It's not me!!!

It's you, dears, who motivated,

and that got me elated,

Now let's all get illuminated.

___________________________________________

Bismillahi Rrahmaan Rraheem.

The following morning went well. Alhamdulillaah. Smooth and tranquil. Maimunah opted to do all the chores by herself. The girls or Arafah to be specific always had those bonus moments where her mother would just get that spike and never demand any assistance. Perhaps that was among the many things only mothers understood.

Arafah smiled to herself, as she believed it was a gift from Allah. Though she acknowledged that she needed to work hard on her steadfastness so there wouldn't be a re-return to her sinful past, she wasn't ungrateful or unappreciative of the fact that when a slave takes a single step towards Allah, Allah draws Him nearer. And when a slave walks, SubhanaLlah, Allah comes running.

It struck her mind that Allah was giving her a bright morning as a new chance for her.

In Hadith Qudsi, Allah mentions:

I am as My servant thinks (expects) I am. I am with him when he mentions Me.

If he mentions Me to himself, I mention him to Myself;

and if he mentions Me in an assembly, I mention him in an assembly greater than it.

If he draws near to Me a hand's length, I draw near to him an arm's length.

And if he comes to Me walking, I go to him at speed.'" -(Sahih Bukhari)

Arafah could attest to that as she had easily woken up on the first tap from her sister Mahya and though she went back to sleep without reading Quran, she was thankful that she completed all the morning adhkar (mentioning Allah) from her phone's Hisnul Muslim App.

Savoring on that I-have-no-idea-when-this-will-repeat moment, Arafah took her time in preparing for university unlike the other days where she was more of escaping home than attempting to be punctual.

"Arafah, I am leaving early today, come and take your pamphlets. You never picked them yesterday." Her dad called.

"Ok. Coming." She went to her dad to collect her stuffs.

"Dad. You aren't having breakfast?" She asked her father noticing how he was ready to leave."No. I am fasting today." Arafah looked surprised, "Why?""Thursday?" Arif asked with raised eyebrows.

"But you don't fast Thursdays. It's mom who does."

"Well, though I tried once and lost track. I decided to go back. Your mother is motivating me."Arif carried his work bag and picked his car keys.

"That's what she has been doing for twenty one years. Pushing me towards my Lord." The smile he wore on his face, made Arafah's heart go all relationship_goals. Ya Rabb bless us with such love.

"Oh." She couldn't think of a better answer.

"And I want you to be such wives to your husbands. By Allah's will."

Arafah you picked your pamphlets. What made you stay? Her poor self always got put on blames. Arafah cringed as she felt so embarrassed. Her dad was not supposed to tell her that. Gosh!

She didn't give any reply as she grasshopper style hopped towards her room. "Aren't you ready yet that I give you a ride?"

"No. I haven't even ironed yet." And Arafah subsequently thanked herself for being late as herself had saved her from riding with her dad after such an embarassing moment.

Minutes later, she was all regrets though, as she walked towards the road, and stood for some minutes waiting for a public transportation. She was wearing her Abayatu ra's that day, as she wasn't so pleased to carry her long Jilbaab on her shoulders a day after repenting. Wearing it as it was wasn't an appealing idea either, so she resorted to her Abaya.

Unfortunately, she had not yet tasted the essence of hijab enough to wear it out of love and honor.

Rushing like a school girl, she walked through the university corridors towards her class. The lecturer at that moment was one who never minded who enters or exits so long as one stays quiet while she speaks.

Arafah quickly got into the classroom and sat right beside Lali, slightly breathing heavily. The curses she kept raining on herself for leaving a chance for a lift go just like that, made the journey to University more miserable. (That's what happens when one isn't pleased by Allah's Qadar).

Check your texts. Lali scrawled that on her notebook and placed it infront of Arafah. My battery died. She scrabbled back. The last time she used her phone was when she wrote the poem and sent it to Lali, her Diary.

Let's just chat here then. Like back in primary. You remember? - Lali

Got much energy? Write notes. - Arafah

I am. Taking notes of our history. - Lali

Lali had a collection of all the paper chats they have had since back in the days.

