Chapter Fourteen

A Tregedy.

يَسْـَٔلُونَكَ عَنِ ٱلْخَمْرِ وَٱلْمَيْسِرِ ۖ قُلْ فِيهِمَآ إِثْمٌ كَبِيرٌ وَمَنَٰفِعُ لِلنَّاسِ وَإِثْمُهُمَآ أَكْبَرُ مِن نَّفْعِهِمَا ۗ

They ask thee concerning wine and gambling. Say: "In them is great sin, and some profit, for men; but the sin is greater than the profit."

(Sura Baqara, Aaya 219)

* * *

Basheera's leg bounced up and down, nervously as Bilaal strictly mentioned a few rules. He had decided to allow her to attend the function, but ofcourse he had to make some things clear first.

"You will have to wear an abaya for the function."

Basheera nodded obediently.

If he was allowing her to go, she wasn't going to defy him, it already took him so long to grant her permission.

"Make sure that you don't intermingle with males, unless it's really necessary."

She rolled her eyes.
Like she didn't know that!

"I doubt they cater halaal food, so consuming anything is a big no no!"

She sighed.

"Yes dad !"

She muttered sarcastically.

He ignored her sarcasm.

"Don't have any drinks either, you don't know if any of them contain alcohol."

She wanted to bang her head on the wall. Why was he telling her things that she obviously knew? She felt like a rebellious teenager being given a lecture and being reprimanded for not staying in her limits.

"You have to be home latest by ten, no need to stay out till later. It's not safe at all."

She nodded.

Bilaal gave her a concerned look.

"Just stay safe alright!"

"Yes don't worry, in Shaa Allah I will be okay."

He left the dinning room and she hurried to her room to inform Raeesa that she was also going.

" Thank Allah! It took alot of effort to convince Uthmaan as well, he isn't exactly thrilled with the idea, but he has agreed nonetheless. "

"The men in our life worry way too much about us!"

Basheera whined.

"Yeah, but it feels good to know that they care so much."

Raeesa admitted.

"Uh huh... funny for you to say that. I didn't expect you to be so calm about this. Anyway I will pick you up after maghrib."

Raeesa sighed.

"I'm tired of fighting with Uthmaan for every little thing. I've relaised that he's always been a great husband to me, he gives in to most of my demands. I was supposed to be grateful for that and compromise when it comes to certain things, otherwise we will never live in peace!"

A small smile tugged at her lips.

"I'm glad you're finally becoming a mature young lady Ray! Motherhood caused a positive change in your attitude."

Raeesa rolled her eyes.

"Ohhh just zip it! You starting to sound like my grandmother now!"

Basheera grinned.

" I think we should get ready now, I will pick you up after an hour."

"That's very little time for a girl to get ready!"

"The function starts in two hours and it's in Johannesburg, if we get stuck in traffic we will definitely be late!"

After hanging up and warning Raaesa to be ready on time, Basheera walked over to her closet and selected the abaya that she would be wearing.
Unlike every other day, she had already picked out her outfit the night before.

* * *

Munnawara giggled, spitting out some of the mashed butternut that Uthmaan fed her, messing her clothes in the process.

Thank Allah Raeesa wasn't here, or else she would have scolded him for not putting on a bib for Munnawwara and then she would complain about having to wash off all those stains from her white baby grower. He would make sure to change her and wash the baby grower before Raeesa returned.

"Don't be naughty my nunu, come on eat up all your food!"

Uthmaan scolded lovingly.

Munnawara just giggled in return, turning her head away when he moved the spoon closer to her. The spoon made contact with her chubby cheek instead of her lips and the butternut fell off the spoon and onto her lap.

Bilaal chuckled.

"I can see you still need alot of practice when it comes to feeding her."

Uthmaan rolled his eyes.

"She used to be so easy to feed when she only used to drink milk, now she's a little rascal. She likes us to beg her to eat and she loves to pretend like she doesn't want to eat. She finds it amusing!"

Usama patted his shoulder.

" Well, all I have to say is , you're a good father. I don't think I will ever be able to look after my child."

Bilaal glared at him.

"Well, since you're marrying my sister, I suggest that you observe Uthmaan and take down notes, because there's no way that you're not going to help her and be the typical lazy husband!"

Uthmaan laughed and Usama reddened with embarrassment.

" Relax bro... we're not even married as yet and you're already talking about our kids!"

The two of them looked at him in amusement. It was unusual to see him so shy. From the three of them Usama was always more of the bold one, less shy than them and the one with a twinge of mishieviousness.

Bilaal sighed.

"I just hope that Basheera and Raeesa will be okay at that party and that they will be given permission to return home early."

