"When a glass is broken, the sound of breaking disappears immediately where as the glass pieces are scattered over the ground hurting whoever walks over it.Similarly, when you say something that hurts peoples emotions and feelings, the voice disappears immediately but the hearts remains in pain for long."

Therefore, don't say except good and remember always the nine advises and prohibitions that Allah Al Mighty gave us in Surath Al Hujuraat (The Sura of Islamic Manners) before you say something to anyone:

1- فتبينوا:
"Fa Tabyano": Investigate: if you received an information lest you harm people out of ignorance.

2 - فأصلحوا:‎
"Fa Asliho" Make settlement: between your brothers as believers are brothers.
‎
3- وأقسطوا:
"Wa Aqsito": Act justly: whenever there is a dispute try for settlement and act justly among both parties as Allah loves who acts justly.

4 - لا يسخر:

"La Yaskhar": don't ridicule: people perhaps they may be better than you to Allah.

5 - ولا تلمزوا:
"Wa La Talmizo": Do Not insult: one another.

6-ولا تنابزوا:

"Wa La Tanabazu": Do Not call offensive nicknames each other.

7- اجتنبوا كثيرا من الظن:

"Ijtanibu Kaseeran min AlZan" aviod negative assumptions, indeed some of the assumptions are sin.

8 - ولا تجسسوا:
"Wa La Tajsasu" and don't spy on each other.

9- ولا يغتب بعضكم بعضا:

"Wa La Yagtab": Do not backbite each other: as its a major sin and like eating your dead brother's flesh.

***

He sat on the carpeted floor, his back resting against his bed, Zahra sat cross legged infront of him, a stern expression covered her soft features as she reprimanded him like she was his mother.

He was still dressed in the same clothes he was wearing the night before. Before he could even use the bathroom or brush his teeth and get rid of his morning breath, she pounded on the door like a lunatic police woman, demanding answers from him.

He was still groggy, he hadn't even got a chance to drink his morning cup of coffee and he was sure he still had traces of drool that had dried up on the side of his mouth, but she didn't damn care ! Crazy, lunatic, mad woman !

He felt so sorry for her hushand right now.

He zoned out as his brain sympathised with him for having to deal with a moody sister early in the morning, but zoned right back in when he felt a hard thwack on the side of his head.

"Owww!" , he howled in pain, glaring at her, as he rubbed the abused part of his head.

"Sorry but you needed it !"

She gave him a look of indifference, as she continued lecturing him about how rude he was and the least that he could have done even if he was tired, was greet his uncle and cousin in law.

He sighed, dropping his head in his lap.

"Okay Zu Zu ! I am so extremely sorry! I really regret my actions and I apologise from the deepest crevices of my heart !"

She glared at him, her nostrils flared slightly, like it would always when she was aggressive.

"Stop calling me that, and what's with the dramatic apology?"

He looked up, giving her a sly smile.

"Don't all girls like to converse dramatically. Instead of a simple I am sorry, you must say I am truly, utterly, undeniably sorry..my heart is bursting with guilt because of the pain I have caused you ! Instead of a simple I love you! They want bunches of roses, a fancy dress, dinner at an expensive restaurant, the violin or piano playing in the background, the wind blowing, ruffling her hair, her husband dressed to kill, as he bends down on one knee with a rose in his mouth, not caring about the damn thorns on the rose stabbing his tongue, as he looks into her eyes, and she gasps and tears in appreciation, and finally after being in that awkward position for so long that his knee becomes painful and she cries rivers, and even the people around them get tired of staring, he says:" I love you so much, you mean the world to me, I cannot live without you. You are the moon of my night, and the sun of my day, and the waves of my ocean, and the stering wheel of my life, and the engine to my brain , and the gears to my heart, and the wipers of my face and the love of my life. I love you so so much !"

Zahra burst into bouts of laughter at her brothers antics.

"You are too much ! No, not all girls like that. I will laugh so hard if you get a wife who's like that though!"
Suhaib shook his head in horror.

"Allah forbid ! I will seriously die!"

She stood up, sticking her tongue out at him.

" The events of the future to you are unknown.
Once you are ready and for marriage you have grown.
Perhaps a dramatic wife awaits you, and in the seed of your future it has already been sewn!"

He rolled his eyes, his lips tugged into a smile.

"You see ! Dramatic!"

She left the room, closing the door gently, not before hearing him yell.

" I really am sorry ZuZu! I am coming to apologise to mama, I know she's upset. "

A gentle smile graced her lips.

Her brother may show a tough exterior at times, but he was a softie at heart and she prayed and hoped that he would find a good spouse that would take care of him and not take advantage of his soft nature.

The pungent smell of cigarettes assaulted him as he walked into 'their den'.

He scrunched his nose in disgust, why just why was he putting himself through this? Why didn't he just give up and turn back? Why did he have to be so soft hearted sometimes? Why did he always want to find good in the worst of people? Why, just why? He didn't really know, he was just like that...

As he walked into the living room, he saw them sprawled on the floor, each one engrossed in a soccer game. Talha released a puff of smoke, beckoning Suhaib to have a seat.

He sat on the couch, observing the game, not willing to join them. He wondered where was this guy's father, he never ever checked up on them and reprimanded them for their doings.

He knew that his mother had passed away a while back, perhaps his father was still in depression and never really bothered what his son and his sons friends were involved in.

