La ilaha illallah muhammadur rasool ullah!

There is no God except Allah, Muhammad (S.A.W) is His messenger

-first kalimah of Islam

++++++

Ruqayyah

i set beside Iqra as the jewelers showed us the rings 

"This one?" asked mah aunty and i merely smiled

Its not that i was not interested but because i was too scared to dream about life after getting married 

they say you need a strong heart to dream again, i guess i dont have that much courage to do it 

i was happy, too happy before my nikah to Musawwir, thinking all the best romantic possibilities ever- 

until a day later when the whole family decided i was no good and crushed me!

i sighed and looked down at my hand 

i knew this family is not the same but i still have my hesitations!

"Ruqayyah are you okay?" asked Loriza aunty and i nodded smiling at her 

"Okay so i need a girl!" she suddenly announced

i stared at her in shock

"A girl? why?" asked mah aunty and everyone else laughed

"Not for me, Shumayll!!!" she said and everyone turned to him 

"Uh... hey?" he said in a questioning way 

Iqraam smacked his head and he pouted

"I don't deserve this!!" he whined and Iqraam laughed 

"Anyways- i need him married as soon as possible (ASAP) and the fact that there is not a freaking girl in mind is getting to my nerves!" she said and i chuckled and so did everyone else

"Calm down Riza, you always find the best of all girls for your boys!" Said mah aunty winking at Huma who blushed

"No, This is different, Shumayll... is.... well Shumayll-" she said and sighed deeply 

"Now that Iqraam is going to be married, i doubt there will be someone to handle this guy!!" she said and Shumayll laughed

"Iqraam- handle me? wow thats a first!" he laughed and Iqraam glared at him 

"Go die" said Iqraam and Shumayll laughed and i chuckled

"I just need to find someone....!" whined Loriza aunty and everyone else laughed 

"Take a chill, its Iqraam's nikah tomorrow-" said Iqra and everyone nodded

"Yes, baboon is right- its Iqraam's nikah tomorrow- finally my boys growing up" said Shumayll wiping away fake tears as he hugged Iqraam 

Everyone laughed and Iqra snorted

"Riiigghhhttt- everyone grows up but unfortunately, you didn't- pity ehy?" sassed Iqra and Shumayll's mouth hung open 

"Please huh, i can be very mature!" he replied folding his arms over his chest 

"Of course, when was the last time you were mature? and that does not count walking out of the house without falling once!" replied Iqra rolling her eyes 

"Wel.. i- no- we- that time- nah- oh-" muttered Shumayll and i laughed with the rest as Iqra smirked at him 

"What happened, Monkey? cat got your tongue? or should i say baboon shut you up?" she smirked and Shumayll looked away 

"Never mind, Iqraar Ibrahim! I am only leaving you for now because the matters of my life is being discussed and if you don't mind, I would like to participate!" Replied Shumayll putting his hand on his chin in a 'attentive listening manner'

Everyone laughed and Shumayll winked at Iqra which I found quite amusing coz he did it when no one was watching

I raised an eyebrow at him (not that he could see though) and when he saw me, his mouth hung open

I chuckled and shook my head and he seemed relieved

"Okay back to business, how are you feeling, daughter in law?" Asked Loriza aunty wiggling her eyebrows and I blushed looking down

I knew what she was implying!!!

"Ahem umm.... have you picked out your ring?" Said the jeweler and everyone laughed

"Oh yes, the ring-" and with that hassle began

They all began searching for the perfect ring and I looked up to Iqraam
He set there staring at something

Shumayll seemed to be endlessly chatting with him and i followed Iqraam's gaze 

he was staring at the silver diamond ring 

it was really simple and away from the wedding rings, wander why 

I looked up to him and he caught my gaze 

His eyes flickered to the ring and i nodded

it seemed as if we could talk in actions and body movements without saying much which was weird since i never thought anyone would understand my gestures 

He picked it up and turned to the rest of us

"Hows this?" he asked holding up the ring 

The jeweler shook his head

"Its in the normal section, not really made for the weddings" he said and Iqraam raised his eyebrow 

"Where is this made?" he asked and i sighed

of course he would ask the place of manufacture!!

why not ask the market price, the composition and its original stone mark? 

