𝐀𝐘𝐀𝐓: 𝐀 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐐𝐮𝐫'𝐚𝐧

chapter 8

Aadam was hurriedly locking the store, his keys tucked into his kurta pocket. After a long hour, he finally reached home.

"Salma! Salma!" he called out for his wife the moment he stepped inside. She hurried into the lounge to find him sitting there, drinking water.

"What happened, Aadam? Why do you look so worried?" Salma inquired, noticing his anxious expression.

"Salma, I agree to marry Ayat; I’m ready wherever you are willing," Aadam said in a rushed tone. Salma stepped back, smiling in surprise.

"Oh, okay! Let me call Nayla to tell her this," she said joyfully and went into the kitchen. Handing him her mobile, she added, "You talk with her."

"Hello, Assalamualaikum, Salma! How are you?" Nayla's voice rang out over the speaker.

"I’m fine, Nayla. The phone is in Aadam's hand; he wants to talk with you," she replied and gestured for Aadam to continue.

"Assalamualaikum," Aadam said, and Nayla greeted him back.

"Nayla, you sent a proposal for my daughter, right?" Aadam asked, already knowing the answer but wanting to hear it from her.

"Yes, Aadam Bhai, I sent a proposal to your house for Ayat's hand for my son Ashar," Nayla replied, her voice cheerful.

"Can I talk with your husband?" Aadam requested, feeling that discussing such a sensitive matter with Nayla alone wasn’t appropriate.

"Of course, you can," she said, and there was a brief silence before a man’s voice came through.

"Assalamualaikum, Aadam," the man said, and Aadam returned the greeting.

"So, do you agree to this proposal?" Saleem asked.

"Yes, I agree. But Saleem, you know our situation; I’m just the owner of a clothing shop, trying to raise my children," Aadam paused, listening to Saleem's response.

"Yes, we understand that, but we still want Aayat to become the daughter-in-law of our house. Trust me, she will be happy here," Saleem assured him, and Aadam glanced at Salma, who signaled him to continue.

"Okay then, when can we meet? You can come to our home to see Ayat, and we will all be waiting for you," Aadam said.

"Um, actually, yes, I’ll let you know when we are coming, okay?" Saleem replied, and Aadam hummed in agreement before ending the call.

"Thank Allah that you finally got convinced, Aadam!" Salma exclaimed happily, while Aadam still appeared worried.

"What’s troubling you? Let’s eat some sweets first!" Salma suggested as she headed towards the kitchen to bring some treats. She fed Aadam a piece, then took one for herself.

"By the way, Aadam, you’re home early?" Salma realized.

"Hmm, yes. I just came to tell you my decision," he said, rising from his seat as Salma nodded, still smiling.

×××××××××××××××
"Assalamualaikum! I am home!" Ayat's voice echoed throughout the house. Salma was sitting in the lounge watching TV, but upon hearing Ayat's voice, she hurriedly came towards her, excitedly.

"Walaikum assalam, my beloved daughter! I am so happy for you!" Salma exclaimed with joy, causing Ayat to feel confused.

"What happened, Ammi? You seem extra happy today," Ayat wondered with a slight giggle as she entered and sat on the sofa, removing her veil.

"Of course I am! Your father has said yes to the proposal that came from Nayla!" Salma said joyfully, sitting in front of Ayat.

"What?!" Ayat exclaimed, and Salma nodded in response.