Chapter  27

A New Project

وَسَارِعُوٓا۟ إِلَىٰ مَغْفِرَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَجَنَّةٍ عَرْضُهَا ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتُ وَٱلْأَرْضُ أُعِدَّتْ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ

"Be quick in the race for forgiveness from your Lord, and for a Garden whose width is that (of the whole) of the heavens and of the earth, prepared for the righteous,

(Aaya 133, Surah Aali Imraan)

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*4 months later*

The foundation of the building was being built, builders skilfully placed bricks one on top of another, slathering the cement where it was needed, while others  brought in a truck load of other materials that were required.

Yusaira and Zaheer observed them as they worked.

She couldn't believe how quickly her dream was becoming a reality, firstly by the help of Allah SWT and secondly by Zaheer's help.

Her mothers story as well stories of other lonesome widows and divorcees, as well as old people who were unfortunately  abandoned by their family, had inspired her to open an old age and welfare home for Muslim men and women.

Surely it is the duty of every family member to take care and see to the needs of any family member that requires assistance physically as well as financially, yet sadly there are some people who do not fulfill their responsibilities and abandon their family when they need them the most.

The least she could do was take in those people and show them some love and care.

She had once mentioned her intentions to her father and within weeks her father had made her dream  a reality.

Even though she had insisted she didn't want to use his money, he persisted, saying that this was the least he could do for her and she finally agreed.

Raaniya and Yusaira did not have the best of relationships, but over the months she realised that Yusaira was not there to get her parents back together. She was merely there to rekindle the burnt out relationship with her father, so she began behaving in an amicable manner.

Yusaira did have an intention of bringing her parents together, as their undying love for one another and the way they stole glances when Zaheer picked her up, did not go unnoticed by her, but Raaniya was unaware of that and Yusaira preferred that it stayed that way. She hadn't approached her father as yet, but now that they were slowly opening up to one another, she had a feeling he would confide in her soon.

After  a long day, the father and daughter headed home for an early supper.

Raaniya was not such  a bad cook, Ysuaira enjoyed her food and when she was around for a longer period of time, she would even help her to cook.

Raaniya didn't mind, she was getting used to having her around and Yusaira was quite helpful with the kids as well, which gave her a much needed break sometimes.

Once they had finished their meal and cleaned up, Zaheer had informed Yusaira that Ruqayya would be arriving and they would all go to visit the neighbour.

Yusaira found the news ratehr odd, but simply nodded, not questioning him further.

Her mother had never visited the neighbour before.

Once her mother had arrived, the three of them went to visit the Ahmed family, their father had been doing better lately and she had even met him a few times. She enjoyed his company, he had been overjoyed when he met her, he treated her like his own and laughed and joked with her as he did with his own daughters.

Once they returned home, Ruqayya made them both steaming cups of tea, both sat in silence, sipping on their tea as they were each lost in their respective thoughts.

Ruqayya cleared her throat, something she did when she wanted to discuss an important matter.

Yusaira curled her hand around her warm cup. She gdiverted her attention to her mother who was looking at her with a serious look.

"You haven't asked why I went to the Ahmed house?"

Yusaira shrugged.

"I was going to , but it slipped my mind.  Why did Mummy go there?"

Ruqayya smiled.

"Zainab had requested that I come and meet her, it's the first time I met her, but there was a purpose for this meeting and I already had a feeling I knew the reason behind it."

Yusaira  quirked her brow.

"And what is the reason?"

Ruqayya paused for a while, she then gave her daughter  a teasing glance.

"Well my dear, Luqmaan and Zainab seem to be very fond of you, now that you visit them often. Zainab likes you, but Luqmaan has a greater like for you and he had informed your father that he woukd like to come and propose for you, he wants you to marry their son Suhaib."

Yusaira gasped.

"What! I was not expecting that!"

Ruqayya laughed. 

"Well my dear expect it, you are already  a marriagable age and this was bound to happen."

She nodded.

"Yes, but I would never think they would want me as a daughter in law!"

"Hmm, but they are quite adiment on coming to propose, so I told them I will speak to you and if you don't object they can come next weekend and let you and Suhaib meet and speak to one another."