:p - Arafah

Arafah Lazy Mood was on. But Lali was adamant.

Bytheway nice poem. - Lali

<3 - Arafah

Can't you just draw an upright heart. Lazy bum. - Lali

My bad. I dropped Biology, chose Maths and Physics. Coconut head - Arafah

It's not even connecting. - Lali

The Head or the body? - Arafah

Lol. The tail. - Lali

:D - Arafah

Whatever. - Lali

Lali gave up on that one sided cheer in chatting. Forcing herself to concentrate on the lecture, she placed the notebook aside.

Not liking the lecture, she sought a second attempt.

What triggered you to such a poem? - Lali

I'll tell you later, am not writing down all that- Arafah

Nice scarf - Lali

I dare you to say it infront of every one, with the lecturer in class- Arafah

That cheered up Lali, she loved dares and the part of plotting how to accomplish them made her feel ecstatic glad that there would finally be something to keep her busy.

What do I get, O lovely madam 8-) - Lali

A dare back - Arafah

Great *Laughs evilly* - Lali

The hush was suddenly broken making the girls realize that the lecturer had just left.

"Hey Yahya. Any assignment?" Lali asked, oblivious of what went on. "Nope"

"We are expecting an oral Quiz though in the next session. We'll be asked to give short speeches." Kariim, who was sitting with Yahya informed them. Kariim was a close friend to the girls unlike Yahya.

"What!? I have no idea." Arafah became startled. She didn't like doing any works without revising. Even if it was the last minute touch. It was still worth it.

Yahya was surprised. "It was mentioned in the group last night." He said, getting all concerned.

"Thankfully it's not going to cover much." Lali added, with the much unwanted it's-not-a-big-deal attitude.

"You knew!!?" Her face read shock. Lali said to her, "It's not like you would have read anyway." 

"Traitor! Betrayer!" She didn't care if Yahya was there. "What if I get asked to present on some topic I have never heard of. Laa.Lii you are so sii.Lly."

"Aa.Raa.Faah you are taking things too far."

"Heeey!!" Kariim chirped in. "I need a rhyme for my name too."

"Get us some ice-cream Yaa Kariim." Lali sure was something else.

"That would be cool O Lool." The game went on.

"You'll get yours next year. Yahyeah." She didn't want Yahya to feel left out. Lali had a heart which was ready to accommodate all.

"I'm thankful. Lul." Yahya said with a smile.

"See yah." Yahya said packing his books. "See yah. Yahyah." Karim and Lali shouted together and everyone laughed including Arafah.

"Keep smiling. Miss Hijabi. You got Lul so everything will be cool." and with that the boys left leaving Arafah smiling and Lali fan-girling.

"Aawww someone is blushing." Lali teased.

Arafah was still pissed at her. "Yeah, I noticed you."

"Am famously known as the cool Lul. Not like it's a big deal. But to him exclusively, you are a Miss i.e beauty-contestant-who-just-got-crowned Hijabi."

Arafah stopped at her tracks and looked straight into Lali's eyes. "Stop it OK. Stop it. Stop it. Stop it." Lali rolled her eyes. "Uh huh. I'm just quoting."

"Miss. Definition: A form of address to an unmarried woman, you get that?" Arafah tried to make Lali stop. With all her loudness, the next thing would be her antics reaching Yahya, on purpose or accidentally.

"So...." Lali had turned into an actress then, "our dear Yahya is addressing you as an unmarried woman." She was squealing and all titters (giggles). "I won't say much. I won't say much."

"Look. I am not one with confidence. And you know that. I have to revise." Arafah could never stand embarrassment especially not one in public. She was always extra conscious not to embarrass herself in any way.

"Fine. Use my phone. I'll join you in some minutes." Arafah not caring to ask where she was heading, thankfully grabbed the phone.

"What topic was it?"

"He said General questions. Stuffs to do with Applications."

"And that's what you call doesn't cover much?" She asked raising her eyebrows. "Well. Compared to what we studied since we started kindergarten. It doesn't."

