"And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to the patient ones.” (Quran 2:155)

___________

Ramdan is a month of blessings and its only here for 30 days. Blessed are the ones who utilise it's benefits. Ramzan won't wait but this book can wait.'

"Where did you both go all of a sudden?" Rafiya enquired in her motherly tone as Rashiya'a and Rihab walked in with Shopping bags in their hands.

"Shopping Ammi, I have lots of gifts for you all!" Rashiya'a beamed, after saying Salaam and sat beside her mother in the luxurious pure black sofa and side hugged her Ammi.

"Do not hug me now, madam. I'm currently on angry mode." Rafiya grimaced and moved aside pulling her dupatta in which Rashiya'a had sat.

Rihab laughed as he sat in the black bean bag which was kept at the corner of the spacious hall near the French window which led to the garden.

"And what are you doing there? Come here." Rafiya was still furious.

"Mom, we were getting bored of sulking like everyone." Rihab didn't tell her that Rashiya'a had gone alone for shopping. It was a good thing that,  she had gone to her sisters place. And only he and Fiza knew about it.

"Whats wrong with an engagement break -up?" Rihab tried to reason out with his Ammi.

"Please Ammi, don't start the 'what will people say' dialogue." Rihab cut her off when Rafiya opened her mouth. Rafiya couldn't help but smile as she was about to say the same.

"Our Rashiya'a is beautiful in and out. She forgets her pain just to make everyone around her happy. She is one in a million, Ammi." Rihab said as he walked toward his mother and sister.

"He was not our Rashi's soulmate. Allah subhana wa ta'ala will send someone far far better than this one. Remember the Ayat, "Good men are for good women?" Rihab articulated as he kneeled down in front of her and Rafiya nodded as her eyes filled with unshed tears.

Rashiya'a walked past the round glass table and opened the French window and the cool breeze welcomed her, making her shiver as she tightened her dupatta around her.

She could still hear muffled sobs of her Ammi.

"It's just that, I.. I had thought of so many things to do on her wedding." 

"Ammi.. " Rihab glared at her. "Its not like he was the only guy in this whole world, and all your wishes will be fulfilled, INN SHAA ALLAH."

Rafiya nodded, her eyes twinkling as she placed a soft kiss on  her son's forehead.

Rashiya'a stepped into the garden barefoot,  walking towards the beautiful flower arranged in a row as they danced side to side with the cool wind, a warm smile grazed her lips as she held up the soft rose,  looking down at the mesmerizing
blend of crimson and green.

"Hey.."Rihab said as he stood beside her, while she gently caressed her delicate fingers on the rose petals.

"You startled me." Rashiya'a  jerked as she kept a hand on her heart and Rihab chuckled.

"You are so bad bhaiya!"Rashiya'a' smacked his arm.

"So tell me, what's going on?" Rihab said as he sat down in the soft green grass and patted beside him for Rashiya'a to sit.

"Nothing." She smiled as she sat beside her brother and gazed at the beautiful roses.

"You know Rashi-pie, life is like that rose," Rihab said after a moment of silence, pointing towards the beautiful flower. "It has soft petals as well as scornful thorns."

"And Roses and the thorns, and Sorrow and happiness are linked together." Rashiya'a said and Rihab nodded.

"True Rashu.. No one will ever value happiness if we don't have few sadness and sorrow."

"Don't call me that!" she said, scrunching her nose.

"I will." Rihab grinned while Rashiya'a pouted.

"And always remember, Life is thickly sown with thorns the longer we dwell on our problems, the greater it harms us."

"I know bhaiya, I'm just sad thinking about Ammi and abbu,"

"My sister has grown up so fast." Rihab's eyes twinkled,as he ruffled her hair,  feeling proud of her.

"Aye.. stop, Don't mess with my hair," Rashiya'a pushed his hand and quickly covered her hair with the dupatta.

Rihab laughed, "remember I used to chase you with scissor!"

"Yeah, just because of my obsession for long hair." Rashiya'a smiled, reminiscing their childhood days.

"But, I never cut your hair."

"I knew you won't."

"Haha.. you didn't." Rihab was still laughing thinking about the past "You used run over all the house shouting for Ammi, Abbu and.. " Their smile faded as he said.. ".. Raheel.."

"He's my bestest bro." Rashiya'a smiled while her eyes spoke something else.

"Mine too.." Rihab echoed.

"By the way, do you climb on trees?"

