Journey To The Half Of My Deen

Chapter Fifteen

LAIBA P.O.V

We all went into panic mode after the venue where the engagement was to take place was cancelled. I turned to look at Rania who looked more panicked than ever. I went aside and sent the message to my brother Arif and asked if could help me but he said that looking for a venue at the last minute is very difficult. I panicked and looked at Rania and her soon to be mother- in- law looking stressed.

I felt bad for them and felt my anxiety kicking in. I walked out the shop and took deep breaths. Breathed in......... Breathed out......... Breathed in......... Breathed out......... before I knew it I saw someone extend a bottle of water my way. I looked up to see the guy who was sitting next to Rania's future Mother - In - Law earlier, he stared deep into my eyes before looking away.

I blushed and shily took the bottle from him and looked down, i felt my cheeks turn red "Jazakallahu Khayran" my voice was raspy so i spoke really lowly for him to hear "Wa Iyyaki, just keep taking deep breaths and focus on one thing and block everything else, just count upto 50 and focus just on that, you will calm down" he said calmly looking at our surrounding. His voice was deep yet not annoying or weird, it was soothing in a way

It was a busy area, the bus stop was close by which indicated movement. I looked at everyone, there was a small boy pulling his mom's hand towards a kids gift shop while the mother struggled with files in her hand. I looked next to them were an old couple sitting holding hands and laughing and I could not help but smile at them. I felt the cold wind on my face making me close my eyes and breathe in. Soon I heard him clear throat startling me, i just looked at him then faced ahead again.

"I hope you are feeling better?" he seemed concerned about me which made me blush thinking about it, i nodded not trusting my voice at the moment. Before he left to go back in the store "Excuse me" I called him and he turned to me smiling but i could not voice my thoughts as i did not know if i should or should not ask him for help "do you need me for something?" he turned to face me completely.

"I need help in arranging a place for the engagement but getting a booking last minute will be very difficult, even the other venue was extremely hard as no one agrees to give a venue less than three weeks before the event" i panicked again "Hey, you need to relax, do not worry i will help you out and everyone will help us too so do not worry, let us go in they must be worried about you" he gestured me to walk in before him and i did i breathed out relaxing my nerves

I walked towards Rania and she gave me a look saying that she likes him for me and i rolled my eyes at her "so... tell me.." she said as i got close to her and i raised my eyebrows in a questioning way "what?" I questioned trying to avoid the teasing from her. I know her very well, she wants to tease me "how are you so calm with the venue situation and here i am taking all the stress that i am about to pass out" i questioned her rolling my eyes

"One day, those eyes of yours will come out because of all the rolling you're doing" she stated clearly upset at me "and for your information i am already stressed with my outfit and everything, i trust you enough to know that you will take care of the venue and catering and desserts" as she said the last few words making me realise i had not thought about the food and desserts! YA ALLAH! The previous venue was providing food and desserts as well so I had not thought about that at all!

"Why does it look like you just saw malakul maut (the death angel)?" she narrowed her eyes at me "NO! Nothing! I will take care of everything!" i panicked and walked to the corner of the store and decided to get on calls and ask around about venues and convinced my brothers and sadaf to join the hunt.

I became frustrated after all the calls I made and they refused. I felt sad and stressed so I made dua in my heart. 'ya Allah please help me, i do not want to be unsuccessful in this matter' "are you okay?" I heard his voice and I turned to him and shook my head in disappointment looking down.

"Do not be sad i will help you out, just figure out about the catering and desserts leave the rest to me" he assured me making me smile and i nodded and breathed a sigh of relief making both of us laugh and i walked passed him and called my sister Halima immediately and gave her the order for the dessert and i knew a lady and asked if she could do the catering and they both agreed making me really relieved.

After Rania chose her dress we went to choose her ring. Finally after what felt like a few hours Rania was finally done with her shopping and i was glad, i hated shopping with all my heart and i always will.

Once we reached her home I did not have anyone to drop me back home and the guy from earlier who I now know is Rania's future brother- in- law, Hamad was leaving so Rania's mother asked him if he could drop me home and he agreed.

I felt weird entering the same car alone with him but I had no other option. My brothers were busy so I could not say no to Hamad. As I followed him it felt wrong but decided to ignore my intuition and go on.

He opened the door for me in the passenger seat and I sat blushing a lot, while he sat in the driver's seat. The whole ride it was silent and I looked out the window and kept guiding him to my place. Once we reached home I thanked him "before you leave, do you have any ideas of the type of decoration needed for the venue?" I looked at him, nodding my head.

I showed him some pictures of the type of decoration needed for the venue, he took my number and asked me to send him the pics for it. I nodded, thanking him once again and left the car only to look up and see Zeeshan. He looked really angry and for some unknown reason I felt guilty. I walked upto the entrance of my house where he was standing.

I stopped when he started to speak "You act all religious and judge others but you roam around with non- mehram yourself" Zeeshan said that and walked away and i stood there feeling really hurt.