Winged Dreams

Chapter 14: Tricks of The Eyes Shatter Dreams of The Mind

7th November, 2015

"(Allah) knows of (the tricks) that deceive with the eyes, and all that the hearts (of men) conceal."

[40: Al-Mu'min-19]

Chapter 14:

Tricks of The Eyes Shatter Dreams of The Mind

"So, there are a whole lot of girls my friend, Laila was suggesting for you."

Asif halted in his journey to the only appliance that fulfilled his wishes, the fridge in the kitchen and spun around listening to his mom.

"Why would she do that?" He questioned.

"Probably because I asked her to."

"Why would you do that, mom?"

"Asif, come on now, look at your twin. Ma sha Allah, Omar is happily married and it's time for you to settle down as well."

"But you're the only woman I know and you've set the standards so high, I don't think any lady I look for marriage will be able to match it," Asif joked and his mother had to smack his arm.

"Asuuf, I'm being serious."

"Mummmuu, I'm being serious too," he replied matching her tone.

"No! Please no blackmailing with tears!" Asif cried out when Sumaiya's lips quivered.

"What else do you expect me to do when my son doesn't listen to me? Look at me, I complain of knee pain, I'm getting old, do you blame me for wanting to see you married and play with your children before Allah takes me away?"

Asif groaned as he sat his mom on the couch and seated himself beside her.

"Mom, the doctor said the knee pain is because of the cold weather and alhumdulilah, it's not some life threatening disease. May Allah always keep you healthy and may you live to play with your great great grand children too. And while doing all this, may you remain as youthful as a little boy in school."

"Are you making fun of me?" Sumaiya questioned, narrowing her eyes at her son.

"Of course not!" Asif answered with a solemn expression but his smile gave away his thoughts.

"Ya Allah! What am I going to do with my son?" She thought out loud and put forward a question that Asif wasn't expecting.

"Asif, do you have someone in mind?"

Asif's head shot up to look at her and he tried his best to maintain a neutral expression.

"Why would you think that?"

"Does that mean you do have someone in mind?"

"I didn't say that," he replied getting up.

"If you do have someone, just tell me, Asif. I don't mind if she isn't from our community, if she's light or dark skinned, tall or short, as long as she's Muslim and a girl, I am up for it!"

"Woah woah! What's 'And a girl' supposed to mean?"

"Astagfirullah, with the way men are falling in love with each other, I'm just warning you, in case you were having those thoughts..." she trailed off.

"Mom!" Asif groaned covering his face with both of his hands. "Of course I'll marry a girl. I can't believe you just said that. I've been scarred for life."

"Oh so you youngsters can discuss all this amongst yourselves but when your mother says it, you've been scarred for life? Such double standards I tell you!"