The other Half of my Deen

part 5

6 months later....

I was in the final year of my engineering course. It was another lazy Sunday morning. Abba was into his newspaper again. Everyone had forgotten Rayyan. He never even came into my mind. Thank god he didn't get engaged to me. Or everyone would miss him more. And again, with my Abba's gestures I could understand he was expecting someone at the door. And then finally, the doorbell rang. I opened the door it was Nahida auntie.

Nausheen: assalamu alaikum auntie!

Nahida auntie: walaikum assalam. How have you been Nausheen?

Nausheen: I'm fine auntie, Alhamdulillah!

Nahida auntie: good.

She was someone my family knew since I was born. She used to be my neighbour and then we moved here. She has two sons' Zaahir and Omar. Zaahir is a little elder to me and Omar is 6 years younger to me. I and Zaahir were really good friends till I was 10 or so. Then we were both shy. I hadn't seen him after that. I wouldn't even recognise him if I ever I had seen him.

My dad sat on the sofa, auntie and Ammi hugged and greeted each other. I went into my room and I jumped on my bed. Before I could unlock my phone to see if I had any unread whatsapps my mom shouted my name. I grabbed my dupatta and I went down running. Aunty called me and asked me to sit next to her.

Nahida auntie: so Nausheen, how's college going?

Nausheen: pretty good. Just one more year InshaAllah!

Nahida auntie: what are your plans?

Nausheen: I want to do masters InshaAllah!

Nahida auntie: oh! That's very nice! You're very Ambitious, I didn't know.

after a long pause.

Nahida auntie: have you thought of your marriage yet?

Nausheen: no, auntie. Haven't thought of it.

Naihda auntie: oh! Since you were 5 years old you've been dreaming of being married. So much that You even got Zaahir to play those dressing up games with you...

Nausheen: yes auntie I remember. He used to be shyer than me while I played the bride.

Nahida auntie: Yes.

Nahida auntie: so Nausheen...? if you are ready for marriage, would you like to be my daughter?

I don't say anything. I stay quiet. i look at Ammi and Abba

Nahida auntie: so, do you like him, enough to marry him?

Nausheen: I I I haven't thought of it auntie. I never thought of him that way.

Nahida auntie: I know. But, he likes you, he wants to marry you.

I thought that she should have told this to my parents already and only after they approved it she had come to ask me. And I was sure that they're happy cause they were there and if they had any objection they would have said it.

Nausheen: I don't know auntie, if Ammi Abba are okay. I guess I'm okay too.

Nahida auntie: It's okay. I'll leave now. You can call me.

Nahida auntie got up and left. I ran to my bed room and jumped on to the bed. And I started thinking of the proposal. I actually couldn't believe. ZAAHIR was much better than me I thought. In all ways. He was so good. There was no reason to reject him. Plus, moreover, I wanted to leave it to my family this time. I had regretted my choice last time. Though they approved it, He was 'my' choice. And now I didn't want to be there again.