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Mariyam To The Rescue

"Noor!"Her Dadi's voice snapped her out of her thoughts,"I have been calling you for ten minutes beta,and you are sitting here staring out of the window."

"Yes Dadi jaan,"Noor stood up and walked towards her.

"What were you staring at?"

"Oh nothing Dadi jaan,I was just...thinking...about the test I have next week."Noor shook her head,how can I possibly tell you Dadi,that I was thinking about what Moazzam said,it's already been a day and I don't know what to do!

"Oh forget about these tests,come on,I need your help in the kitchen,it is Friday today naa,all your grandfather's brothers will come for lunch after the Zuhr prayers,we need to prepare the food."Her Dadi waved her hand dismissively and scurried back to the kitchen.

Noor nodded and followed her,she couldn't talk to Dadi,it would be...just...she couldn't,and Baba? Oh how embarrassing,she could never talk to Baba about her wedding,how shameless would that be...oh Mama,how much I need you right now! Noor sighed and picked up the sack of vegetables to cut.

She started chopping the onions when she was hit with just how helpless she was,and her eyes filled with tears,what am I going to do?!

"Noor! Why are you crying my darling?"Noor found her Dadi suddenly sitting by her side.

Noor swiped at the tears,"Oh Dadi,"She tried a smile,"You know how sensitive my eyes are to the onion fumes."Her Dadi looked at her disbelievingly but nodded any way,"How about I cut the onions jaan,you cut the other vegetables?"

"Oh no Dadi jaan,I'll cut them,you cook the pulses,they take so much time to cook."

"Yes well, okay."Bilquis turned and walked to the stove.

*****

"Assalam Alaikum Amma,Noor."Mariyam walked into the house as they were placing the plates on the mat.

"Walaikum Salam Phupo jaan,how are you?"

"Oh I'm fi..."Mariyam was cut mid-sentence as Asad ran up,"Noori bajiii!"He yelled walked up to her before placing a candy in her palm,"I saved this for you."

Noor looked at the sticky toffee in her hand and smiled,"Thank you Asad."She smiked and ruffled his hair as Mariyam asked about her studies.The two of them sat down and Noor started telling Mariyam stories of the entire past week.

"...And then she threw up."Noor giggled as Mariyam threw her head back and laughed.Then it hit Noor,PHUPO! That was who she could tell,who she could ask advice from.

"Phupo jee,can I talk to you in my room?"Noor asked earnestly.

"Ofcourse Jaan,Is something wrong?"Mariyam got up,concerned at the sudden change of topic.

"I just have something really important to ask you."Noor tugged at her hand and took her to her room.

"Phupo jee,I met Moazzam in the market yesterday."Noor closed the door and sat down on the straw bed,biting her lip nervously and avoiding looking at Mariyam.

"Okayyy..."Mariyam sat next to her and motioned for her to continue.

Noor took a deep breathe,"Phupo,he...uh...he...ughhh this is so hard..."

"Come on Noori,tell me,you're starting to worry me!"

"He asked if he could send his proposal for me!"Noor blurted out,squeazing her eyes shut in fear.Then she felt warm fingers against the back of her hand and then a warm palm pressed against hers,Mariyam was holding her hands.

"Noor..."Mariyam's soft voice penetrated through the silence causing Noor to crack an eye open but still not look at Mariyam,"Noor,look at me."

Noor turned her head slightly towards her,her face a model of nervousness,"Noori,jaan why are you so scared,you've not done anything wrong,what did you say?"Mariyam's calm voice was music to Noor's ears.

"I didn't say anything phupo,and then he told me that I had 3 days to think about it,I have to tell him tomorrow,but how can I phupo...and I'm so confused,I don't know what to do and..."Noor stopped as her voice started wavering.

"Who else have you told?"

"No one phupo,I've been too embarrassed to."

"Good decision Noor,now listen to me,you have done nothing wrong okay? And Moazzam was smart to ask you before doing anything."Mariyam smiled at Noor reassuringly.

"But phupo,what am I supposed to say?!"Noor's eyes were starting to water.

"Oh jaan,don't cry,why are you crying? Be brave angel,it's okay,you haven't done anything,it's okay."Mariyam pulled her into a hug and stroked her hair.

"Phupo,if anyone finds out that Moazzam asked me first,it's going to ruin Baba and Dada jaan's pride."

"First huh? So you mean you do want him to send his proposal."Mariyam let out a little laugh and changed the topic.

"No! That's not...I didn't..."Noor began but Mariyam shushed her,"Shush,why did you tell me this Noor? That Moazzan asked you?"

"I needed your advice Phupo."Noor looked at her.

"My advice,jaan,is that do what your heart says,he's doing it the proper way a guy should,you have the whole night,you can think about it."

"But phupo,what do you think? Do you...I don't know...approve of him?"

Mariyam smiled a knowing smile,"Yes Noor,he is a very good boy."Mariyam kissed Noor's forehead and stood up,"It's getting late now,I have to head home,take care of yourself darling."

Noor nodded and smiled,I knew phupo would help me.

*****

A/N

Hey so...VOTE,COMMENT and SHARE...pleaseeee

I just had to update...watch for another update in like...a day...so...yeah.

I should probably study....