Chapter Four

The bedside clock read 5.00 a.m and Zahid glanced at it before he got back into bed.

The sun had begun to rise outside and he had just returned from Fajr prayer. Yawning, he pulled the blanket over himself. The weather in Islamabad was colder- not that Zahid minded though. If he were to choose, he would choose the natural cold weather of Islamabad over the warmer early winter- climate of Lahore anytime. 

As he turned around, snuggling into the warmth of the bed and realizing that it had been days since he had been this comfortable, his comfort was broken by the last day's memories, and Zahid's eyes flashed open again, a frown on his face.

Of course, yesterday hadn't been the first time his aunt had mentioned the topic of marriage to him- but this time, she seemed really serious. Moreover, this was the first time she had actually mentioned some girl whose parents she had talked to.

"Meet her, Zahid. A single meeting won't hurt, would it?"

Sighing, Zahid put his arms behind his head- staring up at the fan on the ceiling.

Marriage. Did Zahid avoid the topic- like his aunt said he did? He wasn't so sure. Even if he did, he wasn't sure why. Frankly, Zahid had absolutely no experience with anything similar to this. He was a lawyer, and since he had only recently established his own law firm, he wanted to focus on it for a while.

Perhaps though, Zahid realized, these were all only just excuses. Was it fear, then- that was stopping him? Then again, Zahid wasn't sure what he was so scared of- was it the idea that he would have to share a part of his life with someone else?  Or was it because Zahid never thought too much about love, marriage, and what-not. He had lived a good single life on his own- and now suddenly stepping out of what he was so used to, no, he did not like the idea too much.

Forcing his mind to shut up for a while, Zahid pulled the covers over his face, closing his eyes.

He would think about this later, he decided, for now- he wanted to sleep.

~~~

"You only order in, don't you?" Mrs. Ahmed frowned distastefully, eyeing Zahid who devoured his lunch.

"Sometimes," Zahid said with a nod, "At home- I either cook or eat frozen food, and Harris cooks too sometimes when we're at work."

Mrs. Ahmed shook her head, sighing, "Can't you work here? You look like you haven't eaten properly for days."

Zahid raised a brow, chuckling. "It's just because I miss your cooking, khala. I take care of myself just fine. Anyways- you know I can't work here."

"I know, I know," Mrs. Ahmed said, "I wished you could, though. If it were up to me- I'd never want you to leave."

"If it were up to me, khala," Zahid said with a smile, "I'd never want to leave, either." Mrs. Ahmed narrowed her eyes though she couldn't keep the pleased expression off her face.

Zahid was only just done with his meal when his phone started ringing. Quickly putting the dishes on the counter, he went to pick up his phone, raising a brow when he noticed the name on the caller I.D.

"Assalamualaykum, habibi. Miss me already-",

"Wa-alaikumassalam," Harris cut him off and Zahid frowned when he noticed that he seemed a bit troubled, "Listen, Zahid, I got an email from Abdullah-I forwarded it to you- he says that he is taking back his word on the agreement."

Zahid's brows furrowed, as Harris went on, "He says that he wants to take this to court," Harris paused, "- as the plaintiff. He can't do that, can he?"

"As the plaintiff?" Zahid repeated, his eyes widening, "On what basis?" 

"I have no idea, he doesn't say in his email. Can he do that?" 

"I don't know," Zahid said, frowning, as he walked towards the living room, opening up his laptop, "For now, send him a scanned copy of the agreement he signed. Try to find out the basis behind which he is labeling himself the plaintiff, and try to find out who his lawyer is as well. We won't take this to court if we can help it."

"Alright," Harris said, "And should I inform our clients..."

"Yea," Zahid said, "Tell them that we're trying our best to handle the situation."

"Kay, dude. Khuda Hafiz," Harris said before he hung the phone.

Sighing, Zahid put his phone down as well. Leaning back in his seat, he massaged his temple. Of course, what was he expecting? This was the best break he could get.

Feeling his aunt's gaze on him, Zahid looked up, forcing a smile on his face.

"Everything alright?" she asked, looking clearly worried.

Zahid nodded, getting up to his feet, " There is a slight disturbance but nothing serious, InshAllah" Looking down at his watch, he noticed that it was almost time for Asr. "I'm going to the masjid, Khala. Be back soon."

~~~

As Zahid returned back home,  the sun was barely visible as the multitudes of shades in the sky were being replaced by a dark shade of blue. Shoving his hands in his pockets, he walked along the sidewalk, a slightly troubled expression on his face.

Though he was planning on returning from the masjid after Asr prayer, the management had called for volunteers to help with the upcoming charity event it had arranged, and Zahid had decided to help out a bit. Helping around and planning stuff, the meeting had only ended at Maghrib time, and thus, he was making his way back home after the Maghrib Salaah.

As he zipped his jacket, for the weather had started to grow cold again- Zahid could not help but feel slightly troubled. The reason behind this was Usman.

Usman was a good acquaintance of his, and though Zahid only met him at the masjid when he came over to stay at his aunt's- both were regulars and had developed a sort of friendship.

This time, though, Usman had met Zahid a bit differently. There was something about his expression and his attitude that struck Zahid as strange and later, he had surprised Zahid by asking him about his upcoming plans, and questions about his work and stuff. This was so out of the ordinary, and when Zahid had told him a bit about his plans for the law firm, Usman had nodded and said, "Let's see, InshAllah."

Now, that was strange enough, and before Zahid could question Usman about it- his brain had started to connect the dots, and the conclusion to which he had reached wasn't too pleasant. Rather troubling, really.

As Zahid entered the house, he muttered his salam, soon finding his aunt in the living room- reading a newspaper. She inquired why he had been late, and Zahid told her about volunteering at some charity event. (Apparently, Mrs. Ahmed was taking a part in the event as well)

As he settled down on the sofa, silence falling between the two- Zahid could not help the discomfort that was clawing at his brain. "Khala," he said, clearing his throat, "The girl you mentioned you had in mind. Who is she?"

Mrs. Ahmed blinked, clearly surprised to see this question coming from him. She put down her newspaper at once, pleased, and took off her reading glasses. "She's the daughter of a friend of mine- in the neighborhood. She's a wonderful girl, I've interacted with her quite a lot."

Zahid frowned, leaning forward in his seat, "And does she have a brother?"

Mrs. Ahmed nodded, " Yes. Usman- you know him."

Zahid exhaled slowly, squeezing his eyes shut. Of course.

"Why?" Mrs. Ahmed asked, "Did he say something to you?"

Zahid nodded briefly, "He was asking me questions."

Mrs. Ahmed nodded- not saying anything and Zahid felt something drop in the pit of his stomach.

He hadn't realized how serious this whole thing was getting.

"So", Mrs. Ahmed said a bit hesitatingly, "Did you think about it?"

Zahid inhaled slowly, leaning back in his seat. He had, hadn't he? As his mind again, starting to present to him all the reasons why he should reject, his heart rose to question why he wanted to reject it so much. 

In the battle between his heart and his mind, Zahid settled for somewhere in between: It is just a meeting, he told himself, nothing serious yet.

"I'll do istikhara tonight," Zahid said, finally, looking up at his aunt with a smile, "I'll tell you, then." 

Assalamualaykum! 

An insight to Zahid's professional life. I hope you liked this chapter ! Don't forget to vote and comment.