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Let Me Buy You A Collection Of
Abayas and Matching Hijabs.

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"- Tum Se Hi din hota hai, Surmayi shaam aati hai, Tum Se Hi Tum Se Hi, Har ghadi saans aati h-

"-SURAH AD-DUHA, 'AND HE FOUND YOU LOST AND GUIDED YOU'. AYAH NUMBER NINTY THREE."

He clicked his tongue guilty without turning towards his mother, who he realised was also in the room he had just barged in to get a charger.

Cautiously peeking over his shoulder, he found his beloved Mom in an online hadith learning class. He froze when, in addition to his dismay, the mic as well, the video was turned on, with him in the background with luckily his back facing the camera.

"Jazakh'Allahu Khair. Assalamu'alaykum."

He heard his mother's farewell to the class and finally the breath of relief blew off his cheeks as he turned around only to witness his loving mother heavily glaring at him with her hands on either side of her waist.

"Zumair... Bete, is there any explanation?"

"I-I.... Um...I didn't know that you were in your hadith classes, You would've locked the door, Ammijaan!"

"Ooooooo, okay, you're clearly saying that it's my fault?"

"Uh-"

"WHAT UH? YOU BARGE LIKE THAT IN MY ROOM SINGING SON-Oh Yes, You were singing songs aloud, Tell me how many surahs so you actually know by heart? Huh? No, no, you tell me today! You have to, Zumair Ausaf!"

Zumair stared at his mother with horror dangling in his ethereal silver-grey eyes. He could imagine his mom turning red in anger. He sure did embarrass her in front of other desi brown women. He just stepped in doom.

"Batao, khamosh kyu ho? Nahi aate na zyda? Kaha tha camera ke piche baith kar attend karro mere sath classes lekin nahi yaha inko gaane sunne hai. Itna sharminda bachpan me nahi kiya tha tumne mujhe, jitna ek din me kiya hai. Taubah Hai!"

(Why aren't you saying anything? Tell me? You don't know much, do you? I said you, I already said you to sit behind the camera and attend the classes with me, But no. This gentleman here had to listen to songs. You did not embarrass me so much in childhood, as much as you have done in a day.)

He scratched his mess of luscious mousy brown hair and witnessed his mom leaving the room as she slammed the door behind her. Nonetheless, Zumair turned towards what he was here for, the charger.

Once he threw the charger over his hood cladded shoulder and let the piece of wire dangle over there, he reached out to his Mom's drawer of hidden snacks, munching a few peanuts and another interesting nut chocolate bar he found, Zumair was about to leave his parent's room but stopped when he noticed his Mom completely didn't exit the class.

He had a mini-heart-attack when he a minor thought of 'the class didn't end yet?' crossed his mind also the fact that his mom isn't good with technology; What if she didn't mute the audio or turned off the video, with that term in his mind, Zumair hideous made his way near the laptop cautioned enough to be away from the deadly camera which was thankfully off with the class successfully ended.

Comfortably occupying a seat with his mother's laptop before him, viewing his mother's WhatsApp chats from which, one specifically got his attention with curiosity making him open the unread message from a preety name with a pretty simple quote on her profile picture.

'What If Your Wish Is One Prayer Away.'

"Elhaaf Reza, Interesting. Mhmm. She seemed special, Mum inserted a flower with her name.."

Zumair hummed to himself as he clicked the name taking him to the chatbox and a half typed unsend text from his mom to the feminine, he low-key wish isn't some random aunty as he invaded the chats of his dangerous mom.

◯ Elhaaf Reza. ❁
: Assalamualaykum, Aunty.
: Ma'am*

"Phew, Sukhar hai koi ammi ke umar ki nahi hai....Hein, kyu sukhar hai? Ugh, Pagal hogaya hu mai. Khaaair." (Phew, thank God, She isn't someone Mom's age....Huh, thank god? Why? Ugh, I actually got crazy. Anywaaaaays.)

walay'kumasalam dear ♡ :

"Ammi, W toh capital type karleti aur dear?Haye woh 'dear' me kitni mithaas haai, Waah!" (Mom, at least have typed the W in capital and check out the level of sweetness in that 'dear', Woah.)

◯ Elhaaf Reza ❁ :
I don't know if you know me or not. Well, let me introduce myself. I'm Elhaaf Reza. I attend the same hadith course classes you do, and if I'm not wrong, I heard you mentioned that you have the hardcopy of a few Islamic books.'
If you don't mind, and for the sake of kindness, can you please lend me the book for a few days? I couldn't find the hardcore editions in the stores anymore, and e-reading doesn't fit well with these. It's completely fine, if it's minds you, Mrs. Ausaf.

oh dear, call me Aunty. It will be an honour for me to help another muslimah :

◯ Elhaaf Reza ❁ :
Awe! JazakAllah Hu Khair! But how will I get the book from you?

Why don't you come to my house? :
Due to my health I couldn't be able to go out of the house for a few days, my doctor asked me not dear.

◯ Elhaaf Reza ❁ :
Oh. Okay, surely. I hope we live nearby. It would be helpful if you let me know your address.

Zumair nodded, impressed at the one he had no idea about. His eyes travelled over the unsend written text from his mother. It just their house number, which he edited specified the exact location.

Exact Location, Zumair? Mess it up a little bit, Bro. A shaytaan's voice in his mind tickled, and he gave a thought for a moment and immediately switched the house number to a few blocks away.

Her last seen was three minutes ago, and his tongue clicked in dismay as she was online, but suddenly, the current status changed from last seen to typing.

◯ Elhaaf Reza ❁ :
: Great. We live nearby. Maybe I'll come tomorrow then, if that's okay with you? And if it is. Then around what time should I visit you. I hope it doesn't mess up with your schedule.

