My heart skipped a beat, 'what was Ibrahim's mother doing at our house I thought as I felt tense. I looked at Ahmad who kept his stern look, How was I going to get Ahmad to take me home quickly? I texted Ruqayya back telling her I was with Ahmad on our way to a meeting. But she didn't reply making me feel even more tense."Are we going somewhere else again?" I asked, breaking the deafening silence and hoping Ahmad was talking me home. "yes, I would like to visit another client, if you don't mind," he said politely this time. I nodded. silently looking at the time. Ahmad pulled up to a beautiful mansion. Parking his car in front of it as a bulter stood by his side waiting for the keys."Let's go," he said to me as we both got out of the car, walking in to reveal a royally decorated mansion. The maids opening the doors were in elaborate uniforms. "Is your boss around?" Ahmad asked one of them politely as they led us to the visitor's living room, a massive space with golden royal cha
I spent the whole night thinking, Friday was exactly 7 days from that day, how did I agree to this?I thought Ruqayya was joking about the wedding being in 10 days. Could I really get married to someone in 10 days? I felt uneasy and overwhelmed as my alarm rang. My eyes were open throughout the night, I didn't even have a blink of sleep, I felt too tired and lazy to get up as my Alarm rang continuously. I reluctantly got up putting off the Alarm and getting ready for work. After I was done with my morning prayers, I saw a missed call from Ibrahim. I wasn't sure he was the person I wanted to talk to at the moment, regardless I decided to return the call."Good morning dear" Ibrahim said, as soon as he picked up the call, "good morning" I replied. "sorry I didn't call you last night, I had a meeting and didn't return home until late" Ibrahim' explained himself. "It's fine," I said, I didn't even expect him to call. this was the man I was getting married to and I didn't know anything
"Good morning" Jidda said to Ahmad as soon as we got out into his car. "good morning" replied with a warm smile. Ahmad. I gave Jidda room to sit in the front while I found space in the back seat. "Good morning" I said sliding into the backseat wanting to be unnoticed while the two bond. "Good morning Fatima" Ahmad said. He glanced at me for a second, "are you okay?" He asked. "I am fine, thank you" I replied, he probably noticed the eye bags around my eyes from lack of proper sleep. Without saying another word he ignited the car. I listened to Jidda and Ahmad talk about random things as he drove, his eyes weren't fixed on the road and he didn't have a stern look, instead, he occasionally glanced at her and laughed at the jokes she told. I couldn't help but feel jealous, my soon-to-be brother-in-law was friendly to everyone else except me, it was almost as though he forgot I was in the car, not even glancing at me or trying to include me in the conversation. My friend Jidda was wor
CHAPTER Fifteen: The real discussion The message from Ruqayya made me feel nervous, "are you okay?" Ibrahim asked, probably noticing my countenance change. "I am not". "We would talk about it after prayer," I said to him. I didn't want to talk about it, especially not with him. After Friday's prayer, I told Ibrahim I didn't want to go out with him again and I just wanted to go home. "Is everything okay?" He asked as I watched him change the direction he was driving towards. "No," I replied. "Talk to me""I don't know how I feel about getting married to you so soon, Friday is too soon" "But how do you feel about getting married to me in total?" Ibrahim asked, his question was unexpected. "I don't know," I said wondering what I was supposed to say."How do you feel about marrying me?" I asked him instead."I think you are an amazing person and I would love to spend the rest of my life with you" he recited like he was reading a memorized speech. "Do you even love me?" I asked, I
I looked at Ibrahim who sat quietly waiting for me to end the call. If I said no it meant my relationship with Ibrahim would be over. "Yes," I replied."you approve?" my uncle asked to clarify with me again."yes, I do" I said smiling at Ibrahim who smiled back. "Congratulations on your upcoming wedding," my uncle said. "Thank you" I replied as he ended the call "I better be going," I said. I wanted to go back inside to talk to Ruqayya about the call v"sorry about the lunch '' I apologized for cancelling the lunch date "It's fine" he replied with a warm smile, getting out of the car to open the door for me. I could get used to this I thought as I stepped out of the car like a princess. "Actually! Kareema asked me to invite you for a picnic tomorrow" he said with a mischievous smile."Kareema?" "your little sister?" "Uhum,” he said nodding. “she asked me to inform you” "and also escort the both of you" he said making
Everything was moving so fast, that I had forgotten about the engagement. "And you and I need to go shopping today," Ruqayya said following the information about the engagement. "I am sure, you don't have what to wear for your engagement" I shook my head, I had nothing prepared for an engagement."Although the dress Ibrahim's mother gave you is So beautiful, maybe you can wear that" Ruqayya suggested, Ibrahim's mother gifted me with three designer gowns made with beautiful lace. It was luxurious and fit for an engagement but it was too tight. "Unfortunately I can't wear it""It's too tight""I can fix it" Aunty Mahra suggested, she is a tailor. "I think we should still shopping to find something just Incase" Ruqayya suggested. I nodded"Except I have a picnic with Kareem," I said refusing to mention Ibrahim's name. "Who is Kareema" Ruqayya asked looking puzzled. "Ibrahim's younger sister"'She laughed "You mean you have a date with Ibrahim":"What time is your date?" She moved
