In The Pursuit Of Love

Hasbunallahu Wa Ni'mal Wakeel

'Patience is a pillar of faith'- Umar Ibn Khattab (RA)

*****

The vast black sky glimmered and glistened with tiny specks of light. The shimmering stars dusted like a line of poetry extending into the infinite. Grey clouds scattered into nothingness like piano tiles and the beautiful crescent moon peeped from behind them, providing calmness and rest to the distressed heart and gain back its steady rhythm. The night came as a reward, a peacefulness above to calm the soul, which was mourning over the loss of tranquility in his heart.

It was almost surreal. He wanted to feel it all before someone came and disturb his solitude. The night sky always calmed him. It was like a band aid on his wounded heart.

Zeeshan sat under the infinite beauty, doing dhikr, praising his lord for His mercy and for all that his eyes were witnessing even with the darkness around. Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala has bestowed his servants with so much of everything, that even if he expresses his thankfulness with every blink of an eye, it wont be enough. But He subhanahu wa ta'ala, blesses us even after we keep on sinning. He forgives us, because he is Al Ghaffaar.

A sudden shift next to him caused him to turn his head. He saw Mehreen settling beside him on the chair in their backyard. Silence followed after that for few minutes. Both of them, praising the creation of their lord.

"You know Bhai," she started softly, "Allah will test us in many ways. You wont understand it now, but everything happens for a reason, a reason which only He knows. But one day you will understand His hikmah behind everything, behind whatever you are facing. Allah promises us in the Quran 'Allah does not burden a soul beyond that it can bear'. So know that you are strong enough to handle it, because Allah has guaranteed it. Just believe in Allah and His plans and know that He will make you come out of it alive"

Zeeshan listened to the wise words of his little sister and turned to look at her whose gaze was stuck on the sky. He was always surprised by the level of Imaan his sister had. And although he prayed regularly and kept fasts, he couldn't deny that he hadn't sinned, he had and so he found it difficult to attain that level of Imaan.

He shifted closer to her and wrapped his arm around her. She rested her head on his shoulder.

"When did my little Chidiya grew so big?"

"Oh you didn't know! I am getting married day after tomorrow" He let out a chuckle.

"How is your would be husband? You talk to him till late night na? I have heard voices coming from your room" he had a mischievous edge in his voice and the next second he was slapped on his arm making him wince.

"I don't. In fact I have never. You do know that we should not, right"

He raised his hands in surrender, "I know I know"

"You are happy right?" he asked looking at her. She looked down, playing with the grass.

"I am Bhai. And if I am not, I know you'll never hesitate to kick his butt"

His lips twitched upwards and he nodded. They sat there in comfortable silence for a few more minutes.

"Okay then, I am going to heat up the food, come on inside. I'll bring it to your room"

He looked at her with slight wide eyes, but then sighed and nodded. Mehreen always knew when he hadn't had his food and lied.

She first went to her room, and slowly opened the door in hopes of finding Nargis sleeping, but she saw her sitting on the bed with lots of papers scattered around her and her eyes fixed on a journal in front of her.