WARNING: LONGEST CHAPTER AHEAD!!!!

Date: 27/06/2020

The Blue Eyes (Rifa Fathma)

Last Episode:

The Blue Eyes!!

Two hours of relentless rain made Lahore cool and moist. The smell of the soil was scattered across the city making the weather more comfortable.

Ibrahim's resident had taken a shower by the rain poured down from the cloud. When the clouds moved away leaving space for the sun to settle on the sky, the house stood fresh and proud as the 'heart' of that house was soon to be someone's groom.

A car halted in front of the house and the door was opened revealing Hammad. He closed the car's door giving a nod to the watchman in greetings.

He ringed the bell and waited. The door was opened revealing Mehar standing with a searching look.

"Assalamu Alaikum, Aunty!"

"Oh, Hammad! Wa Alaikumus Salaam Warahmatullah! Come in, dear!" She smiled moving to the side leaving a way for him to enter.

"I have made Halwa Puri (his eyes went wide as he smiled at his aunt) Yes, your favourite! Haha, come and have some!" She went to the kitchen followed by the greedy eyes of Hammad.

"You know how much I missed your Halwa Puri? I asked Minal to make one for me, but it was gross." He scrunched his nose in disgust.
She laughed at her nephew. "But as far as I know, your sister is a good cook, you know."

"Minal and good cook? My foot!" He brushed the tip of his nose.

"If only Minal could hear this," said Mehar handing him a plate full of delicious Halwa Puri.

"Aunty, Zayaan called me yesterday to come and pick him up today for shopping. So, better I should hold up my stomach for now, or else he will kill me if I delay. But once the shopping is done, I will make sure to come here and please my stomach by your savoury Halwa Puri," said Hammad eyeing the plate in front of him. How he wished to eat the whole plate in one go.

"Zayaan asked you to come along for his wedding shopping?" She opened the refrigerator to place the plate.

"Yeah, he said that he wanted to buy a gift and wedding dress for his soon to be wife. What to do, Aunty, your nephew is an expert in girl's shopping, unlike your son." He winked.

"Who is an expert in what and who is not?" The mother and the nephew turned their head at the new voice. Zayaan was descending the stairs, unfolding the sleeves of his black T-Shirt. With his washed face and his brown hair in a messy way, he looked cool and casual as always.

"I said that you are an expert in (he fake coughed) romance unlike me." Hammad innocently looked at him acting to be oblivious that what he said was the opposite.

"Seriously? (He narrowed his eyes at Hammad) when it comes to knowledge and good looking, I guess I don't need to tell you who is an expert here." He smirked at Hammad, grabbing a bread slice with butter and jam.

Mehar slapped his handoff from the plate of pieces of bread to which he winced.

"I have made this for Aimon, not for you." Mehar frowned at him. He loved bread and jam more than anything else. He strode towards the door muttering an "Ok fine, whatever!"

"Hey wait, at least have your breakfast Zayaan," Mehar screamed back from the kitchen.

"You know what, Aunty? Your son will go to the category of men who changes after their marriage. You see." Hammad placed his hands in his pant pocket, making his shoulder fall downwards, still reluctant to leave his Halwa Puri.

"I can hear you, Hammad. Now hurry up and come," he shouted from the threshold of his home, waiting for Hammad to accompany him soon so that he could start his day for the shopping. Hammad gave a defeated look at Mehar.

Hammad gave a sharp look coming towards him. "Were you eavesdropping at our pretty conversation or your ears are so sharp that you can hear our secret talks from a long distance?" He sacrificed his Halwa Puri for him.

"I see, someone is looking ahead for his marriage, huh?" After a few minutes of driving, Hammad turned his attention towards Zayaan.

"Don't you think it's the time for you to get married too? Never fail to annoy me." Brushing the tip of his nose, he said to an unemployed Hammad who ignored his words and continued,

"A few days ago someone was saying 'I'm not ready yet, I'm still 25'" Hammad mimicked his voice.

"I agreed to this marriage for the sake of Ammi and Ayesha." He stopped himself from saying that he had made his decision based on the outcome of the Istikharah he performed the other day. He knew his liberal friend didn't believe in Istikharah and stuff.

****

When the sun went away leaving room for the stars and moon to spark in the sky, the dark sky spread its shadow across Islamabad. The dark shadow peeked into the balcony, situated in the upstairs of Ahmed's house.

Maira was sitting on her bed with the Qur'an placed in front of her on the pillow. A black cotton shawl was draped around her head. Her beautiful voice, reciting The Holy Qur'an, echoed across the room.

One week. Just one more week before she will get married to a man. And then she will be someone's wife and daughter-in-law.