"What? You think am a monkey?" Rashiya'a frowned, then burst into fits of laughter.

"Then your friend is a monkey!?!" Rihab mumbled to no one in particular but Rashiya'a had heard him.

"What? What did you just say?" Rashiya'a stopped laughing and stared at him.

"N-no.. nothing." Rihab shrugged as he bit his lips to stop the smile.

"Is that a blush, I see?" Rashiya'a surmised, smiling.

"Why would I blush?" Rihab asked brusquely hiding his smile as he sat stretching his leg and his hands resting behind him in the green grass.

"Hmmm," Rashiya'a smiled knowingly. "I will find out soon bro, who ever she is... wait..  let me rewind.. "You said my friend!?!" Her voice was raising high pitch with each moment as realisation sunk in and she about to shout at the top of her voice but Rihab stopped her, keeping his Palm on her mouth.

"Avehi Kuch bhi?!(anything huh?!)" Rihab rolled his eyes and gestured towards someone and Rashiya'a traced where Rihab was looking.

"What are you two doing?" Yunus, their father asked,  as he ambled towards them, with a box of various flavours of pastries and sat with them whilst they both greeted him with salaam.

"We are celebrating Rashiya'a's engagement break-up!" Yunus said, his eyes twinkling, hiding the sadness in them as he opened the white box, revealing delicious looking pastries.

"Yeah, We should thank Allah ta'ala for saving our Rashiya'a from Maaz; from that hell." Rafiya, her mother said joining them in the garden while Rashiya'a smiled, thanking Allah ta'ala for making her mother realise it and stop sulking.

"Hey, Keep one for me.. didi bhaiya.. " Fiza, his youngest daughter shouted as she came running with few spoons and small plates.

That's too common in every household. Fighting for snacks and chocolates and everything and sharing.

Well, that's love.

"Yo greedy-pie!"Rihab pulled her cheeks as she sat in between him and Rashiya'a.

"Neither Iam a pie nor Iam greedy." Fiza retorded extending spoon and plate towards him.

"You are! And what's this for?!" Rihab said as he took a caramel flavoured pastry and started savoring it.

"This is called etiquette's,"Fiza said as her father placed a pastry for her in the plate.

"But pastries should be eaten like this,Fiz." He said with his mouthful while his father and Rashiya'a laughed and Fiza made a weird face.

___

"Please Ammi, can I go?" Safina asked, hoping her mother would agree.

Fariha glared at her and nodded in negative whilst cooking butter- chicken.

"Please.." Safina begged taking masala's from the cupboard and handed her Ammi.

"Ask your daddy." Fariha said sprinkling chilli powder in the cooker where onions and other ingredients were sauteèd.

"But what about you?" Safina pouted. "I want you to agree, willingly."

"It's not good to send you there, considering they have one elder son, beta."

It had been three days since, Rashiya'a wasn't attending University because of fever and Safina wanted to meet her so badly. She hadn't talked to her about her engagement and Safina was feeling guilty, thinking that she wasn't a good friend to Rashiya'a'.

"But Ammi, He will be not at home and I will be in Rashi's room, you know that?!"

"I know but still."

"I will be back as soon as possible."

"Don't promise anything, you won't be able to do Safi. "

"Aww.. you know me so well." Safina side hugged her.

Fariha glared at her giving a "Iam your mother look!"

"Okay, call your daddy and ask him to come soon."

"Aww, you are the best." Safina squealed and hugged her Ammi from back while Fariha patted her cheek.

"Ah, the aroma." Safina inhaled smelling the delicious aroma of the butter chicken as the whistle went off.

"Come back soon and have dinner," Fariha said, wiping her hands with towel and Safina nodded, padding to her room.

___

"When will you come back to pick me up?" Asked Safina to Adeel.

Osman, safina's father had meeting and Safina was disheartened thinking she wouldn't get to meet her best friend Rashiya'a today. But, fortunately Adeel had come home earlier and was driving Safina to Rashiya'a's home.

"It's almost seven p.m now, I will be back by nine." Adeel replied, concentrating on driving.

"How about nine thirty?" Asked she.

"Half an hour will do no good, Safi" Adeel said in a stern voice.

"You don't know US, bhaiya." Safina beamed unlocking her seat-belt as Adeel pulled the car in front of the gate.

"By the way, are you and her brother, close buddies now?" Safina asked and Adeel nodded in negative.

"Then why were you high- fiving?"

