PRECIOUS SLEEP! ACTUALLY, EVEN IF THIS IS ACTUALLY HAPPENING I WILL COME THERE AND KILL YOU FOR NOT TELL ME EARLIER!" She exclaimed, her sleepy voice now replaced by her loud and shrill voice and she probably sat up in her bed due to the shock which I gave her.

I couldn't control my laughter anymore. "Seriously Emaan? You couldn't get any other work? I mean meeting? Which meeting miss?" I laughed again ignoring her threat.

"Don't tell me you told me all that to me just to wake me up from my beauty sleep. If it is true, then you are done, remember that!" She replied furiously and I know she might be glaring daggers at the wall right now.

I laughed. "I'm sorry, maybe it is true maybe it isn't, but who knows? I just wanted to let you know that Ammi wanted you to come to our home early. She wants you to do your lunch here." I replied with a big smile.

"Are you sure your ammi said that? I mean... Wasn't she like... not talking to you guys and stuff? I'm really happy that she invited me but is everything okay?" She asked me concerned.

"Yes everything is alright Alhamdulillah. Even I'm shocked by her sudden change but... I'm happy for her. So will you come?" I asked her trying to change the topic. And I was thankful that she didn't question me about that marriage thing.

"Yes sure! I would love to. In Shaa Allah I will be there early. And save the cake for me." She replied happily.

I laughed. "Ok miss."

"And by the way, before I forget to ask you, what did you mean by maybe it's true maybe it is not? What is happening there? And tell me the truth." Maybe I spoke too soon. A sigh escaped past my lips.

"I will tell you everything once you come here." I replied while absent-mindedly playing with the hem of my hijab.

"Wait... Does that mean that something is actually going on?" She asked me, more like yelled at me. I removed my mobile from my ear until I was sure that she was calm and won't shout anymore.

"Hahaha, maybe? You will know once you get here. For now I'm going to make breakfast so byee. We will meet soon In Shaa Allah." I replied nervously while a mischievous smile played on my lips.

"Ya Allah girl! You are going to kill me because of curiosity one day. Byee, Take care, Allah hafiz." She replied with frustration while I just chuckled.

"Take care, Allah hafiz." I said while cutting the call and getting up from my bed where I was sitting until now.

I tied my hijab properly and went towards the mirror to check if I looked okay. Being satisfied, I slowly tip-toed towards ammi's room and opened the door slightly, hoping that she is still asleep. I was relieved when I saw her sleeping form on the bed. I went inside while leaving the door slightly ajar and sat down on the bed beside her.

She looked so peaceful as if life was like a bed of roses for her. Like she is carefree woman, with nothing to worry about. Like she didn't had to face anything in her life. Like life was going on smoothly. Like she... I sighed while shaking my head. I didn't want to continue further and trigger my memories, so I just continued to gaze at her.

I ran my hand through her hair lightly, not wanting to wake her up before softly pecking her forehead. I stood up from the bed slowly, trying not to make any noise and tip-toed out of the room. Closing the door behind me, I went downstairs.

Keeping in mind that the stranger was still in my home I tried not to make much noise. I decided to make Aalu parathe, an Indian dish which consists of potato stuffed tortillas.

I kept the potatoes to boil while I started making dough. I have to hurry up because ammi has to go to her office.

As I worked in silence, I thought about what the sign of Allah could be. About the Istikhara which I did. Because I certainly didn't saw any dream. But I remember I woke up with a smile on my face. Was that a sign? I'm not sure... But if it is then does this mean that I should agree to this? This whole marriage thing?

I'm still confused about it. I don't want to rush into any decision. I want to take some time to think about it and see how things turn out. And also, I don't know his answer.

With these thoughts roaming in my mind, I continued to make the breakfast. Also thankful about the fact that 'no one' came in the kitchen. Just as I was done with two paratha's I saw ammi coming in the kitchen, all ready for work.

"Assalamualikum Atifa." She smiled at me warmly and looked at what I was making. "I see something special is being made for someone today. Hmm..." Ammi remarked with a slight smirk on her face.