"I don't care whether they will be given permission or not, if Raeesa is not back latest by ten, I will go there myself and bring her back."

Uthmaan said, a determined look on his face.

Usama snorted.

"You two are way too overprotective man! Let them live a little, they're grown women I'm sure they know what to do and what not to do.
Basheera has never let you down, has she Bilaal?"

Bilaal shook his head.

Usama did have a point.

Uthmaan whacked Usama's back playfully.

"Ohhh I see, already taking the wifeys part!"

The guys enjoyed each others company, their concern regarding Raeesa and Basheera long forgotten, little did they know their fears and concern would turn into a reality .

* * *

Basheera shifted uneasily, while standing beside the balcony that overlooked the twinkling lights of the city. She was the only one who was clad in an abaya. She felt completely out of place amongst all the women who wore formal dressses, most of which barely covered their knees. She was glad that Raeesa chose to wear her scarf on her head today, atleast she wasn't the only one whose hair was covered.

Every time someone gave her a funny look or commented on the 'black robe' that she chose to wear, she kept chanting gald tidings be to the strangers! Allah SWT is pleased with modesty. Don't let their comments affect you.

She expected most of the poeple in the company to be used used to her way of dressing by now. They always saw the way she dressed, yet some of them still gave her a funny look like she was an alien that fell from another planet.

Basheera wore a blush pink and black chiffon abaya, with white lace adorning the end of the sleeves and the bottom of the abaya. She matched it with a simple balck scarf and black peep toes, that had a kitty heel.

Raeesa wore a fitting fawn top, that stopped by her thigh, paired with tight white jeans and a white scarf loosely wrapped around her head. She paired her outfit with sparkly biege, pointed heels.

The pounding music was bringing on a throbbing headache.

"Ray, I'm just going to go outside for a while, this music is giving me a major headache. Do you want to join me?"

Raeesa shook her head.

"You carry on, I want to get myself something to drink and speak to a few poeple. I will join you after a while.
Do you want something to drink?"

"Nope, I'm good. I've got my water bottle in the car if I feel thirsty. I don't think it's a good idea to even drink any juices or cordials here, we don't know what they might have mixed in them."

Raeesa rolled her eyes.
"I'm sure there must be some drinks that don't have alcohol."

Basheera walked towards the exit.
"Suit yourself, but be careful! Don't say I didn't warn you!"

Raeesa walked over to the refreshments table. She scanned all the drinks. Basheera was right, she really didn't know which drinks didn't have alcohol in them.

"You're looking for something that doesn't consist of alcohol, I'm assuming."

She heard a male voice, very close to her.

She didn't need to turn around to know who it was. She already knew.
She quickly stepped back, creating a comfortable distance between them.

"Mr Sanderson!"
She smiled politely.

"Please just call me Seth."

Seth pointed to three drinks, one looked like electric blue lemonade, the second looked like passion fruit, but with a whole lot of fruit pieces added to it, giving it an exotic look and the last one was a clear drink, with mint leaves floating inside. She was abit skeptical about that one, the other two looked fine, but she didn't know if she could trust the guy.

Seth noticed her hesitation.

"Oh come on! I admit that I'm a big flirt, but I'm not a jerk. I respect your religion, I won't lie to you!"

Raeesa looked at him, he seemed sincere enough.

"Okay I think I will go for that exotic looking one, with all the fruit pieces."

She was about to stretch her hand towards the large jug , but Seth held her hand.

She quickly released her hand from his grip, glaring at him.

" Calm down, go and have a seat. I will bring it for you."

Raeesa gave him a stern look.
" No thank you, I can pour my own drink."

"Oh come on, there's no need to be so cold! I'm just going to bring you a drink, I'm not asking you on a date."

He glanced around.

" By the way, where's your friend? Should I bring her something to drink as well?"

Raeesa sighed in defeat.
"No she's outside."

Saying that she walked over to one of the empty tables and sat down, busying herself with her phone.

Seth smirked.

This was the perfect opportunity to get her. She was alone and she would have no idea that her drink is spiked.

Discreetly and swiftly, he poured one of the strongest alcohols into a glass, filling it halfway, then he poured the passion fruit cordial till the top.
Quickly he grabbed a dessert spoon and mixed the drink, so that it all looked the same colour.

He poured the electric blue lemonade for himself. He wouldn't have a drink today, he wanted to be sane and in his senses when he finally had this woman alone and he could have his way with her. It didn't matter if she didn't remember anything, infact it would be better if she didn't.

He walked over to the table, handing her the glass.

She smiled politely, then took a small sip.

He watched the way she scrunched her nose slightly, giving the glass an odd look.

"Are you sure there's no alcohol in here, it sure has an unsually strong taste, not a bad taste, but abit strong."