He silently read the message with the tiny voice of his mind and quickly recalled if he had any task or stuff and errands for tomorrow? Fortunately, no. But his mother had an appointment tomorrow around 3pm and will be back within an hour.

Of course, it's okay with me :
Come across 3:30 or 4.

◯ Elhaaf Reza ❁
: Sure. In Sha Allah. Also, sorry to disturb you again but what if I couldn't find your house exactly. We're kind of new to this area, and I hope you understand.

Perfect. Something I was waiting for. He mischievously smirked to himself while his fingers swayed across the keyboard.

No worries, Dear :
I'm sending you my son's number.
Why don't you contact him,
if you have any problem in finding.
'+1 XXX XXX XXXX'
His name is Zumair Ausaf. ♡

◯ Elhaaf Reza ❁
: Oh....... Okay, In Sha Allah?

Okay, In Sha Allah ♡♡ :

He currently felt like Harami creep, but that doesn't stop him. Zumair lips curled in satisfaction as he impatiently waited for tomorrow to arrive.

"Do ring me up, Elhaaf Reza. I'll be waiting... Wait. What if she's a scam-Nah, she mentioned the hadith classes. She's a pious one. Omg, does that make me a Harami for kind of tricking her?" Zumair mumbled to himself flipping the laptop screen close as the charger still dangled around his neck.

"I wonder how she looks."

"Assalamualaykum?"

"Haye, Maa'Sha'Allah."

"Huh?"

"Uh-Ah-Walay'kumasalam."

"You must be.... What was the nam-Haa! Zumair Ausaf, are you?" Zumair tore his silver-grey eyes away from the feminine with gorgeous caramel orbs before him. How didn't he notice she came with 14-15 year old boy along with her.

Is this what love at first sight looks like? And he doubted when his heart paced when the world around him stopped and let him have his moment.

"Yeah. But I don't know y-Ooh you must be El-"

"Elhaaf Reza. And that's my brother-"

"Cousin!"

"Yeah. Cousin brother, Nuaim."

"Oh, Hey, Bro!" The duo brother sister gave him an uneventful look when Zumair embarrassed himself with really enthusiastic response. His face flashed the regrets when he realized what he did. "Never mind, ignore that. Get in, please."

Elhaaf eyebrow arked suspiciously when Zumair offered and turned around and allowed them to follow him, which she refused but looked like her thirteen-year-old brother didn't, who stepped inside the house reaching his eyes on the interiors while she stood on the steps acquired at the entrance of the house.

She tch under her breath, facepalming and dragged back her brother, gritting his teeth at him, who gave an offended look and grumpily crossed his hands.

"Excuse me, Mr. Ausaf?"

"Hmm?" He couldn't hate anyone but himself at this point, where his simple 'hmm' sounded so dreamy with the same sense in his eyes and his slow turn with attention towards her.

"Mrs. Ausaf's home, right?"

"Uh-No. She's out for her appointment with her doctor."

"Um... She gave me this hour to arrive. But that's okay. I'll maybe come some another day-"

"NO! I mean.. It's almost time, and she'll be back in a few minutes." Zumair hastily phrased scratching the nape of his neck and brushed the tips of his mousy brown hair. Meanwhile, Elhaaf debated within herself, looking back and forth between everywhere and Nuaim.

"Do you have a sister?"

"What?" "Nuaim!" Elhaaf disappointingly glared at her brother as Zumair blankly stared between the two, waiting for Nuaim to elaborate, who rolled his eyes and nonetheless replied. " Relax, guys. I meant, Mister, is there any female presence at home? Because Haaf's insecurities won't leave her alone with two guys."

"Oooh... Yeah. My...sister's home. Umm.. she's.....sleeping." Zumair slowly and quickly stated, pulling up a convincing smile.

"Oh.. Okay. No worries. We'll visit maybe next ti-"

"Ooor she might be up! I'll just check upon her. Please come in. Mom would be mad, if she figures out I don't invite her guest in." Saying this he sprinted upstairs leaving the two behind with entrance doors wide open for them to enter.

Nevertheless, they step in the house sharing a glance unassured then duo as they walked over the closest living area and awkwardly sat examining the interior futher in silence.

"Damn! He've got latest PS5. You know, Dad said he wont be getting me one until I turn eighteen."

"Shush, Nuaim! That's bad but I know right. It's so cool." The cousins giggled within themselves waiting a some more for a little while but there was still no sign of Zumair.

Speaking of him, who was pacing in his room scratching his hair drown in his thoughts. "Where will I get a sister from? I mean Mom and Dad migh-WHY IN THE WORLD MY MOUTH THREW THAT WORDS 'MY SISTER IS SLEEPING' WHEN I ABSOLUTELY HAVE NO SISTER! What am I going to do now?" He yelled at himself in hushed voice as a doubt arouse in his mind.

"Didn't I messed with the block address? How did she find the right one even without calling me. She's a smart one!" Zumair thought to himself arked his eyebrow to no one in particular. "She's so beautiful though-" His ears alarmed when he heard a loud sound of shutting the car door.

"Allahumdullilah, Ammi aa gayi!"
(Thank God, Mom's here!)

He immediately sprinted downstairs even before his parents could reach the entrance. He noticed the cousins obviously waiting for him. Why did I want them, more likely her to wait?

Elhaaf and Nuaim rose from their seats when they saw Zumair downstairs. They were still strangers, how could they just stay for a good minutes at someone's house, they don't know anything about.

"Excuse Me, Mr. Ausaf. I think we'll take a leave for now. Can you please give my regards to your mother Mrs. Ausaf and kindly provide me with the pair of books I'm here for?"

"Are you by any chance a Literature student?" Zumair's uncontrollable tongue lamely blurted out and made it evident how amused he was at her choice of words.