"Don't ask her that now?" Aunty Safina said to Ruqayya. Saving me from the Ambush. "life saver" I whispered smiling at her and nodding like a fool. I had no answer for the question and I was glad she intervened."Her uncle would ask her tomorrow," she said, reminding me of the awkwardness I was about the face tomorrow. "she would have to answer that in front of everyone," she said again, my smile fading as she spoke. I wondered why our tradition made the engagement day so hard for a lady. In our tradition, the engagement day Was a day when the in-laws came to the house of a lady with boxes of clothes, jewellery and every accessory you could think of. The gifts along with Date fruits would be handed over to the girl's family as a form of token for request. The family of the bride accepts the gift only after the bride is asked very important questions which are; "do you know this family?", "there here on behave on their son to ask for your hand in marriage do you accept." "Do you
I was so nervous about my engagement, that I couldn't sleep. The whole house didn't sleep either as they were all busy making preparations and bonding. They refused to let me help and I was forced to stay in my room according to them "Brides don't work" "Just rest," they said. How could I rest when I knew what awaited me the next day? I tossed and turned on my bed. Thoughts of the question my uncle would ask me filled my head. how I would answer in front of my family and Ibrahim's family?My Alarm finally rang after a night of waiting, j couldn't wait for it to be morning. I quickly turned it off getting up to pray then rushing downstairs immediately after. I could hear laughter from my room. All through the night, I wished I could join them. I walked into the kitchen to find the whole family, including Jidda and her mum. "Good morning," I said to all of them, standing beside Jidda. She was cutting some spices and I picked up the knife to join her. "what do you think you are
hello guys, thank you so much for reading my book, this is now a complete book and I understand some of you might want closure on why she actually chose Ahmad. Ibrahim has a love interest who was engaged but her engagement got canceled and they ended up together. Ibrahim doesn't love her and is just following his father's wishes, while Ahmad on the other hand has always and will always love her. he just wanted to respect the relationship she already started having with his brotherI wanted to write a scene where Ibrahim discovers he is glad she chose Ahmad but decided to just explain it here, I hope you enjoyed the book, thank you for reading. I love you all so much.
"Have you made your choice?" She asked and I nodded. "Who is it" she asked, I told her who I decided and I could see a visible smile on her face. "Don't get me wrong I love my children equally but I think you made the best choice" she said giving me a warm hug. I thought so too, I had no doubt I made the right choice and I was happy with my choice. I watched her walk back to Ibrahim's father. Whispering in his ears.The party was over and we all went back home. "So who did you choose" my cousin Jamila asked me on the ride back home. We moved in three cars. And the car I was in had only Jidda and a few of my cousins. "I will tell all of you when we get back home," I said. I wanted to tell them all at once because I knew my decision wouldn't be Received by so many. I didn't care. I was glad with my choice.The next day, I had ample time to worry about my full body cleansing and my skincare. While Ruqayya and my cousins went to check out the house I was going to stay. "Please! The
"Yes," I said I had one person in mind already. "Good, I would ask you who it is after dinner," their mother informed. "Thank You, Fatima," she said before hanging up the call. Jidda's surprise party was exactly what I needed to get the answer. It had been right in front of me the whole time but I needed clarity to see it. I knew who I wanted to be my husband and I had no doubts at all."Ibrahim's mother invited us for dinner," I said to Jidda as soon as I got back to her. "Did she ask you?? Have you made a choice yet?" Jidda asked as I shook my head. I had an idea who I wanted to share the rest of my life with but I wasn't ready to share it with Jidda just yet.The bridal shower ended early. On time for us to prepare for the dinner. "You need to start dressing like a bride" Ruqayya teased. Bringing out a beautiful teal blue dress for me to wear. It was Embellished with tiny crystals and sequins, and the gown's body sparkled with intricate lace detailing."Now this is a dress be