"You. Are. So. Crazy." Arafah laughed genuinely then as she pushed her away. She remembered when she pushed Mukhtar the previous night.

"Go.. You dry onion."

"It's unfair. I made you laugh. You can't call me an onion."

Arafah ignored her as she started her final touch ups, compelling Lali to leave.

_____________________________

"Sir. Please postpone the quiz." Lali told the lecturer. An old man in his late fifties.

"And then what? Play BINGO?"

Old McDonald's dog isn't here. Unfortunately.

"We would love to listen to another of your fruitful lectures. Ofcourse." She gave him her best smiles.

"I only prepared questions. I had no plan for lecturing today."

"Sir. Please. Please say yes. My friend is nervous and it's my fault that she didn't study."

"Oh so it's for friendship. Okay." He paused. "So you get to make your friend happy. And what do I get. Frustrations?"

"I will do some presentation ."

The courage within her made the lecturer curious and interested.

"What's your name Miss?" She almost laughed remembering the conversation she just had with Arafah, concerning the word Miss.

"Lali. They call me cool Lul."

"Okay Miss Cool. You have sixteen minutes to your lecture. Good luck."

"Thank you."

__________________________________

She stood by the window of one of the halls in the corridor, staring at her reflection. 'You. Are. So. Stupid.' She had no idea what she was going to say, and to think it was a one and half hours long. Oh Lord.

R.R.R – Reflex. Relax. Rest.

C.C.C – Cool. Calm. Compose.

Ch.Ch.Ch – Chill. Cheer. Chocolate.

Yes! Chocolate. She rushed to the cafeteria and bought two bars, time was not in her favor and she still had no idea what she was going to say. I love you my confidence, but you don't seem to be loving me back.

She hastened towards their class, and handed Arafah her bar. "Lul! Are you for real? I thought you'd gone to the library?" Arafah remarked. She feared that Lali might end up embarrassing herself.

"Oh! Library. Yeah! Thank you Arafah. I so love you my sister." She ranted as she scuttled away making Arafah stare at her retreating back with questioning eyes. __________________________

With the countdown on. Not more than ten minutes were left for the lecture. While in the library, Lali went straight to the projects sections, hoping to find some solutions. Then something caught her eye.

There was a colorful folder written Relieving Stress using Chemistry. She had never thought of a title like that before.

Then it struck her, Engineering Moods.

Engineering was one of the most applicable science in our daily life activities, so much so that even babies and toddlers applied it every single day. She recalled her lecturer stating of how a child, applies the pressure is directly proportional to force, and inversely proportional to area when they are playing with their various toys and so on.

She was determined to do it. After digging into some books, putting down a few points, which was basically what she already knew. She rushed back to class, intending to seek some help from Arafah.

"Arafah. I need your attention." She said popping into the seat beside her. "What if Mr. Yusuf asks you to speak of Engineering Moods?"

"As in? " Arafah asked. "In terms of Application, how it will help cool your moods."

"Oh Simple. It will be something along Conceptualization; since it's all about assessing risks, Problem identification; that's a full moon's light. Iteration; repeating the process. It's all about don't loose hope."

"Whoa. Maa Sha Allah."

"I almost sounded like a psychologist or psychiatrist."

"Give me some tips. Pleeeease. I am supposed to present as I had promised the lecturer. And am running out of time."

"Let me peruse my memo and see if we got something beneficial."

Arafah took her phone out of her bag, only to face-palm herself. "Argh. My phone is off."

"How long do you have to speak?"

"One and a half."

"Aah Lul, those will just end in a jiffy."

Lali looked at her like she could not understand what she was saying. "It's one and a half hours!"

"Whaaat!!!?" Arafah shouted.

Lali just ignored her, not willing to waste whatever remained of the precious minutes explaining to her.

With a deep breath, she gave in, "Okay. C.C.C."

Lali gave Arafah a thumb up, her full concentration on her note book. "Pray for me." she begged. "You will rock. I believe."