"Huh?" Elhaaf eyebrows followed a frown, but before Zumair could reply and to his luck, a chirpy loud voice which belongs to his Mom rang from the entrance.

"Aassalamu'alaykum!"

The trio turned their heads at the entrance where Mr and Mrs. Ausaf stood in grace with a coy smile dancing at their lips as they made their way towards the rest, who followed a salam replied each after other.

"Who's this, Zumair? DONT TELL ME YOU CALLED A GIRL MORE LIKELY YOUR GIRLFRIEND OVER BECAUSE YOUR PARENTS AREN'T HOME!"

"I don't think it's his girlfriend. The girl seems quite decent and not the one who would be involved in these shameful acts. But I don't know about your son." His Dad stated narrowing eyes at his son, who gave a blank look.

"Mom, Dad.....Why would I call my girlfriend to come home along with her brother?"

"Does that mean she's you girlfriend-ASTAQFIRRULAH! ZUMAIR! DO YOU ANY HAVE IDEA WHAT SHAME IS? YA'ALLAH-"

"MOM! Relax! It's not my girlfriend." Zumair paused. "Maybe your daughter in law..Just maaaaybe." He murmured to himself before continuing to his mother. "Isn't she your friend? I mean your guest, Mom?"

"Sukhar Allah. What? My guest? Umm.. I don't remember inviting anyone, but no worries. Please sit, dear. Who are you?" His mom politely smiled and sat across the cousin duo, who again shared an awkward glance meanwhile Zumair's father left for his work.

"Elhaaf Reza? From the Hadith class? I hope you remember, I asked you for a few books and you said it's available with you." Elhaaf cursed herself for not being polite and asking how the Mrs. Ausaf's health. At least that is what you ask someone who returns from a doctor.

"Oooooo, yes. I remember. But child, why would bother yourself? I could've sended or rather myself get the books to you. It's not like I've a problem with you here, it's just that I didn't want you to be troubled."

"And I didn't want you to. I would be ashamed of myself if I disturbed anyone one or mistreat my elders."

"Aww." Zumair blurted out for the nth time of the, embarrassing himself for an eternity. Why couldn't his tongue just roll the embarrassing words backwards. The other trio passed him a weird lame look and chose to ignore his presence.

"I'm sorry if I disturbed your routine or time but you asked me if I could come over to your house to borrow the books and I agreed, Jazakallahu Khair that You sent me your address and all for my convenience."

"I did?"

"Ah! Yes, Mum, you did." Zumair said as his mother's frown deppen to recollect the time she sent her house address and information.

"I did?"

"Yes, Mom, you did. I think you should go freshen up since you just arrived from the hospital."

"Oh, yes, Aunty. How are you doing? I pray your health is alright."

"Absolutely. Allahumdullilah. In past days, it was severe joint pain, and that's what I went to check up for. There's nothing to worry about. The doctor said it's just a deficiency of vitamin D."

"Mai har roz dhoop lene ke liye kehta hu aur aap har roz mana kardeti hai! Dekha!" (I always advised you to go sit outside in sunlight, and you always used to ignore that! Look now!)

"Vitamin D ke liye sirf dhoop zaruri nahi hai. Healthy diet rehna bhi zaruri hai." (Sunlight isn't all we need for Vitamin D. It's also a healthy diet that counts.)

"Oh. Coming from you, it must be right." Zumair clueless and cheekily said, staring at Elhaaf, who stated a healthy fact. She faked a polite smile and thought what not about the weird guy before her.

The Mother seems sweet, and so does Father, but the Son. Total Imbecile but Cute—

"Zumair. Why are you so.. Dressed up?" His mother asked out of blue when she noticed her son looking all decent today instead of his usual homeless guy outfit. Zumair gave a look at his own outfit and asked himself the same question. Why did he decide to look good today? He wore his favourite white shirt.

Why the hell did I wear my new pair of Vans!? For god sake! I kept the limited edition to wear on a special day.

"You're going out somewhere? I swear I'll beat you and all your friends if you eat out again!" His mother glared guessing his upcoming reason like a fortune teller. What is he going to answer now?

"Umm.. I'm going at a.....An Engagement."

"Engagement? Who's getting engaged?"

"Uh- My college mate's brother. But it's cancelled now—"

"What!?"

"..Ah, yes. The girl's father's brother's friend met with an accident."

"What are you even saying, Zumai-"

"Mom! Why don't you freshen up? You just came from a hospital! You know how bad these days are. The world is always revolving around deadly viruses, isn't it?" Zumair hastily stated with fake terror in his eyes praying his mother would dodge his dressed appearance topic, and luckily, she did.

"It's not anymore. The condition is good these days Allahumdullilaaah."

"Storms don't need invites, Mum."

"Haw, Astaqfirullah. Attend the guest, and I'll be back. Please make yourself comfortable here, dear. I'll be right back with your books too, okay?"

"Sure, we'll wait, No problem."

"Aw, Elhaaf. You're such a sweet and kind girl! I hope my son's stupid company won't bore you guys, huh? I'll be right back."

"Oh, Mum, it could never! Don't worry, I'm good with girls-Uh, I mean guys-ugh, I meant giving companies."At this point, Zumair wanted to invent a special curse word for himself.

"I see what you did there." Nuaim gave an evil smirk to Zumair once Mrs. Ausaf left for her room while Elhaaf rolled her eyes and made a point that this was the last place she's taking her this cousin along.

"Oh, Kid, you're a teenager. Act like one." Zumair said between his fake wide smile and laugh, which instant dropped once he said to the oh so annoying little guy.

His eyes dreamily again travelled to the pretty feminine patiently waiting for his Mum, how low key he wishes that his mother to be back not so soon meanwhile Elhaaf murmured to herself. "I just hope this doesn't take much long enough to get my stomach grumble of out hunger."