"I don't you expect to choose me," Ahmad said, making me feel worse. "My brother Ibrahim is such has an amazing heart, he deserves all the love he can get. He hasn't been so lucky with love, and I hope you can make each other happy," I nodded in silence. I hoped the same thing too. I just wanted to be happy. "Don't worry, I won't bother you tomorrow. I will also be busy," Ahmad said with a warm smile. I nodded, smiling back at him. I could see defeat in his eyes as he tried to maintain his smile. "I will see you at the wedding, Fatima," he said his final farewell to me. I nodded again, getting out of the car. I got into the house with tears flowing down my eyes, I was glad everyone was minding their business today. They were all so busy preparing for the wedding they didn't notice me enter, That allowed me to sneak into my room to cry.I was so confused, I didn't want to hurt Ahmad or Ibrahim, But I also didn't want them to lose the opportunity to fulfil their father's dying w
"It's not that easy Jidda, some feelings are better left hidden," I said. whatever message she was trying to pass I was going to counteract it. "I know you don't think so, Fatima," "you have always wanted love to win'" Jidda persisted. "You know what this movie reminds me of" I said changing the topic. And talking to Ahmad instead. "The Great Gatsby" "That movie made me cry like a baby" I said. And Ahmad nodded. Luckily before Jidda could get to say anything more we arrived at the Park. "It's not officially open yet," Ahmad said as he honked his horn at the gate. A man rushed out looking at the driver before nodding to open the gate. He drove into a large parking lot. "Good afternoon sir" the man who opened the gate said. "I did know you were coming""Akram, hello how are you" Ahmad said with a warm smile. I greeted the man and he greeted me back leading us through the gates of the park. "Not all the rides are functional right?" I asked looking at the beautiful park with so m
"Really!" I exclaimed staring at Ahmad who nervously shook his head. "I didn't give him the idea" Ahmad denied. "Come one, don't be humble... most of those words were yours" Mr Edison insisted. "Either way, the actors brought the characters to life," I said giving credit to the actors instead. Since none of them wanted to take credit. "You know, the actors are still in the building. Would you like to meet them?" Mr Edison offered. I smiled. "I would love to" I nodded. I wanted to meet the faces behind the movie. especially the male actor who played his part perfectly. "I would wait for you at the restaurant," Ahmad said. He seemed uncomfortable and uninterested. "Me too," Jidda said moving closer to Ahmad. "Okay let's go, Elena," Mr Edison said, his fiance and I walked behind him and we left the cinema through the back door. "Did Ahmad really inspire the movie?" I asked Mr Edison as soon we were out of Ahmad's sight. I was curious, but I didn't want Ahmad to feel uncomfortabl
The door cracked open, as Jidda barged into my room, I raised my head from the table giving her an annoyed look, she never knocks. "Ahmad is here," she said with a sheepish smile, I nodded, looking back at my book, "The Art of not giving a fuck" If only I could put it into practice. "Did you hear me?" she said and I nodded. "why don't both of you go, I am not in the mood to go out?" I said. not lifting my head from the book I was reading."His talking to your Aunties, they said they wouldn't let him leave until you come down" Jidda said. "Ughhhh" I exclaimed how frustrating. 'What was he doing talking to my aunts? And why do they have to always be in my business' I thought. I felt like screaming. "I am coming" I murmured, reluctantly getting up from my table and moving to the dresser. I put on a long pink hijab above the trousers and top I was wearing. The hijab was so long it reached my feet. That particular hijab was the hijab I wore when I wasn't trying at all. it made me loo
I asked Ahmad. I was curious. I wanted to know if he was going to continue treating me badly if I chose Ibrahim."I don't understand your question," Ahmad said. staring at me. "You have been formal and unfriendly to me ever since I met you, I thought you didn't like me for your brother and now I am hearing you actually liked me for yourself" "Everything about it is confusing and I just want to know if you would continue being unfriendly to me If I choose to marry Ibrahim or you would treat me better," I said. I let everything out. It was difficult for me to hide how I felt."I am sorry if you feel I am unfriendly to you" Ahmad replied. " I do like you for Ibrahim". "But you can't expect me to be as friendly with you as I am with Jidda or anybody else" he explained."And why not, because I am marrying your brother and not you?" I naively asked, not paying attention to how hurtful and inappropriate it may have sounded until I said it. He smirked, looking at the time. "My one hour
"Ahmad is here" Jidda said rushing into my room. 'o! Lord'!' I exclaimed, I had tried not to think about meeting Ahamd. I was sure it was going to be very awkward. I was already uncomfortable with him."Are you serious?" I said looking at the time, it was a few minutes past 4. "You would think he would refuse to come and just let me and his brother be happy," I thought. I picked up my phone to see if I had any missed calls. I did, I missed three calls from Ibrahim. my phone must have been on silent. I missed it. I decided to call immediately, he probably thought I was avoiding his call. "Hello, Fatima!" Ibrahim sighed picking up the call. He picked up so quickly, that he was probably staring at his phone. "I am sorry for the way I behaved earlier, I let my emotions control me" he apologized. After hearing everything I knew it wasn't his fault. he was being a good brother. As always he was being selfless. "It's fine, I spoke to your mom, I understand everything now" I replied.