The blaring of my alarm clock together with a crow cawing on my window sill woke me up from my dreamless slumber. I yawned and sleepily stopped the alarm turning around and covering myself with the duvet again when something hit me.

The birds were chirping meaning the morning had begun!! Meaning I didn't wake up for fajr today. In an instant I sprang up from the bed and looked over at the time. Sure enough it was five minutes past fajr time. I hastily came out of the comforts of the duvet and went to the bathroom to make ablution. This had rarely happened that I would sleep all throughout the tahajjud AND fajr. And even mama or anyone else didnt wake me up! Surely whole house didn't sleep the fajr today or did they?!

I came out of the washroom wondering that and went to wake mama up. No one had woken up in our home for fajr Salah today which surely was rare and disturbing. After twenty minutes of sunrise I offered the qaza fajr prayer and after I was done I raised my hands and the tears just flowed down my face. Something wouldn't be right today I had a feeling and I prayed for kheir and safety of everyone around me.

Seeing me Mama thought I'm sad over not waking up for prayer so she consoled me. Although it was partly true that I was sad and astonished for not waking up for it but there was this nagging feeling inside my heart that something wasn't gonna be right today but I didn't tell Mama this and made her worried.

The day started as usual with me helping Mama with chores and talking here and there. It was well half past mid day when I got Bilquis’ call telling me our results are due today by 5 pm according to the news. And there started my long nawafil for result. Although I was offering daily two rakat for my results as they were really important for me and my future.

Afternoon was a blur of anxiety and mama telling me to eat something and me denying. Finally mama gave up and let me be. By four Bilquis and Hamna came at our place too because as they say and I quote to see the results together and give each other support too. I shook my head and let them inside secretly happy with their presence.

Hamna was the first one to search for her result being the confident one. I was more nervous than her continuesly reading whatever was coming in my mind. There was a shriek followed by someone jumping on me and Hamna engulfed me and Bilquis in a bear hug. Alhamdulillah her result was better than she had expected and was now jumping up and down here and there.

Bilquis dared next and her reaction was almost similar to Hamna's as hers was slight less than her expectations but still it was good enough.

My hands started perspiring when they both looked over at me expectantly and I put my roll number in the search bar. The time it took to open the page felt like ages when in actual it must have taken few seconds but what came on the screen left me speechless.

Hamna shook my shoulder and moved me aside to confirm my result. But three times confirming and reconfirming still brought the same result.

I had barely passed with a B grade and there was absolutely no chance of me getting admission in a uni on merit now!

The dreading feeling in my stomach returned back with full force and I became speechless. Surely there was some mistake. I had always been a good student and I had worked hard this year. The dreams of me perusing engineering with my friends came down crashing on me.

Someone engulfed me in a hug and smelling mama my tears started flowing down. I couldn't believe it. This couldn't happen! But it had!

After maghrib both Hamna and Bilquis left too after doing all they can to cheer me up but my gloomy mood wouldn't leave me.

After dinner when everyone went in their rooms I came in mine and stared blankly at the wall. Knocking on my door brought me back from my gloomy thoughts and Marium peeked inside to inform me that baba is calling me in his room. Feeling like I failed him too I sat up and went to his room.

"Baba you called?" I peeked inside after knocking.

"Yeah sweetheart. Come in." He replied lovingly and I entered sitting beside him. He put his arm over my shoulders and brought me close to him.

"So let's not beat around the bush. I heard your results came today! Is that right?" I silently nodded.

"And you didn't get your expected result! That's right too yeah?" He asked again and I nodded. My eyes filling with tears again.

"Now my daughter tell me do you not have any other choice anymore?? Can't you get admission in any other field beside the one you wanted?? Is it that bad?"

"I can yeah. Just not where I wanted and yeah it is bad but not that bad." I replied wondering where he's getting with this.

"So here you go my dear! Remember always sometimes in our life many things happen contrary to what we have wished and prayed for but that doesn't necessarily mean that they are bad. It just proves that our knowledge is very little about our future while the  Lord of dunya and akhirah has planned something greater for us which we don't know now. Maybe choosing something else right now instead of your desired field is better for you." He said.

"Who knows! Maybe even marrying you off right now is better for you!" He finished mischievously patting my head. He tried looking all serious when I jerked my head off his shoulder and looked at him with wide eyes trying to see if he's serious with this. But he couldn't hide his amusement any longer and a full belly laugh burst out of his lips. I huffed and put my head back on his shoulder.

"Now be a good girl and eat your dinner properly. I heard you've been mourning over it whole day and didn't eat lunch too. This is denying the nimah too my dear. Don't you know what's happening in Syria, Kashmir, Burma and all those areas. Girls your age have far worse fears than a mere low percentage result and not getting admission. You are blessed and you'll be asked about all your blessings." I nodded speechless. This was a reminder I needed right now.

"When you are done make sure to call your friends too and go meet your teachers tomorrow. In shaa Allah they'll guide you better with your future choices." He said from behind when I stood up and I turned back and hugged him.

"Thank-you baba you are the best!" I happily declared but then rolled my eyes when he proudly said

"Oh yes that I am!"

Coming out of their room I went in the kitchen to eat something first as my stomach was protesting. Mama who was preparing hers n baba's green tea smiled looking at me and pecked my forehead then went to their room.

After eating I thought of calling Hamna only and going to Bilquis' place the next day as it was late. After I was done with everything. I came back to my bed making plans for the next day and soon enough exhaustion took over and the sweet slumber claimed me making me oblivious to the human world around me.

Assalam u alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuhu. Finally I am able to pen this chapter down and publish it. It is unedited as usual n in shaa Allah I'll try going back n editing it later meanwhile do tell me if you find any mistake in shaa Allah. This chapter had literally been playing in my head this past week and I never got enough time or energy to pen it down. College had been really hectic and my schedule is packed so I'm sorry sweethearts I dunno when can I publish the next chapters. Hopefully weekends!
In shaa Allah!

Take care! ❤❤