EXTRA MILE FOR LOVE

34: The Rejection

"Let's get going please Basma. Kabir told me we will only be allowed in there for 5 minutes." Najma declared as she clutched on to her shoulder bag. "Relax, We will get there on time insha Allah and you will see him." Basma declared as she wrapped her veil around her head. "Let's go, he's already here." Najma declared as she waved her phone in the air. Kabir came to pick them up.

"Where are you two heading to?" Mummy asked as they came downstairs. "Ummm, we actually have a class, we're running late. Kisses I love you." Najma hurriedly pecked Mummy and they left.

Kabir drove them to the police station. To Najma's surprise, Nabil looked so okay. All these while, the image she had on her head was Nabil looking miserable. "Look, I told you he was kept in a special room. You know he's not regular." Kabir winked at Najma.

Kabir and Basma excused themselves and left Najma and Nabil standing, Silence followed. "Ummmm, How are you?" She asked Nabil whom was sulking his face. This was expected after all. "I'm good, What are you doing here?" He asked her. "I came to see how you're doing ofcourse." She declared. "Or you came to see how miserable I'm? When will you women stop lying?" You think I'm going to fall for your cheap games or what?" Nabil barked.

Najma was startled by Nabil's behavior. "Nabil why are you talking like this? You know I genuinely care for you. I.......why......." Najma was now stammering. "Time up!" A police officer came. Kabir came and informed Nabil that his lawyer was there.

Najma left devastated. She didn't say a word to Basma till they got home. "Where are you coming from?" Mummy asked the minute Basma and Najma set their foot in the parlor. "Ummm.... Sc..... school of course. I told you we........" Mummy didn't allow Najma to finish. "When did you start lying to your own mother because of a man Najma?"

At that point, Najma knew the only way out of this was to tell Mummy the entire truth. After all, they're very close, and she's more understanding than Baba.

"Basma just give us a moment please. I will come and meet you upstairs." Najma declared. Najma gently held Mummy's hand and they sat down on the sofa.

"Mummy before I start explaining myself or apologize to you, I want you to promise me that you will try to understand me like you have always done." Najma demanded calmly. Mummy could see the vulnerability and love in Najma's eyes. If she doesn't give Najma a listening ear, anything can happen and she wasn't ready for that.

"What's wrong? Talk to me Najma na I'm your mother." Mummy was trying to sound as calm as possible. She didn't want to scare Najma away from confiding in her.

"Mummy I'm sorry for hiding the fact that I have been seeing Nabil Mukhtar Maidawa for almost three months now. I know I've always told you the truth and I've always told you about the men in my life. Mummy I love Nabil, I love him so much that I can't stand to hear a single bad word against him. I know that he doesn't have a good reputation, but Mummy Wallahi I'm willing to go to any extent to restore back his dignity. Mummy, If you forbid me from seeing him, I can loss my life. I can't imagine living life without seeing him. I didn't choose this for myself, I never thought I'd love him this much. I can't help it." Najma declared plucky.

Mummy has never found herself in a dilemma concerning Najma's upbringing like today. Mummy was wondering if she was the same Najma she brought up. Where did she go wrong in raising Najma to be willing to put her reputation in the dirt for the sake of a man? Mummy quickly shrugged off that thought. From all indications, Yelling at Najma won't bring back her daughter. What Najma needs right now is a motherly affection and advice.

"Mummy I swear he didn't do it. Even the first one was a false accusation. Mummy just don't stop me from seeing him, Atleast not until the investigation is over. The truth shall prevail soon." Najma declared. That was it, another blow to Mummy. Najma has truly gone very far in Nabil's love. No matter what, The last thing Mummy will ever allow is for Najma to be with a characterless boy like Nabil.