Ysuaira shook her head.

"Don't you think it's too soon, mum..?"

"It's not too soon, you are going to be twenty soon, it's the perfect age."

Yusaira nodded.

"If you and Daddy are okay with it, they can come, but for further guidance I will make istikhara after they see me."

"Yes in Sha Allah I will inform them."

The house phone rang multiple times until Taeeba finally answered the call, realising it was Aunty Ruqayya and she probably phoned to inform them whether Yusaira agreed for them to come and see her or not.

She excused herself, then ran to the kitchen to inform her mother.

Her mother was packing away the last of the dishes when she entered the kitchen, breathless she informed her mother that Ruqayya had called.

Zainab hastily walked towards the house phone, hoping that Yusaira agreed.

She had already spoken to Suhaib and even though he was abit young for marriage, he had agreed, even he thought marriage would be a good thing for him. It was a good way for him to stop all communication with Ameera and much to her dismay, that is what he did.

Once Zainab finished, she rushed to the room, calling everyone to their room.

She had shared the good news, to which Luqmaan had smiled broadly and the siblings began teasing Suhaib, whose ears had tinged in embarrassment.

He hadn't even met or seen the girl as yet, even though she was at his house often. He noticed she only came to visit when he was not at home or when she was informed that he was asleep. He had a faint idea of what kind of a person she was, from the way his sisters spoke about her, but the fact that she avoided being around when he was present is what tugged him more towards this mysterious girl who had won over his entire family's hearts in such a short span of time.

Muaz held his heart dramatically.

"

Aah big brother you have caused me great pain!"

Suhaib quirked his brow.

"And why do you say so?"

"You are going to propose for the girl of my dreams. We have become so close these last few months and I was planning to ask for her hand in marriage soon!"

The family laughed at his antics, he was always entertaining them.

Suhaib tutted. 

"Aw shame too bad, I'm not sorry though. Why were you crushing on my soon to be finance?"

Taeeba oohed, while the rest of them laughed.

Muas folded his arms on his chest.

"How do you know she is going to be your finance?"

Suhaib smirked.

"Because I have a good feeling about this. "

" I will tell her how messy your room is and how you don't like to brush before you sleep and how much you eat and a whole list of embarrassing things!"

Muaz threatened.

"Oh really?"

"Yes! Then she will definitely choose me."

Suhaib scoffed. 

"She wants a man as a husband not a small boy."

"I am a man alright!"

Muaz scowled, offended. 

"Really? Where's the arm pit hair and the moustache then?"

"Ewww gross Suhaib!"

Taeeba interjected, scrunching her nose. 

"Let me show you!"

Muaz said, intending to take off his
t-shirt.

"No please!"

Taeeba yelled, running out of the room.

Suhail laughed, following her out.

Tasneem jumped on the bed, settling  between her parents, not wanting to go just yet.

Zainab kissed the eight year olds head. 

Sometimes she felt like she didn't give her little girl enough attention, now that she had aged, she didn't have that same time and strength to be the way she was with the other kids, even though she was the youngest and the most spoilt, she still felt like she lacked attention sometimes.

Luqmaan smiled at his son.

"Do inform Zahra, or else she will be upset that we didn't tell her anything."

Suhaib chuckled.

"Yeah she's a firecracker that one."

Luqmaan's eyes softened.

"I'm proud of you son, when you went astray for that one year, I was so afraid that I would never get you back, but  all thanks to Almighty Allah, He guided you to the straight path once again."

Suhaib's chest constricted with guilt, he wasn't yet completely himself, he still took drugs, not as much as he used to, nevertheless he was still addicted to it. It wasn't as easy it seemed, to be steadfast, sadly it was easier to stray than to stay on the right path, because evil would always be more enticing. He had to keep reminding himself that if he persued his impermissible wishes, he would be doomed forever.

When he left his so called friends he was knee deep in debt, due to all the drugs. He had found a part time job and slowly began paying for it, he knew if he didn't pay, he would be in danger. Davis and his crew were people you would not want to mess with, they wouldn't hesitate to harm or kill you for their money. Now he had half of the debt left, but if he kept on taking drugs, the amount would only increase. If only it was so easy to let go of this bad addiction.