I could feel my cheeks heat up a little. This was embarrassing. I was definitely not thinking about anyone when I decided to make that. I tried to ignore it. "Walikumussalam ammi, you can sit I just have to brew the coffee. The breakfast is almost ready." I replied while returning her warm smile with warm cheeks. I only have to make one more paratha for her lunch.

Although she almost always have her lunch with us, sometimes if it gets late or she feels hungry, she eats it in her office.

"Oh it's alright, I will brew it. You can continue with the paratha." She replied while turning on the coffee machine.

She stood there and watched me while I felt like she was trying to read me or see through me. It felt like I was having an exam and she was the examiner. I tried to ignore her stare and focus on my work.

When I finally looked at her after completing my work, I realised that although she was looking at me and observing me, her thoughts were somewhere else. She was thinking about something else.

"Ammi, the coffee." I reminded her while bringing her out of her thoughts. She smiled at me before turning towards the coffee machine. I took the breakfast at the table and sat there waiting for ammi to join, lost in my own thoughts.

She came with our coffee's in her hand and handed me one. I thanked her and started sipping it. This time too, the breakfast table was silent, but it wasn't the usual empty silence, this one was tranquil silence. The one which doesn't need anyone to talk, to fill the silence.

._._._.

I was in my room trying to figure out which dress should I wear when I heard the bell ringing. It was about to be Zuhr and after praying I have to make lunch. I already decided what I will be making for lunch.

Sighing, I went downstairs to open the door thinking who might it be. As soon as I opened the door, I was engulfed in a bear hug by my best friend, who by the way, was practically choking me by her 'light' squeeze.

"Ca- Can't... bre- breath..." I choked out. Her grip on me loosened a bit. She looked at me and grinned sheepishly. "Sorry."

I shook my head at her while smiling. "Assalamualikum."

"Walikumussalam, how are you? How was the surprise?" She asked me, excitement clear in her voice.

"Which surprise?" I raised my eyebrow at her.

"Duh, me coming earlier surprise." She replied her excitement fading away a bit as she rolled her eyes.

"I only asked you to come early." I laughed and then replied. "But yes, I agree that you are earlier than I thought you would come." I closed the door before leading her upstairs.

I realised that it was silent upstairs, which was odd considering the fact that Amira and Alayna usually chatter in her room. Maybe they were with Alayna's brother. I shook my thoughts away and led her to my room. Also thankful that now, I wouldn't have to choose my dress myself. I grinned.

"You are here at the perfect time! Now choose a dress for me. I have to take a shower." I told her smugly.

She looked at me suspiciously. "Just wear whatever you want. It's not like someone else is here to see you." She replied while looking at my clothes.

Yeah right! No one is here to see me. That is the problem! Someone is actually here that's why I have to choose wisely, I thought in irritation.

"You never know. Just please choose a nice and comfortable one for me. Pretty please." I request, pouting a little.

"What do you mean by 'you never know.'" She questioned while turning to look at me and making a quotation of my words.

"I will tell you after I come back from my shower, for now let us choose something." I avoided her gaze and started looking for something presentable to wear.

"Finally!" Emaan exclaimed in relief once we were done choosing a navy blue long kurti after ten minutes of 'trying-to-find-something-simple-yet-not-too-simple.'

"You better tell me why this much fuss over your clothes or else I will kill you myself." She said while glaring draggers at me.

I smiled sheepishly while rushing towards the washroom. "Yes I will." I replied and as an afterthought I added, "But just to let you know, don't go downstairs without your hijab. Someone is here." I closed the door, probably making her confused about my statement.

._._._.

When I returned from the shower it was already Zuhr time. I quickly tried to dry my hair and put it in a bun. I can comb it after prayer. Emaan was in the washroom making wudu, the reason why I wasn't bombarded with questions as soon as I stepped out. And one of the reason why I quickly put my hair in a bun - while they were still wet - so that I can start praying before she comes back.

Another reason was that I had to go and make lunch and also, praying on time is always the best thing. On the day of Judgment the first thing we will be questioned about will be our prayers. If they turned out to be right, then all of our other deeds will be right, and if our prayers are not right, then only Allah knows best. Maybe he will forgive us by his rehma or give us punishment. We don't know. So it's better to stay in the safe zone, isn't it?

