EPILOGUE | ALIZA | POV

"Isa hurry up and find Zainab's shoe so we can leave!" I shouted to my husband while getting six year old Shoaib ready for Asif's wedding. It was finally that time where one of my younger brother was getting married but by the commotion happening in the house I doubt we were going to be seeing anything.

Shoaib was now done and happily sitting down, watching the rest of his cartoons. I however was panicking for my husband and youngest daughter to hurry and get ready. It's true what they say, 'Like father, like daughter'.

This wasn't a good idea for me to be panicking though so I sat down and tried calming myself while placing my hand on the growing baby bump that seemed more noticeable in my abaya today. I was almost two months pregnant and no one apart from Isa knew about it, but I was pretty sure both our moms were going to be noticing something different about me today.

"Okay we're here!" And down came Isa holding quiet little Zainab in her arms which caused Shoaib to jump up from the couch and stand by his little sister.

"You two really need to get ready quicker." I said while rolling my eyes and getting off the couch. Isa didn't say anything and just stuck his tongue out which made both children burst out laughing at their embarrassed mother.

Once they were all done laughing we began piling out of the house and towards the car. It was a beautiful day and it reminded me on the day of our wedding and how much of a lost cause I was back then when Isa asked for my hand in marriage. Then again we've been going strong for six years now - almost seven, with two beautiful children and Insha'Allah a third one on its way.

“Shoaib get in the car and put your seatbelt on while your dad puts your little sister inside.” I told the little boy who was now in the car following my instructions and putting his belt securely around himself.

Smiling at how he actually listened to my instructions, I got in the car myself and waitind for Isa to put Zainab in her cat seat and start the car so that we were ready to leave for my brothers wedding. While listening to father and daughter at the back struggle with the seatbelt – being the mother I turned round and gave Zainab a stern look so that she would listen to her father.

It worked and soon enough Isa was in the drivers seat giving me a grateful smile and starting up the car. Just as the car roared to life, so did the radio and along with that, the childrens laughter and cheering. Both brother and sister had their share of love for listening to songs but we tried to lessen it as they became older; too much music wasn’t good for them.

Even though I wanted to switch the radio off, the man next to me gave me a look which was favouring both his kids and letting them listen to the song that was playing. Most of the time I would have ignored that look and turned it off anyway but since today was a special day, I left it on for their sake. Also knowing that Isa wanted to listen to this song as well.

The car ride over to the gardens where the wedding was didn’t take long at all and the beautiful flowers started to take over our view of the guests. It was truly a great venue to be having a wedding at and I’m glad I helped pick it out.

“Come on, let’s get them out of the car.” I gave Isa a nod and made my way to the back where the kids were sitting and got out Shoaib while Isa took care of Zainab who had already fallen asleep in the car.

Shoaib began playing with my fingers as we waited for his dad to get a hold of Zainab so that we could walk to where the rest of the guests and family members were. My hand was enveloped in his and it got me thinking just how fast my little boy was growing – it seemed to be going a lot faster than I though. Zainab was more of a daddy’s girl while Shoaib was more of the opposite.

There were ‘Salaam’s’ being exchanged by everyone as soon as we stood foot inside the venue and it felt good to be seeing everyone here considering this pregnancy seemed to be the worst as the morning sickness kept me sick all day long. I felt my hand being tugged towards something and looking down I saw Shoaib wanting to pull me somewhere and looking up, I saw mom and dad shaking hands with a few guests.

Both kids were really fond of their grand parents so telling Isa to follow me, we made our way to our parents and waited for them to finish before greeting them. Mom made eye contact with us but was busy with a guest and the best she could do right now was smile, and we both returned the gesture.

“Everything looks beautiful, don’t you think?” I asked and he smiled back.

“Mommy why can’t we meet grandma and grandpa?” Asked Shoaib a little unpatient which made me laugh and bend down to his level and ruffle his hair.

“They’re busy right now, but once they’re done we’ll go and give them a hug. Okay?” He looked happy enough with my answer and didn’t question it any further.

Guests were all over the place smiling and laughing and occasionally they came up to us to congratulate us on my brothers wedding. To be honest, I was also waiting for the bride and groom to make their entrance and I hope it would be sometime soon.

“Ahh kids, Asalaamalaikum – sorry that took so long, hope you’re all in the best of health Insha’Allah.” Shoaib ran to his grandad letting go of my hand while we greeted each other and asked about the family, espeically Adam since he couldn’t make it today. He was in Jordan with his wife and first born child which made me an aunt and enjoying their holiday there.

“Aliza can I have a word with you?” Ma asked and I silently got out of the seat I was in and followed her to where she wanted to go. I had a feeling this was something about my pregnancy but I couldn’t be sure though.

“Na’am?” I asked worriedly and for a while she looked at me with a smile before starting to clap her hands and a squeal escaping from her mouth.

“My child is pregnant again, isn’t she?” Again the squeal erupted from her mouth as well as a laugh which made me in return laugh along with her clutching both her hands in mine to try and stop her from jumping up and down.

From our table I could hear Isa call me back because the bride and groom were about to walk in, so looking back at ma I nodded and before she could say anything else, I gave her a hug and quickly walked back to our table and sat down. Looking down at my lap, Isa’s hand had made its way on to mine and looking at his face, it had a questiong look.

Leaning closer to him, I whispered to him, “Ma knows I’m pregnant.” He seemed confused at first but looking down at my stomach, he realised just what I was talking about.

Just then all music stopped and walking in came my brother and his future wife with smiles spread across their faces. It was a great sight and right next to me Shoaib began cheering with the rest of the guests as the two special peopl took a seat at the front next to each other.

For a minute there I saw how much my little brother has grown up and matured into this man that took his won decision in wanting to get married to someone we had never even met before or heard him talk about. Asif had met his bride while away at college and it seems that when he went to ask for her hand in marriage, she had liked him too.

“I can’t believe the idiot who helped you in the labour room is finally getting married himself.” Was Isa’s smart comment which resulted in him getting a punch from me and his son. It was Shoaib’s protective side that his father gave to him that if someone said ainything bad about his family member, he would defend them – even if it was his own father.

Rolling my eyes at my husband who was moaning in pain I decided to check on Zainab since she woke up from her amazingly short nap about ten minutes ago. She was happily clapping her hands along with everyone else. It was cute to see how the little three year old who was learning how to form her sentences could be so carefree.

All in all the family that we had made together was something for me to be proud of and I can’t lie to myself when saying that it would have not turned out the way it did today if I had married someone apart from Isa. Turning around to meet his gaze, I realised just how true that was.

***

Salaam, I feel bad for not updating for a long time but even worse that even though I promised a long chapter, this is all I wrote but Insha'Allah you all enjoyed this. Big thank you to everyone who has read this book and gave me positive as well as negative comments - I appreciate them.

Dedicated to my bestie @Join_up_the_dots. P.S Follow me on instagram @Ayy_its_me_though and send me a screenshot of your favourite part of the book and tag me in it!

Have a Good Day and May God Bless You All.