manal | achraf hakimi [COMPLETE]

.9

again, reminder, if you haven't prayed yet and are reading, please pray first :)
for the sake of my sanity and also my thumbs that have gotten tired of me typing 'achraf's mother' 472944792 times, i will be giving her a name (not her real one because i'm not searching that up) 'amina'

29/12/2022

[1054 words]

—

'laila.'

'yes?' she replied. the lunch with manal and her mother had left her with many thoughts.

'i really like manal for my achraf.' amina, achraf's mother, said.

the former raised an eyebrow, looking up from the fabric that was in her lap. 'is that you speaking or has achraf added something to your tea?'

'what do you mean? do you not think so?'

'no, no, i think she's very nice. it's just,' she pursed her lips slightly in thought, 'it was very obvious no? i'm surprised it took you this long to notice it.'

'i'm his mother, i could sense it.' she said, 'but you don't think-' achraf's mother, suddenly worried the possibility her own mind led her to questioned.

'no no, manal would never initiate anything. she practically grew up with me, she's very modest.' laila finished off the sentence before she even had the chance to make her point. she knew what her sister was worried about, but there was no need to be.

'she's a very smart and patient girl. she's also a teacher, lovely isn't it?' his mother continued singing the girl's praises, reassured that there was nothing that would worry her about the possibility of a new relationship between their families.

'if you're talking about manal, just know that i'm going to the wedding from both parties. and that means, mama, two sets of clothes for everything!' iman was gushing at the fact that she didn't even have to bring up manal as a possible partner for achraf for them to consider it.

'iman, there you are. achraf is complaining that you keep wearing his football shoes when he's not home.'

'so? my feet are smaller than his it shouldn't make a difference.' she reasoned.

'doesn't matter, you shouldn't take other people's things without their permission.' laila gently told her daughter who just smiled as she took up some sweets from between the older women.

'okay okay mama, i'm just going to go give him his apology gift.'

'she's really like lightening, this iman.' amina laughed as she saw her niece waltz around the whole courtyard with her cheery and infectious mood.

'her father would have loved to see her grow up.' laila said with a dazed look in her eye. amina reached out to squeeze her sister's hand. 'may Allah give her a good place too.'

'ameen.'

—

'i cant believe it.' iman said as she sauntered into what had basically become achraf's rooms during his visits to morocco. she knocked the phone out of his hand with ease and read the name.

'who is andres and why does he sound so bossy?' she said, peering down at his phone. she couldn't speak or read spanish, but the emojis and abundance of question and exclamation marks led her to infer.

he got up after her and snatched his phone from her. he looked moody before this, and he was definitely angry now.

'iman. do you not understand what privacy is? how many times have i told you not to just take my phone like that? not every conversation in the world needs to be heard by you!' he shouted at her which had her pausing and her smile faltering.

'i was just-'

'it doesn't matter. you need to learn to stop being so nosy and jumpy all the time. not everyone is in the mood! you're almost 21 and still acting like a damn child! ' he was going on and on at her, not noticing her lips wobbling and her eyes watering.

his frame of mind was already fragile with all the unnecessary advice from his manager, in this case andres, on what he should and should not be doing and he had let the anger spill on to iman.

he turned around and saw her red face, no doubt burning hot. she always got warm when she cried.

'iman i'm sorry-' the guilt was already eating him up.

'save it. i cant believe it, here i was bringing you some good news but i guess i should take your advice and stop sharing my good mood with any old person.' her eyes tightened as she wiped away a tear. she could never handle being shouted at.

she barged past him, shoving the little sweet she had brought as an apology into his shoulder and leaving.

she quickly walked down the stairs with achraf on her heels as he called out her name telling her to wait.

'mama. i take it back, i don't want to be from this idiot's side anymore.' she said, leaving achraf and the women confused. laila and her sister looked at one another, wondering what could have gone wrong in such a short span of time.

she quickly walked past the group and shut the door of her room with a slam.

'oh dear achraf, what have you done to the poor girl?' amina asked her son, who just looked down in embarrassment.

—

iman's mood was still rotten from her argument with achraf. her mother was worried as they had never fought like this before. they hadn't spoken in days and laila knew what to say to wake her up from the cold feud.

'iman. manal has called, she's asking how you are.' her mother sat down beside her daughter who laid in bed.

'cmon, don't keep her waiting. she won't cut the call until you speak to her. she's threatening to send sufiyane to drag you out of the house to meet her.' her mother did her best to convince her. she eventually got up and looked for her slippers, looking at her mother who smiled triumphantly.

'she's too good for him.' she said, noting how he hadn't tried to apologise yet.

'don't let your aunt hear you say that.' laila laughed at her daughters taunt.

—

i actually wrote most of this on the 28th but i'm publishing it today. thank you all for your lovely get well soon wishes! you guys are fantastic!!

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