married at 16: Scars that bloomed into strength.

Episode 26 "A mess named zahra"

Jamal's POV—Till Jannah in shaa Allah!

Lately, I've been thinking a lot about my dad. I worry that Zahra won't be able to handle the house and take care of him alone especially now that she's started university. It's going to be hectic for her. I just hope they're both doing okay.

Ever since our mom passed away, I've felt more protective of Zahra. That's why I had to think twice about her marriage. But Yasir... I know him. He's a good person. We've known each other forever, and I have no doubt about his character.

But still... my sister.

She says she wants this marriage, but I feel like she's doing it for other reasons. I haven't figured it out yet, and I don't want to keep doubting her. It's her life, after all. Maybe it's just my overprotective nature talking... but something inside me says there's more to it. In shaa Allah, time will tell.

Speaking of people I care about... Khalid.

He told me he'd be arriving at 1:00 a.m. It's already 11:00, so I'll soon head to the airport to fetch him.

Baraka and I came here for our honeymoon after our wedding, but Khalid's going to stay. He just got admitted to Atlanta Georgia University. I'm glad he did maybe this will help him forget Zahra.

To say I pity him would be an understatement. Even though I believe Yasir will be a better husband to my sister he's more responsible, more emotionally stable I still respect Khalid's feelings. He's my best friend too.

Anyway, let's talk about my time here in America with my lovely wife.

Living with Baraka hasn't been difficult. She's easy-going and caring. I genuinely admire her personality even more now after marriage. I think I'm getting obsessed with her. She's so fun to be around, I can't get enough of her.

I don't even know how to explain it I just love her.

I love the way she carries herself, the way she avoids unnecessary attention, the way she loves sincerely and without hesitation. The way she strives to please our Rabb, Allah.

She's love. That's all I can say. A piece of love.

I try my best to make her happy, to grow with her, to let her know I've got her back. That she's my Baraka, and I'm her Jamal forever, in shaa Allah, till Jannah.

If there's one thing I've learned about marriage, it's this: we both have to work for it. It's teamwork. No outsiders. No selfishness. Just us struggling, growing, laughing, keeping each other's secrets, and facing the world together for the sake of Allah. That's the goal.

"Are you sure you'll be safe here?" I asked, popping a strawberry into my mouth and sipping juice.

"I think..." she replied hesitantly.

"I think..." I repeated in a teasing tone, turning my seat to face her and placing my hands gently on her cheeks, mimicking her voice.

She smiled and pushed my hands away softly.

"Don't worry, I'll take you with me, okay?" I said with a grin. I picked up more strawberries and started feeding her one after the other.

"Hmm, that's halot," she mumbled, trying to chew through all of them at once.

I chuckled. "That's for not wanting to eat earlier."

She tried to escape, but I pulled her back down gently into her seat.

"Jamal," she looks at me and pouts. Can't lie she's funny.

"I can't let you stay hungry, you know that. So, you better eat," I pause.