Behind You✔️

Chapter 3

F A R A H

The cool breeze cascaded through the streets, making me increase my speed. As I reached home, I closed the door behind me.

"Mom, I'm back." Mom is in the kitchen preparing food as today Aunt, uncle, and my soon-to-be husband are coming. To be honest, I'm nervous; I don't know what he will think of me. I kept the things I bought on the kitchen counter and helped my mom prepare the food. We were almost done when Mom ushered me to go and start dressing up, as they will arrive anytime soon.

Washing my hands, I went up to my room. Yasmin will be coming back anytime from now. As if she read my thoughts, she barged in, and I jumped back in surprise.

"Wow, Yasmin...I was just thinking about you, and next time, make sure you knock first, please," I declared in a serious tone.

"Done, sis," she cracked a smile. "Sis, you better start getting ready. You don't want to keep your husband-to-be waiting," she winked at me. Before I could reply, she closed the door and shouted, "I will be back."

Taking a warm shower, and wrapping my hair around with a small towel, I opened my wardrobe, deciding on the clothes to wear. Coming across a beautiful maroon abaya, I smiled, thinking of the day our lives were filled with so much happiness back then. I made my hair into a tight bun, wanting to put on my veil when Yasmin came back with a full plate of chocolate balls.

"Masha Allah, Sis Farah, you look so lovely," she said, sitting down on the soft bed and staring at me.

"You just need one thing."

"And what's that?" I asked, raising my brows.

"Makeup." I stared at her wide-eyed.

"What? No...You know I don't do makeup," I said, shaking my head.

"Come on, sis, just for today. Besides, don't you want to impress Jawad at your first meeting?"

"Please," she pleaded. If I didn't agree with her, she wouldn't leave me alone.

"Okay, just for today," I pressed my lips in a thin line.

Thirty minutes later, and she was still turning my head from one position to another. "Are you done?" I asked, feeling tired.

"Just give me a minute," she sprayed something on my face.

"What's that, Yasmin?"

"Calm down, sis. It's called setting spray. It is used after you're through with your makeup. A finishing touch. Okay, done," she clapped her hands together. I looked at myself in the mirror. Masha Allah, I indeed looked different.

"Sis Farah, you look stunning. Jawad will fall head over heels for you."

I wish.

"Thanks for the makeup," I smiled at her.

"Let me check on Mom before they arrive."

"Sis Farah!" I heard Yasmin calling my name, followed by a knock on the door.

"Come in." She sat down, chuckling.

"What happened, Yasmin? Why are you shouting my name?"

"They're here. I saw Jawad. He's so handsome. Just wait till you meet him. I'm so happy," she squirmed.

"Let's go. Mom said you should come down." I placed my scarf gently on my head and held Yasmin's hand. Nervousness crept inside me.

Aunt Khadija and her husband were seated on the three-seater couch, while whom I assumed to be Jawad was sitting on the two-seater, his head down, pressing on his phone.

"Assalamu Alaikum, Aunt."

"Assalamu Alaikum, Uncle," I greeted them.

"Wa Alaikum Salam, my daughter. You look beautiful. How are you?" she held my hands.

"I'm fine, Aunt. Thank you."

We exchanged greetings with Uncle too. I sat down on the one-seater chair. The urge to glance at him increased. I lifted up my head slowly, and my eyes met with cold, dark eyes staring right back at me. I quickly averted my eyes, looking elsewhere, feeling my heart beat just by his gaze.

We were seated at the dining table, eating, while the families were chatting. All the while, I couldn't bring my eyes to look at Jawad. He's quite too, until Mom decided to break his silence.

"How's the Netherlands, Jawad?"

"Fine, ma'am," he answered. Masha Allah, he has a sweet voice.

"He's taking over the company," Aunt Khadija blurted out. What? Will he be my new boss?

Yasmin touched my arm and mouthed, "Are you okay?" It was then that I realized I didn't eat much.

"Sorry," I muttered without being noticed.

After eating, the families gave us time to know more about each other. I led us towards the direction of the balcony, Jawad tailing behind me. We sat down on a bench, quiet, only the sound of birds chirping could be heard.

Nervousness was killing me, and he was also not saying anything; he just kept looking at his watch. I decided to break the silence.

"Salam, I'm Farah," I croaked a smile. I'm not sure if it's the right thing to say.

"I'm Jawad," he said after a while, his voice coming out husky.

"You must have heard about me from your parents, so tell me about you." I don't know why my lips blurted it out, but it is not a problem to know more about him.

Suddenly, silence prevailed in the background. My head was down, so I couldn't tell what he's thinking, and his figure towering behind me wasn't helping either.

"Don't worry, you will get to know me when we get married." I was confused by his words but decided to get my mind off the unnecessary thinking of mine.

"If you don't have anything more to say, can we go inside?" Wow, do I sense rudeness in his tone?

•••

The family was now seated in the living room when we came back. Jawad sat down beside Uncle, while I squatted close to Mom.

"So, since everything is settled now, let's fix the wedding date," Uncle Abdallah started. My heart hammered in my chest. Now that the wedding is about to be fixed, I'm feeling kind of insecure. What if I made the wrong decision? Mom and Aunt Khadija nodded their heads in agreement.

"Okay, let's fix it in three weeks' time. What do you say, Farah? Your opinion is what matters most," he inquired. We have come this far; there is no need to drag anything more.

"Yes, Uncle," I answered in a low voice. I could swear from the corner of my eyes I saw a hint of anger on Jawad's face. But why be angry? He agreed to this union too.

"Masha Allah. May Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala see us through this day."

"Ameen," everyone answered.

•••

As they were leaving, we accompanied them to their car. Jawad was already in the car as he was the one driving. I saw Aunt Khadija talking to him before she walked towards me.

"Here, give me your mobile number, and don't worry about Jawad; he's just a little shy," she exclaimed, offering me her radiant smile. We exchanged numbers, and they left. I caught a glimpse of Jawad for the last time, seeing his face glued to the road.

Three weeks? In three weeks' time, I will be married.

°°°

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Allah Hafiz