Bowled Over By The Broken

Chapter 6: The Beginning to Ends

May 15th, 2016

This is sort of my favourite chapter. The title says it all. I love her raw yet tamed emotions. Writing this chapter felt lighter than other ones. And I've been following ALL your comments and been grinning to myself. That's another reason why I like writing Bee's story, the fact that so many of you can relate to it! Alhamdulilah! :)

"Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has given the one more (strength) than the other, and because they support them from their means."

[Qur'an]

Chapter 6:

The Beginning to Ends

"One more week, isn't it?" Aamina questioned as they walked out from the third store.

"Yup. I've already submitted the papers," Anabya replied.

"You sure about this, Bee? I mean, the company you currently work at is quite good. Pay, work environment, distance from home, everything is in your favour. Then quitting the job after your bond is over is a risky step. What next?"

"I haven't planned about that, Bhabhi. All I know is that although it's a very good place to work there, I'm not satisfied. It isn't helping me grow."

It's doing quite the opposite, actually.

"Well, it's perfectly fine if you want to leave. But I just want to make sure that you're well aware of what you want."

"At this point, not really. I know what I don't want, but I don't know what I want."

Or maybe I want to run away from this mess. No, that doesn't mean I'm weak. It just means I'm too tired to cary these burdens. I'm not quiting. But I need rest.

"Do you want to pursue your masters degree?"

At the question, Anabya found herself thinking. It actually wasn't a bad idea after all.

"That actually sounds good. Mum always said she wanted me to do masters, maybe I'll just do that."

"You still have time, think about it it sha Allah," Aamina said. "And Bee?" Aamina called, and when she was sure that Anabya was giving her her full attention, she said, "Do it because you want to, okay?"

She smiled at that and nodded, before Aamina pointed out to another store she thought would help to end their hunt for a wedding gift.

Hafsa and Fadil's wedding was just a few days away and Anabya still hadn't found a gift for them. Accessories would be too girly, chocolates would be too boring and a couple watch was too mainstream.

As she looked around for wedding gifts, and was just about to give up, she heard Aamina's voice from one of the aisles parallel to where she stood.

"Bee, I think I found what you're looking for."

"Good. Because I was just about to give up," Anabya mumbled and when she joined Aamina, she carefully analyzed what her sister was looking at.

"What do you say?" Aamina asked, grinning as she ran her hand across it.

It was a glass box, as big as a photo frame, and inside it were the two pieces of a heart. Joined at just the tip at the base, the two pieces were away from the other but linked by a metallic rectangular piece, on which was engraved,

Distanced by world, United by love.

And of His signs is that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquillity in them; and He placed between you affection and mercy.