Bismillahi Rrahmaani Rrahiim.

Jazaakumullah kheyr dears.

I'm truly grateful for having you, so, this quick update is to say thank you.

Meet my two cats; Spicy, the mum and Hurayrah, the son.
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As they sailed towards home, Arafah had called her mother and after gathering much courage, thanks to Lali and the effect of the faith raising event at the island, she croaked out the apology. Her mother immediately softened and Arafah found it easy to tell her that she had fallen down and hurt herself. That got her mom worried and upon inquisition, she was asked to wait at Lali's as it was the road they would pass until her father would fetch her.

So, there she was, sprawled across Lali's bed as Lali sat in front of her dressing table trying her new lip gloss.

"Is it too much?" She asked, ducking her lips and opening them with a 'pop' sound.

"It's too April." Arafah replied lazily. "And a little bit of May." "Aargh." Lali let out a groan as she annoyingly wiped her gloss, leaving only a trace of it. "Why you rubbing it off?" Arafah asked looking shocked. "You said it's a lot." She pouted as she made funny duck faces while scrutinizing her image in the mirror.

"Luuul!" Arafah remarked while laughing. "When did I tell you that? You asked if it's too March. I said it's April. I meant it's cute."

Lali gave that are you kidding look? "And May?" She asked. "Let's settle on amazeballs for now. Your lip gloss is a little amazeballs."

"And I'm the one exaggerating." Lali retorted. "We all know I learnt it from you." Arafah let her tongue out riling up Lali.

Lali ignored Arafah as she sought to pick her phone and take selfies of herself wearing her new baby. The Lulu Gloss.

"Giirls. Do you mind joining me here? I got something warm and sweet for you." Layla called from the sitting room.

"Arafah, can you walk?" Layla had come to their room after she remembered Arafah's limp. The girls had told her about it the moment they entered. "Or do I bring the tea here?"

"No. I'm fine auntie. Of course I can walk." Arafah gave a warm smile to Layla who returned it gracefully.

In seconds, the girls rose to join her with  Lali ahead and Arafah following behind slightly limping. They were awed at the sight of a plate of butterballs and cups steaming of milk tea with a scent of cardamom lingering in the air.

" Why is Salim taking long?" Lali frowned as she asked. "Try calling him." Her mother responded nonchalantly as she skimmed through her phone. Lali had asked Salim to go and buy some anti - inflammatory tabs as Arafah's knee had started to swell with the pain slowly crawling back.

Lali not willing to get up and fetch her phone pestered her mom, "Ma, please just check on him. My phone is inside."

Right as her mom intended to call him, Salim appeared. Luckily, Arafah was in her Abaya. "Two times two." He relayed the pharmacist's instructions on how to take the drug and threw the pack to Arafah. "Get well soon." He smiled at Arafah.

"Thanks dear." Arafah smiled back.

"Salim. Please pass me my phone from my bag. I left it beside the shoe rack."

Salim turned around to comply to the request, after a quick scan he said, "There's no bag here. What color is it?" He asked as his eyes continued scanning around.

"It's olive green. The rucksack." Lali shouted. "Whoa. Look at this crazy girl." He held his nose using his index and thumb to mimick a female's voice, " 'My bag'. Since when is that?" He asked with a chuckle his gaze not leaving his 'silly' sister.

"Busted." Lali whispered to Arafah as they erupted in laughter. "Argh Saliiiiiiiim. Stop making it a big deal. Okay.. I mean give me your bag. Please."

Salim bent to pick the bag and to his surprise found it full of sea sand with a sea salt odor. "It's full of sand. Did you drop it by the sea?" He inquired.

"Yeaaah." Lali whined. "A friend had offered to carry them as I helped Arafah on board and he ended up accidentally dropping them down. Is it too much sand? Can you dust it for me?"

Salim gave it a few pats and threw it to Lali. "Oouch." Lali remarked as it hit her foot. "Saalim." Layla retorted scolding her son with a fierce stare. "Geez. Fine. I'm sorry." He apologized to Lali.

