Blue ✓

♠ nineteen ♠

"I've spoken to Qasim for feedback from the meeting. You sure you don't want to meet her?" Baba asked.

Rayyan hummed. "Yes."

"Because you've already seen her."

Rayyan stiffened. That wasn't a question; it was a statement. "Uh-uh."

"Inayah said she can't see."

Rayyan felt something cold trickle down his back. "Will that be a problem?" He asked tentatively.

"For us, no. But it is your life. How about for you?"

"I don't have any problem." Rayyan placated immediately.

Baba hummed. "Yes. You really don't, do you?" He looked at Rayyan with a piercing gaze. "Why, I wonder."

Baba sighed when Rayyan paled slightly.

"You know I'm your father. Is there anything you'd like to tell me?"

"What could Baba be referring to?" Rayyan forced the words out of his throat.

"Anything you might deem important."

"If Baba is implying that I've illicit rela-"

Baba narrowed his eyes in disappointment. "No. And you know exactly what I'm talking about."

Rayyan swallowed. The weight of his father's gaze, and silence suffocated him. "I-" he started, but nothing came out.

"I'll just say it straight, then." Baba said. "Are you marrying her out of guilt?"

Rayyan's eyes flew wide open. What?

"If you are, tell me now. I will immediately break this off."

"No!" He protested.

Baba looked taken aback at his vehemence.

"I would never..." He trailed, before swallowing and resolutely saying, "I would never disrespect her like that."

Baba stared at him for a while. "Marriage is an important step in life. One that dictates the rest of it. Guilt absolutely cannot be the foundation for it."

"I swear I am not marrying her out of guilt." Rayyan's voice was no longer shaking. Now steady and still as calm water. "While I do feel guilt and responsibility over what has happened to her because of me, it is in no way the reason behind my proposal."

Baba gave him a long assessing look, nodded and clapped a heavy hand upon his shoulders. "Alright, I will trust you on that. And I pray Allah makes it all work."

Rayyan nodded.

♕

The wedding was simple affair. Just like how Aiyla wanted it. They didn't hire a venue, instead, the women were hosted at home while the men were hosted at a Masjid nearby.

Since their family has never been in good relation with the extended family, Ammi didn't expect anyone to come despite sending the invitations. No one did. All of their guests were Aiyla's students whom she was very familiar with, and the neighbours who were incredibly friendly with Ammi.

Some of them who were very close came over the night before to do Aiyla's henna and set up the house with decorations and ornaments. Others who couldn't come over made plates and hampers of savoury food and mouth-watering desserts to bring on the nikah day.

This was good, Aiyla thought, her heart warm and squishy. These people were better than family.

The shopping was completely done by Inayah, her mother-in-law. She and Ammi sat down and made sure to describe everything to Aiyla in such detail she'd thought she could see again. She was too sweet, this mother-in-law of hers, Aiyla mused. She was a few years younger than Ammi and already treated her like an elder sister, and Aiyla like her daughter.