RUNNING

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Ibn 'Umar (May Allah be pleased with them)
reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "A Muslim is a brother of another Muslim. So he should not oppress him nor should he hand him
over to (his satan or to his self which is inclined to evil). Whoever fulfills the needs of his brother, Allah will fulfill his needs; whoever removes the
troubles of his brother, Allah will remove one of his troubles on the Day of Resurrection; and whoever covers up the fault of a Muslim, Allah
will cover up his fault on the Day of
Resurrection". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Sa’ d ibn Waqas reported that the Prophet, peace be upon
him, said, “ Istikharah (seeking guidance from Allah) is one of
the distinct favors (of Allah) upon man, and a good fortune
for the son of Adam is to be pleased with the judgment of
Allah. And a misfortune of the son of Adam is his failure to
make istikharah (seeking Allah’s guidance), and a misfortune
for the son of Adam is his displeasure with the judgment of
Allah .”
Ibn Taimiyyah said, “He who seeks guidance from
the Creator and consults the creatures will never regret
it.”

Maraya is still lying on her prayer mat when her phone started ringing, she wonder who was calling her so early in the morning, she moves to pick her phone and was more surprised that the caller is her mother. Her mother normally calls during the day, she quickly pick up the call with different thoughts going on in her head.
"Mom?" She said to the phone.
"Sweetheart I have something very important to discuss with you," her mother said and pause for a moment and Maraya became anxious imagining what could be so important for her mom to call so early, she prayed all is well with everyone at home. "I know we should not be having this conversation over the phone but I really can't wait to hear your thoughts." She paused again making her daughter to be more anxious.
"Mom please what is this all about? You're scarring me." she said her voice laced with fear.
"Afnan mom was here yesterday, she came with a marriage proposal for you, she wants you to marry her son Ahmad. What do you think about it?"

It took Maraya some moments to understand what her mother was saying and when she got the message she was silent for some moment, it was nothing she is expecting, she tried to recall her meetings with Ahmad, she can't really call them 'meeting' because they do not have any moment together but she could not deny she is attracted to him, even at that she can't possibly think of marriage.
"Are you still there, Maraya?" Her mother called from the other line.
"Yes mom." She replied.
"Well what do you say to that?"
"I- I don't know, I don't even know what to say." She was quiet again
"I thought you liked him." Her mother said and she could sense her disappointment. well what was her mother expecting?
"I did not say I hate him, but I barely remembered his face (well that was a lie), I don't know nothing about this guy and marriage? It's beyond my imagination"
"I know this may came out of the blue, but believe me there is never a perfect or right time for important event in our lives to occur. Some things we plan them early and it's happen late and other times, things we expect to be far just came running our way." Her mother said in a gentle voice.
"I know mom, but still..."
"I am not saying you should marry him, perhaps you could meet him and have a date or something, if you are not attracted to him or you feel things cannot work, you can turn down the proposal."
"Really?"
"Of course dear, however don't expect things to came rushing, it can take sometimes for feelings to develop because love at first sight is usually a fantasy that happens only in book." Her mother advised.
"Well you sound as if you seriously want him for a son-in-law?" She tease her mother
" O! I only want what you want," her mother defended "but honestly I hope you can give it a good consideration"
"I will think about it and get back to you." She finally said to her mom.
"I will be expecting your call SOON" her mother said "and take a good care of yourself. Bye."
"Bye mom." She said as her mother hang up the call.
She was still looking at her phone smiling, 'a marriage proposal' not in her wildest imagination was she expecting that. She never thought a man will ever go through her parent to seek for her hand in marriage, she always dream of a perfect extravagant relationship, a very romantic proposal and then wedding but all that was in the past, she just want to have a simple and peaceful home filled with happiness and remembrance of Allah.
She want a husband that will love her without condition and a man that will bring her closer to her Creator, she want a man that will help her raise the generation of believers and a family she could call her own.
She can't deny that her relationship with Afnan have taken different turns since they met and now a family?, she smiles at the thought.
Ahmad comes from a good family that are both spiritually and socially strong, no doubt about that and he is good looking as a man but will he be able to love her as a woman and accept with her flaws in the aspect of deen? Will he overlook her past and assist her in making a better future?, will he be willing to walk with her through thick and thin? She wonders.