"It's ok. Look at this bag! It's still full of sand, Salim." Lali complained. "Lali the bags got wet when they fell. That sand is stuck until you wash it off, stop bothering Salim." Arafah put a pause to her friend's bickering.

"Keep it outside. I will wash it tomorrow." Layla offered. "Yaay. Thanks mom." Lali giddily thanked her mother.

"Arafy, before you leave don't forget to leave my diary. I see it's not in my bag." Lali told Arafah after she had taken her phone from inside the rucksack. "Okay."

"Mom. Salim. You can't imagine how amazing the trip was today. Woow. Wooooww. I was literally swooning over everything.

Coincidentally there had been a show going on and woow, Salim, you would have loved it. There were kids doing all sorts of cute things. From singing to reciting Qur'an, it was just nice. I loved every minute of it."

Lali fantasized. "And we made a nephew." Arafah joked, "Lul did to be precise." "Hahhah. Yeah mom. The boy was like 'auntie did you get bottles of water?' He was just soo sweet." Lali pinched her cheeks as she said that.

"Didn't the boy have any guardian? Was he just roaming around alone distributing bottles?" Arafah suppressed a laughter as he knew there was a fishy motive behind that question. Trust Salim to only pick on that part of the narration.

Lali being too captivated by her own tale fell heads first into Salim's trap, "The boy was alone. Sweet little Ja'far." Then immediately added, "Oh yeah, we reached a place and he asked us to wait, then he came back with his uncle.'"

"Wohoo." Salim whistled. "I knew there had to be a love story somewhere." He laughed at Lali's reaction oblivious to Arafah whose heart was picking pace. "Anha. How was he like? What's his name? Does he live at the island too?" Salim started the annoy Lali when she is in a cheerful mood game.

This time though Lali laughed along finding it extremely ridiculous, "Salim. The man wouldn't even glance our way. I can't even pick him from a crowd if he was present let alone fall in love with him." I wasn't glancing his way either. She added that silently not willing to invite another teasing from Salim.

Their mother quite used to their banter paid them no heed as she continued skimming through her phone busy with some business chats.

"So what if he didn't glance your way. Who said you can't love someone you didn't talk to? Don't you girls go like, 'Wow. He doesn't talk to girls. He is so cute.' And you end up waking up at night asking Allah to marry you off to them." The trio both laughed out loud, the siblings doing so freely while Arafah tried to suppress the emotions overwhelming her. Was this a sign from Allah. Did He use Salim to speak that phrase so Arafah could act upon it?

"Okay. I know you wouldn't do that." Salim cut short his own joke. "But don't you ever feel love?" He paused to look at his mom and let out a breath upon seeing she hadn't heard him. "Observing you... No, not only you, observing you and Arafah makes me wonder, all these girls... " He lowered his voice, "...all these girls I date, what do they really mean when they tell me they love me?"

"Salim. These two phenomenon don't even match. You guys are at a stupid high school phase."

"I'm done with school" Salim cut her. He was at that moment awaiting to join university. "It doesn't matter. You're not serious with life. Girls especially, they are driven by a surge of hormones, the need to be recognized, to be loved and to be valued. Girls, the age you date, for no focus in life. The just live for today. So when a girl tells you I love you, at that kind of age, they most probably mean it. Because you make her today shine.

But the question is, what do you feel when you say it back?"

"Tsk. Let's forget I asked you that. I don't remember signing up for Lali's counseling session. Back to your tale, Arafah was it as fun as miss exaggerates describes?" He did the annoying trait they have. Laughing at their own jokes and since he asked for it, he got it. A pillow straight onto his nose.

"Argghh. Lul. Stop being aggressive." He muttered as he made funny faces at his sister.

"I wish the day didn't end early." I wish we returned with the same people we crossed the sea with. Arafah said as she took a sip of tea not giving attention to the silly voice. "It was just a short trip but we had a good time. And Lul gave half stories," she dude glanced at Lali with a goofy smile, "she crushed on the Qur'an reciter. To be honest, we all did. That boy recites Qur'an it send shivers down spines. Ma Sha Allah."