The only thought that was lingering with her from the past month was how she will face her life after marriage. How she will handle her future. The same future about which she didn't have any idea about. Her foster mother had too much hatred towards her to even advise her how to handle or solve her life after marriage. How she wished to have her mother, Qurrath in the most important part of her life. Her marriage. After one week, her life would be completely changed. The question is, will it change for better or worse?

"And of His Signs is that He has created mates for you from your kind that you may find peace in them and He has set between you love and mercy. Surely there are Signs in this for those who reflect." (Qur'an: 30:21)

She stared blankly at the verse, which just soothed her nervous heart. She just loved how Allah answers his people. One minute she was afraid about her marital life and now she was as calm as the sea. Only one verse is needed to heal the broken heart.

She didn't know how long she was reciting the Qur'an until her eyes drifted off...

She was standing on a dark and scary road... Tears were flooding down her flushed cheeks... Her tearful eyes were not living the animal in front of her... The poisonous animal, hissing and slithering, surrounded her by all the sides... She was screaming seeing the animal which she was afraid of in her life more than anything... The snake...

"Maira, listen, listen to me, do not scream." She was there... The Blue-eyed girl was there like always, ready to protect her... Maira screamed more when the snake tried to attack her...

"I said do.not.scream. Stay still. Look at me dear, look over here." Maira turned towards the calm girl, who was covered with Abaya revealing nothing but those Blue eyes... The snake then turned its body towards the voice coming from the distance... It started moving its body towards the blue-eyed girl who was now startled seeing the animal coming her way...

Maira screamed at her. "MOVE!!"... That's when Maira saw that her surrounding was very dark in contrast to the surrounding of the blue-eyed girl and from her back was coming a powerful bright white light...

"If I have known that this place is dangerous for you, I wouldn't have brought you here in the first place," said she calmly to Maira whose eyes now fixed at the snake moving away from Maira and instead of going towards the calm girl...

"It's coming your way. Oh, girl, mov-" Maira was cut off when the snake stopped in front of a dead Rabbit which was laying a few feet away from the blue-eyed girl...

"Come to me, my dear!" said she, extending her hand towards the stunned Maira...

"It won't attack us, now. It has found its prey."...

Maira headed towards her with her eyes never leaving the snake whose attention was now on the dead Rabbit... She placed her hand on the extended palm... Their hands interlaced... They both started proceeding towards the way, from where the bright white light was coming... The light of Allah...

Her eyes were opened with a shock as she saw the darkness engulfed her surroundings. She was in her room, sweating badly. She sat on the bed, with her chest rising and falling with astonishment. Her eyes scanned the room. No snake, no dead Rabbit, no one.

Rubbing her temple, she recalled her dream.

Snake?

She quickly grabbed her phone and typed,

"What does dreaming about a snake mean?"

The information popped up on the screen,

"Generally, a snake featured in a dream means that you're dealing with a difficult situation or unsettling emotions in your waking life. On the positive side of this dream analysis, dreaming of snakes could also mean that healing and transformation are taking place." (Google)

Which means that Blue eyed girl is going to take her away from this house or maybe from the world?

The window of her room was closed. It was raining harshly, splashing the water on her window. The room became cosy because of the rain.

That's when her eyes landed on the bouquet placed on her writing table. She placed her feet on the cold ground and went towards the table. Dragging the chair, she sat on it.

Before she could take the bouquet, her eyes caught a notebook placed beside the bouquet. She was very well aware as to who has given this to her. With a smile on her lips and with her heart pounding hard with joy, she took the notebook.

Dear Maira,

I hope you are doing well. As I'm very busy these days, I couldn't get the time to communicate with you. I hear you are getting married next week. I'm so happy for you, sister. May Allah bless you with a very happy married life.

As you are not close with your foster parents, I think I quite have an idea about what you are going through right now. You need a lecture. An advice about of course what the word 'Marriage' is according to Islam. I very well know that your parents hadn't discussed it with you as you were just 9/10 years old back then.

So, yeah! This diary is all about 'Marriage'. How you should spiritually lead your Marital life. Your rights as a wife in Islam. Everything. I hope you will find answers to the questions, which might be dreading you for the past few days...

This is how that Blue eyed girl communicated with her. A diary or a letter. A smile crossed across her lips as she continued to turn the pages. Suddenly, her eyes landed on a small piece of paper on the bouquet. perplexed, she unfolded it to see the beautiful words written,

May you unfold the gift of love every day and may your life bloom and blossom with each passing second... CONGRATULATIONS ~ Your Angelic sister

Her smile grew even wider. It was still raining. She looked at the dark sky outside the window.

Thanks for blessing me with such an amazing sister or...

****

The sun sat in the sky staring at that house, where people were beaming with joy as they were performing the preparations for today's wedding.

