Chapter Thirteen.

No way out.

وَلَا تَمُدَّنَّ عَيْنَيْكَ إِلَىٰ مَا مَتَّعْنَا بِهِۦٓ أَزْوَٰجًا مِّنْهُمْ زَهْرَةَ ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا لِنَفْتِنَهُمْ فِيهِ ۚ وَرِزْقُ رَبِّكَ خَيْرٌ وَأَبْقَىٰ

"Do not strain your eyes in longing, for the things we have given in enjoyment to parties of them, the splendour of the life of this world through which We test them, but the provision of thy Lord is better and more enduring."

(Aaya 131,Surah Taa Haa)

* * *

The chattering crowd settled into pin drop silence, as the personal assistant of Glamorous Creation's CEO walked on stage, her heels clicked on on the wooden floor, her hair tied into an emaculate bun, her head held up high. She walked with an air of confidence, tapping the microphone as she reached the podium.

After greeting all the workers, photgraphers, designers and whoever else was present, she began her introduction then moved onto the reason for their meeting.

"As you all know, our annual function  has been postponed this year. Mr Maxime Louisse has now decided to hold this function at the end of every year. This function is of utmost importance, as many well known celebrities and share holders as well as new clients who have contributed a huge amount to G.C will be attending, therefore Mr Louisse has asked me to strictly inform all those working at G.C that their presence is of utmost importance and unlike before, no person will be excused from this function. It is compulsory upon every individual to attend."

Having said that, her eyes zeroed on Basheera and Raaesa who sat at the very back of the crowd.

Basheera sighed and Raaesa clicked her tongue.

The P.A wasn't very fond of the two of them, she made it very known that she despised Muslims and now was her perfect chance to pick on them once more.

Basheera and Raaesa had never attended the annual functions, for obvious reasons. The function was not shariah compliant, it was a mixed gathering, there was no halaal food, there was alcohol and music. Now it seemed like they had no choice and they both knew it would be extremely difficult to convince their family members to allow them to attend. 

Raeesa groaned as she thought about how she would convince Uthmaan to let her go. They hadn't been on good terms for the past week, besides for exchanging greetings and some necessary talk, like what groceries to buy , they hadn't had a decent conversation. His silent treatment was killing her, this was the longest time they had ignored each other and she was beginning to feel suffocated in her own home.

Basheera on the other hand knew very well that Bilaal would never agree to send her to the party. It was a miracle alone that he had allowed her to work. If she told him that it was a compulsory function, he would simply tell her to leave work, as she also was not working because she needed the income, she was working because she just wanted to keep herself busy.

* * *

Munnawara's giggles echoed through out the room, as she stepped in.
A smile settled on her lips, as she watched Uthmaan tickling their daughters tummy with his nose, a look of pure love and admiration sparkling in his eyes.

Her heart dropped as she saw his smile and the tender look in his eyes.
It had merely been a week that they had become so distant from each other, yet it felt like such a long time.
She missed her loving, caring, always smiling Uthmaan. She missed his random hugs and his endless kisses.
All that had stopped now, she never even got a peck on her cheek before he left for work.

When he noticed Raeesa standing by the door, his smile  fell  immediately.

She greeted him and he replied timdily. He stood up from the bed and walked straight past her, intending to leave the room and lock himself in the study room, like how he did for the past week. Only when it was time to sleep, he would return, there was no stories, no smiles, no giggles and no cuddles. He would face his  back to her and make sure to sleep as far away from her as possible and they would both fall asleep angry at each other, every single day!

Just as he brushed past her, she held his arm firmly.

"Uthmaan please! I'm tired of this now!"

He kept his arm stiff, his back was rigid and his jaw was clenched, he refused to even glance at her.

"Uthmaan, please just listen to me!"
She pleaded, her voice slightly cracking.

All this time she hadn't cried due to  his behaviour. She was way too angry to cry, but now she couldn't handle this anymore!

"I have nothing to listen to. You refused to listen to me and chose to be selfish by following your own whims, not caring about your daughters well being, nor your husbands happiness, so I will not listen to you either!"

Her lips quivered.
"No my love, it's nothing like that, I..."

"It's exactly like that Raeesa!"
He roared, whirling around.
His eyes were blazing with rage.