__________________________________

"Good morning, young ladies and men."

"Good morning." The students chorused.

"So. Apparently we're not having any quiz." The whole class looked relieved upon hearing that. "And All thanks to the..." He put on his glasses trying to read from his book, "... Cool Lul. And furthermore thanks to her friend, who yet remains unknown. She had come to my office pleading that I cancel the test as her friend had not studied and it's all her fault."

"In the quiz's stead, we have the honors of listening to a lecture from our Miss."

All eyes turned to Lali, while some students clapped for her, as she mentally chanted her triple Rs and triple Cs. Arafah looked so astounded and astonished, she always knew her best friend was the best, but this was sure not foreseen by her. She pulled Lali into a tight hug, revealing her identity as the mysterious friend.

With a dazzling smile and bold confidence, Lali stood up, walked to the front and was ready to start.

"Assalam alaykum." She started off, and all the Muslim and non Muslims students responded.

"Ok. Everyone due to the circumstances in hand. It had to be me on my feet and not Mr. Yusuf whom all are fond of. Am looking forward to your cooperation."

"My topic today is, Engineering Our Moods.

How to use Engineering Design to relieve ourselves from stress, invite success and dwell in hapiness." She paused a bit.

"Engineering Design. An iterative decision making process that involves all knowledge, science and mathematics at its proximities to convert resources optimally, with minimal risks and least costs until eventually a stated objective is met as the potential success pre-evaluated is obtained.

Moods. Does anybody know?"

Arafah raised her hand instantly. She had to support her sister. "Mood is the psychological state of human brain and heart."

Lali smiled, "Excellent Miss beautiful looking Hijabi." Both of them had to bite their lips to prevent them from laughing hard. And just ike that, Lali had achieved her dare.

"Basically, we are all Engineers." Here, she laughed at her own silly joke. "Okay, I mean all humans are engineers. Engineers of their moods, of their brains and hearts. The more you grow, the more successful you are in conceptualizing your life, the more you iterate, the more hopeful you are hence the more happier. And so on."

"We sailing along?" Lali asked. And as students replied in the affirmative, she felt more confidence envelope her.

"Engineering Design has various stages. We shall tackle one by one and see how it applies in sorting our moods out.

1. Research. Fundamentally, research is seeking information so as to gain knowledge. Knowledge is the one thing that helps one from being all stressful. 

The reason why you don't hesitate eating your supper at home is you know it's your mom or wife or your well trusted maid who made it.

The reason why you willingly joined this university, is because you know it provides quality education.

The reason why Ibrahim grows his beard proudly, with no fear is because he knows Allah will reward him." Her classmate, Ibrahim flattered as he heard name mentioned.

"The reason that Flo is dating Drew is because she knows he is always there." Here Flo gave her a flying kiss.

The reason why Mr. Yusuf let me take over with out worries is because he knows Lool will keep it cool. I hope I am not disappointing."

Lali tilted her head towards the lecturer and saw him smiling as he nodded his head.

"So like an engineer does intense research on the design he is intending to use to produce a well dignified product, he goes ahead rest assured that since he had gathered right and enough information all will be okay.

The same way, you, as a human keep moving cause you KNOW that all that you encounter happens for a reason and a season. For those who didn't take that for free."

"In the Qur-an we have this verse that states, And the Hereafter is better for you than the first [life]. Apparently anyone who knows and believes in such a verse never goes into depression."

"When I was a freshman, my mother would always nag me whenever I am moody. 'What do they teach at your school?' and it would irritate me seeing my mother is confusing engineering with psychiatry. Until one day she asked, how will you create a machine that follows orders, when you can't change the course of your already marvellously created heart and get it follow orders.How can you repair stuffs when you don't like to mend your own ways?"

"Now as engineers, since we seek to turn the word into a less stressful less tiring place let's not forget our own bodies, as we carry full faith that WE are The ENGINEERS OF OUR HAPPINESS."

2. Conceptualization. A good engineer is the one who states all his ideas before hand, taking into account the pros and cons of implementing the same. This is where likelihood of error is minimized, costs managed and risks assessed.