"So true, Raf. Mom. You better tell those aunties be bringing there boys' proposals, I am going to have to listen to their Qur'an first."

This earned her a really loud laughter from Salim. "Don't ask me why I'm laughing. I just found it really funny. Imagine a guy's reaction when he can hardly hold his breath gets asked to read for his potential spouse. Come on Lul. You can't be so inconsiderate."

At this Layla's attention was already towards them, she chuckled at Salim's silly remark and her first born's unusual command. "Oh Allah. Give me strength and patience to deal with these children. Arafah my Dear, may Allah grant you strength too. We really are enduring a lot."

"Amiin auntie." Arafah giggled as she winked at Layla. "Amiiin. Cause we really do endure a lot."

After that, they talked of Salim's application to universities and a little about how their mom's business is progressing. Around half an hour later, Arafah's dad called and told her to get ready as he was on his way to Lali's home.

"Lul. Your notebook isn't in my bag."

"It isn't?" Lali asked scrutinizing Arafah's face. "What do you mean it isn't?" She repeated it hoping Arafah would admit it was a joke. "Am serious. It's not in here." Arafah kept her bag upside down and shook it vigorously. "See? The only thing that's coming out is sand. And I have dirtied your floor."

"Just let it be." Lali dismissed the last part. Then back to her diary, "But.. You had it, right?"

"Yes, I had it right in here. I didn't give it back to you?"

"I don't know. Let me recheck in the rucksack." She dashed to the sitting room only to come back a few seconds later with a sad face, "I don't have it. The bag is empty. Aaww.. My good old diary."

"You know what? It might have fallen when our bags fell. My handbag was open." She recalled the incident.

"Oh no. Check your bag. I hope you didn't drop anything else." Lali feared for her friend. Arafah rummaged through and her facial expression seemed relaxed as she mentally ticked all of the stuffs she had in her bag. "ThankGod. Everything is here. I can't believe the diary is gone though." They were both very upset on losing the notebook they both used. "But we'll get it. In Sha Allah."

They will find it and they will give it to the captain's assistant. He will...

Wait. Why would they give it to him?

The twin voices faded away as Arafah chose to focus on Lali.

We'll continue later. They promised as Arafah ignored.

"I really hope they will see it. And we end up getting it. I'm going to be so upset if we don't get it back. It has a lot of memories. I'm so fond of it."

"We'll see it. Someone will pick it." Arafah tried to have hope.

"Okay. I hope." Lali replied still keeping the pout in shape.

"If you keep sulking, I won't be able to tell you my story." Arafah surprised Lali while observing her reaction with a raised eyebrow. Lali had that vibe that whatever her friend was going to relate was serious, "Okay. Okay. What is it?" She asked sitting down beside Arafah.

"This may sound insane but someone caught my attention back at the island. You probably haven't noticed him but it's the captain's assistant, the one whom we sat beside at the log during the event. I am not sure about his name but I think he goes by Ashur and... " She paused and leaned closer to Lali, "... You have to stop looking at me like that and please say something."

"Wow." She took a deep breath and then took her friend off guard by tackling her into a bear hug. "Maa Sha Allaah. Woow." She spotted a dreamy face. "That's so cute. Is he the one who gave us the water bottles?" When Arafah nodded she let out a slick laughter. "The one who Salim assumed was connected to a love story!!" She laughed louder. "Oh my God!"

"You won't for the life of you believe what I'm about to tell you next. I have his passport size photo." She handed the paper to Lali. Lali's eyes popped out with a beautiful smile on her face, her reaction read How??

"When you dropped your pen on his lap," She started, "Yeah. I remember. When I dropped my pen on his lap?" Lali had all her attention on Arafah, "He picked it to give it back. I noticed he is the kind who doesn't gaze at females. Our gazes kind of locked longer than he liked, he looked disturbed so he apologized and immediately fled to 'safety'."