"What's your age?"

"Eh?" Zumair face scrunched at Nuaim, who was staring him intensly as he enquired suddenly. "Twenty Five?"

"You're not sure about your own age?"

"What? No! I mean, yes, I'm twenty five but, Why would you ask that so suddenly?"

"Mhm, nothing. Just general information." Zumair, along with Elhaaf stared dumbfounded at Nuaim, whose face expression was as if he was examining the soul out of the Zumair Ausaf.

"General Information, Nuaim? Did you even study anything about the history test tomorrow? What year did the United States gain independence? 'General Information' Seriously? Know about the answers to the subject grade first."

At this moment, Zumair knew that Elhaaf in the future would be the same type of sarcastic mother his mom is. He stupidily smiled to himself as the thought of her as a gorgeous sarcastic mom flooded his mind.

She would be a great mother to my kids-Damn, it feels great to imagine that, and I'm going crazy.

"What are you smiling for?" The attention now shifted to him out of blue which startled him and made him squeak a little girly than usual with what he wanted to do nothing more but to scream into the pillow at his embarrassing moments. "I've a smiling face?"

Why am I being like this!? Oh my god!? Am I even straight!?

"What the fuck?" He blantly blurted out thinking the voice was of his mind but to his dismay that was quite loud taking the cousins before him in shock as they stared at him wide eyed for randomly cursing them.

"Excuse me?"

"Shoot! I'm sorry! I'm really sorry! I thought it was in my mind! Trust me, I didn't mean it! Why am I so embarrassing!? I really apologise."

"Yeah, same question."

"Shut Up, Nuaim. It's fine, that happens."

Nuaim narrowed his eyes at Elhaaf, who gave him an earful just because he asked an age and now she just slided Zumair's curse word even though she was mad annoyed hungry?

"Which way is the washroom?"

"Ya Allah Nuaim! Tum kuch der ke liye sukoon se nahi baith sakte!" (Oh God, Nuaim, can't you sit peacefully for sometime!)

"Aarey! Koi baat nahi, normal hai, natural hai, janadien bichare ko. Jao bete, yaha se straight waha se left per miljayega washroom." ( Ooh! No problem, it's normal and natural, let the poor soul go. Go child, straight from here and you'll find the washroom on your left.)

Zumair never thought he could be so excited over a random person leaving for washroom, and someone who he thinks is everything but bichara. Nuaim passed a cheeky grin at Elhaf, who embarrassingly fake smiled at Zumair and glared at her hastily left the room cousin.

The duo shared an awkward laugh and let the same awkwardness dance in silence, but not without Zumair stealing few glances at the beauty in front of him.

"Ghar dundhne me koi muskil toh nahi hui aapko?" (Was there trouble for you in finding our house?) He asked thinking about the messed up house numbers he made. "Jee nahi, kaafi asaan tha." (Ofcourse not, it was even easy.)

"Oh, Aacha." The silence again engulfed them as the air begin to argue with who among speaks first, the ears of the wall alarmed as the voice was heard.

"What's your profession?" Elhaf finally broke the silence and tried to build a conversation which he couldn't be more thankful for. "Architect, what about you?"

"Just completed my masters in Interior designing."

"Woah, our professions would fit so well together." Zumair joked, imagining how more well they would fit together. Her soft chuckle brought him out of his dreamy thoughts. "Sure they do." Well only Elhaf knew how hard it was to bring out a soft chuckle out of her loud throat.

"So, what did you decide? Work with your career or work more on your career?" Taking a glass of water and sipping it, Zumair asked, for his own personal enquiries or just a reason of topic to talk to her.

"I decided to get married." He choked on water at her reply, how low-key liking it but not expecting the decision from her. Not that he object. "What!?"

"What, what?"

"No, I mean. You look like a person with higher aims and goals. No Offence, but I thought you would..um..Continue something with your profession or go for more higher education."

"Never, only I know how I made it to the last semester and passed it out. I made a decision then and there that housewife it is. Higher education ke chakkar me, mai hi na upar chali jau." ( I might be the one going straight up in the pursuit of higher education.)

"Haw, Astaqfirullah, aisa toh na kaho." (God Forbid, don't say like that!)

"Woh kuch bhi kahien, aapke dil per kyu lagi?" (Whatever she says, why did that attack your heart?) And with that was Nuaim was back in his grace, with a tissue wiping his damp hands as he sat beside Elhaf with his narrow eyes and smirk aimed at Zumair, who cleared his throat embarrassingly.

"Where did you guys get that handwash from?" Elhaf embarrassingly stared at Nuaim, who seemed to be asking a genuine question to Zumair, stared back dumbfounded at the teenager waiting for the answer.

"Why would you ask that Nuaim?" Elhaf glared under her awkward laugh trying to lessen the embarrassment, but Nuaim guess to have serious concern about the hand-wash. "Haaf! You don't know how close I was to drink that strawberry flavour hand-wash, oh gosh that smell! You owe me a strawberry milkshake on our way back home."

Where the kid was concerned about the hand-wash, the adults there were concerned for the kid, everything about the air in the room was awkward and embarrassing.

"I-"

"Nuaim, ab agar ek aur awaaz aai na, batarahi hu, tumhari Mumma ko sab kaand bata dungi tumare." (Nuaim, now if I another voice of yours, I swear I'll reveal all your secrets to your Mom.)

"Haye mai toh kuch kaha bhi nahi!" (Aye, I didn't even say anything.)

"I know, and you were about to. But now shush!" Zumair looked back and forth between the cousin bickering, which had a pause when Mrs. Ausaf arrived.

"Zumair, you didn't even get some appetizers for the guest? I didn't raise you like this, who's teaching you all the disrespect?"

