Beauty and the Bangles - An Islamic Thriller of Love & Mystery

15| A gift, A promise & A cruel fate

No one has ever escaped the enchanting grip of love. Even the non-living things.

On that fateful day, people hastened their pace to seek shelter in their homes as the sky above began to serenade its beloved, the earth, with a soft lullaby, in the form of tiny droplets.

Gradually, with each raindrop, the rhythm intensified transforming into a symphony of soothing platters and melodious patters. Love starts and ends with tranquillity.

An aroma of fresh feelings wafted through the air at the proximity of sky and earth, rejuvenating the entire world.
Love doesn't only sustain two lovers but their surroundings too.

Heavens poured down their silvery emotion, nourishing the greenery of Earth.
Love's nurturing quality heals the soul.

Raindrops like shimmering diamonds clung to blades of grass, gently kissing the petals of flowers and the grass danced, the flowers blushed in response.
Love transforms melancholy into bliss, good to bad; turns darkness into light.

Every drop of rain was in haste to touch the earth before their counterparts. And the earth welcomed each of them with equal warmth.
Love requires equal reciprocity from both sides.

The gentle rain quenched the thirst of the parched earth, cleansing its heart and washing away the dust. Love has the power to purify hearts.

But if love scatters, destroys, demolishes, and transforms one into the worst version of themselves, then it's not love at all.

On that day, the alluring dance of skies and earth illustrated the stark contrast between Allah's divine love and the materialistic affection of non-mahram.

Allah's love (that also includes the love of one's mehram and family) knows no boundaries, free from separation, betrayal, destruction, and loneliness. It is a power that uplifts, elevates, and preserves the hearts, virtues, dignity, and everything it touches.

On the contrary, the worldly affection of non-mahram may begin with apparent beauty, but it inevitably leads to the ruin of one's life, virtues and everything held dear. And why would it not? When such love is rooted with the disobedience of the very Creator of love!

Sadly, humanity equipped with the best of ears and the finest of technology, remained deaf to the profound teachings of nature except the ones who ponder.

As the raindrops continued felling, and skies weaving their tale; a figure, drenched to the skin, emerged running on the mountain slopes.

His heart drummed against his ribs, and breath coming in low puffs, his chest heaving up and down, Abdur Rahman ran with a sense of urgency. As if his life depended upon it.

And how wouldn't he be? The secret he had uncovered was heart wrecking, uprooting the hope of his living.

But it was the very power of love that caused his tall legs to pump furiously on the earth, In the torrential downpour, bringing him to the doorstep of his most trusted companion.

With bated breath and a hammering heart, he finally mustered the courage to knock on the black and golden door.

"Abdur Rahman Bhai?" The host was puzzled by Abdur Rahman's rain-soaked disheveled appearance in this downpour.

"Listen, there's no guarantee of my l-life now," he spoke in breathes, " I-I need your help"

"Kaisi baat kar rahe hain, bhai sahab! Of course, I will do whatever I can. Why don't you come in and have a glass of water?"

"No.. No. I can't afford that either," With that, he plunged out a worn packet of leather and handed it to the host.

"This..?"

"..is an Amanah, a last gift, from me to my princess. Promise me to hand it to my daughter when she turns seventeen. When I may not be there for her."

"Don't talk like this, bhai. InshaAllah, you will be always there." Deep down the host knew it was untrue, yet tried to console him.

"Optimism doesn't change reality," His lips cracked into a bittersweet smile. "As spies, our lives hang on threads. You know very well. One mistake or a mere misunderstanding, and we are gone."

Tears welled up in the eyes of the host, heart heavy with the weight of their shared reality. "But you love your daughter deeply, don't you?"

"That's vibrant like a sun. My world starts from and ends with her. Alhamdulillah. When I married her mother, I fall in love with her gradually, and I thought never ever would my love be replaced by anyone. But, it was only two years later, when my earlier statements were denied"

The mocha brown in his eyes sparkled with an ethereal glow as he continued, "Have you seen angels? Oh, I have. I vividly remember the day my princess arrived as the softest, brightest, and most beautiful angel. She arrived as the mercy of Allah, brightening up my world and making me fall in love at first sight. That day I learned love at first sight exists"

Just like the rain-kissed petals, his eyes shimmered with unshed tears. "I don't have a wish to live. I just wanted to cherish moments of love with her as our beloved prophet Muhammad s.a.w would do with his daughter Fatima rz. But the responsibility of the nation is greater and I am honored that Allah chose me for it."

"How will Juveria manage without you, bhai sahab? She is so innocent," The host's voice quivered, deep lines of worry etched on the heart.

"You, see! My Juveria will rise from ashes. She's a bangle-clad phoenix. She wouldn't need me. With me, she is a princess; without me, she will be a queen. InshaAllah!"

"You have such belief in her?"

"Yes, I have nurtured and upbrought her in such a way. I have belief in my upbringing."

For the fleeting moment, Abdur Rahman's heart had swelled with pure pride in his abilities rather than Allah's tawfeeq, and that tiniest moment was the highest time Shaytan needs to attack.

"Then Allah won't let you down, I pray," The host reassured him.

"Ameen!"

"And I promise bhai, I will watch over her. She is like my own children." The host wiped tears, adding, "Is there anything you want me to tell her?"

"My princess must know apart from her golden curls, she has a heart of gold. Her beautiful heart equipped with Allah's love and mine will always guide her, inshaAllah, and this packet.."

Abdur Rahman smiled with contentment as if now death would be easier for him now. The weight of their promise hung heavily in the air, resonating through the ages.

Meanwhile, fate itself, cast a somber glance at the scene knowing that neither Abdur Rahman nor his loyal confidant would be there to witness the fulfillment of their whispered vows.

**

Translation
Bhai : Brother

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