With You

Chapter 24

Zarah gulped the ball of anxiety which build up in her throat as she fidgeted with her fingers and tried to listen what was going outside. She was resting when she came to know that Ryan had came to their house.

How much she wanted to see him but Zarah was stopping herself just because of the silliness she did the other day. Didn't know what Ryan would be thinking about her? She asked him about his problems but there was no need to rub in his face that she was praying for him. Now she didn't even want to face him due to the embarrassment she was feeling.

In her worry, Zarah quickly called Faiza. It was early evening maybe she would be returning home and she wouldn't be much bother for her friend. Zarah just wanted to move that feeling of excitement of Ryan's presence at their house and the nervousness of not seeing him on her friend's shoulder by talking to him.

"Yes Zari, tell me."

Zarah giggled hearing her oh-so ready voice as if she knew how much she needed her.

"Faiza, Ryan has came over at our house. He's in the living room but..." Zarah told her everything, from that silly event to the bubbles that were bottling inside her gut after hearing about Ryan.

"That man doesn't even have any work despite being the businessman."

"Don't say like that about him." Zarah chided forcing out a huff from Faiza.

"Yeah why not. Now Ms.Zarah will forget her friend because of her lover. Good, I'm a loner by the way."

"Stop it Faiza."

Zarah laughed at her silly talk as Faiza did the same. "Go and meet him. Don't show like you did anything wrong, in truth you didn't do anything wrong."

As her friend was speaking, there was a gentle knock on the door after which her parents entered her room. She bid her goodbye to Faiza and looked at both of them in question. Their faces seemed to be washed up by slight contentment and happiness as they looked at her. What Ryan had done?

"Zari, there's an important matter we have to talk about."

"Yes?" Zarah watched them in question trying to decipher the reason of their happiness.

"Ryan has proposed you for marriage."

Those words felt like sweet melody in her ears as she watched her parents in surprise and her cheeks burnt with shyness as those words made an impact inside her. It felt like her prayers had been answered in just a moment. Allah was bestowing her that man for whom Zarah was praying for all these days.

***

Ryan bit his lower lip, pinching his nose as he looked behind him to see Zarah's parents looking at him with a smile and gesturing him to go inside Zarah's room. Finally he was doing what was crawling up in his head for so long, he had proposed Zarah for marriage.

Her parents were happy about his proposal and like they were talking, it was sure that Zarah too was not upset with this decision. But her parents wanted him to have a talk with Zarah first. They wanted them to talk for a while to know each other and think once again about the marriage.

He was scared today. Ryan could feel his heart jumping in a weird manner as he opened the door with a knock and saw Zarah sitting on her bed, the dupatta on her head covering her properly from him. He gave a small smile and moved towards the small chair which was placed in front of the bed.

"AsSalamuAlaikum."

He greeted while taking his seat as Zarah replied his greeting in a low mumble. Her fingers were fidgeting with each other as her cheeks could be seen slightly pink in his vicinity.

"We both know why are we here." Ryan started with a chuckle and saw a faint smile on Zarah's lips as she nodded. He had never seen this side of Zarah-shy, silent and slightly nervous. But whatever side he saw of this girl, he felt attracted towards her.

"It was not a decision in haste, Zarah. I want you to remember this, from the time I have met you, you attract me. I want you to be my guide in this world for the hereafter."

His words were for both the Zarah. For the one present in front of him and for the one who had forgotten him. Ryan saw her eyes stuck on him in surprise as her orbs raked on his face. Some tears were on the rim of her eyes and it felt his heart swinging, seeing in Zarah's eyes.

"We will try our best to guide each other."

Ryan smiled hearing her words and nodded as Zarah too returned his smile. They both had to start their new journey with each other and now Ryan only wanted calmness in his life.