manal | achraf hakimi [COMPLETE]

10.

i'm going to start putting my little notes at the end of the book instead of the beginning :) please do read them

please pray if you haven't already, before reading this chapter :)

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thank you so much for reading.

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31/12/2022

[1336 words]

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'manal.' her mother, aïcha called out as she saw her daughter sitting in the stairs with some books in her hand.

manal turned to face her mother and replied, asking what the issue was. she had to get this assignment done in time for her senior, who was training her to be a teacher.

'come here.' she curtly said, that had manal panicking. had she done something wrong?

she quickly picked up the books from her lap and placed them on the table in the hallway. she picked up her hijab and started walking towards the room where her mother and father were both sat.

she walked in and her father was not looking at her, facing the newspaper in his hand while her mother placed some tea on the table.

'yes, mama. you called?'

'yes darling, take a seat.' her father peered over the top of the newspaper and gestured her to take a seat in front of them.

she rubbed her palms against the long sleeved tunic she wore with the wide trousers. she was nervous, but decided to sit down regardless. once her father ilyas noticed that she had sat down, he folded up the newspaper.

the man looked at his wife who took it as a signal to speak. 'manal,'she started, with a lump in her throat. they've had these conversations many times, because manal had many suitors.

but this time, they could feel the true possibility in the prospect of a match. this made it harder to say.

'miss amina came to our house earlier today.' she started off, and while she didn't want to jump to conclusions, manal had guessed where this conversation was heading.

'and she had come with a proposal for you for her son.'

it felt like a knock to the face for her. she hadn't expected him to be really serious about it. she hadn't even given it much thought, and she didn't allow herself to either.

she was well and truly shocked.

'i know this is all very untoward but we,' her parents looked at one another as if making it clear that they were shared in this opinion, 'personally think it is a good proposal.'

all manal could do was listen. it wasn't her turn to say anything yet.

aïcha continued further while ilyas stayed silent.

'it is completely up to you, and we'll give you time to come to a decision. we didn't give her a definite answer.' her mother explained, implying there was no pressure.

she curiously looked at her father who was looking at her intently yet unable to say a word.

'baba, are you okay? do you need some water?' her father waved his hand saying no, and gestured her to come closer.

she immediately responded and placed her hands on his.

'manal, we love you so much. you and sufiyane are the stars in your mother and i's sky. i only want the best for you, pray istikhaara and let me know what you, not us not miss hakimi or iman wants, okay?'