"Hein, Oh Sorry-"

"It's okay, it's completely fine! Please don't bother yourself much!" Elhaaf said before Zumair could complete his nth apology of the day while Mrs. Ausaf shook her head feeling guilty about not be able to properly attend the guest.

"Trust Me, if I remember that you were coming, I would've cancelled my appointment."

Zumair and Nuaim silently watched the drama back and forth between both the ladies, when one was being apologetic while other lady tried convincing not to, which finally resulted being the young lady win.

"Jazakh'Allahukhair for the books, May Allah reward you for this. I'm apologise for making you bothered." Elhaaf's insecurities made her feel guilty and blamed herself for disturbing the family. "I apologise-"

"Ladies, stop! That's enough of apologies in a day!" Zumair interrupted his mother before another sorry session takes place, Along with Nuaim. "He's right. Haafie, why don't you stay here?"

"Haan!"

"Haan?" The voice of Elhaaf and Mrs. Ausaf came in unison as they weirdly agaped at little-bit-too-excited-for-the-idea Zumair, who gulped cursing himself yet another time, and as for the response to the ladies, he quickly mirrored their expressions playing stupid.

"Hein?" The trio gave me the one last peculiar look before they asked for their farewell meanwhile Zumair sighed in relief as they slided his strange behaviour. Not to forget thd part, where his heart turned down and upset at the thought of her leaving.

"When do you want me to return you books, Mrs. Ausaf?"

"Umm.. You know what? I don't want it back, Keep it."

"It's yours, how am I suppose to keep it? Or at least let me pay-"

"Alright Elhaaf, Take it as a gift from me!"

"I-Jazak'Allah Khair!" Oh, she taking it, which means she won't be able to come back to their house in order to return it, which was when Zumair was expecting to see her again.

The fact that it might be certainly the first and last time he's seeing her, somehow had his heart drop at the thought. What if he randomly gets a sudden urge to see her? What is he gonna do? How is he going to handle that? His mind mixed the wiring thoughts gradually getting unfortunate at his own thoughts, he wonder why.

Meanwhile, Elhaaf shook hand with Mrs. Ausuf, who pulled in a light hug as she bid her good bye. Still embraced in her hug Elhaaf flashed a small polite smile at Zumair, who softly returned in his own charm, calming the enormous chaos of his heart.

The mother-son duo's dreamy delightful eyes trailed on front pathway of their house from where the cousins left. Mrs. Ausaf let a dreamy sigh as she turned around to face her son, who's eyes were dreamer than hers and currently spoke a lot of words in justice, enough for a mother to understand.

"She's pretty, isn't she?"

"Yea-I mean, Sure, maybe? I don't know."

"Ahaan? But I think, I surely do know."

Zumair's slightly embarrassed and hesitant eyes blinked at his mother, who mischievously smirked as she slowly nodded her head as she left leaving his slow witted ass doubt everything about himself.

"Uh-I gotta go, I don't know what you're referring to. "

"What is she exactly referring to?"

"Dude, by the poetic references you're giving, she really seems one of a kind. You  never spoke about a girl like that!"

The lover boy has narrated every bits and pieces of his embarrassing yet enthralling encountered with the girl who isn't tired of running in his mind, living rent free in his heart, Zumair has briefly unfold his details of life to his very own cousin cum best friend, Wasay.

The duo were sipping soda leaning on the counter of the drinks area in the wedding hall. It was Zumair cousin's wedding, in which he was least interested in, never on a good terms anyone of them as some are snitches or bitches, except of Wasay, he was like blessing in disguise for Zumair.

"She really is one of a kind. That's the thing, bro! I can't accurately scale what I've for her. It's good, though."

"Was there an architect pun intended?"

"Was it? I don't know. My mind is currently designing a new home for us where she uses the touch of her amazing interior designing skills!"

"Damn, Zumair! You're giving me hopes, I'll hire you guys for real!" Zumair threw a 'any-time' expression at his best friend, who made a face of being grateful.

"Whatchu gonna do? Just sit simply with a maaaassive crush on her or make a move? By what you said, I could see Aunty approving this."

"I've no idea. What if she doesn't feel the same way?"

"Sneak into Aunty's phone and get her damn number. It's either try or cry. At least indirectly get a hint or give one!

"No, thank you, I've already embarrassed myself enough. She must think about me as a loser or joker."

"Lmao, seriously. I can't believe you lied about having a siste-"

"Wasay, you're a doctor, right?"

"Yes-No-I mean I'm a dentist, but yes, we do have a doctorate degre-"

"Tell me that I'm totally alright and not hallucinating or dreaming with my eyes open."

"What do you mean?"

"I can clearly with my own truthful, honest, completely fine eyes, witnessing the girl who now potentially lives rent-free in my mind all day, right on her heels coming this way. Now, please tell me it's not a hallucination."

"I do see a girl coming her- IS IT HER?"

"Oh my god! Stop screaming. She's gonna walk backwards now!"

Zumair can't believe his own fantasy living eyes, who captured the sight of Elhaaf, between thousands of people, but she's was the only one he could see. Flattering. His heart still couldn't comprehend the fact that he was, indeed seeing her! Again! Not after the thought that he'll never see her again! But he did! Credit to destiny! Maybe?

"Assalamu'alaykum, Zumair."

She approached him.
She came to him.
She said his name.
She's 'probably' giving him butterflies.
She's driving his mind crazy.

"Wa-walay'kum'assala, El-Elhaaf."

"Glad you remember me and my name. I thought you might not recognize me."

How could he?
He wouldn't dare to.
How could he even forget her when she didn't leave his mind for a moment?
He could never, not only her name, her sparkling eyes, her soft smile, her surreal laugh, he could never forget any bit of it.

