Unbreakable Bond

Chapter 8; The Decision.

*Ayesha.*

*Abuja, Nigeria.*

*kalam eineh- Sherine.*

''Alli Khurana?!'',

''yes, dear'', father said nodding

''does this have to do with the project?'', I questioned with furrowed brows.

''no, not at all'',

''think about it'', he added

''I feel I'm still young'', I said sincerely

''just think about it. You are twenty-three about to be twenty-four in a month. If you accept the proposal, it doesn't mean you are getting married immediately. At least you'll have time to get to know each other'', dad said and I nodded then we fell into silence.

''before I forget dad, Mr Ivan Tunde has been wanting to meet for an investment meeting. I have been holding him off because I don't think we need that now'', I said after a moment.

''Mr. Ivan of regal lights?'', dad questioned and I nodded.

''would have loved to but not yet. Let's still hold off that. One step at a time'', he said.

''ok'',

''but still meet up with him'', he added pushing his glasses further to his eyes.

''sure'', I said rising. ''if that's all, I'll leave'', I added and left after they nodded and said some prayers.

Alli Khurana.... What the hell are you doing?

That same night, after I had tucked myself in bed, mom knocked and came in, making herself comfortable on my bed while I sat up.

''I don't need to tell you what to do, Ayesha'', she started and I nodded knowing she meant for me to do Istikharah-prayer for guidance when making any decision. Not that I didn't know but yeah, Allhamdullilah for a mother's guidance.

''I'll do it when I wake up for Tahajjud in shaa Allah'', I replied

''take your time my dear. We are with you in every step'', she said reaching out to squeeze my right hand.

**********

My 4:30 AM alarm blared, waking me up for Tahajjud; a daily ritual in my family.

Mom instilled this act of worship in us right from childhood and it soon turned into a habit to the point that I feel sorrowful whenever I wake up late to pray it. If Mr. Red is around, I just sit facing the qibla, read the quran and do my dhikrs.

But as we all grew into maturity, we all came to terms with the importance and blessing of this act of worship and continued holding on to it dearly.

By ''we'', I mean my siblings and I.

I said my dhikr of waking up and slid into my comfy slippers while adjusting the shirt of my silk pajamas set. I went into the en-suite, brushed my teeth and performed ablution. As I stepped out, Fara peeked into my room her eyes roaming and when it landed on me, she smiled, ''you are awake. Sabahul khayr'', she greeted

''sabahul Noor'', I replied with a smile. This is an act mom does but has stopped because of our growth but she sometimes still calls. Fara decided to continue the legacy and does it daily since she is always even awake from 3Am because, y'all know, Doctors' boring studying sessions.

Don't come for me for saying doctors are boring, yeah they save our lives.

After she left, I proceeded to lay my sajjadah (prayer mat) and started my solah