After polishing six large pizzas clean, not a crust left over , they lazed around, doing what they do best. Discussing what they knew best.

Talha walked into the living room, a bright smile on his face.

They all turned to him as he clapped his hands, gaining their attention.

He looked at Suhaib, an unknown glint passed his eyes for just a second, then dissipated in a blink of an eye.

" So Suhaib, now that you are officially part of us, I would like you to taste the exquisite tea that we serve, made by me!"

He smiled proudly.

Suhaib shook his head.

"Nah bru, not for me I'm not really a fan of tea, besides why would I risk my life and drink your tea, you would probably poison it."

Suhaib joked, earning a glare from Talha.

"If I could poison you I would , trust me! But these ridiculous people seem to like you so I can't !"

Talha glared at Suhaib, his hatred for him evident on his face.

"Come on man ! You have to try it. He  makes  really good tea."

Fayaaz insisted, breaking the tension.

Suhaib agreed, annoyed by their insistence.

Real grannies! He wasn't a damned tea lover, he liked his coffee, was that a crime?

Once the tea had been served, his friends gathered excitedly around the table.

The sight of them reminded him of little kids who saw candy for the first time.

Suhaib shook his head at their childish behaviour, they were real bafoons sometimes.

He joined them begrudgingly, taking a seat next to Fayaaz, who slid a mug of steaming hot tea infront of him.

Suhaib sipped the tea, rolling his eyes at the way their gazes were fixed on him, as if expecting him to he bamboozled by a mere cup of tea! It was tea ! Just tea !!!

As the warm liquid moistened his tongue, and oozed down his throat, warming his insides, he placed the cup upon the table with a soft thud.

"It's just normal tea guys !"

He didn't understand their excitement.

Talha smirked, sharing a knowing look with the rest.

"Normal tea for you, but tea that takes us into another realm !"

Suhaib laughed at his absurd statement.

Why was he being so dramatic now?

As he sipped his tea, unbeknownst to him, it did pull him into another realm.

He felt light headed, all conversation became faded whispers around him, his vision became a confusing blur, he felt himself being pulled backwards by an invisible force, as his chair fell backwards and his head hit the marble tiles. Everything became blank, as he fell into a world of oblivion, a realm of ignorance and unconsciousness.

She heard the faint snores of her parents and siblings as she tiptoed past their bedrooms, silently descending the flight of stairs.

She settled on the couch, glancing at the clock that read one thirty. She slumped her head on the armrest, her eyes hooded with sleep, but sleep failed to reach her. Her heart ran a marathon, worry consuming her mind and body. With every tick of the clock, the thud of her heart grew more intense. Where was Suhaib?

He had never ever returned home after midnight, this was a first and she hoped it would be the last.

Her family had retired to bed extremely early today, as they had gone out to a water park during the day. Everyone was thoroughly tired, and called it an early night.

Her parents knew their son was aware of his limits, and they also knew that he never overstepped the boundaries, convinced that he would return before his curfew, they slept peacefully.

She could never be so oblivious, for she witnessed the behaviour of the youngsters of this generation. She knew you could never give them too much of freedom, no matter how good they were, for it could lead to their destruction, but she could never tell her parents how to raise their children and what not to do. She never had the courage to correct their ancient way of thought and she had a feeling that their ignorance would one day lead to their destruction.

Her eyes began to flutter, strained with fatigue, she sat up straight, not willing to give into the sweet slumber that her body craved.

As she stared at the hands of the clock ticking away, half an hour passed, with her fighting her sleep, concerned about her brother.

Just as her head began to bob back and forth and she was about to doze off, she heard the creaking sound of the door.

She shot up from the couch, ready to give him a piece of her mind.

She rushed towards the front door, but stopped dead in her tracks when she saw another boy supporting her brother, who looked tipsy.

When the boy noticed her presence, his eyes went wide as his gaze never left her, roaming her body. She felt disgusted, as if her skin burnt by his mere sight.

Realising she had no scarf on her head and that she was dressed in her knee length pyjama top with matching tights, she took refuge in the living room once again, only returning once she was sure he had left and the door had closed.

Her heart beating frantically, she rushed towards her brother, who held onto the coat stand, trying to stand up stright.

Grabbing him by his shoulders, she tried to smell any traces of alcohol, but found absolutely nothing. She lead him towards the stairs, helping him ascend the stairs with much dufficulty.

Once she had helped him shrug off his jacket and remove his shoes, she covered him, switched off the lights and closed his bedroom door, then only she retired to bed.

Even though she had been averting sleep earlier, every trace of sleep had dissippated.

Thoughts roamed her mind. She tossed and turned the remainder of the night, unable to wrap her mind around the fact that her brother was slowly but surely becoming influenced by his company.

And as the athaan of fajr echoed through out the locality, the same questions passed her mind.

Where was he ?

Why did he come so late?

Why is he still befriending them?

Did they perhaps give him a drink that was spiked ?

She would have to wait till he woke up and this time she would get all her answers for sure.

There was no beating around the bush, and no lies, he would have to tell her or she would have to get her parents involved.

Sooo things have taken a turn eh😊

Now the story actually begins!

Get ready for some action, some drama and revenge! 😆😆😆

Toodles!

Until next time my lovelies😙

Love Jawhariy🌹