Journey To The Half Of My Deen

Chapter Seventeen

LAIBA P.O.V

It has been a week since Rania's engagement and everything was back to normal, making me relieved. A week later is Ramadhan which makes me so excited even thinking about it. I decided to walk to work as i seem to have gained weight which is making me very lazy and constantly tired which is not worth it, i read somewhere and could not agree more, ' nothing tastes as good as being skinny feels '. which is correct in the health manner, if i gain more weight i feel very tired and can not seem to get anything done.

After reaching the gym i went to the office and saw Rania she smiled at me while talking to someone on the work line, i went to my cupboard and took out my gym clothes and went to the bathroom to change, after changing i went on the treadmill and burned some calories and some other workouts as well.

I was done with my workout and went to shower and freshened up. After it all Rania had to go home since her mother was not well and I took over the workload. Before I knew it it was already evening making me glad that i could finally close up and go home.

Irfan picked me up and we went home. Once I reached home I did not feel like eating and went straight up and prayed maghrib before going back down. I heard my mom talking to my aunt and aunty azra was on the call in a very low voice, making me suspicious.

As soon as i entered the kitchen the whispering stopped making me narrow my eyes at them but they just smiled at me, i filled my bottle of water and felt their eyes on me. I quickly left the kitchen and went back to my room.

I wanted to join the Alimah course and decided to contact this jaamiah. After talking to me the admin in the office sent me the form that needed to be filled and filled the form and sent it to them. They agreed for me to join  with the next batch that starts in Ramadhan, i got so excited and wanted to tell my parents.

I walked closer to their room and knocked on their door before my mother opened the door for me to enter. I smiled so widely and happily and rushed to sit next to my father. My mother shook her head smiling and she sat next to me. "Assalamu Alaikum"  i said to my parents before saying anything and they both responded to the salaam and i went on and talked to them about the alimah course which made them so so so happy.

After some talks my mother spoke "Laiba we wanted to talk to you regarding something" she said seriously and i nodded my head, she looked at my dad nervously before continuing "You have reached such an age where you will be getting hand in marriages and we will not refuse anyone, if it is not meant to be then it will not but it does not mean we will stop anyone from potentially being your life partner" she said that

i whined "but you know i do not want to get married right now" i said "Look Laiba no one is saying you get married immediately, meet the person if you feel it is fine then khayr if not then khayr as well" my father spoke up and i just kept quiet "okay think about it and let us know, as they want to come and see you soon" my mother said and i nodded.

I left their room and felt really nervous, my stomach was doing weird flips and my hands became cold. I entered my room and sighed thinking 'I went to give them news about starting the Aalima course only for them to give me a new themselves..... Uhhh'

I got a call from Halima and i immediately knew what it was about, after speaking with her i finally agreed to meet the guy and not long after my mother walked into my room all happy and i groaned, i knew mom told Halima to convince me, as no one can convince me like Halima. Mom went on and on about istikhara and decision and then lastly giving me a shock that the guy's family is coming to see me tomorrow evening once my brother is back from work.

'Ya Allah help me'

***

The next morning I called Rania and told her about it and she freaked out happily and I groaned because I was dreading it. I was nervous even though I did not think I would be. Before I knew it, Halima, Rania and Sadaf were in my room deciding what I should wear and what I shouldn't and what colour suits me. While I just sat on my bed seeing them freak out and make decisions like I was not even here.

They chose an Indian dress for me and I shook my head but all three of them ganged up on me and said that it would be perfect. I wanted to wear a simple dress but they refused, making me frustrated.

When they did not notice I left the room and went into the kitchen and was chased away from there making me groan again. Soon Sadaf came looking for me and dragged me up to the room, but then disappeared herself. Halima started doing my makeup and once she was done I could not recognize myself. I somehow did not like too much makeup on myself, I looked different but nice.

Soon once I was completely ready we heard the bell making me more nervous. I did not feel like meeting them but I guess I had no other option. Halima left immediately to go and be with my mother, aunt and the guests.

I was left alone with Rania and she smiled at me assuring me that all will be fine, soon enough Sadaf walked into the room saying that i am called down but looking at her Rania looked at me and i looked at her confused. Sadaf was wearing a tight top and skirt with full makeup on, she was just as dressed as I am. She looked at us then told me to come down before leaving.

Rania gave me the look meaning she does not like what Sadaf is playing at, but i did not say anything. I was guided downstairs by Sadaf and she made me sit near my mother. Everyone's eyes were on me and I felt my cheeks heating up. His mother kept asking my mother questions about me and she kept answering.

After sometime we were sent out alone to the lawn and we were walking in the garden. I did not say a thing and neither did he. After a few minutes of awkward silence he finally spoke up "My name is Fayaz" he introduced himself and I nodded "My name is Laiba" i introduced myself as well. "Do you have any questions for me?" he asked politely, i nodded looking up at him for the first time, he was quite good looking i will not deny that.

"Tell me about yourself" i said "well i am twenty four years old, i work in a private hospital, i am currently a surgeon in training and i want to start a new chapter in life, because very soon i will be moving to New York" he said proudly while i just nodded my head not knowing what to say.

After some time of talking he suddenly said something that caught me off guard "i want a wife that is modern and someone who is stylish and not boring and blunt" the way he said it was like he was taunting me which pissed me off.

"Okay" i said that and we headed back inside, i went and sat next to my sister and shortly they left, they all turned to look at me and i did not say anything. I wanted to say no but I know I will be questioned if I say no immediately. "What is your answer?" my mother asked and i panicked but Halima held my shoulder "give her time maa, let her not make a decision right now"