Destined

Chapter 24

Naureen

Did I make the right decision?
I won't regret it later, right?
What if they come to know the truth and hate me all their life?

Numerous thoughts rendered in my mind until I heard the Imam repeating the question for me.

I had a mere feeling that Allah (SWT) is with me and He wants me to do this. So I guess this is what my fate is.

"Qubool hai," I replied as soon as my eyes landed on the only person, for whose sake I have made this decision. His innocent face peeped through the doorway as those wounded eyes made me utter those two words, giving an answer to his curious little heart. He disappeared as soon as he heard me.

My eyes wandered, searching his face, his expression right now. I wanted to know what was in his mind, how he felt about this marriage and about me being his stepmother. Alas, I couldn't figure it out.

After the wedding rituals, dates were distributed among the relatives. Aunt fed me a small morsel of date.
"Stay blessed my dear," She whispered.

I'm a married woman now. I wished my parents were here, with me, on this day. Their happiness would have been bountless, seeing their daughter in this bridal attire. Watching her take a new step in her life. But not everything goes as you wish.

They plan and Allah (SWT) plans. And Allah (SWT) is the best of Planners.

It was time for the wedding feast. The bride and groom usually eat together, feeding each other their first morsel of food, as a token of love and their new beginning. I sat waiting for Mr. Hamid to arrive, when I saw him coming towards me with Saif and an elderly couple. Saif was holding the old woman's hand and pointed his finger towards me.

"Assalamu alaikum," Mr. Hamid greeted as soon as he approached me.

"Walaikum Salam," I replied.

"These are Razia's parents. They wanted to meet you," He said pointing at the couple.

"Oh..Assalamu alaikum," I said, a bit startled.
They replied to my salam.

"Congratulations dear, may Allah (SWT) bless you with happiness in your future life," The old man said, smiling briefly.

"MashaAllah, you two look like a great couple," the old women said.

"Jazakallah khair," I replied nervously.

"Actually we should be the ones thanking you, for accepting this marriage. Its very rare to find girls like you nowadays. Girls, who are ready to accept a man along with his child. May Allah (SWT) shower you with blessings and reward you for your deeds."

"Jazakallah for your blessings, Ma'am."

"And do take good care of my son- in-law and my grandson," She said ruffling Saif's hair.

"InshaAllah, I won't disappoint you."

The lady smiled.

We all sat together to eat. I fed Mr. Hamid small morsel of the sweet and he did the same. I was quite nervous but I let the nervousness hide behind my smile.

Razia's parents were so good to me. I felt ashamed talking to them. What will they think of me when they come to know the truth? They'll be so mad and disappointed at me because after all, the pain of losing a child is worse.

It was then time to leave. Leave my home, where I grew up, where I got my second parents, the love I craved for, aunty and uncle might not be my biological parents but they always treated me like their own daughter. Even though Ali used be on my nerves with his childish tactics, our sibling bond was strong.