Ibrahim's family came last week from Lahore to Islamabad, as both sides of the family agreed that the wedding should be held in Islamabad. Now, they were staying in one of their relatives' homes. Once the wedding was done, they would go back to Lahore with the bride tonight.

Everyone was involved in doing the last minute preparation.

"Musa, can you drive to the market and get a pair of slippers for Aimon? I barely forgot to bring them from Lahore." Rushing here and there, Ayesha said to her husband who was rocking sleepy Aimon in his arms. Musa placed Aimon on the bed and scrambled towards the main door.

A cat was crouching on the road, watching Musa coming out of the house. Musa sat in the car and drove away. To not lose Musa's sight, the cat climbed on the tree and slumped on a branch, watching Musa's car speeding away. The cat's blue eyes turned towards the room in which he was standing in front of the mirror.

Wearing a cream-coloured Sherwani with zardozi embroidery bottoming it by a red pyjama, he was looking handsome. Closing the cuffs and pulling his brown hair back with the gel, he scanned his dashing appearance in the mirror. Today he was going to lose his bachelorhood and then he would be married to a woman whom he had never seen before. The praising of his bride from his relatives after their engagement was running in his mind. He wondered how his bride looked like. Will she accept him or not?

Never in his life did he ever feel as nervous as today.

Rubbing his chin by his thumb and finger with his gaze on the floor, he seemed to be lost in his thoughts. Yesterday, after the Haldi Ceremony, his mother came to his room and advised how he had to take care of his soon to be bride. As his wife never got the love of her parents, he had to give the love which she was craving for so long. He had to be a perfect husband and a friend with whom she can trust and share every problem comfortably.

His lips curled up into a smile as he promised himself that he will take care of her and love her with all his heart and will never leave her hand until his last breath.

He lifted his gaze and his blue eyes met the cat's blue eyes who was staring at him.

The cat's gaze diverted towards something as it smelt a rat running down on the road. Its gaze started following the rat, jumping upon jumping on different buildings. Suddenly the rat disappeared among the busy vehicles. The cat stopped on a balcony as tried to catch the rat. As it failed to catch its prey, it turned its neck to the room of that balcony. There, she was sitting in front of the mirror with her head bent down.

After doing the last touch-up to the bride, the make-up artist leaned backwards to have a clear view of the bride.

"Wow, Masha Allah, you are looking so beautiful!" said her friend who was sitting on the bed. The make-up artist nodded along with appreciation, packing her things.

She lifted her head to see her reflection and a gasp escaped from her mouth witnessing her beautiful face staring back at her.

Wearing her Golden wedding dress which fitted her perfectly with her black hair beautifully tied up into a bun with some curls framing her cheeks and with her black eyes outlined with kohl and light eye-liner and with her naturally big eyelashes, shadowing her upper cheeks and finally her small lips, applied with red lipstick, she was stunning!

The make-up artist left the room leaving the bride with her friend alone.

"I'm sure Zayaan won't able to take his eyes off you." Her already blushed cheeks turned even more crimson.

"Oh, shut up Iram! Here I'm so nervous and..." She lowered her gaze and twisted her fingers out of nervousness.

"No! Let me correct you! You are eagerly waiting to get married." Iram teased her as to how she was teasing since her marriage was fixed.

To be honest with herself, she was somewhat waiting to be married soon so that she could get rid of this house as soon as possible. At least there won't be any taunts and scolds hereafter. At first, she was very nervous. But as the time passed and as she started engulfing herself more towards Allah, her heart finally found peace. She didn't know why but she had a hunch that her marital life will be going to be beautiful.

She was delighted, worried and dreadful at the same time. Delighted, because she will soon going to leave this house and will live a happy life ahead. Worried, because these things were very foreign to her and so is to every girl who has to leave her parents and everything behind and go and live with a different family, home and with a different man about whom she didn't know anything.

And dreadful, because her parents were not there when she needed them the most. Today was a very important day for her. It was a turning point in her life after which her life would be entirely changed. How she wished she had her parents on her side on this very blissful day of her life.

Her eyes were brimming with tears but she quickly blinked them away. She didn't want to cry today. Not today. Iram hugged her tightly seeing her best friend's current state.

A knock on the door interrupted both friends as they untangled themselves from each other. She stood up seeing Ahmed entering the room.

"Masha Allah! My daughter is looking beautiful today!" Ahmed affectionately kissed her forehead as she closed her eyes with the only thought in her mind. At least someone was there by her side from her childhood till now. Her heart filled. Will she be able to live without her foster father?

"Oye! Don't cry my little daughter," Ahmed said watching her eyes shining with tears. She blinked back the tears clearing her vision and fired a smile.

