Safe Sanctuary.

۞ ﻣُﻨِﻴﺒِﻴﻦَ ﺇِﻟَﻴْﻪِ ﻭَٱﺗَّﻘُﻮﻩُ ﻭَﺃَﻗِﻴﻤُﻮا۟ ٱﻟﺼَّﻠَﻮٰﺓَ ﻭَﻻَ ﺗَﻜُﻮﻧُﻮا۟ ﻣِﻦَ
ٱﻟْﻤُﺸْﺮِﻛِﻴﻦ

"Turn ye back in repentance to Him, and fear Him: establish regular prayers, and be not ye among those who join gods with Allah,-"

(Aaya 31 , Surah Rum)

💫 My Safe Sanctuary 💫

My walls of defence have been built up high, in the safety of my sweet sanctuary I abide,
Safe from the desolate world, from its tempestuous storms and inevitable tide.

My once deranged life, my once audacious heart, my once bleak soul,
Now unravel into a blooming array of beautiful paintings, once again I feel whole.

My once sensitive soul was attenuated, painfuly in my chest it would rampage and throb,
The pain would accrue, gradually breaking out into a full blown sob.

I would feel objected, rejected, misjudged and unprotected,
People would advocate that I be ignored, not realising how badly I was affected.

All thanks to My Lord, that I have now attained guidance, I revel in the safety of my sweet sanctuary,
Away from judgemental eyes, far from acerbic people, from heart break I am free.

In the embrace of my sanctuary I dwell, at peace of mind and heart, swimming with ease,
I have made a firm resolution to tame my heart, to put my heart at peace.

My walls of defence have been held up high, in this sweet sanctuary of mine I abide,
Safe from the desolate world , it's tempestuous storm, and inevitable tide.

(💙Jawhariy💙)

She walked on the side walk, a spring in her step, a wide smile on her pink lips, a sparkle in her eyes, a heart that was now at peace, her mind at ease. She was adorned in a floor legnth, pleated, fusha skirt, topped off with a denim jacket, a scarf maching her skirt, wrapped securely on her head, she held her favourite cherry slush in her hand and walked joyfully, like she had no sorrow in the world.

Safwa was over her heartbreak and sorrow, she aspired to become a better Muslimah, she once dwelled in the world of her dreams, but now she would make her dreams a reality. She was happy, she was content, she was perfectly, completely and utterly whole and complete with no haraam relationships in her life. Whilst pondering on her former state, she came to realise that all it was, was infatuation, there was no such a thing as love before marriage, how could you love a person you barely knew ? How could you love a person you never lived with? How could you love a person, if all you see is the facade of their personality. Only by living with a person, will you know their true self, that's why most marriages work out more than haraam relationships. In haraam relationships, all that is displayed is a person's good character, eventually if they do get married, once their faults as well as mistakes become apparent, it's difficult for them to deal with each other, as they had become so immune to only the good side's of one another.

Marriage is so beautiful, you start of as complete strangers, it's scary but exciting as well, gradually you discover the likes and dislikes of each other, you become immune to both the good and bad side of each other , making it easier for you to deal with it in your own way, you become best friends, better halfs and then inseparable soul mates, and the best part is that it's all within the confines of shariah, it's all halaal.

"Hey little sister, you looking very happy today . What's the reason for that smile on your face ?"
Shaakir wiggled his brows and slung his arm around her shoulder.

" Can a girl just not be happy for no reason?"

"Aah, you see my beloved sister , normal humans always have a reason behind their emotions, you have to be happy due to some reason."

Safwa stuck out her tongue.
" Well the two of us are invited to a wedding today "

Shaakir shot her a confused look.
"Who's getting married ?"

" Khaleel "
Safwa said it so casually, like she was talking about a random person, she didn't even feel a pang in her heart when she said his name, she mentally patted herself.

"What ?"
Shaakir looked at her dumbfounded, she was happy he was getting married! Wow his little sister had changed drastically, this would make it so much easier for him to proceed further with something he was dreading to present to her but, that could wait for a few more days . .

"The Nikaah was yesterday , tonight is the Walima. Free yourself please , we have a wedding to attend "
She smiled, a genuine smile, then walked away, leaving Shaakir gawking at her. How the heck was she so calm about this !

After performing Maghrib Salaah, Safwa stood infront of her cupboard , doing the most difficult task for a girl , choosing an outfit ! A few outfits were strewn on her bed , her scarves scattered on the study table, her converse takkies gathered on the floor, yes she was wearing converse with a dress, not wearing converse sneakers would be so unlike Safwa, and so not cool.

She scanned all the outfits , then plopped down on her bed frustrated.
"Ugh....why is it so hard to decide , when there's like hundreds of outfits here?"

"Having trouble choosing little sister?" Her sister Sameeha walked in, giving her an amused look. Safwa was laying on the bed, her head hanging off the bed, outfits strewn all around her.

Safwa giggled, " You look funny upside down"

Sameeha rolled her eyes, " Your childishness hasn't changed one bit , Allah help your future husband".

Safwa stuck her tongue out.
" Please help me Sami....I don't know what to wear!"

