Hawwa's Paradise

Chapter-21 #Rewritten

It was a Friday afternoon.

Hawwa's both hands reached towards her right thigh. Then pulling her hands backwards she reached for her left leg. Each time her head touch the floor, she could feel her bun flattening. She was performing an exercise for losing belly fat on a bedsheet spread on the floor in her room. It had been around nine months she was doing this. To her left, was the bed on which Khadija was leaning against the headboard watching a youtube video from her mobile. Hawwa's mobile on her reading table started ringing, bringing her exercise to a pause. With quick steps she got to the reading table assuming it was QIbriyah was calling. She proved to be right when she saw his name flashing on the screen. 

"Did you watch Death Note?" Hawwa asked while sitting by the railing of the balcony next to the drawing room. A black scarf was loosely wrapped around her head.

"I did. The plot is good." Qibriyah replied, while sitting with his back leaned against a jackfruit tree with his left hand under his head and legs folded at his knees. He was inside the mess area, the mess building some distance ahead. 

"Hawwa, if you are talking to Qibriyah, let me talk to him a little." Hawwa looked behind. She saw Khadija standing by the entrance of the balcony. "I have something urgent to speak about." Hawwa nodded.

"What is Aunty saying?" Qibriyah could recognize Khadija's voice but her words sounded unclear to him.

"She wants to speak to you." She responded before giving the phone to Khadija.

Khadija and QIbriyah exchanged pleasantries.

"It has been more than a month since you two have started talking. I want you two to get married within the coming two weeks." Khadija asked, her voice laced with concern. Hawwa stood up to get to the right side of her grandma to hear Qibriyah, with her heart starting to race. She wanted Qibriyah to agree. 

"I want more time. You know we are working on my insecurities." Hawwa's stomach sank even though she partially expected this answer.

"Why?" Khadija gulped, glancing at Hawwa as if questioning both her and him. "I am scared that what if any of you decide you don't want to marry each other. Specially you." Khadija's eyes got away from Hawwa.

"Aunty." Qibriyah pulled his hand from under his head and sat straight. "Whatever is written for us will happen. What we can do is control our own actions and give our best." 

"You can control moving on from the past. You should have done that a long time ago. Then we wouldn't have to see this day." Qibriyah ran his hand over his face as his patience was starting to fade. Khadija's lips pursued in disappointment. 

"If I had done it, I would be remarried to another woman by now." He rolled his eyes, his hand resting on his lap. 

"He is right. Look at the positive side."Hawwa smirked.

"Aunty, I am not going to change my decision." Qibriyah stated firmly, clenching his free hand.  "Your support is important for me. You not bringing this up again will be part of supporting." He wasn't sure how long he could keep himself from not slipping his anger into his voice.

"Fine. I am giving the phone to Hawwa." Khadija informed in defeat, before returning the mobile to Hawwa. Qibriyah sighed in relief. 

"Hello." Hawwa said as her eyes followed Khadija's retreating back. "Don't push yourself for Dadima. I am going to wait." Covering her mouth with her hand, Hawwa spoke in a low voice when she thought Khadija won't hear.

Hope the wait is brief. 

"Thanks." Qibriyah leaned against the tree like before.  

Next day during afternoon, Hawwa and Qibriyah were sitting on a bench, under the clear blue sky. There were kodom flower trees, each on sides of the bench. And below were grasses which was spread throughout the ground which was bustling with the shouts and laughter of children and teenagers. They were inside the park of Hawwa's neighborhood. 

"What do you like most about me?"

 Qibriyah asked Hawwa. Her eyes were shining in awe at a fluffy white cat who was walking across the ground along with it's owner, a girl who seemed to be in her mid-teens. The cat had a yellow leash around it's neck, one end of which was held by the girl. 

"Your self-respect. Tell me about yours." Hawwa turned to Qibriyah with a shy smile.

"Your self-accountability."  Chirping, a sparrow flew past behind them. 

"What do you hate about me?" 

Qibriyah's eyes got lost in thinking. "I haven't found anything yet." Then his one eyebrow arched up. "For you it will be my insecurities, right?" Hawwa bit her lips, looking away from Qibriyah for moment. She noticed a group of boys seemingly in their tweens and younger playing football. 

"You are right. I am sorry." Her voice lowered with guilt. Qibriyah shook his head.

"You don't need to feel bad about saying it. I know how supportive you are of me. The psychologist recommended opening about our likes and dislikes to improve our connection." He reassured.

"Thank you." Hawwa's face beamed with gratitude.