"Assalamu'alaykum!" Wasay waved at Elhaaf to cover the awkward silence Zumair made with his zero reply, which probably because his mind went blank seeing her. "Walay'kum'assalam?" came her reply tinge doubt.

Wasay gave his cousin a hideous jerk, bringing him out of his beauteous reverie, Zumair understood the eye message his best friend threw and cleared his throat.

"Of course I remember you, the book girl, right?" Elhaaf affirmatively nodded gently as a little smile embraced her lip, pushing him again in the dreamy pond of his, but this time he composed himself.

You're as cool as a cucumber, Zumair! Calm and collected!

"This is cousin, my Wasay."

Hell with cool as cucumber, he messed it up again!

"I mean, this is my cousin, Wasay."

"I get it." Elhaaf chuckled, making his heart flutter like a panic pigeon and his smile getting nervous second by second. He was tongue tied to witness her glimmering beauty and elegance. She's his muse and he could never get tired of it.

"Wasay's also my best friend." There was it, the bro code. The sign of an introduction where the other one has to take his leave, which on cue the wise Wasay got hold of it, no matter how much he wanted to stay and enjoy the nervous state of his best friend.

"Nice to meet you."

"Likewise. And who might this young lady be, Zumair?" But how could he without teasing and messing with his cousin's already billed up embarrassment, Zumair glared at Wasay's 'oh so innocent and clueless' expressions.

"Uh-um-she's . . ."

"I'm Elhaaf. I borrowed a few books from his Mom, and I got to know him when I went to  their house to receive the books."

"So, you're whose friend? Aunty's or Zumair's?" His very own cousin threw him in a nonexisting friend zone. He silently kicked Wasay for not choosing to leave anytime soon.

"uh- I actually don't know. Just a guest of them, I think?"

Ouch </3

If only you know what you mean to me—

"I see."

"You've seen enough. You should now probably leave." Zubair hushed words spoke under his smile, Wasay snickered, finally leaving the duo with themselves.

"I did not expect to see you here."

"Same. Whose side? Bride or Groom?"

"Bride, we're college friends. " Elhaaf replied, looking at the over excited bride, while Zumair blankly stared at the beauty in front of him. "She's my cousin." His reply made her turn back at him.

This time, he properly noticed her flaunting in ravishing shade of rose gold sequins dress and the combination of british grey with metallic embroidered motifs along with matching hijab oozing elegance.

They were twinning, coincidentally or not. The hues of grey perfectly complemented with his own silver-grey eyes and the British grey tuxedo he was attired in. Not to forget, his lightest grey pocket square exactly matching with the shade of her hijab as if it was the same cloth with what the pieces were made.

"How did someone as angelic like you end up being friends with someone as annoying as Aaira?" Zumair spoke with his eyes still curiously fixed at Elhaaf, who just awkwardly laughed, not knowing how to reply to him. I mean, he isn't saying anything wrong?

"You can honestly tell me, I dislike her or more like all of my cousins equally except Wasay. They're toxic AF." He said taking a seat to the nearest table with her doing the same as she sat with a comfortable distance between them with a perfect view of stage as they, together continued to absent mindedly judge the couple of the evening.

"You know, when a woman like Aaira invites you anywhere, avoid it or deny it right away. She must have forced you to come, didn't she?"

"Um. . .Yeah. She convinced me to come over. Aaira wanted me to meet someone and let me tell you that person was a complete jerk!"

"Did she fucking asked you to meet her pervert of a brother?" Elhaaf was suddenly taken back when she noticed Zumair abruptive jerk forward her, his silver shade eyes filling with redness and unknown rage. "Didn't she? Was it Aryan?"

She hesitantly nodded in response still not getting his sudden act, which now made him slam his fist in the table muttering incoherent terms under his breath as he sat back straight running his fingers through the locks of his mousy brown hair.

"A overly spoiled children like Aaira and Aryan are the company's you need to drop. The siblings are literally synonyms of toxicity trouble." Zumair sighed deeply before strictly advising Elhaaf as he looked straight into her caramel brown orbs. "Roger Sir!"

"I didn't imagine Aaira would actually get married to her long time boyfriend." Elhaaf said taking a sip of the cocktail just served to them, not noticing the deadpan expressions on Zumair face, which waited for her to turn and acknowledge his reaction which she did when he didn't respond. "Her whaat!?"

"Her long time boyfriend?"

"For real!?"

"Uh-Yes? They've been together for two and a half years I guess."

"WHAT!? He survived? And he's getting married to her even after knowing her nature? Damn, she surely faked it!"

"Maybe, and I think he's realizing it now cause look at his face, it clearly written how the groom is disappointed with his bride's current over loud behaviour." Elhaaf said staring at the couple, where the atmosphere was just how she described, meanwhile Zumair snickered lowly.

"And he's now probably regretting his 'I do's'. A relationship needs a 50-50 partnership with hundred percent understanding, which I think is something these guys lack." He said swirling the glass in his hand assuming a status of the couple as he took a sip of the drink.

"Absolutely, If You and I were a married-"

Her words were left half hung in the air as it made Zumair choke loudly on his drink, the statement was too overwhelming for him to take it as an example to his fluttering heart. Elhaaf's concern came right along with his choke, the most she can do was take the drink away from him, so that he doesn't spill it over himself.

As if her words weren't enough, she made her palm gently rub his arm in order to calm him down which only took a rise in his heart rate. Her touch was electrifying the viens in his hand. It would be a lie if that didn't made him have a fan girl moment inside.

"Take deep breaths please!"

"How am I supposed to when you're breathtaking."

Fuck you Zumair Ausaf!