There is also a hadith that Salah is the key to Jannah. Salah is the coolness of our prophet's eyes. And there are many more hadith regarding praying on time.

I quickly layed out two prayer mats before wearing my hijab. She came back from the washroom looking at me suspiciously. I smiled at her innocently and took out a scarf for her from my cupboard.

After we were done praying and keeping our prayer mats and scarfs, she wasted no time in questioning me. "So tell me everything now. No excuses." She ordered sternly while holding my gaze. Her eyes narrowed into slits.

"Alright alright, I will tell you. Just wait a minute." I knew this was coming next. Sighing, I opened my bun to let my hairs dry. We sat on my bed comfortably with me holding my comb and I turned towards her.

"Spill." She ordered. Geez, she is so bossy. 'Just like how you used to be.' My brain reminded me. I just shook my head and told her everything that happened yesterday. How ammi brought him home and how his sister was already at our home. How he left her irresponsibly and how ammi changed, most probably because of him. And how she wants us to get married. I took a long breath when I was done, waiting anxiously for her reply.

"Woah! So much happened in just one day. That's... shocking?" Emaan replied stunned.

I nodded. "Yeah, I know right? Even I'm stunned." I replied while combing my hair and making a braid. Checking the time, I realised it was around two. I have to hurry up to make lunch before ammi returns.

"Yeah, I can't believe it." She replied lost in her thoughts, trying to process whatever I just said. Quickly wearing my hijab, I checked myself in the mirror. Once I was sure I looked okay, I turned towards Emaan.

"Come, let's make lunch before ammi returns." I said while handing her her hijab.

"Yeah sure, but just to remind you, I don't know how to cook anything." She replied while wearing her hijab and looking at me with innocent eyes through the mirror.

"Yeah yeah, I know that. At least you can cut the vegetables." I smirked. She groaned making me laugh.

We headed downstairs into the kitchen. I started searching for spaghetti. As Amira and Alayna wanted to eat that yesterday, I decided I will make it today. When I found them I asked Emaan to cut some vegetables. After keeping the spaghetti to boil, I joined Emaan in cutting the remaining vegetables. It was silent for a while, both in our own thoughts with just occasional questions.

How peaceful was that until Emaan decided to break it and ask me questions since the vegetables were done, meaning she was free and the spaghetti boiled, meaning I'm getting to work.

"So tell me about him. How does he look like?" She asked me, excited and curious at the same time. She was perched on top of the kitchen counter in front of me, her legs dangling below. I rolled my eyes at her curiosity, of course she is curious, how can I forgot that she is my best friend?

"I don't know, I haven't really seen him. Remember we should lower our gaze." Suppressing my smile, I answered. 'Yeah right, and did you follow that rule yourself? I haven't really seen him.' My brain moked making me flushed. 'I didn't really see him, it was accidental!' I defended myself, unaware of the fact that Emaan was observing me keenly with a slight smile on her face.

"Oh I see, then why is there a blush on your face?" She smirked.

Ya Allah! This girl is distracting me from my work. "What? No ya Allah, I don't have any blush on my face." I replied while keeping my hands on my cheeks. They really felt warm. Ignoring her smirk, I continued to work, knowing very well that she is going to tease me more.

"Accha ji, and I believe you." She told me smugly. "Accha at least tell me his name. You didn't even tell me about it." She whined like a kid. (Oh yeah,) (Okay)

Realisation dawn on me. I don't even know his name yet! And here I'm, possibly getting married to him. "Ya Allah! I just realised I don't even know his name yet!" I exclaimed with horror clear on my face while tossing the spaghetti. I can't believe this. No actually, I can't believe myself! How can I even-

"My name is Saad. Saad Ibrahim." I heard a voice from the entrance of the kitchen. I stood there rooted at my place. Ya Allah, this isn't seriously happening now, I thought while squeezing my eyes shut.

._._._.

GLOSSARY :

- Allah hafiz - “May God be your Guardian/Protector”
Literally
Allah is the Arabic word for God
Hafiz is a Persian word meaning “be your Protector”.

- Salah - Prayer.

- Jannah - Paradise.

._._._.