[Dedicated to @AmenahAshraf for her beautiful comments and awesome support!!]

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'And, suddenly you know: It's time to start something new and trust the magic of beginnings.' -Meister Eckhart.

Chapter Twenty Six

Is It Start Of Something New?

(Maahirah Furqaan)

I dodge the punch as it misses my eye by an inch. I raise my hand to surrender this fight. Destiny scowls at me, looking quite annoyed.

"Maahirah, you've your test in less than two days and if you don't start practicing from now on, you will fail.” Her emphasis is on fail.

"I don't care." I nearly snap at her. Tucking the hair back that managed to escape out of my hijab, I plop down on the plushy carpeted rug. Rubbing my finger on my forehead, I say."Can I take a break?"

She widens her eyes for fractions of few seconds and then quickly composes herself."Maahirah. Okay. You can take a break. But tell me what's wrong?"

"My arm hurts." Is the first thing that comes out of my mouth, which I might add is a total lie. My arm is perfectly and healthy now. In fact, all of my wounds are. Thanks to all those pain-killers and healers.

She gives me am-I-that-stupid look.

"I'm serious. Okay.” I sigh. “I lied. My arm is fine. But I'm just not feeling okay!"

"Why?"

"Because..." I say."Because everything happened so fast and just so soon. I wasn't ready for it. I wasn't ready for anything at all, and yet life threw so much at me, at the same time."

"That's life, Maahirah. You cannot plan out your future and expect it to work. No. Sometimes, God, has better plans for us."

I nod.

"Anyways," She places her hand on my shoulder and says, "There is a big gathering at the Great Hall, you should come to, you know,  to get things out of your mind!"

"Yeah. Aseer told me about it. InShaaAllah I'll think about it."

**********************

I had my nikah with Aayan two days ago. It was done with full simplicity and modesty at the small Masjid here in Elton's headquarters. And, the wedding was done in the same day at the Great Hall. It was excellent; at least that is what people told me.

I had agreed to this proposal because I had no reasons to deny it. Dad said that he had performed the Istikharah and the result was positive. So what was holding me back from saying yes when Allah (SWT) had given me the clear answer?

However, in these two days, all we said to each other is hi and hello. Only three-two words and that’s it. It's pathetic, right?

It's not my fault. I mean, in a way, it's not. Even if I don't try to communicate with him...does it make it my fault?

Partially. Yes. My inner voice says. I ignore it as usual.

Other than that, Aayan, at least, he should try to make 'us' work. But, he doesn't. He radiates off this mysterious air around him. All I feel in him is an aura of silence, and maybe hurt, too. He has wrapped himself in a cocoon, not permitting anyone to dig inside and extract the real him.

Back home, at Minnesota, he was social towards everyone. But this Aayan, he is inexplicable. He stays out of businesses that do not concern him. It's a good thing, in some ways, yes. In other words, he should be more social, I think.

Shaking my head, I sit upright from the bed. After I had showered, I just sit here, thinking and thinking about everything.

There is a gentle knock on the door which disturbs my train of thoughts. And, somehow, my mind manages to pull a vivid image of Aayan waiting outside my door. I wince at the image.

"Come on in."

Fadiya enters. "Salaam."

"Walaikom As'salaam." I reply, motioning her to sit next to me.

"How are you doing, Maahiah?" I open my mouth to answer, but, she holds up her hand and says.”And, don't give me the crap that you're doing great."

I'm not shocked at her making correct assumptions. She's never wrong about me and my feelings. She knows me maybe too well, and sometimes I wonder is that good? Even though there is awkwardness between us and yet then she manages to act like we are still the bestest friends. Maybe we're.

I look at her as I realize that she's waiting for my answer so I tell. "I'm just scared that it won’t work between us. I mean Aayan and I won’t work."

She smiles at me."That's what I thought about Fakhir too. But Alhamdolillah he is the most generous guy I've ever met. And, Aayan," She frowns.”Can be a total jerk at times but inside he is the sweetest person you will ever see."