She loosened her grip on his arm and stepped back in fear, she had never seen him so angry before. 

"I am so sick of your behaviour, I'm tired of how selfish you have become, I'm fed up of repeating the same thing to you over and over again. I don't like the woman that you're becoming Raeesa, if it were not for our daughter, I would have probably given you talaaq by now!"

She gasped ,covering her mouth in shock. Her eyes filled with tears and before she could blink them away, tears began cascading down her face in rapid succession.

When Uthmaan saw her shaking form and the way she broke down, sobbing helplessly. He immediately regretted the words he uttered.

One thing he could never see was his wife's tears. Even though they had not been on good terms and he was still quite upset with her, he couldn't bear to see her crying. He immediately pulled her against his chest and planted a kiss on her head as she cried even more.

After she had calmed down and her sobs has  turned into sniffles, she pulled away from him, allowing him to dry her tears. She kissed his cheeks, then his eyes and nose, apologising for her selfishness.

"I'm so sorry, I didn't know that you were so upset about it that you actually were thinking of divorce, had I known I would have never returned to work."
She hung her head in shame.

Uhtmaan pulled her close once again, his chin resting on her head.
"Raeesa I don't want to be a controlling and tyrant husband, but I also want you to be there for Munnawwara  as she grows up. No nanny can give our child the love and upbringing that you can give her. Children grow so fast, before you know it, it will be time to get her married and then you will sit and regret all the time that you spent away from her. Like I said, you can continue your work from home, I'm not going to stop you from that."

She sighed.
"I wish I could do just that now, but I have to atleast stay till the end of the year. I just returned, my boss won't allow me to leave again. There's  just two months left till the company closes for Christmas holidays, after that I won't return."

Uhtmaan agreed reluctantly.
"Remember what you're saying Raeesa, don't go back on your word."

She smiled.
"I promise I won't."

That night after a whole week of cold behaviour and arguments, the two of them slept happily in each others arms, but none of them knew, a few weeks from now, a tragic incident was to befall one of them, turning their lives upside down.

* * *

Bilaal's ears tinged red when he heard what his mother said. He shifted awkwardly, not sure what to say.

Basheera giggled, enjoying his uncomfortable state.

" Halima met me outside the hospital, she said that her husband's cousin's daughter is about to finish her aalima course and she's a very good girl, respectable, homely, a practicing Muslimah, timid and shy, she also wears the niqaab. She said she's perfect for you!"

For some reason, the image of the girl in niqaab outside the ward, flashed in his mind. Could it be the same girl?

"Ammi I told you, I will only get married after Basheera does."

"Basheera has already agreed to settle down, so you don't have to worry about her. It's about time, you start worrying about yourself!"

Bilaal sighed.
"Alright, I'm abit busy at work currently. Once I'm abit more free, we can go and see the girl."

Basheera laughed.
"Actually you can only go and see her after two months, she's writing her final exams at the moment and she doesn't want to be distracted with other things right now. "

Bilaal cleared his throat awkwardly.
"Oh...well that's perfect then. I also needed some time to let the information sink in."

Basheera chortled.
"Yeah....sure you did!"

Assuming this was the perfect moment to ask about the party, Basheera decided to get it done and over with.

"Umm the year end party that our company  has will be soon."

Bilaal nodded, turning his attention to her.

"It's not usually compulsory to attend, but this year it was made compulsory. So even through I really don't want to go, I'm afraid I don't really have a choice."

Bilaal gave her a stern look.
"You always have a choice in life and I think you should finally make a choice of leaving that ridiculous company!"

"Bilaal don't be so harsh on your sister, let her go, what harm can there be?"

"It's only one day and probably the first and last one too! Raeesa and I are planning to leave the company and open up our own boutique, from home, as Uthmaan doesn't want her to work anymore as well."

Bilaal scoffed. 
"We both never ever did want both of you to work, but the two of you are just too stubborn!"

Basheera rolled her eyes.
"Yeah okay, but we still do listen to eventually. Now can I go, pleeease?"

His lips were set into a grim line.

"I will think about it and let you know."

Basheera huffed.
"Fine!"

Overprotective brothers will never change! They will always be annoyingly overprotective and unfair!