Chapter 1

Nasreen prepared herself mentally before entering the lecture hall. It seated just about one hundred students. The Hall became quiet as soon as the students saw the lady standing in front of the podium.

She was mildly anxious. She hoped it went well.

Thanks to her dad, for not allowing her to wallow in misery. He made her do something instead of seating at home all day doing nothing, crying over a boyfriend, who left her in the lurch for three freaking months. She never heard from him, but she heard from his friend that he had gone to America. That was all.

One evening he told her he did not like seeing her like that that she should get something doing. "But dad I don't know what to do."

"You have a lot to do my child." "Like what dad?" "Nasreen, you were the best graduating student in your Ph.D. class, you don't know how proud I am of you, it hurts me a lot to see you in this state thinking and crying over a man who doesn't respect you enough to leave you without an explanation.

You are a strong, young, and independent lady.. I worked too damn hard to make sure none of my children is dependent on anybody for his happiness.

I cannot sit and watch you lazing around my house doing nothing when I know you have the potential. You deserve more than this, that is why I told your mom earlier to give me your resume and guess what?"

"What dad?" "You have being offered to lecture at Nile university."

Nasreen was incognizant of the news, but when she gasped at the thought. "Oh my God, daddy I love you," She hugged him tightly. "I love you daddy thank you so much." She stuttered, she was in tears already.

"You are welcome, you deserve all the happiness in this world may Allah reward you abundantly.

Get ready you start next week, but I'll take you to the school tomorrow you will be shown your office." "Oh my G, dad, I get to have an office?"

"Yes, you do." He smiled proudly at her. She called her sisters and shared the good news with them, and made a video of how she was going to lecture her ass off. They were so proud of her and said she would make a good lecturer.

**

"Hi, I am Nasreen Bature Sulyman,  I will be taking your chemistry 4251, and just so you know I am not my body type," The students laughed. "I do not like latecomers, and unnecessary noise if you want to make noise you are excused to leave my class, but schooling is not your choice it's your parent's... I am sure there are a lot of you here who are not willing to be here," The whole class roared with laughter,  then fell into silence again.

"You with glasses care to share what is trending on Twitter?"  All eyes were on the student.

"So enough of the shenanigans, and without any further ado, let's get to what brought you to school." She said in a crisp tone as if she was not the one that joked around with the students.

And so became the young lecturer that always left students wondering how she was so young and all, very outspoken, very intelligent, smart, beautiful, young, suave, and Savvy.

Nobody dare missed the lecture when it was Miss Nasreen Bature's lecture. Students loved her easygoing and kind nature. She spoke to the students as though they were her friends. From the first day she had taught her first class, she gradually created a bond with them, they could relate and communicate so well whenever she taught them.

She permitted them to call her by her first name. She was never the type that wanted to be deemed superior to her students. But because of that the students respected her a lot and called her Ms. Nasreen. In her presence. But behind her back, she was called Nasreen kwaruwa, Nasreen the guru, or effiko, and the rest names for a guru.

Even the lecturers called her that, cause they agreed with the name, there was a time when almost all the lecturers sat on a question no of them could figure out how to solve it.But the moment Nasreen came to the meeting. They gave her the problem and in less than ten minutes she solved it. They were in awe that day and intrigued by her virtuoso. She was respected and loved everywhere she went.She was a great asset to the school.

At least she had gotten something to take her mind off Habeeb... Habeeb for two months since she started lecturing every night before she fell asleep, she cried hoping that one day he would call her, tell her it is a dream and he would tell her how much he loved her how he couldn't stop thinking about her.  She stared at her phone at times for a long time waiting for his call or text hopefully.

But with time things got a bit better, she had stopped crying herself to sleep, she had accepted that this it is life and it is filled with different trials and hardships. And that God doesn't burden a soul more than it can bear... And so when life throws lemons at you, you make lemonades out of the lemons. And that there was always someone for everyone. She told herself that not every relationship ended up with marriage, and not all marriages ended up successful. Even though you thought you loved somebody immeasurably unforeseen circumstances could make you live without them in your life. And you don't need anybody's permission to be happy, only you can give yourself that permission.

One day, After she returned from school. She was playing a game with her younger brother. When her dad came in.

"I want to see you in my room now, Nasreen."

Her heartbeat paced. what could be wrong? this brought back poignant memories of Habeeb the day her father said he wanted to meet him six months ago.

She murmured some duas before saying her salams and entering her parents' room.

"I am here dad."

"Yauwa Nasreen, I think you may know the reason why I called you."

"I have the slightest idea dad."

"You know you are my jewel, and you know how proud I am of you, how you have been the coolness of our eyes, even if you are very strong-headed at times."

Nasreen let out a giggle. "Yes, dad and I will continue to make you proud always in sha Allah."

"Allah ya miki Albarka, Have you thought about marriage?"

No dad, I don't want to get married now."

"Why is that? I see you have gotten over Habeeb, now is the right time for you to move on and start your own family, do you have anybody serious now?"

