When Dreams meet Destiny

Chapter 15 : The Surprise Date

Yahya lay in bed, scrolling through his phone as he reviewed his schedule for the following day. The soft glow of the screen illuminated his face in the dimly lit room, his mind focused on the tasks ahead. As he scrolled, a reminder popped up, catching his attention—it was about the visa appointment for him and Maryam scheduled for the next day.

The reminder brought him to a sudden halt. Yahya sat up straight, his mind racing with possibilities. A smile spread across his face as an idea took shape, one that filled him with excitement. He wanted to surprise Maryam with a full day out, a special day just for the two of them. The thought of spending time with her, away from the formalities and conditions that had surrounded their relationship so far, filled him with anticipation.

His first instinct was to seek permission from her father, Farooq Qureshi . Yahya reached for his phone and dialed the number, but after a few rings, the call went unanswered. He sighed, placing the phone on his side table, but the excitement within him didn't fade. Just as he was beginning to consider alternatives, his phone buzzed. Farooq was calling him back.

Yahya quickly answered, his voice respectful and eager. "Assalamualaikum," he greeted.

"Walaikumasalam, Yahya," came the warm reply. "Khairiyat? Everything alright?"

"Alhamdulillah, I'm doing well. How are you, and how's the progress on the projects?" Yahya asked, easing into the conversation.

"Alhamdulillah, everything is going smoothly," Farooq responded. There was a slight pause before he added with a chuckle, "What brings you to remember me today, Yahya?"

Yahya smiled, appreciating the lighthearted tone. "Actually, we have our visa interview tomorrow, Maryam and I. I was hoping to get your permission to take her out for the day—just a simple outing, nothing extravagant."

Farooq's response came with a teasing edge. "You're asking permission to take your own wife out?"

Yahya chuckled, understanding the humor in Farooq's words. "Well, the ruqsati hasn't happened yet, so she's still in your care,My amanat."

Farooq laughed softly, his tone turning more serious yet warm. "I was just teasing. Of course, you can take her.

"Jazakallahukhair," Yahya replied, relief and gratitude evident in his voice. "But I have one more request—please don't tell her. I want it to be a surprise. I'll come by to pick her up at 7 a.m., inshallah."

Farooq's voice held a note of approval. "Alright, I won't say a word. I trust you'll take good care of her."

"Inshallah, I will. Thank you," Yahya said, his heart swelling with appreciation and excitement.

As he ended the call, Yahya felt a surge of anticipation. The idea of surprising Maryam with a day out filled him with a sense of joy he hadn't felt in a while. This was his chance to connect with her beyond the formalities, to create memories that would mark the beginning of their journey together as husband and wife.

Yahya leaned back in bed, his thoughts swirling with plans for the day ahead. It wouldn't be just any outing—it would be their first day truly together, a day that would set the tone for the many more to come. As he drifted off to sleep, the excitement of the surprise and the thought of seeing Maryam's reaction played over in his mind, bringing a contented smile to his face.
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The morning sun had barely begun to light up the sky when Zainab Qureshi  quietly entered her daughter Maryam's room. The soft creak of the door barely disturbed the early morning silence, but Zainab's voice, gentle yet firm, broke through the haze of sleep.

"Maryam, beta, wake up," she said, her tone filled with a hint of excitement. "Your husband is here to pick you up."

Maryam, still lost in a sleepy daze, blinked slowly, unsure if she had heard correctly. Her mind, foggy with remnants of dreams, tried to piece together what her mother had just said. "Sorry, what?!" she exclaimed, sitting up abruptly, her heart pounding in her chest.

Zainab laughed softly at her daughter's bewilderment, a smile playing on her lips. "Get up and get ready, Maryam. Yahya is already here, downstairs, having breakfast with your brother."

Maryam's eyes widened, a mixture of shock and confusion spreading across her face. She looked at her mother, searching for answers. "But why is he here? For what?" she asked, her voice tinged with disbelief and panic.

Zainab simply smiled, a mischievous twinkle in her eye as she winked at her daughter. "He has some plans for the day," she said, her tone light and playful.

Maryam stared at her mother, even more shocked by her attitude. This was not the serious, no-nonsense tone she was used to. What could possibly be happening? With her mind racing and her heart fluttering, she hurried to the bathroom, her confusion mingling with a growing sense of excitement.

As Maryam took a quick shower, thoughts tumbled over one another in her mind. What could Yahya be planning? Why was he here so early? The surprise of it all was both thrilling and nerve-wracking. She hurried through her morning routine, her hands trembling slightly as she dressed.

Downstairs, Yahya sat at the breakfast table with Maryam's brother and father. The table was laden with an array of traditional dishes—parathas, omelets, and steaming cups of chai. But Yahya, despite the warm hospitality and the insistence of his in-laws, politely declined most of the offerings. He smiled and engaged in light conversation, all the while trying to discreetly glance at his watch. He had other plans for breakfast—something special, just for him and Maryam.

He was eager to get going, but he managed to keep his excitement in check. Yahya's polite refusals and subtle avoidance of the food didn't go unnoticed. Farooq, Maryam's father, chuckled softly, recognizing the young man's eagerness and understanding the reason behind it.

"Yahya, you should eat something," Farooq teased, though his eyes conveyed that he was in on the plan. "Or are you planning something better?"

Yahya smiled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "I have a little something planned for us," he admitted, grateful for Farooq's understanding.

Meanwhile, upstairs, Maryam hurriedly applied the finishing touches to her outfit, her heart still pounding with anticipation. She could hardly believe that Yahya had shown up unannounced, that he had something planned for them. She couldn't help but wonder what the day had in store.

Finally ready, Maryam took a deep breath, smoothing down the front of her dress as she made her way downstairs. She felt a flutter of nerves as she reached the bottom step, where she caught sight of Yahya sitting with her family. The scene was surreal—Yahya, calm and collected, surrounded by her loved ones, waiting for her.

As their eyes met, Yahya stood up, a warm smile spreading across his face. He could see the mix of surprise and curiosity in Maryam's eyes, and it only made him more eager to reveal the plans he had carefully prepared.

"Assalamualaikum ," Yahya greeted her softly, his voice carrying a note of affection that made Maryam's heart skip a beat.

"Walaikumasalam ," she replied, her voice still laced with disbelief. "What's going on?"

Yahya's smile widened as he reached for her hand, gently leading her toward the door. "I thought we could spend the day together," he said, his tone filled with excitement. "I have a few surprises planned."

As Yahya led Maryam outside, she couldn't help but reflect on how effortlessly he had blended into her family. It wasn't just about respect; it was about the genuine warmth he showed them, as though they were his own. Whether it was engaging in conversations with her father or sharing jokes with her cousins, Yahya had truly accepted her family with open arms. It was something that Maryam found deeply admirable—and, truthfully, a bit overwhelming.