Winged Dreams

Chapter 2: Dreams Without Destination

13th September, 2015

"...Nothing shall ever happen to us except what Allah has ordained for us..."

[Surah At-Taubah – Ayah 51.]

Chapter 2:

Dreams Without Destination

"Nice picture," Naila commented as Tabasum's phone screen lighted up and her wallpaper caught her attention. "That's Dina, but who's the girl to your right? Is that Simran?" She questioned.

"Yes, that's Simran. She's my other best friend," Tabasum replied with a fond smile.

"You three seem quite close," Naila proceeded, as she accepted the serving of mango juice in the flight.

Naila, Bilal, Asif and Tabasum, along with few of the other brothers in the team were all headed for Mumbai, where they were launching a project to start a school for the slum children. Tabasum was an active member in the organization, while Naila was only accompanying her brother for the good cause.

"We are super close, ma sha Allah, been there for each other since high school. We've shared all our graduations together, high school, Pre University, and University and we're sort of very proud about it," Tabasum replied with a soft giggle, answering her earlier question.

"And now, do you three plan on sharing your wedding dates too?" Naila asked jokingly.

"I really wanted that, but well, don't think it's possible."

This caught Naila's interest, and she asked, "Why so?"

"Well, I don't think I'm getting married anytime soon, as for Simran, it's kind of complicated and going by the looks of it, she doesn't want to get married for the next two years and Dina, well Dina may get married even tomorrow."

"Tomorrow? Is she engaged?" Naila asked, holding her breath, as she waited for a response.

"No, she isn't, but Dina is the most simple girl I know. So, if her parents can find her a practicing Muslim, who promises to love her, she'll get married the next day."

"Just like that?" Naila asked, grinning under her Niqaab. Perhaps she wasn't grinning this wide even when Fardeen's proposal had come for her.

"She's very different, she underestimates herself a lot but for all that she's been through and for the incredible girl that she is, she expects very little out of life."

This had to be the best news Naila had heard all week. At the age of twenty, Naila was the girl everyone praised. She behaved well over her age and was expected to get married in the next six months and move to Jedda. Before the term, she was on a mission to get Bilal married and welcome a daughter in the family, as she would leave the house to be a daughter in another family. She had someone in her mind from quite some time now, but she was just waiting for the golden moment that would pave the path for her to move ahead.

And considering the present situation, it would be right to say, the moment had arrived.

She turned her face, to steal a glance at Bilal, who was seated behind her beside Asif, followed by other brothers in the row.

He seemed to be hunched over his laptop, and she quickly turned around and asked Tabasum, "Tabasum, I actually have someone in mind for Dina, will she accept if I take this proposal to her?"

On the prospect of seeing her friend happily married and easing her pains, she immediately responded, "Who is it?"

And then her eyes widened in surprise and she felt like she would faint in happiness when she heard the reply, "My brother, Bilal."