He nodded.
"Yip I'm one hundred percent sure, the cordial mixes they use are the expensive ones, that's why the taste is so strong. Here you can taste my one also!"

He pushed the glass towards her.

She gave him an uneasy look.
"Uh..no thanks it's okay."

Slowly, she sipped on her drink, a dubious look still present in her eyes.
Once she drank the whole glass, which was quite a tall glass, she held her head.

"My head feels abit fuzzy all of a sudden, could you get me some water please."

He smiled.
"Sure!"

Raeesa felt strange, her head was beginning to feel heavy and her vision was getting slightly blurry. Her heart began thrummimg in her chest, she just hoped that the drink really had no alcohol. Maybe she was feeling light headed because she hadn't ate supper and it was quite late already.
She should probably head home after drinking water.

Seth came back with an apologetic look on his face.
"Sorry there was no still water, so I brought you sparkling water."

She felt too lightheaded to argue, so she grabbed the glass from him and gulped it down, not realising she was only drinking more alcohol.

After a few minutes passed, the whole hall started spinning and she felt tipsy, she put her head down on the table, groaning.

"Mr Sanderson, could you please help me get to the car and call Basheera. I don't think I can stay much longer!"

He quickly helped her stand up, then wrapped his arm around her waist as he walked towards the exit. He scanned the parking for any girl in a black robe and when he saw no one, he quickened his pace towards his car.

Just as he closed the passenger door and got into his car, he saw Basheera running towards his car, her face ablaze with anger, her black robe flying behind her.

Before she could even run halfway across the parking lot, he had reversed and was already speeding down the road.

He smiled in triumpht, slowing down a little bit, he held Raeesa's limp hand and pecked it.

"I will have you all to myself tonight, my darling!"

Raeesa gave no response, she was knocked out, her head rested against the window.

Seth saw headligths flashing at him and when he looked in the rearview mirror, he immediately recognised Basheera's car. He sped up, but she also did the same, keeping up with his pace.

"Shit! She drives quite fast for a woman! Man why can't she just leave me alone!"

He sped onto the highway, his right hand remained on the steering wheel, while his left hand fiddled with the pins on Raeesa's scarf. With that crazy girl on his trail, he didn't know how long he had with her, so he might as well get rid of all obstructions before he reached his flat.

Once he managed to pull out the pins, he tugged the scarf roughly and it fell down on her shoulders, causing her to jolt awake.

"Wha..what? Where am I?"

She looked at Seth and panick began spreading through out her body.
She was drunk, but she wasn't so drunk that she didn't know what was going on.

"Let me out of this car now!"

She screamed, shoving his hand away from her hair.

" Oh no! I'm not letting you go until you give me what I want!"

"I have a husband and a child, I'm happily married, I don't want anything else. Why don't you understand?"

Anger coursed through his body.
"I don't care! I will get what I want even if it means I have to knock you unconscious!"

Saying that he grabbed her neck and roughly pulled her towards him, intending to kiss her, but before he could, the car swerved to the next lane and a truck that was speeding and was unable to stop quick enough, knocked the side of his car and sent the car skidding across the road, where another car hit the back of his car and both cars smashed into the barriers on the side.

Basheera saw the scene unfolding before her. Her eyes widened in horror when she stopped her car besides Seth's car, the drivers side was completely smashed in, there was no way he could have survived the crash.

As for the passenger side, it was badly smashed too, but there was hope.
She knew there was hope, there was no way that Raeesa could just die like that!

With trembling lips and shaky fingers, Basheera dialed her brothers number.

"Where the heck are the two of you! It's already half past ten!"

"Bilaal!"
Basheera cried out, a strangled sob escaped her mouth and she was unable to say anything further.

When Bilaal heard her crying, he got off the couch and grabbed his car keys.

"What's wrong, why are you crying?"

Uthmaan shot Bilaal a panicked look.

"It's...... there was an ... ac-accident."

"Accident! Who where?
Bashi, first calm down and tell me what's going on? Where exactly are you?"

Uthmaan stood up as well, he hurriedly sped up the stairs and grabbed a warm blanket, hastily raced down, wrapping Munnawara in the blanket, then followed Bilaal who was already heading towards the car.

"Raeesa met up in an accident!"

Bilaal was utterrly confused. He was sure that they went together, why would only Raeesa be in an accident?

This wasn't a time for questions, he had to get to them as soon as possible.

"Where are you Basheera?"

"A few kilo metres before the atlas road off ramp!"

Basheera managed to get the words out all in one breath, then she burst into uncontrollable tears.

Raeesa couldn't die....not yet

She still had little Munnawara to take care of....

Ya Allah please let her be okay.