My mind does the pleasure of showing me Aayan with a lopsided grin. His beautiful chocolate hazel eyes and the way he sweeps his hair back when they fall on his eyes, I smile at the thoughts.

"So...do you think it will work?"

"Yes. Definitely. InshaaAllah."

I grin.

****************************

Fadiya urged me to wear some long dress shirt and blue faded loose jeans. I glower at my reflection. She is dressed in a maxi dress and blue jeans jacket. Something about my whole attire sounds a bit suspicious. However, I shake the feeling off.

When we exit the lift, Destiny is lingering by the lift looking impatient. She glares at us.

"What took you so long?"

"Nothing. We were just coming. Anyways, where is Jarred?" Fadi asks.

"They will be here at any minute. Now let's just go." Destny snaps angrily.

People beside us are chatting excitedly. Everyone is just so jittery and exhilarated about this gathering and for a second, I think this whole gathering is important but Aseer didn't mention anything relevant to its importance. So, I proceed to ask them. Just as I open mouth to ask them, a hand engulfs around my wrist, bringing my legs to a halt.

I spin around to find piercing chocolate eyes staring into mine. Immediately, I jump back and almost bump into Destiny behind me. My heart's beating has somehow increased.

"Hey, Aayan!" Destiny says.

"Hello girls. Hi Maahirah!" Aayan smiles.

Jarred and Fakhir nod at us. Then Jarred whispers something in Aayan's ear. Too quickly, he looks at my arm; he loosens his grip and drops  it, turning a shade of crimson.

"Anyways, girls,"Aayan clears his throat. "Can I steal Maahirah for the night?"

"Of course, you can!" My best friend does the pleasure of answering me.

"But...the Gathering?" I look at her, frowning.

"Oh, it's just a usual chit-chat boring place." Fakhir answers, instead.

"Hurry and go." Destiny pushes me, slightly. I shoot her a deathly glare. To which she answers with a wink."Have fun, lovebirds!"

My eyes bulge out at her comment, and I feel my cheeks heating up. Before anyone of us can say anything, the four of them scurry away. Either. Grinning. Smirking. Smiling. Or chuckling.

"Come on, let's go."

Where? I want to ask but I clamp my mouth shut and simply follow him. After taking two turns left and then three turns right, Aayan brings me to a huge, heavy metal blue door.

He rummages with the giant lock for a while and then he gives the door a marginal budge, causing it to open. He cocks his head at the open space asking me to go through it. I bite my lip. Then, hesitantly, I set myself out.

Cold air nips my body and I regret not wearing my jacket. I look around. The moonlight illuminates the area. It is the back area of Elton, the one I saw the other day from the roof. Barrels are still placed in exactly the same manner as they were before. I frown. Why will Aayan bring me here? I jump when he closes the door with a loud bang behind me.

"Let's go."

Aayan leads the way to stairs in the mid with no railings. He steps on it and starts ascending on them like a pro. I lag behind, thinking. Having no choice, and reading Bismillah I set my boot on it and balance myself. My heart is throbbing and adrenaline is rushing all over my body. However manage to get on the top, Aayan stretches his hand, and I stare at it for few seconds. Then, hastily, I place my hand on his' and he hauls me up.

We are standing on top of the wall. I peer down to find a barren piece of ground. Once again, I scowl at all this.

"Maahirah," He says my name slowly in a husky tone. His breathe fans near my ear which sends waves of chills down my spine, and I start feeling cold, warm and fuzzy all at the same time.

"I've been told that you're being careless about your training. Some of the stunts that you have to perform while on your test are too risky and dangerous and one of them includes what you're going to do tonight."

He brought me here for training?

He waits for me to voice out my thoughts when I don't, he continues, "You've to walk over the edge of the wall."

At this my eyes widen. I look at my both sides to find hard ground. And if I fall, I will surely break my spine or worse I might die.

"What? I might fall!" I speak for the first time. And Aayan sighs with relief. Maybe he thought I lost my voice.

"And, I will be there to catch you."

