"Having Allah by your side , does not mean that you will sail on an ocean without waves. It means that you will sail in a ship that no storm can sink."
(Unknown)

The voile curtains swayed back and forth, dancing to the tune of the wind. The full moon illuminatined the night sky with its brilliance. The sweet scent of roses wafted into the room, filling it with a soft, subtle fragrance. The swift breeze blew her tendrils onto her face. Her hair fell below her shoulders and cascaded down her back in soft, silky locks.

Laying on her back, she praised Allah SWT for the success she had achieved in her life. Like a perpetual waterfall, praises spilled from her mouth.
Her teary eyes filled with emotion, freeing themselves from the shackles of her heart.

The constant beeping of her phone brought her out of her thoughts. Diverting her attention to her phone, she reached out to it, clicking onto her WhatsApp.

Taahira's name flashed on the screen, a smile tugged her lips seeing the name of her future sister in law.

A good Muslim boy had proposed to her and after meeting him as well as his sister and parents, she had performed Salaatul Istikhaara, resulting in a positive feeling.
She had informed her parents and they were more than happy, as she was already twenty, a marriagable age.

Her father was not one to delay and had requested that a simple nikaah be performed? but the boy's family had refused as they had already planned an Umrah trip and their tickets had been booked. A week later, they would be departing towards the Holy lands of Makkatul Mukarrama and Madinatul Munawwara, hence her Nikaah date being pestponed to the following month.

Taahira:
السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته
How is my future sister in law?

Zahra:
و عليكم السلام و رحمة الله و بركاته .
😊 I'm well Alhamdulillah.

Taahira:
Just well huh? 😁
More like over the moon ??
Or should I say over the moon and stars😏

Zahra:
😝🙊

Taahira:
Oh my ! The blushing bride is speechless!
Ooh I still have to tell my big brother how you blush just by mentioning his name.

Zahra:
I do not blush! 😐

Taahira:
Oh really huh !

Just as she was about to reply to her sister in law, who found it amusing to tease her, her fingers stilled on the phone when she heard a soft knock on the door.

"Come in ", she shouted, placing the phone on her pedestal.

Suhaib walked in, clad in a thobe, a jacket slung over his arm. He beamed at his sister, then sat down at the foot of her bed.

"Hey big sister"

"Hey little brother", she smiled back nervously hoping the blush on her cheeks had dissappated by now.

He moved his jacket aside, then moved closer to her. He examined her face with a frown on his own.

He poked both her cheeks with his forefingers, making her giggle.

"Stop it !" She swatted his hand away.

"Why do I see a tinge of pink, painted on your cheeks!" He enquired dramtically.

"Are you blushing ?"
He arched an eyebrow.

Zahra blew out a breath.
all your fault Taahira.

" I was chatting to Taahira, she was teasing me".

Suhaib gave her a suspicious look.
"You sure you not talking to your future hubby ? You do know it's haraam to communicate before marriage?"

Zahra shook her head.
" Suhaib ! I'm being honest. Don't you forget that I'm older than you mister. I taught you what was right and wrong, now you asking me if I know it's haraam. "
She rolled her eyes.

He beamed at her, poking her cheek once again , just to annoy her.
"Doesn't mean people knows what's permissible and what's impermissible, they carry out the good and refrain from the bad. Sometimes despite knowing something is incorrect a person still does it, and needs a reminder or a few reminders to stop that particular thing."

"I totally agree with you Suhaib, but rest assured Allah has assisted me in this matter, and I do not talk to Taahira's brother."

" I see you're so shy you don't even say 'my future husband'. "
Suhaib teased.

"Well firstly I am shy, and secondly I cannot label him as mine when I do not know what will occur in the future. Maybe it won't work out. Maybe I won't live till my wedding."

Suhaib swatted her head.
" Why are you being so negative, you're always the opimistic one in this family. In Sha Allah you will live a long, healthy, posperous life."

He stood up, grabbing his jacket from the bed.
" I will see you later my dear sister, one of my friends invited me for a meal."

"How's things with your new friend's?"
She questioned, concerned.

"There hasn't been any progress as yet, but I will get there in Sha Allah."

" You trying to reform them is a good thing Suhaib, but I don't really agree with you anymore, now that they are involved in some shady things, I don't want them to drag you into this mess." She voiced her opinion, concern laced her voice.