"Now is the time to get your conformance." She heaved a sigh as Iram squeezed her hand. Yunus, who was Ahmed's cousin, appeared in the room and stood beside Ahmed. She could hear her heartbeat now.

"Do you, Maira Sulaiman, accept Zayaan Ibrahim as your husband?" There was an eerie silence spread across the room as everyone waited for the bride's answer. She tightened her sweaty hand with Iram and said, "I do!" Everyone congratulated each other. The cat continued to stare at the joyous faces in the room.

****

That day, Faisal Mosque was shining proudly under the sun as their Nikkah had been held there.

Zayaan was surrounded by Ibrahim, Musa, Ahmed, Yunus and his friends. He was feeling a bit anxious.

"Do you, Zayaan Ibrahim, accept Maira Sulaiman as your wife?" Imam raised his voice.

Sighing deeply, he said the words with confidence."I do!" His voice boomed across the mosque as everywhere started wishing each other.

"Congratulations, brother! From now on, you are no more a bachelor. Huh?" Zayaan spun around at the sound and a cheerful smile captured his lips, seeing his friend, Shehriyar, who was strolling towards him.

"When have you come, man? You didn't even care to inform me, did you?" He gave a manly hug to his friend.

"I just wanted to give you a surprise." Shehriyar shrugged with a grin.

They started walking towards the exit of the Mosque as they had to go to the Marriage hall, now. "So, have you come alone or what?"

"No, Sara sure did tag along with me. When she heard the news about you getting married, she became so stubborn to meet you right that instant." Shehriyar shook his head smiling while Zayaan giggled.

****

Paradise Complex was adorned beautifully. Luxurious cars were arranged outside the hall. Different types of lights were hanging at the entrance. The white chairs were neatly placed for the guests inside. Various types of garlands were hanging on the wall. With Air conditioners on everywhere, the hall was cosy and beautiful.

She was sitting on the stage, covering her face with the veil. Sara, Minal and Iram were sitting beside her. Voices were coming from the entrance.

"It seems baraat (groom's family) has arrived," said Sara as she stood up from the place raised her head to have a clear of the newcomers.

Fiza and Laiba had already told Ahmed that they were not doing any rituals on behalf of Maira. They will just come as a guest. Well... that's what they were doing. They haven't arrived yet. It was Yunus's wife and daughters and other relatives of Ahmed who welcomed the groom, showering rose petals on him.

He felt rose petals falling on him as his eyes scanned the hall in search of someone. His wife. She was sitting in the centre of the stage gaining everyone's attention. Maira had persisted Ahmed that they should make the men and women dine separately as she could not stand men staring at her. Soon, he was sent towards the men's section.

Everyone was rejoicing and laughing with happiness, chatting with each other except for two. Fiza and Laiba were standing at a far end corner of the hall, seeing the most beautiful bride with hatred. It had to be Laiba in that place. But no. They chose her over Laiba. They couldn't able to see the marriage which was arranged in the most luxurious marriage hall. They couldn't take Everyone's smiles especially Ahmed's.

Time flew by and she didn't even know till someone stood beside her who was now her husband. They could feel the flashlights and people's praising them as being the perfect couple they were.

It was time for Ruksati (bride's departure). Everyone came and hugged her as he waited patiently.

She broke down when Ahmed embraced her with his warm hug. Sobs escaped from her mouth as she hugged her foster father tightly. Ahmed felt the warm and fresh tears falling on his shirt. He broke the hug and kissed her forehead. It was when she saw her foster father crying for the first time in her entire life. It was so hard to leave such an innocent child like her.

Ahmed took her hand and interlaced it with Zayaan, who had a pitiful look for Maira.

"Please take care of her. Never leave her side and give her the love she deserves" Ahmed said with his shaky voice.

"You have my word." Her heart skipped a beat as she heard his voice for the first time.

****

The wind hit Ibrahim's home at night. Two cars stopped in front of the house. Everyone welcomed the newly wedded couple with rose petals showering on them.

She was embraced with a warm hug. Never had she ever experienced a mother's hug. But today, she realised that she had found her mother.

"From now on, I have two daughters." smiling, Mehar said as she broke the hug.

Two daughters? He has a sister too?

She didn't meet his sister yet. Sara was the only one from his family with whom she had become somewhat closer.

She felt exhausted from travelling for 4 hours from Islamabad to Lahore. She wasn't ready to attend any rituals right now. She whispered to Sara that she wanted to take a rest. After informing Mehar, Sara brought her to his room which was now her room too.

The room was decorated with burning candles, making the room beautiful. Rose petals sprinkled on the bed with their name 'Zayaan weds Maira' framing it with heart-shaped rose petals. Her heart skipped a beat seeing her name with someone else. After some comfortable conversation between them, Sara left their room giving a soft squeeze to her hand.