Sameeha scanned the outfits, she then pulled out a royal blue dress, which was embellished with gold embroidery, paired it with a matching scarf and added a head chain, to accecesrize it a bit.
" Now shoo go change"

"Thank youu "
Safwa gave her sister a sloppy kiss, then sprinted to the bathroom before her sister killed her.

"Ewww Safwaaa ! "
Sameeha wiped her cheek , then laughed at her little sister.

"Masha Allah you look gorgeous ! Your future husband will love it , when he sees you "

" Why thank you "
Safwa did a courtsey , then scrunched her nose.

"No future husbands, please ! This princess is happy to die alone ! "

"Psssht "
Sameeha rolled her eyes.
" yeah right !"

Safwa grabbed her black Converse , slipping them on, she tied the laces .
Sameeha thwacked her head.
" you cannot wear those shoes with a dress ! " she looked horrified.

" you can ! "

" no you cannot ! "

" You can!"

They heard a soft knock on the door,
" Umm sorry to interupt your banter , Sameeha your husband is looking for you"
Khair called from outside.

" Duty calls, remove those shoes now ! " she narrowed her eyes at Safwa, Safwa gave her a sweet smile in return.

Safwa tied her scarf, leaving her shoes on, there was no way she was going to wear those eiffel towers that Sameeha took out, she didn't want to die yet, she walked out of the room, grabbing her phone on the way out, then headed out of the room. She shut the door behind her and jumped, a small squeal escaped, when she saw Khair leaning against the wall, beside her door.

" oh my gosh !"
She held her heart.

" uh Assalmualaykum, sorry for scaring you, Shaakir said to inform you that he got caught up in some work, so he might be half an hour late"
Khair spoke to Safwa but, his gaze remained fixed on the ground.

" Um, okay JazakAllah. Please let him know I will be at the beach"

He nodded, then left without another word. He was so shy and she admired the way he spoke to her, he never made eye contact, and he didn't gawk at her like other guys did, he didn't make her uncomfortable. She shook away her thoughts, then ambled towards the beach, enjoying the fresh air, the smell of the salty sea, as she drew nearer and nearer.

She would never get tired of the ocean, it was her safe haven, her escape, her alone time, it calmed and soothed her. The tall palm trees like a fort protecting her, the star studded sky, the brightly lit moon, the soft granules of sand, carpeted beneath her, the calm ocean water, the foam of the waves twinkled in the dark, adorning the carpet of sand, with a mesmerising glow, it took her breath away, and transfered her to another realm.

She sat on the sand for only half an hour but, it seemed like ages, she sat without any disturbances, besides the lapping waves and the breezy ocean wind, that whispered in her ears, she heard nothing........and then she thought she heard someone clearing their throat, or she just imagined it.

"Ahem", she heard it again. She titled her head to the side and saw Khair, dressed in a white thobe, his hands in his coat pockets, his eyes on the soft sand beneath him.

Was he coming with?

"Your brother is in the car , he's calling you" , he informed her and then walked away.

Why the heck was her brother making Khair his personal slave !
Couldn't he just come and call her himself, or phone her ?

She dusted off the granules of sand , quickly walking towards her brothers car. She was about to jump into the passenger seat when Khair stopped her. "Don't sit here , Khair is coming with , he just went to get his phone"

She rose her brows, " Why is he coming with ?"

"Well ,the invitation said four are invited, dad definitely doesn't want to come, mum won't go without him, Sameeha is not very well. So I decided that I will take Khair along, I can't leave the guy alone".

Safwa rolled her eyes , then smirked.
"I know why you all buddy , buddy with him "

Shaakir gave her a shocked look.
" What ! Why ?"

"You trying to impress him, because you want to marry his pretty sister ....what's her name, oh yes Khadija ! You saw her only once over Skype, also that by mistake and you in love"Safwa wiggled her brows.

Shaakir broke into a fit of laughter, hitting the steering wheel, whilst laughing.
"That girl is your age , I don't want to marry someone who still plays with dolls !"
He laughed at his own lame joke.

" I do not play with dolls ! " Safwa gave him a withering look.

Shaakir gave her a pointed look.
" okay fine, if you call entertaining Amaani with her toys, 'playing with dolls ', then yeah I do "play" with them". She stuck out her tongue at him.

Khair walked down the stairs , pocekting his phone, and slinging his coat over his arm, he fastened his watch , put on his coat, then sat upon the passenger.

"Take a picture it lasts longer !"
Shaakir turned around and smirked at Safwa. Safwa's cheeks tinted a shade of red, she quickly looked away, she didn't realise she was watching his every move. Khair awkwardly cleared his throat and bit his cheeks , trying to hold back his laugh that was threatening to escape.

* * *

The men walked into the men's section , and Safwa made her way into the ladies section , her cheeks still flaming , painted with a pretty blush. Thank god, Shaakir couldn't see her blushing, she was so glad it was night , and the car was dark. She stood awkwardly , not knowing where to sit , she scanned the hall , looking for Jauhaara but, she couldn't see her any where. After a while of standing in the middle of the hall , feeling like an idiot , she saw Jauhaara and another girl , beside her, walking towards her. Jawhy was dressed in a dress that had a gold skirt , and dark brown top, and the girl beside her wore the same dress , in a different colour, both of them had scarves wrapped around their heads. Jauhy smiled and embraced Safwa into a bone crushing hug.

