The Art Of Halaal Love

8 | The first step.

I jumped off the bus and quickly made my way home, rushing to escape the rain pouring down. It was the very next day and I just finished from another day at work.
I felt my phone vibrate in my jacket pocket but ignored it for the time being. I finally got home, entered, and locked the door. As I was taking my wet boots off, I got out my phone. I had a message from Habibah.

'Leila, don't freak out but my mum is at ur place.'

I gulped. I looked towards the shoe rack and saw a pair of Sketchers. Only Habibah's mum wears those. I dropped my bag off, took my drenched jacket off and went inside the living room. The first person I saw was indeed Habibah's mum, dressed in a black Abaya and a brown patterned Hijab. She smiled widely as soon as she layed her eyes on me.
I turned to see my mum and she looked a little disturbed. She watched me closely as I drew nearer.
"As salamu Alaikum, Leila! It's so good to see you." Auntie Jamilah greeted me and stood up to hug me. I greeted her back and returned her hug. I started feeling so nervous.
"You probably didn't expect to see me here but I came to tell your mum about, you know ...the proposal." I nodded and nervously looked towards mama. She stood up and walked towards me. She had a stern face on. She stood right in front of me and observed my face for a while. My heart was beating so quickly, I was scared she was going to see it through my abaya.
"Why didn't you tell me?" I looked at her, gobsmacked. She crossed her arms infront of her chest.
"Why didn't you tell me? I'm your mother, there should be no secrets between us."
"Mama... I-I was scared." She rolled her eyes.
"I'm not your father, you don't need to be scared. I'm only upset that you didn't tell me, from the start."
"Mama, wallahi I haven't done anything with him, Allah is my witness-"
"Allahum! I know Leila! I trust you more than I trust myself. I raised you right." She smiled. I felt my eyes burn up from the tears that were falling down. I was so relieved. I hugged her immediately. I was so overjoyed!
"So that's why you've been stressed and unwell all this time!" She said and broke away from the hug. Auntie Jamilah laughed, making me laugh through my tears.
"Come, sit we need to talk about this." Mama said, so we all sat down.
"Leila, you should know that I have no objection to this proposal. Khalid is a good man. I know his manners and how he takes care for his family. I know he would be able to care for you too. To be honest, I've always liked him." I smiled and blushed.
"I will not lie and say I'm not worried about your father. We both know what kind of person he is. I just need to know from your own mouth, if you really want this. Will you fight for this? Because if not, there's no point in doing this. Your father will just put you down straight away and put an end to this. Will you be strong enough for this?" I watched my mum's worried expression looking back at me. I turned to Auntie Jamilah and she had the same expression painted on her face.
"I can't say I love him, Mama because true love only comes after marriage. But...I feel something towards him that I've never felt towards anyone before. And honestly... I can see how much Khalid is determined to fight for me and how much he wants me. I don't know exactly how Baba will react but I know this is something worth fighting for. I prayed Istikhara and I feel no doubt in myself." Mama and Auntie Jamilah exhanged smiles and mum breathed a sigh of relief.
"Leila, although you just said true love comes after marriage, Khalid would disagree with you on that. From a mother's eyes, I can see how his eyes light up whenever your name is mentioned. Also, you should know he is a fighter, he has been ever since he was younger. He may be beaten to the ground but he picks himself up and dusts himself off. He will fight for you." I smiled and embraced the warm feeling inside of me.
"And I will be here for you Leila. If this really means something to you, I will help you achieve what you want." Mama said, with tears bordering her eyes. I wasted no time in bombarding her with a hug.
"I know that you are softhearted and you have never said no to your father. You have always been so obedient." She sniffled and let go of the hug. "But you need to toughen up for this. You need to stand up for yourself. So that you can have the future you want but also ,your sisters." I nodded determingly.
"So, Leila. We will come at around 6 on Sunday, alright? But Sureyya, I think it is better if you tell your husband that we will arrive. I don't think he will be very happy if we come as a surprise."
"Yes, no doubt. Leila, tonight we have to take the first step. We will tell your father that they will come on Sunday."
"Yes, Mama. In shaa Allah we will."
"May Allah put blessings in it for us all." Auntie Jamilah prayed.
"Ameen." We all supplicated.