"Yeah. I remember asking why did he apologize. I didn't know I was asking about my potential brother in law." She wiggled her eyebrows as she said that. Arafah blushed, "Stop being silly girlie. That's when I noticed this lying down and I didn't expect it to be his passport photo. And see, it has his name at the back."

"Why didn't you give it back? We did meet him afterwards, right?" Lali asked.

"I had forgotten about it. My mind wasn't functioning as he came near us. I kept feeling like a character from Disney land." Arafah spoke as she stared ahead.

Wow. Thanks for admitting everything. That saves us the work of having to convince you. Aaww. The voice romanticized much to Arafah's amusement.

"But there's a change in theme this time. The prince charming is the one who dropped the 'shoe'." She had a worried expression on her face as she said it.

The two of them have had their share of crushes but for a long time then, boys and love have not crossed their thoughts. Arafah already looked serious about it and she feared that things may get complicated with the boy's address or contact no where in the picture.

"Arafah. You could have asked his number. Or I wish you told me earlier, I would have done it."

Arafah looked horrified. "I know. But at first I wasn't even sure about how I was feeling. Plus, I don't think I would have been able to do so. We didn't even come back with their boat." Lali had hoped that Arafah would dismiss her idea and call it stupid. But her response just added to the crease on her face. Things were getting serious.

A moment of silence... No, moments after moments of silence passed as both girls analyzed the whole situation in hand. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door and after Lali responded, Muhdhar peeped inside, "Assalaaam Alaykum." He greeted his sisters. "Wa'alaykum salam." They both replied. "Muhdhaar, " Lali added, "How you doing?"

"Good." He replied and turned to his sister, "Arafah. We're here already. Let's go."

"Okay. Tell dad, I am coming." Arafah rose up and stood by the mirror to fix her hijab.

"We can try asking aunt Ibtisaam. If Ashur is the same Ashur little Maliiha was talking about, then she might be of help." Lali suggested and Arafah just smiled, glad she told her ordeal to her friend. Lali was a sweety to everyone and Arafah was more than proud to call her, hers.

"Nice idea. But!"

"Both the cards were inside your notebook, so..."

"Oh no! Every time we meet someone sweet who's religious and all we end up losing their contact. How upsetting." Lali pouted.

She helped Arafah with her shoes as she couldn't bend down after hurting her knee, "It's funny how you have always dreamt of a Cinderella love story and here you are with both your shoes." Lali joked and both girls laughed.

"But wait. Just wait." Lali looked excited and Arafah was sure she already liked what was coming, "You also dropped the notebook." Her eyes danced merrily.

"Don't tell me you also think it might end up in his hands?" Arafah heartily laughed not believing her friend's ideas.

"Ofcourse I do. You had thought of it too?" Lali was definitely very excited. "Nop. I didn't." Arafah pointed to her head, "The silly voice in me did." She said as she giggled.

It's okay. Call me silly or anything. But I was right. Arafah could feel her voice's tongue out at her. Even Lali agrees. The voice was kissing her fingers.

"I love you Arafah's voice. I'm going to totally rely on you in this. So brace yourself, we have a prince to find." Lali spoke as she held Arafah's head and kissed it.

I almost fainted. That's too much love girl. I love you too and yes let the journey begin. Arafah heard it say and smiled at the events unfolding.

"She loves you too." Arafah relayed. "And she is ready for the hunt." She concluded laughing not believing Lali's craziness.

"Am serious, Arafah. You know the saying, if Allah wants something to happen, he moves not just one heart but two. If Allah wills, He'd find the notebook and read it. He'll see your notes in there, he will see your poems, he will see our chats, oh my God, and He too will come in search of you. Keep the picture well and don't fret  for,

If it was written, it will definitely happen."

The pair hugged tightly as Arafah thanked her friend. She then walked slowly to the sitting room where her father was catching up with Layla and Salim was couching Muhammad and Muhdhar playing a game on his phone.

