Nabee(صلى الله عليه و سلم) said something to this effect : "He who does not show mercy to our young ones and does not show respect to our elderly is not of us".

"Oh no you didn't ! You little thief!" Basheera  yelled at  Hamza and jumped off the couch, chasing Hamza who so sneakily grabbed her  lollipop out off her  hand while she  was reading. He laughed and ran around the living room clutching the lollipop tightly.

"You can't catch me !", Hamza sang in a cute voice whilst he peeked at her  from behind the couch.

"Just you wait you little thief!"
She sprang towards him, picked him up, took her  scarf off from around her  neck and tied his hands up together.

"What is going on here?"
Her mother walked  in with a questioning look which turned into an annoyed expression when she saw the red sticky lollipop stuck on her oh so lovely white couch!

Oopsy!

"Basheera you are twenty two for Allah's sake! When will you grow up?" Her mother  sighed dramatically and massaged her temples with the forefingers of both her hands.

Bilaal chuckled and plopped himself on the couch opposite her.

"Come on baby let's get you cleaned up ", their mother  untied his hands, her eyes flickered onto the sticky couch and she gave her daughter  a death glare.

She  knew what that meant, clean this mess before I kill you!

She  gave  her mum an apologetic smile, but she just glared at her  and stomped away with Hamza in her arms who was pulling out his tongue at Basheera  in victory. She   pulled her  tongue out at him and she heard Bilaal laughing.

Oh Allah! She forgot he was here, she was supposed to be avoiding him.
She know he wanted to talk about this marriage discussion that was cut short by her  whining earlier. So far she succeeded in avoiding him.  Shr had better escape, and fast....

"Uhm I should probably go get a cloth to clean the couch"
She literally jumped off the couch and ran to the door.

"And where do you think you are going young lady?"

Damn you Bilaal!

"To fetch a cloth !" , she stated in an obvious tone.

"Yeah you can do that later. Sit down we need to talk. Don't think I didn't notice how you  have tried avoiding me the whole day!".

"Fine!" she  walked back to the couch with her  shoulders slumped.

"Now be quite don't interupt and listen to me ",
Bilaal ordered in an athoritive tone.

She  just nodded in response and looked everywhere, besides at him.

He sighed loudly and continued. "Bashi you're  already twenty two and you refuse to even hear the word marriage. When will you allow anyone to come and see you? You already refused a whole bunch of proposals last year without even seeing them first and for no genuine reason!" Bilaal raised his voice abit and he sounded very very irritated.

"I'm waiting for the right guy."
She shrugged.

She mentally scoffed. Great reply! you haven't even seen any guy how will you know who is right?

Her conciensce had a point...

Bilaal gave her the 'are you kidding me look'.

"We both know very well that you didn't allow even one person to set foot in this  house! How in the world are you going to know who is right huh! Are you going to dream who is the right guy! ". 

  He sounded so frustrated right now.

"Actually maybe I will or maybe not, when I make istikhara I can dream or just have a good or bad felling about a proposal."

Bilaal glared at her, but a look of shock replaced his earlier expression.

"So you're saying that you are ready to accept proposals "

She nodded.

How long was she  going to delay this?

Her eyes filed with tears and ran down her cheeks.

Ugh she hated this! Since Abba passed away she had become so emotional, the smallest of things mase her cry !

Bilaal gave her  a  sympathetic look, he got up and sat next to her. He wrapped his large arms around her small shoulders. She leaned her cheek agaisnt his chest and began  sobbing, wetting his kurta(thobe).

"Ugh I'm such a baby!" She laughed in between sobs.

Gosh she don't know if  she wanted to cry or laugh.

Bilaal laughed and hugged her  tight.
"Bashi I never meant to be so harsh on you but I'm your big brother and I'm concerned about you and I want to see you happily married. You are my responsibility now that Abba is not..."

She started sobbing harder and Bilaal remained silent and let her  cry.

"Basheera are you scared to get married ?" Bilaal questioned after she  calmed down.

She shook her head in the negative, but it  was a lie. She was extremely  scared of marriage and she had a valid reason for her fear.

"Then what's the reason Bashi ? You tell me everything why can't  you tell me ?" Bilaal pulled her  away from him and looked at her  intently, searching for an answer.

She  bit her  lip nervously.

If she told him he was going to think that she  stupid to think that way.

"Wait! He suddenly went stiff and jumped up curling his hands into fists.

"Did some idiot guy promise to marry you and carry you away on a golden tray,  but he didn't turn up yet ! Are you waiting for some idio, to propose to you so that you can live a fairy tale life! I hope you don't plan on running away ! " Bilaal shot her  a horrified look.

She bit her  lip trying to hold in her laugh, but that only lasted a few seconds, she  clutched her  stomach and laughed hysterically.

"Seriously!.... A golden platter? ....Where did you get that from !" she asked between giggles.

Bilaal's shoulders relaxed, but he still had a serious expression.

She  stood up and looked at him straight in his eyes.
"You seriously think I belive in those cliché stories !" She scrunched her  nose in disgust.