I look at him. All I see is sincerity in his beautiful eyes and he is staring at me with so much intensity which my racing heartbeats can tell you.

"Come on. Now walk." He whispers.

I swallow. The base of the wall isn’t too thin. It’s somewhat safe. Beginning with Allah's name, I stable myself with my hands stretched parallel across from my body. I place my one leg forward and then the other.

For some nanoseconds, I'm doing great and just when I cry in my head, victoriously. My boot slips, and a low scream escapes my throat, however, at the same time, I feel hands around my upper-arms holding me in place. He kept his promise.

"Not bad." He chuckles, lightly.

"I'm trying." I snap.

"God, I know and you can do it,"

Ignoring the hint of amusement in his tone, I start walking with determined feelings. And Allah, I do great. After this I do not stumble at all.

Aayan smiles at me, impressively, when we complete the one round. He motions me to sit next to him and I do. Our legs dangle down.

For a while, silence emanates over us. The windy winter wind blows, making the already cold night frostier. The silvery moonlight lights on us and from a far distance from where we sit, the trees are dressed in a shroud of ice. The moonlight makes the ice on them glint and reflective.

"You know, I know that Maahirah, you're reluctant not to stay here, but there are some people who will love to have you here." He scoffs. "Like maybe me too."

I abruptly look at him. Once again, he leaves me speechless.

"So, in order to become a member of Elton, you've to pass this training test. Please." He adds the last word in a whisper.

I shiver. Aayan is pleading me. "I'll try." I admit.

"You what?" He stares at me, shocked. But he quickly covers it a dry cough. "I mean, that is great. And, I'll help you. I promise."

"I know you will."

Once again, silence takes over us. There is awkwardness, I might add, lot of awkwardness. Which makes me think will we work? Will we accept each other? Will.."

"Here," Aayan interjects my thoughts. I snap to look at him to find him holding out his hoodie for me.

"No, I'm fine." I say. Though, I obviously, am in desperate need to wrap in something warm.

"Aw, come on, you will freeze yourself and might catch cold. Just take it."

He’s wearing a simple white V neck. Wouldn’t he feel cold too?

“I’ll be fine. And, besides, I’m feeling hot in this hoodie.” He seems to read my mind.

Heaving a sigh, I take it. And, slowly put it on. The sleeves dangle below the tips of my fingers which means that the hoodie is too lousy. I intake his deep cologne scent. I don't know what scent it exactly is. But, oh, it smells so nice. It's light and beautiful.

"Listen, I'm sorry I didn't make any attempt to talk with you after our wedding because I believed you needed space to adjust to this whole new thing. I was ready for it coz I knew it will happen. But, you weren't. So, I'm pretty sure I gave you enough time, Maahirah. Didn't I?"

I nod, not able to speak.

"Anyways, I want to start this new chapter of 'our' life in a proper way. So, I want us to consider each other by being good friends. What do you say?" His British accent speaks softly, almost as if he is choosing his words, carefully.

I appreciate his amendment. I admire the way he's trying. And, I'm not the one to go mushy all over but this what I feel for him will indeed drive me crazy and he wants us to be in friends zone. It'd be good until I do not confirm whatever I'm feeling for him.

"Friends, it's." I force a smile.

"Now, that is out of the way. My mum wants to meet you. Say, will you accompany me?" He smiles.

OOOOOOOOOOOOO

Do not kill me for not including the wedding part. The thing is that I haven't attented a wedding in a long time. The last time I attended it, it was when I was like 7. So, I do not have experience of it at all and I so don't want to write anything out of experience.

Finally, Maahirah is going to meet Aayan's mother. Ugh...wow!! ;) Wasn’t Aayan cute? J

VOTE COMMENT BY TeLLING ME HOW WAS THE CHAPTER!!! PLEASE PROMOTE!! ;)

Now the story will progress at a bit faster pace as almost all the queries are answered. Almost.

Until next time,

MidnightWhisperer

PS: Pray that I ease my Arabic exam which is btw tomorrow! <_> It's so hard and even then I updated for you guys. So reward me!! ;) :p