Chapter  26

إِن تُبْدُوا۟ خَيْرًا أَوْ تُخْفُوهُ أَوْ تَعْفُوا۟ عَن سُوٓءٍ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ عَفُوًّا قَدِيرًا

"Whether ye publish a good deed or conceal it or cover evil with pardon, verily Allah doth blot out (sins) and hath power (in the judgment of values).

(Aaya 149, Sura An-Nisaa)

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Two months had passed by in a blur.
He slowly got over the death of his father and even though he still had many regrets, he realised his remorse will not benefit him in any way, so he moved on.

As for Nazrana, well he didn't know if he had a chance with her, he didn't want to take a step ahead and be left dissapointed again. He knew he would live alone and die alone, no one wanted someone worthless like him around them. 

As for him considering the position of the next drug lord, his plans were already in action. He had cleaned out the entire basement of the house, he had gotten rid of all the junk that had been stashed there, he had it repainted and had some partitions built therein, so that he had extra bedrooms, not for guests ofcourse, to meet Davis's requirements.

He had set up a huge, flat screen television and a smokers lounge, alongside a small bar, also a  few secret safes and hiding spots that were well hidden in the most odd places.

This would be the hub of all evil, he would have the drugs hidden in all those secret places. He would hire prostitutes to please the men, and entice them towards his illegal business, he would also have a gang of his own, it was a dream come true for him, if only he knew this dream will lead to his own ruination.

After the basement had been repainted and all the required  furniture as well as hubby bubblys and what not were moved in, he called a few of his close friends who were involved in drugs for the grand opening of the place  he was proud of.

Once their eyes settled on the room, they whistled, impressed with the transformation.

Suhaib along with them was impressed at the outcome in such a short while, but he was not yet aware of the sin that would take place in this godforsaken place.

When he spotted the rooms that were partitioned off, each room with a double bed and a small set of drawers, he gave Talha a confused look.

"Why the rooms though?"

He quirked his brow.

Imraan sniggered.

"Keep up man! What do you think he will have rooms for, to entertain guests!"

They all laughed, while Suhaib shrugged, he didn't know what was so funny.

Imraan smacked his back.

"These are rooms for our entertainment and pleasure. You know what I mean by that?"

Suhain's eyes widened.

They wouldn't stoop so low, would they? They were going to bring immoral women here? He couldn't believe it!

"What!"

He looked at them shocked. 

Talha sneered.

"What did you think then, we were going to get married and move into these rooms! You still don't know me Suhaib, I'm more dangerous than you think I am and if I have to be the next drug lord, the first thing I will do is get rid of you!"

Suhaib stood infront of him, his nose almsot touched Talha's.

He looked straight into his eyes, showing him he had not even an ounce of fear for him.

Suhaib poked his finger at his chest.

"Look here Talha! I'm not scared of you or Davis! I don't give a damn about your useless threats, try it on someone who actually fears you, and no need to worry about getting rid of me, because I am on my way out. I'm sick of you and all this drugs and drinking I've been doing, my life has turned upside down and I've done alot of wrong in this year, but this is where I draw the line, there is no way I am sleeping around with women, neither am I prepared to be in your presence when you all do that."

Saying that he glared at Imraan and Talha who had looks of indifference, as well as Fayaz who had his head lowered in shame.

Suhaib walked out of the house making  a firm resolution never to step foot into that house ever again. Little did he know, one day he would be forced to come back, and that day would be the worst and most dreadful day of his life.

Ruqayya hummed to herself as she stirred the huge  pot of food that had been propped on the firewood in her backyard.

She had a big order for a wedding and her daily  cooking pots were way too small for the amount of food required.

She threw in a few more whole spices along with a cup full of crushed chillies, stirring the pot once again.

Ysuaira kissed her mother, her head lowered in shame as her mother warned her not to create another drama at Zaheer's house and to apologise.

When Yusaira had narrated what had transpired at his house, Ruqayya was not impressed at all.

Even though she was hurt at the way Raaniya ridiculed them, she had sternly reprimanded Yusaira, reminding her that the closest to Nabi صلى  ألله عليه و سلم  on the day of qiyaama will be those who are best in character. She also advised her to seek protection from shaytan,or make wudhu when she was angry, or drink water, sit down if she was standing or lay down when she was sitting.

After two whole months, Yusaira had contacted Zaheer, she wanted to go back and apologise.

She knew that Raaniya disliked her, but by returning the treatment that she displayed, it would only cause more animosity and hatred.

Yusaira vowed to herself that she would try and be a better person.

Perhaps Raaniya was afraid that she was there to snatch Zaheer away, that was why she behaved that way. 

The drive to her fathers house was uncomfortably silent, she wasn't sure if he was angry with her or if he was just deep in thought.

She played with her fingers, feeling awfuly embarrassed at her self.

It was the second time this happened in Zaheer's presence, he would think she was a spoilt brat with a stinking  attitude!

She cleared her throat. 

"Um...I know it's abit too late, but I'm  really sorry that I spoke to your  wife in such  a harsh way. I'm not normally like that, I just get very riled up when it comes to my mother. She was very upset about what I did though."

Zaheer smiled fondly.

"Still the same caring and disciplining Ruqayya. Don't worry about it, she deserved it."

Ruqayya looked at him startled.

Why would he say that? Normally husbands took their wives part, sometimes even if they are in the wrong, now that she thought about it instead of calming or resolving the whole issue, he had added his own insults before they left that day. 

Something was amiss, did her father not like her? Or did he like her initially and now disliked her? She didn't really know and she wished she could ask him, but that was not possible. They had a very formal relationship at the moment and it would take time to build a close relationship. With her father she wasn't so earnest to bridge the gap hastily, perhaps it was very wrong of her, but she still abhorred her father, which would take time to rid.

The setting sun painted the horizon with breathtakingly beautiful colours of a fiery red, burnt orange, lilac, soft pink and a tinge of yellow.  The birds returned to their nestlings, satiated, ready to retire for the day. The streets filled with cars, as the fatigued workers eagerly drove home, most of the shops closed and packed up. The sisters sat on the wrought iron garden chairs, enjoying the cool breeze and the view of the sun set, both sat silently, lost in their musings.

They were unaware of the third person that joined them, until he cleared his throat, loud enough for them to hear.

They both looked up. Taeeba rolled her eyes, while Zahra quirked her eyebrow.

Suhaib lowered his head in shame, his eyes trained on his shoes, he announced the most awaited news.

"I have left my friends, I realised that there's no  use sticking around when I myself am weak in my Faith and I cannot influence them, rather they succeeded in influencing me. I'm so sorry for what I've put you all  through."

Zahra and Taeeba squealed as they pounced on their brother, knocking him off of his feet and onto the floor. Suhaib sighed in content, little did he know, being involved in bad company had its repercussions and  he was yet to experience some pain in the future.

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10 more chapters..