After staying for several days, almost a month, Mehmal had finally brought Sania home.
Sikandar's death came as a shock to Sania, and she cried for many days. Mehmal also wept on her mother's shoulder. Sania was more depressed about Mehmal. She worried about how Mehmal managed on her own and wanted to go to Pakistan to cry at Sikandar's grave. They had no one else.
Mehmal didn't tell anyone in Pakistan about Sania.
While Mehmal was in London, she found time to meet Dr. Yousaf and attend his lectures. Sometimes Emer was present, and when he came, Dr. Yousaf would take him aside, and they would talk for hours. Mehmal had realized Emer's significance to Dr. Yousaf.
Today, after the lecture, she stayed to talk to Dr. Yousaf.
"How's your mother, Mehmal?" he asked, sitting on a carpet in the mosque. Mehmal sat in front of him.
"Very well. Baba's death was shocking to her, but she is getting better," she replied.
"And how are you, Mehmal?" he asked. Mehmal remained silent. "I take it you are not okay," he inferred. She nodded but said nothing.
"Tell me, Mehmal, why are you not okay?" he pressed.
"Whatever I'm working on will be completed in the next two months. Then an Islamic media collaboration can happen, but it's not easy," she said. Dr. Yousaf knew the challenging stage had begun. Emer was also tense. What if the UN objected and viewed it as imperialism?
"We are doing everything we can. My heart goes out to them. Life is not easy there. What if I fail, and their voices are not heard, or worse, people ignore them?" she worried.
"Your job is to do your work, Mehmal. The results are not in your hands. You, Emer, and your team are doing your part, but the rest is in Allah's hands. If He has brought you this far, He has already planned the rest. So, believe in Him," he said, pointing upward.
"As-salamu alaykum," they heard a voice. Both turned to see Emer. Dr. Yousaf smiled and stood to greet him, as did Mehmal.
"Walaykum as-salam," Emer replied, turning to Mehmal, who smiled and nodded at him.
"I'll take my leave. Mama is waiting," she said and walked out of the mosque.
"So, Emer, how are you?" Dr. Yousaf asked.
"Fine. Maybe next week, I'll leave for Palestine," Emer replied.
"But you came just yesterday. Emer, I know you are busy and dedicated to your cause, but give yourself some time and another chance," Dr. Yousaf urged. Emer looked at him with respect.
"My life is with my brothers and sisters who are suffering. This is my jihad, and honestly, I find my peace in it," he said. They both sat on a bench outside the mosque.
"Emer, I'm talking about your life with your family. Give yourself another chance. Your wife left you for a reason. She should have discussed it with you, but she did it for you," Dr. Yousaf said. Emer closed his eyes, remembering. His wife, Elif, had left him because she couldn't give him another child after they lost their daughter. After their daughter's birth, the doctor told her she might have complications conceiving, but both were happy. After their daughter's death, everything shattered.
She told him to remarry, but he refused. She felt insecure and sorry for not giving him another child, even though Emer never made her feel that way. He believed that with time, she would accept reality and they would adopt a child. He never expected her to leave and move to America. He knew she was doing it for him, but he couldn't understand why she couldn't see that he didn't want a life without her.
YOU ARE READING
Mehmal
Romance"I'm taking another wife." Mehmal's heart shattere. Zaryab insisted that he still loved her and that he would treat them both equally. However, Mehmal was adamant: "I don't want this," she replied. Zaryab, holding both of her hands, insisted that h...