"No, dad and, I am not looking for anybody."

"I have an idea, you can see how things worked out for Sultana right?" "But dad, I am not Sultana."

"Don't you trust me? I am not pressuring you, this is your home, and I am not tired of you, I know it is better to marry late, than to be rushed into a wrong marriage, I just want to know if you are ready to get married, cause I have been getting numerous marriage proposals for you, they are waiting for my answer, so I thought I should ask you."

"I...I..It is just that I don't know if I am ready yet, I need time to think about it."

"You can go to your room, take your time and think about it, no pressure okay." "Yes, daddy thank you."

****

She slammed the door behind her, she slithered slowly on the floor. And let out her anguish, her pain, Suddenly everything came crashing down on her...

She remembered all his promises... They were all lies!! lies!! He never loved her, Damn you, Habeeb.

Her mom and Sudais came in. "Please Nasreen stop crying, and put your trust in Allah, everything is going to be fine we are your parents we will never hurt you. and force you if you don't want it."

"But mom.." she wanted to speak but the words won't come out. "It is okay Nasreen." She stroked her hair gently.

***********

"Where is Nasreen?" her dad asked as they ate breakfast. "You know she never wakes up on time." "Hope she is alright?" "She would be in sha Allah."

******

"Mom, can I go visit Ya Sultana?"

"Yes you can how are you?" "I am fine mom." She said forcing a smile which turned into soft whimpers. Her mother hugged her again. She had lost how many times her mother hugged her, her mother had been one of her biggest support throughout this difficult time.

******

"Ya Sultana... Nasreen hugged her sister tight. "Lecturer Nas Nas, how are you?"

"Yaya, I am not fine." " Why? what is wrong with you?" "Dad wants me to get married."

"What, to who?"

"I don't know."

"I know dad would never do anything that will hurt you." "Ya Sultana just because yours worked out doesn't mean mine would work out, I am scared."

"It is okay to feel scared, I understand, just be laid back, think positive, and keep praying to God."

*****

Sabir and Sabran came running "Maama..." they squealed in excitement. "How are my babies doing hope you had a great time and didn't give daddy and uncle Irfan a hard time."

"Aunty Nas, I missed you." Said Sabir

"Aww Habibi... I missed you more, Bran why are you moody, where is daddy?"

"Daddy is right here."

"Hey, our youngest lecturer in the house, how are you?"

"Am good ya Sultan, good afternoon, good afternoon ya Irfan."

"Hello, Nasreen Good afternoon congrats..."

He said in a crisp tone.

"Maama Aunt Nas won't stop crying." Sabran came  running downstairs. Sultan, Irfan, and Sultana were alarmed. "I'll just go and check on her." Sultana left.

"What could be wrong with her?" Irfan asked Sultan.

"I don't know, but ever since what that Habeeb guy did to her, she has lost her spark.. she has not been her normal bubbly self."

"That is a very sad story no one should be allowed to treat someone that bad. May Allah bless her with someone deserving of her love." Irfan said and continued what he was doing on his phone.

The meal was served and they ate happily, "No wonder you are just growing fat big bro. Your wife is always making your tasty meals."

"Aww, Irfan That is nice but I didn't cook it, Nasreen did."

"Nasreen!!! Sultan said in awe. He knew  Nasreen hated cooking. So wayo kike mana all these while. so you have been tricking us."

"Haba mana Ya Sultan.. you know cooking is not my thing, mun bar wa su Yaya mun we have left cooking for their Sultana just once in a while would do."

"So how is the lecturing going?"

"Very fine Ya Sultan, I love teaching people, it has always been my dream to impact knowledge on people."

"That is great Nasreen, I am proud of you." Sultan said.

Irfan was listening to their conversation. But He excused himself and went to answer his father's call. "I'll see you guys later dad says he wants to see me."

"Okay, bro bye-bye." "Bye Nasreen take care." He said in a crisp tone.

"Baba ina yini I came as soon as I got your call."

"That is very good my boy. But the reason I called you is.. There was no reason to beat around the bush, What do you think about marriage?"

"Marriage is a good thing and right thing, when you have meet that one person you want to spend the rest of your life with."

"How about finding the person you want to spend the rest of your life with?"

"That would be nice dad." "Cause I think I have found you the person that you would love to spend the rest of your life with."

"Wait what !! dad me? Who? Why? and when?"

"Calm down son." "But dad this is unfair, how can you be making my life decisions without including me in it?"

"All this one you are saying is just for your village chief, can't you see Sultan and Sultana."

"But dad I am not Sultan." "Will you listen to me son?" He wanted to speak but nothing came out... "Who is she dad?"

"Nasreen Bature Sulyman." "You have got to be kidding me right.. dad, Nasreen!!!!"

So guys what do you guys think? Nasreen and Irfan... hope you are enjoying the story... This is just the start of something new. Vote, comment, and share. I love you 💕💕💕