They exchanged greetings and since Arif apologized that he won't be able to stay for a cup of tea, Layla rushed into the kitchen to pack some cookies.

Everyone rose to leave and at that moment Lali who was holding Arafah asked Salim to come close, "Who told you that girls pray at night that they marry the boys they start to feel love for? Where did you know that?" Lali inquired.

"I heard it from the masjid boys. Why?" Salim couldn't get why that question came out of blue.

"Nothing." Lali gave a tight lipped smile. "Nothing at all." She rolled her eyes as her lips curved. "And for the record we do feel love. What we don't feel is a boy who lies."

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Back in Arif's home, Arafah's heart was deeply touched from the warmth and love her people showed her.

"Mom. I don't think I need to go to the hospital." Arafah repeated that for like the tenth time. "It will be alright. Salim brought me the medicine." She tried to calm her mother.

"Okay." She agreed like she had before suggesting again that they do visit the hospital because what if the bones were fractured or something was awfully wrong with her knee socket.
"But if the swelling doesn't subside by morning. I am not listening to your excuses."

Her mother mixed some turmeric paste which also had anti inflammatory effect and Muhammad offered to apply it. Muhdhar didn't argue when he was asked to serve Arafah dinner on bed, but Arafah declined the offer as she managed to convince her mom that she can walk and she can have her dinner on the table.

Arafah at that moment attested to all the Mother's love quotes she had read about, and a lump formed in her throat as she sent gratitude to her Lord.

A mother's love is the purest of all.

When Mahya returned from school, she was also sorry to Arafah tending to all her needs, making the guilt dig deeper into Arafah.

Giving such a formal apology was hard for Arafah but she yet again vowed to be nice to all of them and even yet again hoped that she won't waver this time.

She was exhausted as she lied on bed to get sleep that night, yet thoughts of a certain someone wouldn't leave his mind, her voice wasn't being so supportive either as it kept fantasizing, trust me you'll meet. Just trust me.

"Arafah if you need to go to the toilet. Just wake me up." Mahya offered. "Thanks mahyou. I am so blessed to have you all." Arafah was indeed grateful.

"We are all so blessed to have one another. Thank you too. Let me get some sleep. School is getting tougher by the day."

"You'll be fine." Arafah reassured, happy to have this conversation with her sister.

"Shukran. Good night."

"Night night." Arafah wished back. She opened her WhatsApp to check if there had been any important message in her university group. There was none. But before locking it, she obeyed her heart's desire and a few minutes later, her WhatsApp status had a photo uploaded.

At that point, she wasn't sure if it was Lali's new friend, or her own treacherous heart but she fell asleep with a melodious poetry lulling her soul, it said,

You've entered my mind in a way so astounding,

Who exactly are you, pray tell me am listening,

From where have you come and where to are you going,

My hope is that beside me you shall always be staying,

Am serious in my words, nowhere close to joking,

How did this happen, I keep on wondering,

I locked the gate to my heart and kept a guard standing,

Yet, amazed I am that to you am welcoming,

What she had no knowledge of is that at that moment against his own ethics, probably driven by the strong emotion called love, sat the certain someone inside his bedroom perusing through a notebook that was picked from one of the boats.

How it ended up with him is a story for another day.
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One sat on the bed in her room,

The other did so too,

One gazed at the stars and the moon,

The other had no clue,

She had a photo, a portrait of his,

He had a notebook, that wasn't hers,

He is your prince, her friend has teased,

She made his heart, feel freed from bars,

He lied to sleep, as his lips whispered,

And she closed her eyes, as her brain wondered,

Would this go on,

or would it not?

Was she the one,

Or was he not?

He chose to believe, to keep on faith,

That his fate is, with the girl in case,

As she thought of him, the night felt bright,

Her heart felt peace, as he came in sight,

And sleep overcome them, as they both said a prayer,

That Allah takes care of their affair.
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This time, will the captain assistant sail the ship on his own?

How was the chap.. And I know, the poem is crap. Just bear with me.