Suhaib shook his head.
" I know it's risky to remain friends with these boys , who I suspect of being involved in drugs, but I want to atleast try and make a difference and attempt to change them , if not all of them, perhaps one or two.
If I fail completely, atleast I know I tried. If I run away before even taking a tiny step forward and they remain the same way or become worse, I will feel guilty my whole life."

Zahra sighed, still not agreeing with her brother. She couldn't do much though, with some things, once he was adiment on somehing, he wouldn't stop until he achieved his goal.

"Just be vigilant and very careful around them."

He nodded, then greeted her, but not before poking her cheek and ruffling her hair.

The two of them shared all their problems and challanges they had faced, the new adventures and joys they had experienced, the latest food that interested them. They had a good understanding and very seldmoly argued. They knew they could confide in one another.

They brought out the crazy and childish side of each other, but at the same time, when necassary they could be mature and advise each other. The relationship that Zahra and Suhaib shared was one that was not common amongst siblings, many of her friends envied her for having such a unique relationship with her brother, and many of his friends found it strange that he was extremely close to his sister, to them it was normal and they thought that it was funny that others found it strange. Zahra believed that her brother would never fall into the same wrong, but for some reason she still feared the worst could happen.

The fourteenth moon shone brilliantly, it's glow grew dull as it played hide and seek behind the puffs of clouds that drove past it. It casted it's spectecular glow unto the earth, illuminating the dark night for a temperory while , until the dense, grey, rain filled clouds in the distance would encompass it from all sides, concealing it's beauty from the gaze of mankind, and shower it's blessings upon the parched earth.

A gust of cold wind passed by him, causing a shiver to run down his spine. He zipped up his jacket, and blew out a breath before knocking on Talha's house door. After what had transpired in the alley previously, he hadn't uttered a word but, he had made a firm intention that today he would bring up the topic. He promised himself that he would not leave the house until his suspicions were clarified and he got his answers. If it had not been for that reason, he would have never accepted Talha's invite for supper, latley besides for their lunch break in school, he hadn't been accompanying them out of school.

Zahra would soon be a married woman, and even though he was happy as well as relieved that she would soon be wed to a competent and magnanimous boy, a minor part of him wished for her to not to be bond in matrimony just yet, he knew their bond was unshakeable but, it would never be the same, she would be occupied in her new life and she would have more responsibilities to carry out, surely they wouldn't be able to spend the same amount of time together. She would now have a lifetime companion, she would not really need him around anymore. He would never admit it aloud but, he felt a tad bit jealous that her husband would be her first priority in life after marriage.

Shaking his head at his ludicrous thoughts, he mentally scolded himself for feeling that way. He was eighteen for goodness sake! Which eighteen year old felt like that when his sister was about to get married!

Talha opened the door, surprise evident on his face. He stepped aside allowing Suhaib to enter. Talha gave Suhaib a firm handshake, an unfimiliar glint sparked in his eyes, disapearing as fast as it had surfaced.
Suhaib brushed of the uneasy feeling that bubbled within him as he entered.

"Nice of you to finally hang out with us ,Suhaib!"
Talha feigned excitement, he wasn't really fond of Suhaib and Suhaib was very well aware of that.

Suhaib rose his brow, eyeing him suspiciously.
"Since when do you get excited to see me!"

Talha laughed nervously.
"Can you give a man a chance ! I'm trying to be nice here!"

Suhaib eyed him wearily.
"Okay Talha if you say so".

Suhaib proceeded towards the living room, with Talha in tow, muttering a string of curses, nostrils flared in anger.

The rest of the boys were occupied with a soccer match, their minds so engrossed they failed to notice Suhaib by the door way.
Suhaib cleared his throat gaining Fayaaz's attention, who called his name loud enough for the others to hear, diverting their attention to their friend who had been distant lately.Each one of them mirrored Talha's baffled expression. He had went out with them countless of times but, he had never joined them in their den before. Talha's house was their main hang out, to the naked eye it looked like an ordinary house with just a lonsome father and son , who had lost the woman in their life 3 years ago but, no one knew of the skeletons that resided in the closet, no one besides these bunch of rebellious boys knew how much of evil they were actually involved in. Suhaib assumed the same, a mansion with a lonely son and an aloof father, struggling to pass through life but, there was more than what the eye could witness, and tonight he would be astonished, once the secrets of the mansion would be revealed.....