"It's been so long ! ", Jauhy mumbled still, holding her tight.

"Yes, can't breathe woman ! "

Jauhy pulled away, then eyed Safwa from top to bottom . " Well , you are looking exceptionally beautiful today. I think you even outshined the bride!" Jauhy winked. Safwa laughed at her crazy friend, even though she was married and had a little one year old daughter as well, she hadn't changed.
" Ooh this is my cousin Ayesha ! " she gestured to the girl beside her, who smiled politely. "You two will get on just fine , you both have a lot in common ". Safwa nodded and smiled back at the girl.

Leyya, Jauhaara's little sister, rushed towards Ayesha. " This Khaleel , he has to put on the ring for the bride , and he doesn't know where he left it ! He said he thinks , he dropped it in the car. Please go check !" She handed Ayesha the car keys. Ayesha immediately took it, lifted her dress, revealing her black converse and dashed out of the hall , gaining dissaproving looks , from the old women.

Safwa laughed . " yes we shall definitely get along. "

Jauhy linked her arm with Safwa's and dragged her to the stage.
"Let's watch my dear cousin Khaleel make a fool out of himself , when it's time to put on the ring. Jauhy slipped on her abaya and knotted her niqaab, they then walked over to the front , and there he sat dressed in a black suit, his wife beside him with a pretty smile, wore a simple, yet elegant creme coloured gown.

Khaleel looked up, panic clear on his face, his gaze met Safwa's and he flashed her a small smile, he didn't expect her to come. Safwa didn't return his smile, she just looked away. He was now married, she didn't feel it appropriate, neither necessary to smile back, instead she smiled widely at the bride , then walked towards the stage, gave her a side hug , congratulated her and wished her a happy married life, leaving Khaleel dumbfounded. He was wrong to think she would cry over him, he was her past and the past remained in the past.

"Hey you such an irresponsible mother, Juwayriyyah is looking all over for you !" Ayesha carried a little girl who had streams of tears , stained on her chubby cheeks, she handed her over to Jauhy, and smacked her head.
She wore a pink dress, a pink band propped prettily on her head.

"Aww my baby, I'm so sorry !" Jauhy kissed her cheeks and gently wiped away her tears. She handed her over to Safwa. "See my Juwi , this is aunty Safwa. Safwa scrunched her nose ,
" You make me sound so old ! "

Safwa spent the night , cooing at the adorable little girl, she was so engrossed in the little baby , she even lost track of time.

"Hey Safwa , Riyaadh said that Shaakir is calling you "

Safwa grabbed her phone.

Shaakir
7 missed calls .

" shoot shoot ! " Safwa jumped up , kissed little Juwayriyyah, hugged Jauhy, waved at Ayesha, who was at the end of the hall, she immitated Ayesha's earlier sprint, lifting her dress and dashing out the hall.
When she reached the car, she halted holding the handle, trying to catch her breath.

"It took you a while ! " Shaakir unlocked the car, then jumped in, Khair and Safwa folowed him.

They drove in comfortable silence , until Shaakir spoke up.
" So Khair , Safwa , doesn't attending a wedding make you feel like getting married?"

Khair chuckled and Safwa gave him a weird look.

" Well yeah I think it does but, I have to find my queen first , how about you Shaakir , you also single so how do you feel?" Khair questioned.

" Finding your queen will be a walk on the beach , it will be a breeze !" Shaakir insinuated . Khair cleared his throat awkwardly, Safwa on the other hand seemed unfazed , she had no clue what her brother meant.

Shaakir noticed this and groaned loudly. " Some people are so , very , extremely slow , when it comes to picking up hints that are directed to them!"

"Huh !" Safwa gave him a confused look.

"Did you understand anything I just said ?" Shaakir looked frustrated.

Safwa remained silent , she had no idea what was going on with her brother , why was he so annoyed with her , when she did nothing.

They parked the car in the drive way but, none of them jumped out. Khair held his breath, whilSt Safwa was still oblivious, being kept in the dark.

"Dammit ! " Shaakir hit the steering wheel with his fist.
" Khair wants to propose to you !" He shouted.

Khair gave him a disappointed look , why was he shouting her.
Safwa's eyes widened in shock, she sat still at a loss for words , finally when what Shaakir said, registered , she gave Shaakir a pained look.

"I cannot let anyone in ", she whispered.

"But you have to try Safwa." Shaakir's voice was now calm.

"I'm afraid......so afraid , to have my fragile heart , broken once again...." saying that, she jumped off the car , ran up the stairs , salty tears gushing down her rosy cheeks.

* * *

Assalmualaykum lovely people !

I would so lurve to know your thoughts on this chapter !

Hope you all enjoyed this chapter ....

Oh yes ....we need a ship name for Safwa and Khair, please suggest some .....

Oceans of Love 🌊🌊

Jawhariy 💎