"Because we both have same liking in sports." Adeel said.

"But,."

"Get out of the car, Safi. I will be at home and you can interview me, then." Adeel was angry but he couldn't help smiling at her cuteness.

"Huh, don't come, I 'll stay here." Safina closed the door with a loud thud, faking anger.

And What she didn't know was, her words were to come true in the future in a drastic manner. 

Oh, how I wish, it could have been in beautiful way.

___

"Assalam alaikum aunty." Safina said as soon as she got in after Rafiya opened the polished black wooden door.

"Wa alaikum assalam,  we are meeting after a long time, dear." Rafiya smiled warmly, hugging Safina.

This was the second time, Safina was visiting them.

"Yeah, I missed you!" Safina smiled back.

"Missed me or Rashiya'a?"

"Ofcourse both of you."

"And what about me?"

Safina turned towards the source of voice. Fiza was standing near the door of the drawing room.

"Aww, you too my honey bear." Safina walked towards her and engulfed her in a hug.

"Rashi is in her room?" Safina asked and Rafiya nodded.

"Come.." Safina called Fiza but she denied as she had to study for the chemistry test.

Safina walked up the polished wood floors and a graceful banister that curved up toward a soaring first floor.

"Hoi!!" Safina peeked through the door opening it a little and Rashiya'a' was surprised and shocked to see her.

"Oh my god!" Rashiya'a jumped down from her bed and pulling Safina in, she hugged her tight.

"Ouch, this is gross."Safina said as she stepped away, wiping he cheeks while Rashiya'a laughed.

"That's multani mitthi."

"Go wash it off." Safina said taking off her Abaya and getting comfortable on the bed, resting against the ivory coloured head-board.

"It's not dry yet." Rashiya'a grinned, still not digesting the fact that Safina was in front of her.

"Weren't you suffering from fever?" Safina asked touching her forehead. 

"Hey, that doesn't mean I can't apply anything, I was looking like a zombie." Rashiya'a yawned as she sat beside Safina, resting her head on safina's shoulder.

Rashiya'a smiled to herself thinking about the conversation with her brother about climbing in trees, but she couldn't tell Safina, yet. It was only her assumption and she hadn't talked about it with Rihab.

"Why is your phone, switched off?" Safina asked, her voice laced with anger because she had been trying to call her for the past two days.

"People were texting me or calling to talk about that incident, even though they knew everything about it."

"Oh yeah, just ignore them Rashi, but what about me? Do you know how many times I called and texted you?"

"Aww.. I'm so sorry." Rashiya'a fake pouted and Safina chuckled. 

"No probs and wash it off now, it's uncomfortable when it gets dry and you won't be able talk with that."

"Okay babes." Rashiya'a sauntered to washroom with lazy steps.

____

"I still can't believe, you're here." Rashiya'a beamed as they sat chatting after talking about Rashiya'a's engagement break-up while Safina used all the bad words for that guy.

"Me too, Ammi agreed only when I said your brother won't be at home."

"Bhaiya is home, Safi." Rashiya'a said in a serious tone.

"What, why?" Safina started panicking as she stood up. "I have to go, I have to go.."

"You are so funny." Rashiya'a was in laughing hysterics. "Relax Safi, he is not home yet."

"You're so evil." Safina threw a pillow at Rashiya'a.

"Cool." Rashiya'a was still laughing and started coughing.

Safina patted her back and went down to get water as Rashiya'a cough wasn't stopping.

While she climbed back up with a jug of water and glass, she heard someone calling.

"Hey Rashi.."

"Rashi.. oh no.. he is home."

Safina mumbled to herself and literally ran all the way up while Rihab was calling for Rashiya'a.

___

"Did you ran a marathon?" Rashiya'a asked after Safina handed her a glass of water.

"Erm... your brother..  erm." Safina turned all scarlet, for some unknown reason.

"What?"  Rashiya'a asked taking a gulp of water after saying bismillah.

And before Safina could reply, there was a knock on the door.

___

Assalam alaikum Amigo's.

How are y'all :)? 

About the cover above, thats my new upcoming book,
which  I have been thinking for months.
YAY, am excited!!

How's it? How's the title? 

Ok back to Chappy.

How's it?  Enjoyed reading it?  I hope you all liked Rihab's family.

What do you think is gonna happen?

Who is at the door?

And let's make a ship name for Safina and Rihab.

Comment here, 

Safina+Rihab =?

Or

Rihab+Safina =?