"And no Bilaal I'm not waiting for any idiot guy ! I would be an even bigger idiot if I was! "

"But you real all those sappy stories, so obviously it will affect your brains!"

"You should know me better!" She gave him a serious look then punched him playfully on his arm.

A wide grin broke out on his face seeing her  back to normal and over  with her crying session.

"Just checking little sister, just checking ".

She was  glad that the marriage topic was forgotten, her emotional break downs came in handy sometimes.

"Shoot !it's already time for Asar I better get going", Bilaal looked at his watch and turned around.

She  looked at his back and started laughing.

"What ? " He asked giving her  a confused look.

She went behind him and pulled the sticky lollipop from his white kurta.

"Ugh man I have to change now ! " Bilaal whined.

"This is all your fault !" Bilaal stretched his hand out and snatched the lollipop from her  hand.

"No no huh uh!" She waved her  hands frantically infront of him to stop him from messing her  top.
He threw it at her   and it got stuck to her hair  instead.

"Bilaaaaaal!" she  shouted but he was already sprinting up the stairs.

She  ran behind him and caught up to him, while he was standing outside his bedroom panting and trying to catch his breath.

"I have to wash my hair again ! I have to shower again! My hair is coated with sticky lollipop and Hamzas saliva!" She  held her hair away from her  shoulder in disgust, then  looked at Bilaal who was smirking.

That smirk ! She know he was hiding something ! Or was he  upto some thing?

"Well it's good that you need to shower again atleast you will look fresh, cleaned and polished! We are  getting visitors for supper."
Bilaal smirked again.

So why is he smirking!?

"Who?Ammi didn't tell me!"

"Some old friend of Ammi's, her two son's and two daughters ", he shrugged.

"Ooooh by any chance one of those daughters aren't who you like? Is that why you are  so happy?", she  asked wiggling her eyebrows.

Bilaal scoffed.
" They are both younger than you !".

"Sooooo." she  teased.

"Oh drop it! Just wear something nice, but modest " he winked and shut the door before she could even ask why.

What on earth! If her mothers  friend was coming why should I she look nice?! Seriously Bilaal was absolutely  crazy, only her mother would normally something like that.
Why would he tell her to look nice if he knew that she has sons? Normally  he lectures her and tells her not to dress pretilly infront of males.
Or maybe the sons were younger than her also ! Maybe they were babies or toddlers! Awww I she loved  babies!

"Okay I just need to put the desserts in the fridge and I'm done. Do you need help with anything else Ammi?"

"No no Jazakillah Khair darling it's almost maghrib time, the visitors will be here soon. You go and get dressed. "

"I'm already dressed!"
She was  wearing one of her  favourite black comfortable skirts, with a long sleeved white blouse, her  zebra printed a scarf and black pumps. t was casual and simple she  didn't  see why  she needed to change! It was not a wedding !

"No no go and wear something better ! "

"But there's ....."

"I said change !", her mother  gave her  a stern looK.

"Okay" she  sighed in defeat.

She  looked down at her  outfit with a frown , she didn't know what  the occasion was, but her mother insisted that she should wear this. A shocking pink and dark purple dress , with purple lace braiding on the sleeves and waistline with a purple scarf.

She huffed in annoyance , she looked like she was going for a wedding!

She still didn't know what was the occasion!

"Thats better! " her mother  gave her an appreciative nod and smiled at her, she returned  a small smile.

"The guests are already here. Bilaal and the boys are in the front lounge and the women in the other lounge.
Please put some snacks on two trays I will tell Bilaal to fetch one for the men and you bring the ladies one."

She nodded and headed to the kitchen filling the trays with snacks.

"Hey sister!" Bilaal walked into the kitchen with an annoyed look.

"Hey what happened?"

"What, nothing ! " he replied plastering a fake smile.

She raised her eyebrows at him.

"That Aadil guy is getting on my nerves! I know they were religious, humble and down to earth before, but it seems like some people change once they become wealthy !", he frowned causing lines to form on his forehead.

She laughed. "Sorry Bro"

She knew how Bilaal couldn't stand people who showed off  and bragged..

"No I'm sorry Basheera ! I just agreed for them to come I would have checked properly before! You are not forced into anything...it's just that we have to go with the flow now, his mother is our elder and Ammi's friend so we can't just bluntly refuse!" Bilaal sighed and took the tray.

"Wait wait! What are you taliking about?" She asked alarmed.

"You will know soon. I'm sorry again!" And he walked out.

Noo noo Ya Allah please don't let this be what she thought  it was! Not a proposal please! Not so soon!

"Ma Shaa Allah your daughter has grown into a beautiful young lady !"
A woman who looked around  her  mothers  age commented , smiling at her  warmly.

"Assalamualaykum " Baaheera greeted.

The woman and her two daughters greeted back.

"Please take soemthing Aunty uh..."

"Maimoona" she said smiling.

"And these are my daughters Sameeha she's eighteen and in matric this year she pointed to a girl with a black scarf  and this is Nazeefah she's sixteen and in grade ten. " she said pointing to a girl who had her light brown hair tied into a high pony.

