After I Met You✔️.

~١٤~

AAMIR
Algiers, Algeria.

I'm seated in my room, cleaning up some stuff I don't need, when a call comes in from Abubakr, "Assalamu Alaikum Akhi, kayfa haluka?" He asks, "I've been good. Alhamdulilah, how are you and everyone at home?" I ask, resting my back on the swivel chair.

"We're all good." Alhamdulilah, I called you with some news I was thinking you might be interested in." He begins, "You cheeky man," and I chuckle. "Go on, I'm listening, and it better be good." I warn him, and he laughs.

"Oh, it is good. I was just on the phone with Naeem, and he didn't know how to tell you this because he thinks it's wrong for him to say such things to you, so I volunteered to help him." On hearing this, I sit up properly.

"You have my attention; now keep going." I urge him. "Well, he was telling me that his parents are beginning to set him up with sisters from the community, but he doesn't think he has seen what it is that he is looking for in a wife. When I asked him if he had a reason for not giving the sisters a chance to get to know them, he said it's because he thinks he wants to meet someone else to see if she is the one." He says.

"So what does that have to do with me?" I ask, "He wants to come see Aman with his parents but doesn't think it's right because you two are friends, and he thinks you're going to be angry because he wants to send a proposal for your sister." Then it dawns on me: Naeem does want to meet Aman; that's why Bro has been acting weird.

"Aw, come on, I don't know why Naeem is still this shy." I joke. "He is like the perfect representation of the person I want Aman to get married to in person. I do understand where he is coming from, but if he really does want to get married anytime soon, he has to learn to take some bold, risky steps." I say.

"I'll talk to Aman and see what she has to say about it; if she's fine with it, then I'll call Naeem to inform him, insha'Allah. Jazakallahu khairan for the information, man. I really  appreciate it." I add. "Wa iyyaka, I'm doing it for the sake of Allah, plus I'm tired of being the only married man amongst us friends, so of course I'm trying to spread the word around." He jokes.

This guy I think I am shaking my head. "Ma'asalama." I say "ma'asalama." He replies before ending the call. Time to go tell Ommi. After getting Mama onboard, it took far less effort to convince her than I expected. We walk towards Aman's room together. On getting there, I knocked on the door. "Yes!" She yells "Can I come in?" I ask. "Yes," she replies.

So Ommi and I go in. "Is something wrong?" She asks, "No, not really; we just want your opinion on something," Ommi says, sitting on the ottoman beside her.

"One of Aamir's friends called and asked about you." Ommi begins, causing me to hold my breath. "And?" She drags. "And he wants to get to know you, only if you agree, though we are not forcing you; it's just that Nanu has been making it an issue, and we wanted to at least do something to lessen the pressure." I explain.

"When did this happen?" She asks "A few hours ago, Abubakr called me and told me of the guy's intentions, and I trusted him to allow him to come see you, so I told him I'd talk to you and get back to him," I add. "And who is this guy you speak of?" She questions. "It's Naeem," I say.

She blinks twice, as if to clear her hearing. "But how, and why me?" She asks, "You're a good girl, Aman. Anyone would want a spouse like you." Ommi smiles, patting her on the hand. "Think about it; he's a good man with good intentions, Aman," she says, getting up to exit the room, leaving just me and her.

"I've known Naeem for a long time, Aman, and he's a good man. You of all people should know that I would never allow anyone with ill intentions to come see you, but I also want you to know that I'll support you no matter the decision you make, ok?" I assure her, giving her a hug.

"Just don't take long because I have to get back to him; he's having a bit of a misunderstanding with his parents about getting married, so he wants to be sure he knows if you want to meet with him to discuss further before he can tell his parents," I explain to her.

"I'll think about it, insha'Allah, and tell you my decision before the end of this week, insha'Allah." She says, smiling. Pardon forces a smile. I know a fake smile when I see one, especially hers. "May Allah bless and guide you," I pray, and she replies with an "Ameen."




I decide to call Naeem to speak to him tomorrow, insha'Allah, so I switch off the lights, head over to the bathroom, brush my teeth, dive under the covers, say my adhkar, and go to sleep.

•••••••






Just as I leave work, I remember to call Naeem, so I pick up my phone and do just that. "Assalamu Alaikum Naaem, How are you going?" I ask, "Waalaikumus salam, I've been good, Alhamdulilah. You?" He replies, "Ana bi khair, Alhamdulilah. I wanted to talk to you about Aman," I begin.

"What do you really want with my sister, and be honest with me?" I question, "First, wallahi, I don't know how it happened, but all I know is that I prayed to Allah and asked for His hidayah, and that's when I finally spoke to Abubakr about it because I didn't know how to approach you.".

"But my intentions with your sister are clear, and with your parents permission and hers too, and if Allah wills it insha'Allah, I would like to marry Aman, not because of anything but because from the little I've learned about her, she's a good person with good intentions and is a practicing Muslimah, which I admire too." He concludes.

"Mashaa Allah, I just want you to know that if things go well and Aman says yes to seeing you, then you have my blessings and permission, insha'Allah. And that is because I trust you to take care of her," I say.
Who wouldn't want their sister or daughter to be married to such a guy? Allahumma barik.

"Jazakallahu khairan, bro, I feel much better now that I'm not hiding anything from you." He sighs. "Wa iyyak, I'll call you as soon as I get an answer from her and Baba, insha'Allah." I add

A few days later.

Aman did agree to meet up with Naeem to give him a chance, and we are currently here waiting for Aman to grace us with her presence. Aunty Noor volunteered to go get her from her room while we waited.

"Assalamu Alaikum," she mutters as they walk into the sitting room. "Wa'alaikumus salam," we all chorus. "Have a seat, Aman," Baba says.
She takes a seat close to Ommi, holding onto her hand for dear life. She doesn't look up, though, and we continue our conversation from where it stopped upon her arrival.

"Lunch is ready." Aunty Noor announces, and we all move to the dining table for lunch. The elders begin to discuss me and Nasreen's wedding.

After lunch, Aunty Noor speaks up: "Come on, we should allow them to at least talk. Aamir, go with them, please."

We walk up to the balcony together before I finally speak up. "I'll be right outside, ok?" I say, looking at Aman while I say it as if to assure her, and they both nod.



After the meeting, Aman asks to see him one more time to make up her mind, and after she does, she says yes to marrying him.

Assalamu Alaikum cherries!!
This chapter is for the night owls, longest chapter so far I think anyways enjoy. Aamir is about to be a married man who's excited cuz I am.
Don't forget to vote comment and share xx.

Anyways ma'asalama 🤍