"Are you okay?" Elhaaf asked when his body finally relaxed, he nodded in response gulping down the water to also relax his inner tinglings and butterflies. Also the arising embarrassment bubbling cause he complemented her in middle of his choke and coughs,  she slides it saving his sanity,

"I'm sorry, I don't know what to do when a person's choking. I should've probably hit your back but I didn't want to embarrass you in front of hundreds of people."

"I could have died but never mind, it's alright. What were you saying? If You and I were married? What would we do?"

"Eh? Oh-I'm not going to continue that, what if you choke on air this time and something happens? Better safe then sorry."

"NO NO! I won't, I promise! Continue whatever you were saying please!" Elhaaf narrowed her eyes at him, who's silver grey orbs were glinting giddy and curious at the moment.

"If, let me repeat, 'IF' You and I were married, You would like me to give you respect and love make you my priority and I would ask the same. With respect and understanding comes true love."

It didn't matter to Zumair if its an 'If' or 'Imagine' situation, atleast she considered him as husband marriage fluttered his whipped heart. This might break my heart, I shouldn't be so much of her.

"Exactly, once I marry you, You're my priority and I will give you and treat you with that status! With whatever happens between us, stays between us. Also, Efforts! It's like I said fifty-fifty makes hundred percent, unless it comes to love, it's should be innumerable." His words, came start from his heart, without any ifs and imagine. He said it, he said it true.

Elhaaf has no idea how the topic came so far, and here they're having a conversation like loving fiancés, which she wasn't complaining though. She straight up liked him and she knows that, but what about her insecure heart that holds trust issues and fear of commitments? Who's gonna comfort her with the same words she wants to hear.

He doesn't know how, but he let the little emotion of his heart out. He's listening to his cousin and dropping a hint, if it fails, it's over. The letters of his heart are on its way to be posted soon, hope the pigeon takes a little less time.

As if Zumair actually mean his words, as if Elhaaf already believes him with it, they looked at each other like gazing the prettiest sky, as if they're only two stars in the sky and in love with the moon.

Like every sun sets and every glance once ends, a family interrupted their tension like a shooting star, bringing them back to land, unfortunately.

"Sorry for eavesdropping but If it was on me, I would replace the annoying couple from the stage and place you both there!" The lady of the small family said with her admiration of young love in her eyes. Her husband and a teenage set of twin daughters along side, who clearly looks they couldn't agree more.

"You both look like a Disney couple. A Prince and his Princess." One of the girl said dreamily sighing as hopelessly staring at them with heart eyes not knowing what chaos it cause in the duo heart present there.

"A guy only talks about his priorities, when he's serious with you. Don't lose him to just another girl."

Her eyes travelled to meet his gaze of the older man, stunned at the his words, who blinked in unknown assurance Elhaaf never know she needed, that too from a stranger, as if one more push and she'll propose him.

If it wasn't for his manners and respect, Zumair would have proposed and marry her right here but how could he? Without her permission? With his Mum's approval? Her parents approval, who he didn't meet or even know their name!?

Catching the awkward and uncomfortable tension in the atmosphere, he chuckled it off to make it ease for them, for her, who might be also uncomfortable with the sudden advice.

"I'll go find Mum. Excuse m-" Zumair words left unfinished as something stopped him, bringing his eyes to see what it is, only to find his watch caught with the delicate design of her dress, it might have got in when she crossed her legs lady like.

His gaze met hers, it was what they call as a infamous desi moment and he fell in love yet another time, while she looked away, not wanting to be in a castle of clouds, which are currently playing with her heart.

"Now that's the bollywood universal sign, kindly take it guys." Another girl, who didn't speak until now said her words too, she looks so done with right now as if the girl couldn't stand how slow pace and dumb they were.

Elhaaf's eyes came to look at his watch still stuck to her dress, what a dreamy moment it is, only if the butterflies in her could give a chance to enjoy it. Steadily, their gaze met, again. Waves of emotions clashed with very well named feeling.

"You really love her, don't you?" Came a voice, very familiar to both yet the lost Zumair failed to notice who is it, but alarmed Elhaaf, still held in his gaze, her eyes widen realizing owner of the voice, his mother, who found her son and his feelings.

The terrified feeling of Elhaaf was very soon replaced with surprise and took her breath away when she heard the guy before him, with his stuck watch in her dress and who just answered the question asked by his very own mother.

"I do."

"I do." "I do." "I do."

"Zumair Ausaf Son Of Zufair Ausaf, Do You Hereby Accept Elhaaf Reza, Daughter Of Reza Waleed As Your Lawful Spouse With Alimony Of Five Lakh?"

"I do." "I do." "I do."

They made it.
They're officially husband and wife.
She was finally wedded to him.
He found the result of his prayers in her.
She found her charming man.
He found his beautiful woman.

That's it, the couple had tied the knot into a tight grip with the grace of God. Zumair didn't decide to get married this young, but time do change people and their way of thinking. He couldn't be more thankful to his fate that made him found the love of his life just when he start the journey of live.

The chaotic celebration around him had his happy heart at it, it was his wedding, he was now married to the woman he loves, who was sitting right before him adorned beautifully, she's was just a thick flower curtain away.

The smile content dancing on lip well represented his heart right now, blasting with love. His silver-grey orbs refuse to take a glance at his wife, Zumair wanted a special place and moment to have the first look of his wife. To believe how he managed to pull a girl that was way far from his league, or that's what he thinks.

The urge to just lift her off the ground into his arms and take her away from everyone like a prince stealing his princess so that the only should presence would be theirs. So that, they could enjoy the second of their life with each other.

His impatient eyes roamed to search his best friend but Wasay was far from his reach, for what he thinks friendly flirting with few random girls from Elhaaf's side. He quickly ringed his best friend and called him by his side.

"Kya hogaya, Besabr Aashiq?"
(What's wrong, You impatient lover?)