"Dubai- its from the finest of the manufactures, Killson, made only in one piece but it is rare and used for general ring purposes, you see its too simple for an engagement ring-" explained the jeweler 

Iqraam grinned

"I want this-" he said and mah aunty smiled

"You sure- its really simple-" she said and i remembered the ring he gave me 

"Yes- i am sure Ruqayyah likes it" he smirked and my eyes went wide

"Uh... yes.." i muttered and Loriza aunty cooed with every other girl in the room except Iqra 

"So its that one- and for Iqraam?" asked abba turning to me and i shook my head

"He can choose his-" said Iqra as if reading my thoughts

"Yes- i want a similar one- somewhat a band instead of this diamond- its engravings should be in black and it should be at least 1cm thick-" said Iqraam grinning at his phone 

"How did you decide all that in minutes?" questioned Namaan and he grinned 

"google- i knew what i wanted- i said it-" he smirked at me and i diverted my gaze

"i shall contact the jewelers today itself and have it made by a day- latest it will be here in 3 days- will it be okay. Mr. Ibrahim?" asked the Jeweler and Iqraam nodded smiling 

soon it was all over and i was alone in the kitchen with Iqra and Nabz

"I find him funny...." muttered Nabz as she put the plates away 

"Who?' i asked her, putting the glass set in the cupboards 

"Oh- that... umm.... s-Shumay- Shumayll-" she replied and i chuckled

"that guy has humor....." i said and Iqra chuckled

I turned to her as Nabz walked out of the kitchen 

"What was that about?" i asked her and she stared at me innocently 

"What?" she asked me taking out ice cream 

"Dont act like you don't know- i know you know- the wink, the smiles, the talks, the blushes-" i said and she began taking out her ice cream ignoring me

"Come on Iqra, i thought we were past being bhabhi and sister- in- law!" i muttered and she turned to me

'There is nothing.... he is just... another guy who thinks hes fun and loving and caring but hes not- hes selfish and wants what he wants- he is self obsessed and egoistic and he can be really annoying- " she said and i stared at her

wow her views on him is pretty weird

"Sorry its just... alot has been in my mind and...  i- i need space..." she said and i nodded

"I understand- may i know whats bothering you?" i asked her and she shook her head

"I- i am not ready.... to tell anyone...as yet.." she said and i nodded again 

"Its okay... just know i am here-" i hugged her and she nodded

she took her ice cream and walked out of the kitchen leaving me alone to my thoughts

something was wrong with her and it was bothering her alot 

"You alright?" questioned Iqraam and i turned around to face him 

"y- yes" i said hiding the facts about his sister 

"oh okay.. i hope you are okay about tomorrow-" he said rubbing his neck and i nodded

just then i remembered my insecurities and felt...well.. insecure 

i needed to tell him that

'Iqraam... there is something... something i need to tell you......." i said and he nodded

"Continue-" he said smiling at me

"Iqraam.. my- my past- it- it was r-rough" i said and he cuts me off

"I have said this before and i am saying this now, i don't want to know your past-its your past... we have a future-" he whispered as he stood a foot away from me 

feeling the close proximity, a feeling of nausea hit me. 

my breathing felt rapid and as deja vu, i felt my body give up 

my heart rate increased and i heard Iqraam's voice last before my eyes fluttered close 

Ya Allah please let everything be fine..

 ++++++++

salaam people....

i am backkk...

i am deeply sorry for not updating... 

here is why: (Its quite long so pls bare with me) 

there was a wedding, as a typical big fat indian wedding, it started on last wednesday- 23rd Dec, and ended on Sunay, 26th december...

i swear i have never been so busy before- i had to decorate the whole stage, be the DJ of the wedding, be part of the wedding procession (groom's side) and take care of tiny details like all kids are safe and what not 

i kept running about looking for things from the first day until the last- 

i am so tired but i wrote one chap for u all lovely readers

now i am off to some other function, later people 

hope ur christmas holidays went good... 

mine was busy with the wedding.... 

love u all 

muahhh 

~Queen