Venturesome ride. . .

If there is anything Nana hated more than strawberry, is being alone with a male specie. She's praying for the earth to open up and swallow her whole being. She could feel his gaze even with her head bowed, it looks like he's stripping her out of her shell and she's not liking it one bit but held her tongue in. It'll be inappropriate to talk to him in a bad way -that would've been the most sleaziest thing she's ever done in her whole life. Instead, she took a deep breath before raising her head to look at the fair human in front of her. She plastered a nervous smile, the veil drawing back, leaving her face bare for him to see.

She heard a sharp intake of breath, she didn't know whether it's coming from him or her because the man blew her mind away. The specie in front of her looks like he's something from another realm. Maybe realm of jinns or mages. He's too beautiful to be human in her own words. His beauty is just something out of the world. Not that she's seen much male species but this one right in front of her is just too good to be a human. She thinks her brother is handsome but Zayn here proved her very wrong.

She doesn't even know how to describe his beauty, he's egregiously out of her reach. He looks flawless. He's the type of guy that makes your heart pound and your mind to scatter all over the place with jealousy when there are so many females around. They'd be looking at him or even flirt with him openly and you have to swallow your jealousy. Oh her goodness, she'll be very insecure if she marry this man but she will find her answers after praying Istikharah.

"How are you doing?" His voice was very deep, it made her heart pump five liters extra blood to her aorta. She immediately drop her eyes and avoid his that promised adventurous ride, underneath.

She didn't miss the British and Indian accent in his voice, uh oh. That kind of answered her questions if he's Indian but... Whatever.

"I'm fine, Alhamdulillah. How are you?" Her voice was still small if not smaller. He makes her so nervous that she wants to shrink back and just look at him.

"I'm also good," there was a pregnant silence between them before he decided to break it, not liking any awkwardness. If his mother wants this marriage, he also wants it, so there is no room for awkwardness between them. He hates awkwardness!

"How's everything going? I mean, the Islamic school you teach at," he questioned, leaning back on the chair to look at her squirming figure. It'll take a lot of time for her to get comfortable with him but he doesn't mind, he likes challenges.

"Everything is going smoothly, Alhamdulillah! What about your side?" She asked back, not because she wants to know but because she's not ready for the awkward taciturn to settle on them again.

"Same old, boring." He replied before trying to make small talks here and there. He succeeded in making her voice normal but she's still squirming whenever she feel his gaze on her.

Maaysa who was watching the interaction from afar decide that it's time for them to go back in as Nana looks like she's about to pass out due to nervousness and knife edged self. She chuckled a little at that. Very soon, she'll get more than comfortable if she's going to be with the Borkans and most especially, if she's going to marry Zayn. Her brother can talk for the whole universe -to family- if he wants to. And now that it looks like he has taken a liking at her, she's in for a venturesome ride. They'll make a beautiful couple.

Her brother has been through a lot but that doesn't mean he won't love his wife like he loves himself. He'll keep her safer than he'll ever do to himself. Even if he doesn't like her now, he will later on and Maaysa is very sure of that. He looks at her with something different that even the blind could see it. He ceded it!

"Okay, love birds. Let's get going, you'll have a lot of time to know each other. Now let's go back in." Maaysa interrupts them, Zayn send an unnoticeable glare at her before standing up and following the same way he followed whilst coming.

"They're back! What do you think?" Nana's mother grinned at the three new intruders. She can see that her daughter is uncomfortable talking with so many new people so she said; "Come, Nana." She drag her daughter to the kitchen.

Nana released a breath she didn't know she was holding. She has been so edgy, nervy and overwrought to even think about breathing well. Why was she nervous again, she didn't even talk much, he has been doing the talking but here she is wanting to take an ocean to quench her trepidatious self. She felt ethereal with no reason to be.

"Mom, ugh.." She took a deep breath and then release it before continuing; "I was so nervous, mom. I know he's not going to agree with this and I won't really mind. I mean, who would want a nervous wreck of a wife? Absolutely, no one-" her mother cut her off when she started laughing.

"Oh my dear, you really were nervous. Stop blabbing on and on about it, he'll accept you just the way you are. You wait and watch. There is no one who would see a beautiful lady like you and walk past without a second glance. You're beautiful, don't forget that." Her mother smiled fondly at her, stroking her cheek with her right hand.

"And, never underestimate the impression you may make on others, dear."

"Thanks, mom. I needed that." She gave her mother a hug. They're not really close but when they do talk, they talk like friends, that's why she always wants her mother to come back from work early so they could have sometime together.

"What do you think about it? Are you ready to marry him?" Her mother asked when they pulled away from each other.

"I'll have to perform salatul Istikharah first. I can't just jump into it, you know. But ask them what they think, I can't go back there." Nana frantically added.

"Don't worry, I'll give them an excuse. Go and rest." She smiled at her daughter before ushering her to the other door that leads to the staircase from the kitchen.

Nana ambled up to her room to pray when she suddenly remember that she can't pray. She groaned in disappointment before grinning, she'll have her bath tomorrow! It only last three days and then she's off the hook. Her cramps are getting soft and that means she's almost done. Her first day makes her want to rip her stomach from her body, it hurts so much and sometimes it proliferate to her stomach or lower back.

A little time has passed before her mother grace her with her presence. Nana sat down on the bed, already out of the native wear and into a loose skirt and a shirt. Her mother sat down on the edge next to her before dropping her right hand to Nana's cheek affectionately. She is happy that Zayn's family understand their situation and are willing to help them. Zayn was more than happy to help and there is nothing greater than that, they're going to help her daughter know who she really is, know her late husband and son. Oh Allah, help us.

"You know, good might come your way from where you least expect it." Her mother gently whispered. It's like she's going to leave her daughter all over again. She wasn't much supportive when she got married the other time but this time, she'll make sure she's there in every step of the way.

"I know, mom. I'm not saying that I don't want this, I just want to be sure." She smiled at her mother.

"Time is free, but it's priceless. You can't own it, but you can use it. You can spend it, but you can't keep it. Once you've lost it, you can never get it back. Use it wisely, dear. You're getting older and this man is the perfect choice your father and I could come up with. I'm not pushing you into it, I just hope the answer is yes." She kissed her cheek before standing up.

"And it's a large yes from them, just so you know." She grinned before leaving the room.

Nana couldn't stop the small smile that stretch her cheeks a little. He wants to marry her! Uh oh, this is good. And now, everyone is waiting for her answer, everything is in her hands now. Either yes or no, her parents will still support her but she wants to make them happy also and that reminds her, she should tell her brother about it.

She immediately call him facetime from her iPad. They talked for a long time with him and Khumais before she hang up. He said he knew about it, that their mother told him everything before they went ahead to accept the proposal from them. She was ecstatic that her family is getting a little better than before, it's just the start. He even said he'll bring Khumais to spend sometime with her after the wedding and she as usual, agreed, grinning at Khumais who looks equally happy.

Life is beautiful, now!

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Salam!
Hope everything is going well with you guys? Masha'Allah. I'm doing good and I'm updating huh? Thank me later, now... Don't forget to VOTE COMMENT and SHARE please.
QOTD: What do you think about talkative Zayn? And about Maaysa's thoughts? About her Istikharah? What do you think?!

Bye!
Aishatu.⭐