After greeting his parents, he walked to his room, the guilt weighing down on his conscience.

He may be a married man in a few weeks or months, and he wanted to start of his relationship with honesty. He wouldn't tell Ysuaira every thing in detail, he would never have the courage to do that, but he would definitely make it clear that he had a dark past, and he was still overcoming some of his demons.

She deserves to know the truth and she also has the right to refuse, it was only fair. As far as he knew, she was a decent and  respectable girl from a good and religious family, it wouldn't be right if he kept his past a secret and married her, that would be deception and Nabi صلى  ألله عليه و سلم  said whoever deceives is not from amongst us.

Loud music bounced off the basement walls, the pungent smell  of smoke and an assortment of drugs assaulted his nose when he entered. Skimpy dressed women were splayed on the couches, available for their needs.

Davis looked around, impressed by the set up, it would be a good hangout for him.

He was considering Talha to be one of the next drug lords, but it was a tough choice, he didn't know who to choose. He was here for a different purpose though, he was not here to amdire the basement nor tell Talha that, he was here to discuss more important matters.

He walked over to the couch, sitting down as everyone settled into a tense silence.

His silver gold chain and gold rings glinted beneath the lights, his bulky body, stern expression and cold demeanour  intimidated all those under him.

Davis only visited one of them if it was for something important.

Talha sat opposite him, nervously gulping. Had he already decided who the next drug lord would be?

Davis looked straight at Talha. He wasn't one to beat around the bush, he always got straight to the point.

"I am not pleased about Suhaib leaving, now that he is not part of us, there is a great possibility that the authorities will get to know about us."

Talha spoke confidently.

"That's taken care of sir."

Davis quirked his brow.

"And how is that taken care of?"

Talha smirked.

"Simple, I threatened  to hurt his family if he leaked anything about us. I know the guy, unlike us, his family is his life, and he's very overprotective of his sisters."

Davis rubbed his clean shaven jaw.

"Aha, I see. So if he ever delays his payments or stops his payments altogether, I know who is his greatest weakness."

Smith, one of Davis's guards who had been watching Suhaib's every move, stepped forward.

"Sir, the latest news regarding Suhaib is that he plans on getting married. If he ever goes against us, we have his wife to threaten him with. "

Davis smiled deviuosly.

"Well done Smith."

Davis stood up, ready to depart.

He had changed his mind, maybe he should announce the next drug lord. He was old now and he needed to retire. Soon he would die and his beloved business would have to go on. He had no family who were willing to inherit, so he would have to hand it over to his most faithful and hard working guys and he now knew who that was.

He looked around, eyeing each and every person that had been greedy for power, his gaze flickered from Talha to Smith, his two most faithful men.

He turned his attention to the rest, making his final decision.

"The next drug lord has been decided, as soon as I retire, he will take over."

He paused as each one held their breath.

"The next drug lord will be...
Smith Collins."

Smith smield widely while the rest eyed him with animosity. 

Davis observed Talha's fallen expression.

He obviously had a reason for not choosing him and he voiced his reason alright.

"Talha was in my mind as well, but after Suhaib turned back to his old ways I fear the same will happen to Talha. I have heard that they are told that God forgives them no matter how much they sin, so this gives many of them hope. I fear Suhaib will be back, but stronger and better than before, I have a feeling he will turn all of these Mozlims back to their old selves and I don't want my hard earned wealth and my prospering businesses to go down the drain when that happens."

His thoughts struck  a cord in Talha's heart.

Would Allah SWT really forgive him for the countless sins he had committed?
His sins were numerous, much more than Suhaib, Imraan and Fayaaz and he knew he had the greatest punishment ahead for him, for he had introduced  all three of them to all the evils they were involved in.

Even though he hated Suhaib with a passion, deep down, in the depths of his deviated heart, he wished Suhaib would come and help him abandon his deviated ways, little did he realise, Allah assisted deviated servants in finding the light once again. If only he would take one step and sincerely try to change..
It would not be  that easy to rid of evil deeds and carry out good deeds with  a blackened heart. He needed guidance, and  only time would tell if he would attain the guidance he now wished for.

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9 more chapters...