The room went silent and dark with lights illuminating from the candles as she waited for her husband.

In the hall, Zayaan was accompanied by Shehriyar and Sara, who were spending time with their bestie before going back to London.

"You again offer you to stay here for two more days," he said with his hands on his pyjama pocket.

"No, I have to attend a function. Mom will kill me if I won't return today," Shehriyar said, shaking his head, silently imagining his mother's tantrums.

"By the way, your wife is so sweet," Sara said flipping her hair.

"Agreed," Shehriyar said trying to engulf the conversation.

"When did you see my wife?" He narrowed his eyes at Shehriyar.

"I... I..." Shehriyar, who just simply agreed to his girlfriend, tried to come up with something.

"Someone is too possessive (Hammad was coming towards them with a smirk) I see!" He ended.

"It's not like that." Zayaan shrugged trying to act cool but his earlobe, turning into pink, proved everything. Everyone laughed.

"Who is she?" said Hammad eyeing Sara and in turn, he received a deadly glare.

"Mind your own business!" Shehriyar narrowed his eyes at Hammad, who immediately raised his hands in defence. "Calm down. I was just enquiring as I have never seen her before (he then turned towards Zayaan) isn't he your 'Shehru' about whom you were talking before... that you so badly miss your best friend from London?" he asked scratching his chin. Zayaan, On the other hand, was trying hard not to laugh at their two different besties.

"Zayaan bhai? You are still here?" Minal asked coming towards him.

"And there in your room, Maira is waiting for her husband."

"Now don't say that you haven't come here to show off," Hammad said to his sister eyeing Shehriyar. That's when Minal realised that someone other than his brother and cousin was standing.

"Oh... I'm not YOU to flirt," She gruffly replied to Hammad and went away. Hammad's face became white hearing an insult in front of Sara. He excused himself as he saw Zayaan laughing at him

"It's time for you to go to your room. We too are leaving now," Shehriyar said gazing at his watch.

"Bye! Take care of her. She is too sweet!" Sara exclaimed. After bidding goodbye to his friends, he started going towards his room.

He ran his hand through his brown hair. Sighing, he twisted the doorknob and opened the door. There she was, sitting on the bed with her head bent down covering her face with the veil. He stepped in and closed the door behind him.

She was sweating although the room was cool under Air Conditioner. The bed dipped as he sat beside her. He slowly took the veil and came in the face with the most beautiful girl he had ever imagined before. Chubby tanned cheeks, pink nose and small lips. She was beautiful. He muttered 'Masha Allah' under his breath.
She was his wife, his Queen.

When she lifted her gaze, the brown eyes met the blue ones. A small gasp escaped from her lips. Something was oddly familiar with those mesmerising blue eyes.

Clearing his throat he greeted. "Assalamu Alaikum." She shrugged away the thoughts and greeted him back. They were again engulfed with an awkward silence.

"How are you?" In the silent room, his voice echoed sending chills down her spine.

"Alhamdulillah!"

Few minutes passed of him asking her questions and she was just replying.

"I guess you have met Sara. She said that you are too sweet." Blood rushed to her cheeks as she lowered her gaze.

"I-I see!"

He scratched the back of his neck.
"Well, I agree with Sara!" Her blush deepened.

"Uh! She too is nice!" She said, hesitating.

"Thanks to Allah that you said something other than just answering me," He said never taking his gaze off from her.

How can someone be so cute and innocent?

That's what he was praying to Allah to bless him with a wife with modesty, shyness and innocence. She had all those qualities in her. He silently thanked Allah for blessing him with a beautiful wife from inside and out.

"I guess you can get along with Ayesha." He voiced out his thoughts. He was sure they would make a good pair.

"Ayesha?" She knitted her eyebrows in confusion.

"Yeah. Ayesha. My sister! Wait. You did meet her, didn't you?" He asked shockingly.

She shook her head. "No?"

He was shocked to know that his crime partner, the one, who found Maira for him, didn't meet her.

"Well, she has gone to her in-law's home. I will introduce you to her at Minal's wedding."

"I guess I have met Minal already. Isn't she the one with heavy make-up?" He was taken aback by her sentence. He didn't expect her to be frank with him soon. But he was glad.

"Haha, yeah! She is the one."

****

Dear Blue Eyes,

I'm so grateful to you for coming into my life,

And for teaching me the meaning of 'life'

It was in the afternoon when she seized her diary and settled on the bed in front of the window facing the cold breeze and the chirping of the birds.

Thanks for teaching me about Deen,

Or else, the beauty of Islam would have gone by me unseen.

