HUSNA

Chapter41

"All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them." – Walt Disney

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The wedding preparations were in full swing. Both families were busy tailors, caterers, lists, phone calls and yet she still couldn't believe it. Two months. In just two months, she would be a married woman. She had never imagined herself as a bride marriage felt distant, like something meant for other girls.
And to marry Abdulhameed of all people... that possibility had never once crossed her mind.

She closed her eyes and let out a quiet breath.
So many times she had raised her hands in dua, asking Allah to bless her with a righteous spouse. And Allah answered not only with someone righteous, but with someone who shaped her, supported her, sharpened her, protected her and loved her sincerely. Marriage was never on her radar before, but now she understood the tranquility that comes from having a partner. Someone like Abdulhameed is a rare gem.

"Alhamdulillah," she whispered under her breath.

She remembered the teachings of the Prophet ﷺ to turn to Allah in every affair, to ask Him to guide and make matters easy. Allah alone knows the unseen. He arranged this blessing for her. Accepting Abdulhameed's proposal was the best decision she had ever made.

And the thought that she was marrying into a family that accepted her, cherished her, and appreciated her for who she was  it was a feeling she never thought she would taste in this life.

Her mother's advice played again in her mind:
"Husna, you should have full trust in Allah and ask Him to grant you a righteous spouse and make easy what is good for you. We must use the resources Allah gave us and do our best while praying to Him. Then accept His decree if things don't go as planned."

She had taken those words seriously  and now, sitting here with a heart so full, she couldn't be anything but grateful.

Her thoughts drifted to Abdulhameed the man who never tired of her mood swings, her childish acts, her arguments, her silent treatments. She would pick fights just to see his reaction, and he always remained calm, soft, patient... as if he knew her heart better than she did.

Her phone chimed.

She opened the message:

"I'm sorry, babe. I didn't wake you today and I haven't replied to your messages. I've been super busy  don't think I'm ignoring you. I'll call you once I'm done.
I love you. Xoxo 😘❤️"

Her lips curled into a thin line as she read the message. She truly loved him  Allah knows she did but sometimes she wondered if it was normal to love someone who was always this busy. Did he even have time to breathe, let alone relax?

He had just returned from Cyprus a few days ago, claiming his team leader had given him a week off for his siblings' convocation. But she knew him too well  he definitely forced that break. Stubborn boy. He was probably at home now, enjoying being spoiled by his mother.

She picked up her bag and headed to her mother's room to greet her before leaving the house. Time wasn't on her side, so she walked briskly to the bus stop. The ride to school felt unusually peaceful today.

As soon as she stepped off the bus, Faiza's voice exploded behind her.

"HEY! Sister-in-law! Wait!"