They both smiled at her and she smiled back politely. They got along just fine, more because they were friendly, otherwise it would have been an awkward silence because she could never initiate a conversation.

"So I think we should let them meet !" Aunty Maimoona said, causing  everyone to fall silent and look at Basheera .

Her mother saw her  confusion and nodded at Maimoona.

"Right girls to the front lounge."
She clapped her hands together excitedly and walked out with her daughters following her.

She  gave  her mother  a questioning look. She stood up and leaned down kissing her  forehead affectionately.

"I'm sorry Basheera I should have told you first but I knew you would disagree. Aunty Maimoona is an old friend of mine and she's looking for a girl for her son Aadil. He's a good boy and religious  also and he has a good business so he's  ready to get married. I'm not forcing you to marry him, but just speak to him today and see how it goes. The decision is your choice, no force."

Her mother  smiled at her  apologetically and walked out leaving her stunned and at a loss for words.

How could they !

Bilaal was so dead!

She  started pacing up and down, nervousness seeping in.

Oh my Allah I'm super nervous this is my first time !

What should I say ?

Must I ask questions?

Must I just sit quiet?

Do I look okay?

Noo I dont wanna do this ! Aaaah!

"Assalamualaykum", a male voice broke her  train of thoughts.

"Wa alaykumusalaam", she answered nervously and turned to  look directly into light brown eyes, he had black hair, a muscular body and fair skin, very fair skin almost pale like Raeesa and a smirk  on his face. He was  wearing a black jeans with a blue and white polo shirt and black Supergas.

"If you done checking me out, can I sit down " he asked  amused.

Oh my word!

"Astagfurullah" she  muttered and gestured for  him to sit on the couch opposite her.

She felt her cheeks turn red in embarrassment.

Oh Allah please make this ground swallow me !

"You may sit!" He commented,  again in that  amused tone. 

Ya Allah.

She  felt her face heat up again. She  sat  down and rubbed her cheeks with her fingers hoping the blush would go away.

"Don't worry that blush makes you look cuter!"

The nerve of this guy!
She already didn't like him!

"So let's begin"

She  nodded in relpy, her gaze now on her  hands .

"Okay my name is Aadil Ally
I'm twenty four. I own a showroom. I love sports, soccer specifically and yeah I think that's okay for now"

He spoke so confidently!

She took a deep breath trying to calm her  nerves.
"My name is Basheera Kareem. I'm twenty two. I'm a fashion designer, I work in the G.C fashion designing company in Joburg. I love reading..."

"Fashion designer ! You dress so modestly for a fashion designer !"he commented,  clearly surprised.

How rude ! He just cut her off..

She  frowned.

Why do people always say that! You could be a fashion designer and dress modestly ! Even Raeesa thought  that way and was changing the way she dresses. 

She frowned even more thinking of Raeesa, she has  changed alot.......

"I m sorry I didn't mean to offend you."

She just nodded.

He was quite  annoying!

"So uh....umm do you always dress like this ?"

"What do you mean ?"
She  gave him a confused look.

What is wrong with this guy?

"You know all covered up, long skirts and dresses and specifically a scarf tied around your head. Do you always wear it ? "

"Yes infront of non mahrams I do. I may not be a perfect muslimah but I try and infront of non mahrams I wear modest clothing and cover my hair".

"So, if I don't want my wife to wear the scarf? "

She gasped and this time she  looked straight at him.

"Why wouldn't you?"

"I want to see her hair all the time. You know a woman's hair is her beauty I don't want her to hide it "

Ya Allah ! She felt like smacking some sense into this guy! She liked modesty and possessiveness in a guy, this guy was definitely  not for her. She didn't feel the connection, at all!

"So you don't mind other men looking at her beauty? "

"She will be mine they can only look, they can't do  nothing else because she will be mine !" He shrugged.

What!

" So you don't mind them staring their eyes out at your wife? You don't mind them looking at what is yours with evil gazes! She can dress up for you at home! She doesn't have to wear her scarf at home. Won't you feel happy, knowing that her beauty is preserved only for you to see and it's covered up infront of strangers ! Won't that make her special and precious?"

He remained silent,  for a while speechless.

"Calm down that's just my opinion, no need to get worked up about it ! "

"You indirectly insulted me about covering my hair  and you expect me to be calm!"
She stood up and glared at him.

" I make dua that Allah Taalah puts some sense into your head and straightens your twisted way of thinking. Assalamualaykum I am done here.!" She stomped out angrily.

Well that went well!
Note the sarcasm.

And there was Bilaal casually leaning on the wall next to the door, with a look of regret and amusement.

"Good job! He needed that! "
Bilaal lifted his hand for  her to high five,  received a  glare  instead.

"Look I'm sorry !"
He sighed, slumping his shoulders.

"Sorry my foot !"
She spat angrily and ran up the stairs into her  bedroom , then  dashed into the  bathroom to make wudhu .

She  needed to  to calm  her anger.

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Finally an update !

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Jawhariy❤