Marriage completes half of our religion; we simply need to wait for the right time.

Mariam Abdul:
I poured some milk into the blender and added some strawberries and ice to make a strawberry shake for all of them. It was evening, and we had come from the office, but we stopped at Khalid's place because he had some work to do before heading to our place for dinner. Now everyone was in the sitting room while I was making the shake, which they all enjoyed.

I was too shy to stay and listen, so when my mother offered to bring snacks and a milkshake, I offered to accompany them myself.
I was eager to find out what they were talking about and what would happen to me, but I could not bring myself to ask because it would be embarrassing, so I just left.

"What's special?" A smooth voice interrupted my thoughts, and my heart rate increased; he was going to kill me.

"Strawberry milkshake and some snacks," I said, avoiding his gaze, but I was curious what they talked about. He was all smiley and moody, as if he had resolved a problem.

"Will not you ask what we discussed or what we will talk about after dinner?" He questioned me while standing at the door, and I took the tray but stopped dead in my tracks because he was very attractive. Masha Allah, I quickly looked away.

"Please move," I whispered; the closeness was sending me into another world, and we needed space.

"What if I don't?" he joked, having fun. Wait until after marriage, Mister I thought to myself.

"Imad! Dad, please tell him to move. I called my brother and father's names, and he immediately moved away from the door. I rushed away, but a smile spread across my face because I had just tricked him and seen the look on his face. Ya Allah, he will not abandon me.

While I was serving one by one, Khalid stood at the corner with my brother while Mom and Dad were checking some files. When the guys joined them, I had to serve both of them. Idiots, couldn't they take themselves?

"Khalid, we wanted to ask you about wedding dates," my father asked, and he simply smiled and stared at me. I cast my gaze downwards.

"As soon as possible and at any time that is convenient for everyone," Khalid responded, and I must have had tomato face by now; I am glad I was looking down and doing nothing specific with my phone other than using it as an excuse.

"Ten days from now," Khalid suggested, and I wondered why he was in a hurry.

"Someone is in a hurry," my brother teased purposefully, and I decided to wait until his turn.

"It is good to hurry in such matters," dad agreed, and mum nodded as she asked me. I just nodded and excused myself, went into my room, and continued to think about what was going on. I thanked Allah and wiped away tears of joy.

"Congratulations," I stood upstairs and saw them all hugging each other. I admired Khalid because he was alone but such a strong guy who has accomplished so much. I hope nothing goes wrong for him.

He looked up at me and smiled. My heart skipped a beat, my hands felt chilly, and I felt weird because I had never felt so close to someone and now my soon-to-be husband was only a few steps away. He whispered something to my family before approaching me.

Allah, help me, am I the only one trapped in this situation?

He stood on the stairs and said, "Ten days to go." I looked down and saw that everyone was sitting, and my brother was giving me the thumbs up. Crazy but best brother.

"Yes," I replied without looking him in the eye.

His calm voice said, "Someone has become shy all of a sudden," and I just looked down.

"You look adorable in that hijab and blush," he said, and I simply nodded.

"Say something," he said.

He said, "I can not wait for the day," and looked to see if anyone was paying attention. When he saw that no one was, he kissed me on the forehead, and I swear that my heart skipped a beat. I had never been touched by a guy before. I am hoping he does not consider another option.

"I am glad I am the only one who can make you blush and see these kinds of reactions," he said, and boy, did he know that despite breaking my heart, he was back.

As if he had planned everything, he said, "I will amend all my mistakes just ten more days dear soon to be wife then see what I do I will sweep you off your feet and take you somewhere far." All of those crazy feelings returned, along with the goosebumps and butterflies.

"I am excited," I told myself.

My brother said, "Time up," interrupting us. Khalid simply gave him a hug, and I went downstairs to help my mother prepare dinner while they watched football.

"My princess is now an adult," my mother grinned and gave me a hug.

*****

A girl's voice echoed through the room, "Get married, lovebirds, but see how I create differences until you both will not be able to handle it." They both laughed evilly and raised a glass of wine to celebrate.