As she stepped into the bustling mall, the vibrant atmosphere felt overwhelming, but she was determined to find the perfect decor items for Fatima Alkali's home. The bright lights and cheerful chatter surrounded her, yet a heaviness weighed on her heart. Just as she turned a corner, she unexpectedly bumped into Asad. The concern etched on his face was unmistakable as he noticed the swelling on hers.
"Mahreen what a coincidence" Asad asked still looking at her.
"Good morning Asad" she said trying to hide her face"
"What's wrong?" he asked, genuine worry lacing his voice.
"It's nothing," she replied, trying to brush it off, but he wasn't convinced.
"Please let me in" he pleaded
With a heavy heart, she finally confessed, "Abba gave me an ultimatum of 20 days to find a husband, and today marks 19." The weight of her words hung in the air, and Asad's expression shifted to one of alarm.
"Let's talk privately," he suggested, leading her to his car.
Once inside, he took a deep breath, ""Will you marry me? Ummi's been on my case about it," he asked, his tone earnest yet playful.
She took a deep breath steeling herself for the truth.
"I can't marry you or anyone because I'm broken."
"What do you mean by broken?" he probed gently, his gaze unwavering.
With tears streaming down her face, she revealed her darkest secret, one she had kept hidden from her parents and everyone "I was raped by Abba's best friend when I was young. He stayed with us and threatened me, warning that if I told anyone, he would kill me. And my last relationship... my ex almost forced himself on me in our backyard. You can't marry me with all my flaws and how broken I am. I don't know what they saw in me, At times I ask myself am I sexually attractive or it's because they're naturally perverts.
Asad listened intently, his heart aching for her. He took the handkerchief she had once given him and gently wiped her tears away. "It's not your fault," he reassured her softly, his voice steady. "What happened to you doesn't define you. I still want to marry you. I'll help you heal and be there for you every step of the way insha Allah. Please give me a chance Mahreen. And for the losers Allah wouldn't let them ,he will punish them bi ithnillah."
"Just breathe in and out," he encouraged, his tone soothing. "Everything will be okay, insha Allah. I'll talk to my Ummi about our marriage so that my elders can approach your Abba and set a date."
To lighten the moment, he took her to an ice cream shop, surprising her with a delightful mix of vanilla and Oreo her absolute favorites. She marveled at how he had managed to combine them so perfectly, a small gesture that brightened her spirits. "Thank you so much Asad this is amazing. Want to join me?" she offered, a hint of a smile breaking through her tears.
He chuckled, "If I take it, my gym coach will have my head for dinner!"
After they finished, he drove her home, the car filled with a comfortable silence,his cologne giving it a homey and calming vibe. As they neared her house, he turned to her with a warm smile. "I'll call you later. Take care of yourself and think about our conversation. Give me a chance to make you my wife." Please" he added
She nodded and thanked him then slipped out of the car.
Mahreen went inside the house and found Umma and Ya Ahmad chatting in the parlor. She overheard him telling Umma that he wants Abba and his uncles to meet Fadeela's parents. Excitedly, she jumped on him and exclaimed,
"Ya Ahmad, are you serious? That's such wonderful news! I hope they'll set the date soon; I can't wait to be the maid of honor and the one and only sister of the groom!" she exclaimed with enthusiasm.
"Mahreen, take a breath! Didn't you go shopping? Why are your hands empty?" Umma asked.
"I couldn't get the items umma I'll just shop online" she said
Ya Ahmad turned to Mahreen and said, "Please don't tell Fadeela; I want to surprise her with the engagement."
"Oh come on, bribe me!" she teased playfully.
"Alright, I'll get you the LV bag and Van Cleef bracelet you've been pestering me about."
"Oh my gosh, Wallahi, you're the best brother ever. She won't even suspect a thing" Mahreen laughed.
Ahmad and Asad had grown closer, and Ahmad had already filled him in about the engagement. Since their father had passed away. Asad promised to keep it a secret, which is why he hadn't told Mahreen earlier.
The trio chatted for over an hour about how life was treating them, and Mahreen completely forgot about her own marriage. Suddenly, her phone rang. When she checked, she saw a red heart what she had saved Asad's number with. She didn't even know why she did that.
Quietly, she walked away from Umma and Ahmad and went to the other parlor in Umma's part of the house. "Assalamu alayki, Mahreen," he greeted, and she shivered slightly and letting out a sigh.
"Wa alaikumussalam," he replied. "I hope you're feeling much better now and that you've thought about my proposal," he asked.
She told him she was still contemplating it, trying hard to keep her feelings in check because she didn't want him to have her so easily. But the circumstances that brought them together were telling her otherwise.
"I'll perform istikhara and ask Allah for guidance," she concluded, feeling the weight of her decision pressing down on her.
"Okay no problem,take care of yourself and don't bother yourself please."
"Insha Allah I will,JazakAllah khair" she thanked him.
He heard the call to prayer and bid her adieu.
Couldn't update yesterday,you guyz are not commenting 🥹 please every button you see tap it ooo biko
With all my love,
Sultana🤍
YOU ARE READING
Wherever my heart is
RomanceAsad, a handsome wealthy gentleman who lost his father at a young age and had to take care of his mother and sister gets betrayed by his wife who was cheating on him with his friend which led to their split. He decided to start attending a therapy w...