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"What was her response?" Afnan asked with much hope as she spoke to her mother on the line.
"Alhamdulillah, she was very happy about it but she said it all depends on Maraya decision."
"Don't worry about that, you just start the wedding preparation." She said with a wide grin.
"What are you planning now Afnan?"
"You don't need to know."
"Don't tell me you're planning some mischief with her innocent heart." Her mother said knowing how Afnan can be convincing when she really want something to happen.
"I am not being brought up by the world best matchmaker for nothing, and no, I am not going to play on her mind. I will only help her see what's obvious." She answered still smiling, she has walk out of the mosque to a corner she is sure no one is going to see her besides the day has not fully break so she can giggle all she wants like a little girl.
"And what is that?" Her mother asked already imagining her answer.
"My brothers' charm of course, let's face it mom, he's handsome, kind, brilliant, bold and whatever you can look for in a groom he has it, if I am not his sister I will be more than happy to hook up with him." She said as a matter of fact.
"He is your brother so you can say all that about him, and even though most of them are true but I insist you allow her time to make her own choice, marriage is a lifetime business and others are not to make that choice for you." Her mother replied and she understand what she meant, almost all her household knows she's fond of her fiancée but they waited for her decision before they concludes their engagement.
"I understand mom." She said but still have intentions to talk with Maraya about the proposal.
They talk more about her own wedding and welfare before her mother disconnected.
After hanging up the line, she head to her room with the thought of best way to approach Maraya, the old roommate she knew would have insult her and even stop talking to her but knowing Maraya as she is now she don't know what to expect, maybe she will be a little disappointed in her for not telling her beforehand, she only hope that her answer will be positive.
She gently open the door and met Maraya still on her prayer mat, she noticed that she is not reciting or reading but she remain silent even when she said salam and took a seat on her reading table.
"How long as it been?" Maraya finally said after being silent for what seems like forever.
"I don't know but mom told me about it since the beginning of the semester." She answered honestly.
"That's about three months ago and you did not tell me anything." Maraya looked up to Afnan surprised.
"I...I..." She did not want to tell her she has been spying on her for sometimes ensuring she is not in any relationship before telling her mother to go ahead with the wedding proposal.
"You don't like me to be your sister in law, are you worried because of my past?" Maraya gently whispered, it is meant to be a question but it is more like a statement, Afnan did not see that coming and was caught off guard, she was expecting many things but not this.
"Astagfirullah(I seek forgiveness in Allah), I love you Maraya, you are the most beautiful lady I have ever laid my eyes on, you are bold, brilliant and confidence even before we became friends I have always admire you from afar but you built a very strong wall around you that I could not penetrate. After opening up I discovered how humble and kind you are and seeing how much you are willing to go or do to please Allah makes me feel lacking. I will never ask for more in a sister in law, I don't care about who you were and I will never tell about your past relationship that I am aware of, you are perfect as you are, I  only hope my brother will be good enough for you and you will accept my family as yours."
Maraya can't help but feel flattered, she felt her friend sincerity and she was thankful for the woman she is turning to be, she knows Afnan and her relatives her good but she still need to think and pray about it before saying yes.
"Are you wooing me for your brother?" She tease Afnan.
"That is exactly what I am doing, I need to do this much at least in order to be able to give my niece and nephew a good story about your love." Maraya smiles
"I will need to conduct Istikhara and think more about it. Just give me some times Afnan." Maraya finally said.
"I understand and I will wait till you give your response, please don't keep my brother waiting too long." Afnan hold her hands and pout her lips to make Maraya smile.

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Asalamu alekum, sorry for late update, next chapter will start with Ahmad P.OV. in sha Allah. Don't forget to comment, vote and share.
I love you all
@ umayra