They were standing on the threshold of their home, watching at the glorious rain falling on their backyard. A smile was lingering on his lips when she asked,

"You like rain?"

"I just love it." He shrugged. "you?"

"Who don't?" she smiled.

"Then, what are we waiting for?"

I always fear hearing the sound of thunder,

Thanks for telling me to enjoy the rain and just wonder.

"I love your hair."

She was combing her hair when he mumbled. She looked at him and found him busy on his laptop.

"Oh!"

"Leave your hair open." This time he lifted his gaze at him, whose cheeks were flushed. She kept staring at him.

"What. You can do that. You know, I'm halal." he winked with a cheeky smile on his face.

I have gone through a lot of horrible nights,

Thanks for guiding me towards Allah's Light.

"What is this?" She was sitting on her bed, holding a small box. He was kneeling in front of her.

"Find it by yourself." He smiled at her with love sparking in his eyes. As she opened the box, a gasp escaped from her mouth. A white elegant bracelet with some grey pearls embedded on it, it was beautiful. He took the bracelet and slid it on her wrist, making her wrist shine in glory.

"It's beautiful. Thank you so much Zayaan." Her eyes filled with tears.

There were times when I was really sad,

Thanks for stopping me from going mad.

"I don't deserve you. I'm not worth being your wife."

She was preparing the lunch while he was helping her by cutting the vegetables.

"And may I know who said like that?"

She heaved a sigh. "Laiba. She always used to tell that I'm ugly, worth-"

"Stop right there. I know why she is saying like this."

She arched an eyebrow, giving him a look of 'seriously?'

"Two things. (He made a 'V' with his fingers) two things in her were making her think like this. One. Her heart. She just doesn't want to accept the fact that you are more beautiful than her. Two. Her eyes. She badly needs a doctor for them." She burst out laughing.

There were times when I was depressed,

Thanks for letting me know that the anger should be suppressed.

"Mehar begum." Mehar was settling her clothes in her wardrobe when Zayaan shouted, running into the room.

"Zayaan, I will throw a slipper on your face if you dare call me by my name again," she said without taking her gaze from the clothes.

"Guess what, guess what?" He turned her around by her arms.

"Now what?" She gritted her teeth.

"Maira finally laughed." He squealed.

"Seriously Zayaan?"

I don't know I shed how many countless tears,

Thanks for helping me to overcome my fears.

"Maira?"

She was watering the plant when she felt him behind. She turned around to see him holding a red rose in his hand. He came closer.

Scratching the back of his neck, he said, "You are the most beautiful thing that ever happened to me. Thanks for coming into my life."

Thanks for making me understand the meaning of Salah,

I would have never communicated with Allah.

"May I know what my cute girl doing alone in the kitchen? That too at this time of the night?"

She stilled on her place hearing the exact words from her husband which once she heard from that blue-eyed girl.

"May I know what this cute girl doing alone in this lonely street? That too at this time of the night?"

Being a shy girl I'm, I never knew how to use violence,

Thanks for showing me that problems should be solved with silence.

It was 2:00 am. They were sitting at the garden steps of the house, sipping some hot coffee. He found her lost in her thoughts.

"What's running on your mind?"

When she hesitated to speak up, he placed his hand on her and gave a gentle squeeze, encouraging her to speak up.

"Urm, actually, I think that life is beautiful but sometimes I cannot handle the hurdles. Sometimes it becomes so tough that I can not able to take it. I just don't understand why do people have to be this hard, mean and...cruel?

He knew what she had been going through before their marriage. How he wished to change her past.

"Look at the sky!" He gestured towards the sky, where numerous stars and moon were shining.

"The sky is very dark. Isn't it? Still, the moon is shining. Be like a moon. Don't care about your surroundings. No matter how dark it is, you have to keep shining and keep having hope in Allah. And then you will see your surroundings more beautiful just like how we see the sky the next morning." He smiled. She was silent for a minute contemplating his words.

"But how do we have to shine?"

"By engulfing ourselves towards Allah. Once you come to know how to not care about the world, that day you will be the most successful woman."

My thoughts were like "life is not beautiful,"

Thanks for encouraging me by saying, "Be You The Full."

She disconnected the call and burst out crying. Zayaan who was reciting the Qur'an got startled.

"M... Maira? Why are you crying? Is everything all right?"

"T... They are in the h... Hospital!"

He came towards her and shook her by her shoulders. "Who?"

"M...Mother and Laiba." Now, she cried even hard.

"Shush!" He hugged her tightly. She cried and cried until the waters stopped rolling down from her eyes. That's when he said,

"Don't you think you should be thankful to Allah for this?"

And he received a slight punch on his chest.

Thanks for making me strong and helpful like a tree,

Now I'm flying like a bird. I'm just free.

