1 year later

The first year of marriage was overwhelming to say the least. Malika left behind everything she knew and moved in with a new family. Ibrahim had to learn to navigate the new responsibilities entrusted upon him. They both had to learn to live with each other.

The couple decided to ditch their honeymoon and save up money for their own apartment instead. As Malika put it, honeymoons were so overrated anyways.

Ibrahim never imagined he would consider moving from home and get his own place. He loved living with his family and has never known any other way. But six months into their marriage, he could tell his mother still couldn't accept Malika from the heart. It was heartbreaking from his end, but this was the reality he had to accept and learn to deal with.

"We don't have to move," Malika said at first. "This relationship is new for everyone. With time, I believe, we'll all learn to adjust."

He knew she was reluctant to move for the sake of his happiness. He knew she was willing to try and adjust for his sake.

They went back and forth a few times. But Ibrahim ultimately decided living separately was needed if peace was to be maintained in the long run. So after months worth of debates, they started looking for an apartment.

They found a place they could see building a life in. A week before they were supposed to leave home, Malika came to him and said, "Well, I don't think we have any option but to delay our move now."

Ibrahim was in the midst of writing an email. He looked up, brows furrowed. "Why? Don't tell me it's because you'll miss Dahlia barging into our house at odd hours of the day," he quipped.

"Only partially," she said as her eyes danced playfully. "Mostly because your sisters were just starting to show me your baby pictures."

He let out a sigh. "This is getting out of hand. Now we're moving as soon as possible, before all six of you decide to gang up on me."

Malika lets out a chuckle in response. "I was joking." She leans forward and clutches his hand, his attention now fully on her as his email sat half written. "I don't think it would be a wise idea to move because I'm pregnant."

He was overjoyed. He embraced her, gave her a kiss on the forehead and then wasted no time in barging into Dahlia's house in the middle of the night to break the news to his sisters.

There were lots of surprised shrieks and tears involved. They stayed up celebrating until late into the night.

"I hope the baby, regardless of gender, gets your eyes," he told Malika under his breath as his sisters chatted in the background.

Lily Ahmad, overhearing them, joked, "Pray the kid looks like her completely if you want it to survive our society."

Moving to a new house made no sense anymore. Since Malika was moving to her parent's home for the whole duration of her pregnancy, to be close to her mother. And the couple knew they would need every help they could get for the first couple of years after the child was born. So the lease they had been waiting for months was canceled, but it seemed almost insignificant in the midst of the overwhelming happiness.

It was the beginning of summer in the city near the mountains. Aryan Malik and Zakariya Azad stepped into the Ahmad household. The door to the backyard was ajar. A slow breeze blew from the ocean to the city. Ibrahim Ahmad had taken out the barbecue grill. At the sight of his two friends, a smile spread on his lips.

Zakariya Azad returned home after spending four years in New York and joined the IT team of a high end conglomerate. Aryan Malik was the lead counselor of a well-renowned high school. He wanted to work with kids, to be able to influence them positively when their minds were still developing. Ibrahim had a feeling he also secretly stirred up trouble once in a while as an homage to his own school days.

"Congratulations, Ahmad," Zakariya said, embracing him. "Can't believe you're going to be a father."

"Thanks, man," Ibrahim responded.

"You're becoming a dad, Shorty's still married. I feel like a grownup," he continued.

"Glad to know you finally reached puberty, Azad," Aryan said, earning a dirty look from the bespectacled boy.

Ibrahim's eyes landed on Aryan. "How long is that staying?" he asked, gaze darting towards the ponytail at the back of his head.

A grin quirked up Aryan's lips. "However long your beard's staying."

"My beard's permanent," he replied. "It's classy, and also a sunnah."

"The kids think my hair looks cool."

"What do high schoolers know? Their brains are not fully developed yet," Ibrahim quipped.

"Wow, Ahmad, you're not even a father yet and you're already cracking dad jokes."

"Ibi!" A voice called from inside the house. Ibrahim looked over his shoulder, knowing Dahlia was going to spill into the lawn any second.

He excused himself from his friends and edged towards the door, and sure enough, Dahlia Ahmad was striding towards him. Ibrahim halted, and seeing him, his sister reciprocated.

"Assalamu 'Alaikum," Ibrahim greeted. "What's up?"

"Walaikum assalam," she greeted.

"I thought you were at Fayyads, bidding Layla goodbye."

Dahlia's let out a sigh at the question. Layla and Farrah were going to Bali, Indonesia, to celebrate Farrah finally graduating University. That was the excuse they were giving their parents, in reality they were just fulfilling their lifelong dream to go on an all-girls trip with their best friends. It was the first trip the girls were making on their own. What started as a plan for four was being executed by only half of the numbers. Dahlia's parents were too protective to let her go on a girl's trip and Malika was in no condition to travel.

She looked at her brother, shaking off her wistful thoughts. "I just returned home and found him on our porch. I believe he belongs to you." She turned her gaze towards the door, entering through his front door was Salman Bashir.

"He arrived at our house looking for you," Dahlia clarified. She faced him again. "So, what's he doing here?"

"I'm having a barbecue with my friends," Ibrahim responded.

Dahlia raised an eyebrow. "And you invited Salman? Are you two forming a bromance we don't know about?"

He rolled his eyes. "Malika's forcing me to take care of him for the evening. The man-child can't be left alone."

"Uh-huh. He's growing on you, isn't he?" Her eyes turned playful.

Ibrahim let out a scoff. Salman stood beside them, a grin on his lips. He looked at the big guy and acknowledged his presence. "Sasquatch."

"I'll let you two get to it." Dahlia started to leave.

"Bye, Dels," Ibrahim said dryly. While at the same time Salman said, "Thank you, Della-Delicious."

Dahlia was caught off guard. "Wait, what did you call her?" her brother asked.

Ibrahim widened his eyes. Salman was the first to start running. Before Dahlia could process what was happening, both boys were out of the door. Salman ran for his life down their street, with Ibrahim in pursuit.

Dahlia sprinted out of the door after them. She watched both the boys sprint down their road. Hearing the racket, Zakariya and Aryan had made their way outside as well. Both of them watched the scene with amusement in their eyes.

"Ahmad will catch him within the next two minutes," Aryan stated.

"Salman had a head start, I think it'll be a good ten minutes before the big guy catches up," Zakariya mused.

"Ahmad has longer legs," Aryan argued.

"Salman's faster."

Dahlia shook her head hopelessly at the guys discussing and headed towards her home.

A white range rover sped down the street. Aryan craned his neck to get a better look.

"Wait, is that Kaveh Fayyad?!"

•The End•

We've reached the end, my friends. Didn't think this day would finally come.

I wanted to thank you all for the love towards Ibrahim, and specially for your support towards Malika. I didn't think most readers would empathize with her, but you guys blew me away. Every son and daughter of Adam sins, so we're in position to judge others, especially someone who's trying to find their way back to the right path.

I know some of you wanted to see I&M's married life - and you get a tiny glimpse of it - but remember that I'm not a romance writer. Cutesy scenes are not something I do (can't do is the more appropriate way of putting it). It's just not my cup of tea.

If you want to continue to read about family drama, heartfelt friendships, healing, conflicts, meaningful lessons and enemies to lover trope lol - then I'm the writer for you ✌🏽. You'll enjoy my work. If you want sweet romance, you seek for it from the wrong author. I only know how to break hearts 😈.