That was never It!!

chapter 50

Aliyah felt so stupid for crying like that in front of him yet she could not stop the tears from falling. She knocked at Amina's apartment and her mother let her in. She asked if she could stay for a while. She was glad she didn't ask her anything. She locked herself in Amina's room, took wudhu and prayed two rakaats after which she felt better. She took a copy of the Quran and started reciting Al-Fath for some unknown reason she loved that surah so much. Every time she recites it, she felt like she had gone back in time and she was running around in the streets of Makkah together with the companions of the prophet. She felt the joy of reclaiming Makkah as if it was happening right there and then. She wished every day that her country will be able to conquer the invaders and reclaim that which belonged to them.

"And that Allah may aid you with a mighty victory." (Al-Fath:3)

That single Ayah gave her strength and hope that one day her land will be free. Allah will grant them victory and the heartless soldiers will leave.

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Haytham was nervous as he stood in front of Aliyah's dad. The old man smiled awkwardly at him. Haytham didn't know how to begin. It's not everyday you ask for a girl's hand in marriage.

Hanif knew what was about to happen. It hurt him to know he would never have Aliyah but he was glad he lost to Haytham. At least she will have a man who will love her like he does or even more.

"Haytham," Hanif was trying to help him speak up, after all he had said he will get them married. "Is there something you want to tell Mr. Amin?"

"Yea, I do. I was...uhhm..." He had never been that nervous in his whole life before. His palms were sweaty and his throat was dry.

"Speak up, Son." Aliyah's father spoke. He was not a fool. He could see what was going on. The sadness in his daughter's eyes despite of the fact that she saw her father only meant one thing to the old man; there was another man in her daughter's life who was giving her sleepless nights.

Haytham could not utter a word. Aliyah's father called him 'son', that had made him lose all strength and focus. It's been long since his father died. He missed him so much. That night when Mr. Amin called him son, he saw his own father in him.

"Son, don't cry." The old man said and Haytham realized there were tears on his cheek. He didn't even realize he was crying. He wiped the tears away but fresh ones started flowing.

"Now, how am I supposed to trust you with my daughter if you cry like a small girl?" Mr. Amin said and everyone laughed so hard.

Haytham couldn't believe it. Allah has heard his duas. She was finally going to be his.

"Wait, does this mean you have accepted me?" He finally gained his power of speech. "I can marry her?"

"If you keep on asking  I might change my mind. There is another nice young man in the house." The old man said while pointing at Hanif not knowing how much he loved his daughter.

"I promise I won't ask anything." Haytham said and covered his mouth with his hand. He looked so adorable; more like a baby trying to hide something big. Everyone laughed and Isabelle went to look for Aliyah.