The smell of freshly fried kebabs, steaming hot chicken tikka, along with the mouthwatering aroma of biryani filled the house, making it known to each person in the household that visitors would be present tonight. The finest dishes that would only be used for guests, rested on the shiny black, granite counters, ready to contain the delicious foods.

Zahra flipped the last roti like a pro, waiting for it to get toasted the way she liked it, then placing it in the hot pot. She dusted the flour from her apron, and turned around, just in time to witness Suhail sneakily poping a kebab into his saluvaiting mouth, his back facing her.

"Suhail don't you dare !", she warned just as he was about to pop another one into his mouth. Muaaz snickered, he had been sitting on the table, patiently waiting for the guests to arrive, torturing his poor eyes that refused to avert their gaze from the enticing food. He knew he had no chance to steal some food and sneak upto his room, Zahra watched them like a hawk in the kitchen, their mother caught them red handed, even if her back was facing them, on instinct she would turn around cathching them in the act, it was as if she could sense their musheviousness. If by any chance he could avoid the two hawks in the kitchen, he still wouldn't succeed as he had to pass the living room and that meant Tasneem would see, though she was playing with her doll house, even she watched them with beady eyes. There was really no hope trying ! He was sarrounded by intellegent, watchful women, Taeeba excluded she was so focused chopping the cucumber the right way and not slicing her finger instead, that she would never notice, besides she herself loved food as much as Muaaz and Suhail.

Despite the thoughts if theft going through his mind, he feigned innocent, he always liked to trouble his smaller brother.
"You greedy pi....."

"Lanaguage!", his mother gave him a stern look, as she walked into the kithcen, pointing a warning finger at him.

Muaz raised his hands in surrender.
"Okay let's rewind shall we, this time with a milder form of criticism."

"You greedy warthog!"
Muaz smirked as Suhail gave him a hard glare, his chubby cheeks red, heating up in anger.

"Stop your banter both of you and go and sit in the lounge ! Why do the two of you carry on like I don't give you food everyday !" His mother scolded, hiding her smile as the two boys scurried into the living room.

"Ammi I can't chop all the cubes the same size !" Taeeba complained, frowning at the onion on the board.
Why was she given the task of chopping up the salad ? It was a nightmare.

"Ya Allah! Taeeba you are sixteen years old already and you are complaining about chopping an onion! Perhaps in two, three years time you will be getting married, how will you cook huh? What will you feed your husband ? You can't feed him those novels you sit and read the whole day!"

Taeeba looked down guiltily, tears filled her eyes, rolling down her face as she cried silently.

"Here let me do it I'm done with the rotis anyway. " Zahra gently took the knife away from her, sighing as Taeeba left the kitchen in tears.

"You and Suhaib spoil them way too much that's why they rely on the two of you. " Her mother shook her head, and turned towards the stamper, grinding the mint and corriander in order to make *rita.

Zahra chopped up the remainder of the onion, tossing it into the bowl that had been brimmed with vinegar along with the cubed cucumbers and tomatoes, she washed her hands and dried it then went over to her mother.

"Ammi don't be angry with her she's still learning, she hasn't matured as yet, because like Ammi said she has a brother and sister to depend on. Give her some time in Sha Allah once I'm married she will understand that she has to be more helpful and responsible."

Zainab turned her face away, tears trickling down her one face. Her daughter had grown into such a lovely, gentle young woman, soon she would be wife, sister in law and daughter in law, and before they knew it a mother as well. She had grown up so very fast.

One glance at her mother's teary eyes,she knew what was going through her mind. She embraced her mother, rubbing soothing circles on her back. Zainab dabbed her eyes with her scarf , letting out a laugh.
"Ya Allah ! Why are we Indian people so dramatic and emotional!"

Zahra smiled, then planted a kiss on her mothers cheek. Untying the apron, she handged in the spare cupboard. " I will be back to recieve our visitors, I just want to change. Don't want to smell like kebabs and onions when we hug them now do we!" She winked left the kitcthen, taking two steps at a time.

Before she headed to her room, she halted at the room Taeeba and Tasneem shared, knocking softly.
She heard Taeeba mummers that she could enter. As expected she found her sister face down her bed, her hair sprawled around her pillow. Zahra sat down, gently taping her shoulder.