"Abey Awara Aashiq, kaha rehgaya tha?"
(Oh wandering lover, where were you?)

"Doesn't it matter now? I'm here tell me what happened?"

"Wasay, I want to meet my wife! I don't know how but make any arrangements, now!" Wasay wiggled his eyebrows at his best friend, who glared and quickly had pleasing eyes requesting his best friend.

"Mai kaise-rukhja, teri kuch saaliyo de dosti banai rakhi hai. Ab kaam ayegi." ( How do I-Wait, I made few friendships with your sisters-in-laws. Now it will be useful.)

"Mera dil ka tukda, Ja kuch kar, mai intezaar karaha hu." (My piece of heart, go do something, I'm waiting. )

Zumair smiled to himself, he'll be meeting the woman, he never thought he could get in his destiny but the faith in his heart wrote her name beside him in the list of fate.

"Meri duaen zarur kaam aayi, Allahumdulillah." (My prayers definitely worked. Praise be to Lord.)

—•————•—

"Itni shiddat se dua ki thi, yaqeen tha meri hojaogi." (I had prayed so fervently, I was sure that you will be mine.)

Elhaaf gazed her spouse with eyes full of affection, this guy here is so immature and still gets to give her butterflies with his words. She smiled when he did tucking her hair behind her ear and making her look at him when she blushed looking anywhere but him.

"You have no idea, how impatient I was to meet you after our Nikkah and here you are shying away. Quit it Darli'in, it's you husband. I wouldn't mind even if you laugh like a hyena."

She narrowed her gorgeous eyes at him that could kill him eveytime she looks, whilst a smile did dance on her lips which had his eyes cheeks turn red as he stared at her back with admiration dripping from his ethereal eyes.

"Huh, darr jaogey, Zumair Ausaf."
(Huh, you'll be terrified, Zumair Ausaf.)

"Bilkul nai, Issey sirf meri mohabbat me izafa hoga. Elhaaf Reza."
(Of course not, It will only increase my love, Elhaaf Reza.)

How did her below average social skills manage to pull a guy, this pretty and verified flirt, who looks young enough to take care of her but still manages to show how he loves her entirely.

Like a rays of sun finding his petal, he shone. Like a beauty of sunflower, she'll always follow the direction of the sun and bloom. He comforted her fear of commitments. He held her gently and caressed every petal. They blend in each other's story like a puzzle, like a pair.

"Let me take you to your gift." He gently held her hand and she took his lead, passing by bedroom and through the lounge area of his room, Zumair made Elhaaf close her eyes and made her stand before what she can feel is a window.

"Are you going to push me from the window because your love is too much for or do you wish to be a widower soon? Am I receiving my gift in heaven or something?"

"Asraqfirullah, Elhaaf! Have some patience Mi'Lady!"

"Says the one, who was impatient himself."

"Hayee Meri jaan, Here you go."

Her caramel brown eyes travelled across the huge inbuilt wall white bookshelf, filled with various themes and genre, from romantic comedy to thrill, from religious books to separate sections for The Holy Book and also few succulents at right places, not to forget the bookmark jar at corners.

Zumair smiled, he fell in love with a woman, who's gentle with her life, her heart completely stole his, her caramel eyes twinkles when she reads, like his does when he sees her. Her laugh plays with his heart, like his hearts plays with his emotions.

Her fingers ran across the books on the shelf and looking back at him, Elhaaf could dance with the love in his silver-grey eyes and he could tune with with lyrics of love in the feminine with gorgeous caramel orbs before him.

"The shelf obviously couldn't do justice for my love for you, but there's one more think that could totally define it."

Zumair stepped before the beautiful shelf and by the side of his beauty's, their drumming hearts against each other as every second anticipated for what else he got, Elhaaf followed his every move, from pulling out the divine Holy Qur'an, and gently handling it to her.

Yet bewildered, she smiled confusing, waiting for him to say something as he gestured her with his head, to open it where the string bookmark of The Quran, obediently she did so.

Her eyes watered in realisation, looking up at him, who gazed her as if she's his prized possession, she is. Elhaaf looked back at the prestigious book, thanking and being grateful to her Lord for this extremely amazing guy.

Her slender fingers held the elegant and gorgeous looking ring tied by the string of the Holy book, her eyes travelled back at Zumair who smiled lovingly and untied the ring, went down on one knee and gently held her left hand, sliding the platinum ring with nothing but his initial carved in it.

His lips resting for a good moment on her hand before letting it go as he stood back up and side hugged her, and all this while her eyes, like a leaking bucket, drip the emotions through tears, also noticing the similar ring on his ring finger with her initial carved.

"Is it this verse that striked your mind when you first saw me?" Elhaaf managed to ask to her husband, who's loving gaze never left her, smiling Zumair nodded. If a verse could define his start, it would be this.

"Surah Naba, 'And We Created You In Pairs?"

"And We Created You In Pairs."

●|THE END |●

●—●•●•●•●•●•●•—●

"I always wanted to help in the cause of Ummah , I helped him completd half of his Deen." — Mrs. Elhaaf Reza

"I got married to her, so that I don't have to lower my gaze everytime she walked in the room." – Mr. Zumair Ausaf

●—●•●•●•●•●•●•—●

Cause we find comfort in between the lines~
That's Zumair and Mrs.Zumair for you guys, a very cliché-y and cutie couple out here <3

Tried writing a pure plot for them, with these beautifully meaning references, SubhanAllah
(those who are gonna attack me with 'the ayah did not meant couple or partners' ma'am, it does, I did my research thank you.)

This story finally escaped my drafts after resting there for I guess half or more like a year, do let me know its worth reading and show some love <33
Thank Yaa!

—Love, Maaha.