~ RIDA || The Cloak ~

باب چہارم || پہلی ملاقات

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ

First Encounter || پہلی ملاقات

پہلی ملاقات کی باتیں بڑی حسین ہیں

وہ لمحے جیسے خوابوں کی حقیقتیں ہیں۔

The memories of the first meeting are so beautiful,

Those moments feel like the truths of dreams.

~~~ < ♡ > ~~~

On a monsoon morning in August, she stands on the balcony, deep in thought. A cool breeze caresses her face, carrying tiny droplets of rain. The sky is covered in brooding clouds, signalling the impending storm.

"Subhan'Allah, such beautiful weather," Rida whispers, taking a sip of hot coffee she just prepared. August and Coffee? What more can she say? The cosy, windy weather has influenced her into preparing her beloved beverage. It's her comfort drink.

She gazes at the trees turning vibrant shades of green as the rain washes away the dust. Rida sighs, annoyed, as her mind wanders to that dreadful meeting again! It has been the hardest task to not let those words affect her self-esteem. Her family has been supportive, reminding her to not focus on the words of people who take joy in ridiculing others.

It's easier said than done. She would be lying if she were to say that those words haven't had a negative effect on her. For weeks after the meeting, she wasn't herself. Rida used to cry in her prayers asking for sabr from Rabb ul Azeem. She used to complain to Allah about how one human could be so cruel towards another. Over time, her distress lessened, but she made a عہد (promise) to never let anyone belittle her.

With Allah's mercy and His support, she was able to understand that she, like every other person in this world, is a unique creation of Allah. Al-Mussawir, He is the one who shapes and forms all creation in perfect and unique ways. How can any of His creations be inferior to another? To Him, all His creations are equal.

This is why she is here, happily enjoying the beautiful weather even when the harsh words make her heart ache. Her faith in Allah is what helped her in fighting the insecurities before, when she had a plump figure, and now when she worked hard to have a curvy yet somewhat "socially acceptable" figure. She is happy with her skin tone; she knows her skin isn't porcelain but sun-kissed and radiant, Alhumdulillah.

Ending her musings, she enters her parents' room, to which the balcony is attached. She has started her internship as a marketing intern, and she cannot be any happier! Her days are busy and she is finally being productive, Alhumdulillah. Adding to her excitement is the start of the preparation for her beloved cousin's wedding! She can't express how excited and happy she is for her big bros' wedding.

She goes about her day praying, scrolling through Pinterest for inspiration for wedding dresses, and engaging in passionate planning for the upcoming wedding. Her Mamo's family comes for evening tea to further discuss their shopping spree plans for tomorrow. Rida whips up some crispy pakoras with kadak chai to complement the rainy weather, and bakes decadent, fudgy brownies to celebrate the family get-together.

She goes to sleep with a smile, excited for tomorrow, and thanks Allah for granting her so much happiness.

________♡________