She pinned the hijab around her hair as she checked herself in the mirror. Her phone beeped.

Zayaan calling!

"Hello...?" Zayaan already went to the Royal Forts to attend Minal's wedding as Mehar insisted to him that she wanted to come with Maira.

"Where are you?"

"Few more minutes."

Thanks for teaching me how to live like a bird,

Or else everyone would have seen me like I'm absurd.

Royal Forts by Mughal e Azam is a famous Wedding hall in Lahore. She reached Royal Forts. As Minal's family didn't take Islamic Principles seriously, there was no separation of men and women. Her eyes were scanning for one particular figure, with her heart beating fast. No one was in Abaya but she. What if Zayaan was too like Hammad? What if he won't accept Abaya? What if she will see Zayaan's disappointed face?

The strength to fight that I couldn't muster,

Thanks for coming into my life as a sister.

"Maira?" She jumped on her place hearing the voice from behind. She heaved a sigh of relief. It was him. She turned around and the brown eyes met the blue one. He was smiling broadly as if he got the answers.

"Thanks to Allah." He seemed satisfied.

"Huh?"

"I... I... I thought that you don't wear Abaya. I always wished for a wife who covers herself from other men. So..." He scratched the back of his neck.

How cute!

I see myself in danger in my future,

Thanks for showing me my bright future.

Suddenly, a man bumped into her. His eyes went wide with anger. He shoots daggers at the man, who was talking to someone now.

Thanks for coming into my life as a sister,

And for introducing me to my Mister.

"You better go to Ayesha, she is waiting for you there. Men nowadays have lost manners," He said still glaring towards that man. She like his caring towards her. She inwardly smiled.

"Life is nothing but a hell." Was my thought,

Thanks for changing my thought and for everything you taught.

"Where is Ayesha?"

Zayaan had said a lot about Ayesha. Ayesha this. Ayesha that. She was so desperate to meet her.

You taught me how to handle the problems by a fight,

Thanks for always being on my side.

"There in grey Abaya. She is waiting for you. You both go and sit in the nearby room as no gents will going to come there." He said pointing towards the girl with grey Abaya.

She was shocked to know that Ayesha too wears Abaya. Who in this generation does?

You never let me see your sight,

But, I guess, not showing your face is also a kind of diet.

As she started seizing steps towards Ayesha, she didn't know why but her heartbeat raised. Now she was standing, facing Ayesha's back.

What is the game that you are playing?

I know that you are an angel... Just saying.

She cleared her throat. "Ayesha?" Ayesha turned around leaving Maira to be stunned. She became a statue. She couldn't able to move. Those eyes. Those blue eyes which she was so desperate to meet. she was standing in front of her.

Her sister.

Her Angel.

Her Angelic Sister.

Stop playing. I hope it's your last strike of rolling the dice.

Reveal the secret face behind those blue eyes!!

~Maira Sulaiman.

And then, she said;

"Nice to meet you again, Maira Sulaiman!"

After waiting for almost thirteen years, Maira was finally able to find THE BLUE EYES.

****

The hall was crammed with women and children. Only a few of them were wearing Abaya. Sara was sitting in the front seat, curiously looking at the woman on the stage. Everyone was attentively listening to Ayesha whose voice was echoing across the hall.

"When people started accusing Hazrath Ayesha (rz) on hearing the false rumours, Allah sent down this verse, 'Good men are for good women and good women are for good men'. Allah claimed Hazrath Ayesha rz to be pure and innocent as she is the wife of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Had she been evil, she would not have been the wife of Prophet Muhammad SAW. Because, he, peace be upon him, is the best of mankind. From this verse, we can learn that our character is a mirror of our future. To get a pure future, we should rectify our mistakes, we should clean our character. Most people don't want to wear Abaya. For some Muslims, this is as if their rights have been snatched away from them. But, no! There is nothing like that. We women should not go out of our homes without an escort. Do you know why?"

Ayesha scanned the hall which was engulfed with silence. Everyone was listening to her, holding their breath back.

"Because we are the Queens of Islam. Have you ever seen a Queen without any protection? Allah Commands the Muslim men to protect the Queens of Islam. Hijab is the most beautiful thing for women. It protects our modesty and purity. When we lower our gaze, our heart too bends down with modesty and shyness. We, women, should cover ourselves from the evil eyes of men just how pearls are covered with shells. We are pearls. And pearls are rare, they are precious!"

Her voice halted as she saw a girl raising her hand. She gestured her to go on.

"But nowadays good men are getting bad women and bad men are getting good women. It's really hard to find a perfect match. Good men and women are getting bad men and women respectively." The girl confidently raised her question.