She looked up, her eyes watery, the tip of her slender nose red, her slightly chubby cheeks, tinged pink due to all the crying.

"Habibti listen to me. Don't be upset with Ammi as she's just stressed out about having the food ready on time, and she's also a bit emotional about me getting married."

Taeeba sniffed, then dropped her head in Zahra's lap.
"Do you gave to get married now!"

She stroked her head,affectionaltely.
"We all have to get married one day. It's half of our Imaan, a man and woman need to get married eventually, they cannot depend on their parents their whole lives.Allah Ta'allah has made the system of he world such. Ofcourse those who are widowed and can't find spouses, Allah Ta'allah alone in his infinite wisdom knows the reason for that."

Taeeba sighed. "Why do you always say the right things !"

Zahra chuckled, she lifted her head off her lap, then made her way to the bedroom door. " I don't think I say anything inspiring at all.!"

Taeeeba shook her head in disagreement. Her facial expression turned serious. "Promise me you won't forget us and you will visit all the time !"

Zahra smiled. " I can't forget my family, silly ! and in Sha Allah to the best of my ability, whenever I can I will visit."

Taeeba threw her head back on her pillow."That's not good enough! You have to visit all the time !".

Zahra shook her head.
"We will speak about this another time, wash up and come down stairs. Their will be kids to keep you entertained tonight, you will forget all your sorrow."

"Aww those cuties!", she jumped up excitedly, rushing into the adjoined bathroom. She had to it to her sister, she really knew how to cheer her up.

Zahra made proceeded to her room, discarding the scarf, tights and shin legnth top that she was wearing, which now smelled like a restaurant.
She slipped into the grape purple dress,that had tan emroidery running down the sleeves and bottom of the dress that she had already laid out on the bed, securing the tan scarf around her head, with a simple straight pin, she applied a slight coat of lipgloss, two streaks of eyeliner , she slipped on her pumps and without a second glance, she dashed out of the room, fearing her mother would soon be on the peak of stress. She could never figure why desi mums got so hyped up when hosting guests.

Just as her feet touched the last step, the house echoed with the sound of the door bell. Her father ushered the women to go into the kitchen, while he recieved the guest.

Luqmaan opened the door, bright smile lit up his face, when his face fell on his brother Razaq, along with his wife, his daughter Safwa, who stood alongside her father clasping one of the twins hands. Khair stuggled to get the other twin out of the car, as she cried, rubbing her eyes crankily. It seemed she had been awoken from a deep, enjoyable sleep.

The men entered the home, settling down in the living room, exchanging pleasentries. The women headed to the kitchen, and the twins tagged behind their gradmother and mother.
The family had drove all the way from Durban the day before, and not wanting to trouble Luqmaan despite him insisting it was a pleasure instead, Razaq had booked a hotel much to his brothers dissappointment. The Ismail family never came to Johannesburg often, and now they visited after five years, hence Zainab being hyped up about their visit, she wanted everything to be perfect.

After greeting her aunty, Safwa embraced Zahra in a crushing bear hug. Despite them having a four year age gap, and living in two different cities, the cousins shared a special bond. Once Safwa stepped away from
Zahra, she put her hands on her hips.

"I haven't got the chance to scold you face to face , for not attending my wedding.!"

" oh gosh Saf you already have two children and you haven't gotten over it !"

Safwa palyfully glared at her.
"You owe me an apology !"

Zahra embraced her once again.
"I'm sorry, I had exams at the wrong time. "

The food was served, the men seated in the dinning room, and the women in the kitchen. The chatter of the family, the clanking of the cutlery and the tantrums of one of the twins was heard, as Suhaib discreetly walked up the stairs, no one took notice of him, as he climbed the stairs and shut his room door. All he could think of now was sleep! Feeling rather light headed he threw himself onto the bed, not bothering to remove his shoes or jacket , as the strings of sleep tugged him into its embrace......

To be continued !

Habibti - My beloved

Biryani- Spicy rice, that consists if white grains of rice, as well rice that is coloured red/ yellow, few slices of lemon, some whole spices and meat/chicken/ fish with gravy.

Kebabs- meat balls

Rita- plain yoghurt to which, salt, crushed corriander and crushed mint is added.

Be warned ! Drama begins in the next chapter!!!

Dum dun Dun.... .

Long chapter for all my lovelies !

Loads of love Jawhariy.