{Dedicated to @WaVeSSS for inspiring me with such a beautiful message. Love you! <3 I hope you continue reading, voting and commenting. I will always need your support!}

This chapter is dedicated to everyone who commented on the previous update. You all motivated me to continue. Love you all: each and every one of you!

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Sometimes, all you need is a list of reasons to hate someone. Though I've got my list on hating him. But even then I can't. No matter how hard I try I just can't hate him, and I WON'T. Maahirah Furqaan, SD.

Chapter Twenty Five

Contemplating Thoughts

(Maahirah Furqaan)

I inhale deep breathes and then exhale; a foggy cloud erupts out of my mouth in this process. I zip up my jacket and fold my arms over my chest, hoping to retain some body heat.

Technically, it is not at all a great idea to sit outside in the cold December weather. I'm on the roof of this building (Elton), hidden behind the back wall in the small alley. My back pressed against the wall.

Life, it's unexpected. Unpredictable. You don't know what might happen on the next day. Heck, you don't even know what will happen in the next seconds. Allah says in Qur'an.

'But they plan and Allah plans. And Allah is the best of planners.'

                                                                                                       [8:30]

Allah Almighty knows what is best for us. He grants us what we deserve and not what we want. And, yet, it's the most difficult thing to accept what is written in our fate. We do not accept it. Instead we wallow. The funny thing is that is the exact thing that I'm doing right now. I’ve been crying from the past fifteen minutes.

I didn't want any of this to happen to me. I wasn't supposed to be here. I was supposed to enjoy my vacations at home with blankets wrapped around me and reading thick novella and baking and sipping on hot chocolate and warm coffee. I was supposed to start applying at colleges. And, most certainly marriage wasn't on my to-do list.

Tears leaks from my eyes and seconds later a loud sob escapes. I put my shaky hand over my mouth and choke on my tears. Tears after tears fall from my eyes. There is no one to comfort me. Even the wind has gone silent and my erratic heartbeat and cries echo in my ears.

My Dad agreed to this marriage. He did. Flashbacks blink in my head, one after one, repeatedly, like lightning.

You've my blessings, son.

You'll find out soon.

How can we protect her?

The third person had always been me. Whether my Dad and Aayan talked; whether Darren, Aayan and Mr.Brackson talked, it meant me.

Me. Me. Me. Me. Me. And. Only. Me.

I let out more cries. All that I feel for the past few weeks all comes pouring out in tears. I do not whether I should be saddened? Or offended? Or desperate? Or happy?!! What I'm feeling right now is the mixture of all this emotions; combined together to form a cruel way of making me hate life.

Marriage?! I scoff. Was something I wasn't ready to commit. As a girl, I never fancied thinking about my future husband. But, somehow, I end up getting married at an early age all because of some stupid law.

After Aseer tells me that Dad is involved in this. The first thing I request is to talk with Dad. She tells me that the call timing is only three minutes. It’s fixed in every Eltonian’s mobile.

Dad picks up the call at the fifth ring, and the three minutes limited time starts ticking behind."Hello?"

Hearing his voice, constricts my heart and an aching pain develops. I almost wish to close the phone. A sob escapes my throat and I shake my head at Aseer as she flashes me two minute sign.

"Maahirah? Is that you?"

I nod. "Y..yes!"

"How are you, child?"

I bit my lip. "Dad, why did you decide my marriage with Aayan without asking me?" My voice is raspy due to blocked nose.

He sighs."Aseer gave me a lot of reasons to get you married to Aayan. Personally, after meeting him I had no doubts on him, Maahirah. He is a great guy. He will be your solid guard. I trust him and so should you."

"But how can you agree to something so big Dad? What if I don't agree to it Dad?"

Dad laughs."You don’t have reason to say no Maahirah. I already performed the Istikhara and it was positive. So, what was holding me back from saying yes Maahirah! I’m sure you won’t deny it.”

I want to ask him something. I want to tell him how much I miss him, and Mom and Vaneeza but I don’t get to say anything as Aseer flashes me 30 seconds sign.

“Dad. I love you. Take care….”The line disconnects.

I wipe the tears on my cheeks. Standing up from my crouched position, I dust off my jeans with the back of my hand. The wind blows my hijab, causing me to angrily whip it back. I grip the railing and gaze down. The backside of the Elton meets my eyes.

It is a huge area. Five-six barrels are placed at every interval in the center row. One side of the wall, which I can see, has a shelf lined with various weapons. I grimace at the amount of ammunition. That’s brutal. I think. No one should be allowed to carry this great deal of weapons.

I sigh as I realize that I’ve to go and get ready for the wedding. It’s been long time and Aseer will start to worry. I’ve no idea what made me say yes but I did nod in affirmation. Aayan and me? Never in my right mind had I ever thought I will end up with him.

He ate my head. Argued with me over nothing. He made me chase around with him. But, on the other hand, he made me feel special at times. He made me go through hard times by simply saying things which no one ever said to make me fight my way through it.

And, then there is his dark side. His confusing side. His mysterious side. The side I hate. Well, the thing is that this side of him makes him a lot harder to figure out. His example is like a nut. We have to crack the nut to eat it. And, Aayan, is something like that. You’ve to get in his good books and affect him with your presence, and then when you hang out with him, you figure him out.

Here’s another confession. I never learned to hate him. Even if I want to, I just can’t hate him. There is a list of reasons in my head for me to hate him but I can’t. I won’t say I like him nor will I say I love him….but....he….he is an unexceptional case….and I’m going to tie my bond with him…

And the ride of my life, just got even scarier and bumpier than it already was!

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Salaam people!:)

How ya all?

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