"It is because we don't know who is good and bad from inside. We can not simply say 'so and so is good and so and so is bad.' 'Good men are for good women and good women are for good men' is a Qur'anic verse from Surah-e-Nur. If a good woman gets a bad man or the other way round, then it is because Allah wants to test them. We should consider that as a test for them from Allah or maybe Allah wants to give Hidayah to the bad person by marrying them with a good person and then both man and woman will become good for each other." She ended with an alluring smile.

"Thank you, Ma'am." The girl smiled, occupying her seat again.

A few minutes later, she was sitting on a bench near a tree. It was time to have lunch. She unzipped her bag and pulled out her lunch box.

She stopped seeing an envelope neatly placed on the box. She grabbed it and read out the words.

From your sister ;)

A smile made its way across her lips. She had been staying in her father's home for the past week and Maira helped her pack her lunch. She didn't realise when she kept this envelope in her bag.

She could never forget the night she first met Maira. She knew who she was. She often had seen her in the pictures her mother used to show her.

They had been staying at Uncle Ahmed's home. On the way back home to Lahore, she forgot to buy a Hadith book she was longing for. So, she asked her father to stop the car. She reached the market by walk and bought the book. Before retreating towards the car, she thought to meet Uncle Sulaiman. Their home was next street to the market. That way, she could meet her little cousin, Maira, too.

And off she went. What she witnessed next was unexpected. Never had she ever imagined meeting Maira for the first time in the state of crying for her deceased parents.

She had never seen someone's corpse being covered with blood before. She couldn't know what to do. She quickly gave a call to her brother. Zayaan told her to leave Maira in Uncle Ahmed's home till they reach there.

No girl was close to her. She always longed to have a sister. Though Zayaan had succeeded in filling the void, she once shared with her mother her thoughts. That was when she came to know about Maira and Laiba. She didn't know why she felt a strong connection with Maira when her mother showed her the picture of Maira. As for Laiba, she didn't like her at the first glimpse. Blonde hair, careless expression and arrogant pose.

She had decided to get close with Maira when her mother further said that either of her cousins would be her sister-in-law in the future. She wanted Maira to feel the same for her. That longing for a single sister...

She wanted to have a play with her beloved cousin. That was when she concluded that she wouldn't show her face. She would make Maira think harder and harder about her. As they say, the more you be hideous the more it makes the people curious. So, she held a strong connection with Maira as she wrote diaries and sent flowers and letters for her through a friend of hers who lived in Islamabad.

And now, as she looked back and saw the face of Maira on Minal's wedding when she first met her not as the blue-eyed girl but rather as Ayesha Ibrahim, she knew that she had succeeded in creating the strong bond and curiosity in Maira as to how she felt the exact way towards her beloved cousin.

It took her by surprise when she saw the same envelope she used to write letters for Maira. No doubt it was from Maira Sulaiman.

A bird perched on her shoulder and peeked down at the envelope. And with curious eyes and thumping heart, she opened the letters and read;

DEAR BLUE EYES!!

Dear Blue Eyes,

I'm so grateful to you for coming into my life,

And for teaching me the meaning of 'life'

Thanks for teaching me about Deen,

Or else, the beauty of Islam would have gone by me unseen.

I always fear hearing the sound of thunder,

Thanks for telling me to enjoy the rain and just wonder.

I have gone through a lot of horrible nights,

Thanks for guiding me towards Allah's Lights.

There were times when I was really sad,

Thanks for stopping me from going mad.

There were times when I was depressed,

Thanks for letting me know that the anger should be suppressed.

I don't know I shed how many countless tears,

Thanks for helping me to overcome my fears.

Thanks for making me understand the meaning of Salah,

I would have never communicated with Allah.

Being a shy girl I'm, I never knew how to use violence,

Thanks for showing me that problems should be solved with silence.

My thoughts were like "life is not beautiful",

Thanks for encouraging me by saying, "Be You The Full".

Thanks for making me strong and helpful like a tree,

Now I'm flying like a bird. I'm just free.

Thanks for teaching me how to live like a bird,

Or else everyone would have seen me like I'm absurd.

The strength to fight that I couldn't muster,

Thanks for coming into my life as a sister.

I saw myself in danger in my future,

Thanks for showing me my bright
future.

Thanks for coming into my life as a sister,

And for introducing me to my Mister.

"Life is nothing but a hell," was my thought,

Thanks for changing my thought and for everything you taught.

You taught me how to handle the problems by a fight,

Thanks for always being on my side.

You never let me see your sight,

But, I guess, not showing your face is also a kind of diet.

What is the game that you are playing?

I know that you are an angel... Just saying.

Stop playing. I hope it's your last strike of rolling the dice.

Reveal the secret face behind those blue eyes!!

~Maira Sulaiman.

THE END!!