In case a problem arises in the future, it is through conceptualization and ideation that solutions are sought.

Unmistakably, we would lead a happier life if we adopt the same into our lives. Think well before you take action. Believe that for every problem there is a prevention. And if still appears than we can still find a solution.

"Any living example or a quote?" She couldn't think of one.

Sabreena raised her hand there, "One of the most relaxing phases of studying is when we attend discussions. What do we do in discussion groups? Same. Brainstorming and giving out ideas, as well as solving together." "That was wonderful cute one."

Lali turned to her lecturer seeking for any help. When he showed no signs of doing so, she went on.

"For one who gets married, he/she lists down all the pros and cons of the supposed spouse. And when they are satisfied, the marriage proceeds, with the same list reserved to be used as a backup or solution seeking reference in case a problem arises." She ended, deep down thanking Allah for the brainstorms.

"A quote? Anyone?... Guess I'll have to be picking." She said trying to put up a serious face.

3. Design for Manufacturability. The general engineering art of designing products in a way that they are easy to manufacture.

This is like the most straightforward point. Simplicity. Do not complicate things. If Islam the total way of life was made easy by Allah, what are you dealing with that you have to make it complex?

A wedding? make it simple. Fashion? Cut the trash and be unsophisticated.

Revision? Don't torture your poor self, take it easy. In my high school we had this boy who had teachers for each subject going at his house for tution. Most of the times he would dose in class and say it was his only resting period. Like.. What the pain?

Just be plain and skip the pain. Be plain and stay happy and sane."

Again, the class applauded as they clapped for Lali, each of them admiring her sense of humor and her intelligence blended up with her high level of eloquence. She was about to go on, seeing there was still a great load of time before the period ended. When Mr. Yusuf interrupted.

"Excuse me. Did you prepare this lecture beforehand?" He asked Lali. Lali shook her head.

"In my twenty two years of teaching I have never been as proud of my student as I am today. If I hadn't seen you standing across my office talking to yourself, I would have sworn that you knew what you would say when you accepted my challenge." Lali smiled sheepishly here, the sky will rain rabbits the day Lul will get embarassed.

"Young lady, Stay blessed. May you prosper in life and taste the fruits of your success."

Lali was blushing, thankful that all went well. Alhamdulillah. Mr. Yahya faced the rest then, "You don't get to listen such a wonderful lecture and just sit down like lazy bambinos."

"Someone tell me, an instance where you personally look forward to apply Engineered your Moods, based on Cool Lul's class." Silence fell over like a thick curtain spread on a table. Mr. Yahya's eyes kept searching around for a raised hand. Seeing none, Lali volunteered.

"Sir, let me start answering and perhaps it will help."

"There was a time when I had been so miserable, full of distress. And worst enough I could not identify the source. When my friend told me of a verse from the qur-an she had learnt, when Allah mentioned that, "And whoever turns away from My remembrance – indeed he will have a depressed life..."

"Then there was another one which I found out later, 'Unquestionably by the remembrance of Allah, hearts are assured.'"

After a lengthy talk with my friend, we decided to embark on a journey. A journey towards our Lord. We vowed to stay in track, but with our poor skills on how to engineer our happiness. Our eternal happiness.. We always wavered.

Even iteration was actually a toll on us. (executing the same set of instructions repeatedly until a specified result is obtained). Turned out disappointing that we ended up losing the psych. But after hearing me give this lecture, cause trust me I personally didn't know most of what I said earlier,

I hope that my friend and I will make it to our destination and attain salvation. By adopting these methods, research being the main key, listing all the benefits and engraving them in our conscious, by adopting the simplest yet pleasing ways to Almighty, we too shall make it.

We too shall stay focused, we too shall never fall from the path."

"Thank you." And once again it was all claps for The Cool Luul.

____________________________________

Lali and Arafah have a long way to go. Do you think they won't waver this time?

Will the Engineering Happiness work?

Any suggestions on how to gain steadfastness?