03:

Dedicated to @le_Muslim_MAN for being the first comment on the book... Jazakallahu Khayran Jazeel!

'Verily, with every difficulty, there is ease...'

Chapter 3

Mardiyyahs  POV:

Dihya and I stood holding hands, looking down, ashamed. His  mother was screaming at us for the past 15 minutes.

'...And you,' she said pointing at Dihya, 'your wife is sick! You don't take her for boat rides on boats that have cracks in them! Look at the two of you! Drenched! Ya Allah, I don't know anymore! Idiots! That's what the two of you are, idiots!'

She stood with her hands on her hips, and took in deep breaths                                

'Are you done ma?' Faheem asked from outside the room I was staying in..                                                                                                       

She glared at him and he lifted his hands up in protest.                                                                                     

'They need to change into dry clothes! Dihya, 'Diya here. Take these and get changed.'

Faheem threw a bag at us.                                                                                                                                                

I nodded and Dihya gave him a pat on the back as we walked out.

'This ...stupid...ughhh...stuck to me...gaaah!'

My jilbaab was getting heavy and my clothes underneath were stuck to my body.                                                                                                            

I heard Dihya chuckle and I looked up at him.                                                                                         

'What are you laughing at?' I asked him       

'You're adorable.' he said grinning like an idiot.

'And you're an idiot.'                                                                                                                                     

'I'm your idiot,' he smirked.                                                                                                                           

'Stupid boy,' I muttered.

He continued grinning stupidly until we stopped at the bathrooms.                                                                                                            

'Ok, you go in first, change up and then throw me the bag,' Dihya said.                                                 

I nodded and went in...

Twenty minutes later:

'Come on,' Dihya said, grabbing my gloved hand.

I looked at him and smiled. He smiled back.

We continued walking until we came to my room. Dihya's mother and sister were still there. A nurse came over and helped me out of my jilbaab and onto my bed. Thankfully, this time it was a different, friendlier nurse. Dihya walked over to his mother and wrapped her in a huge hug.

'Ma, I'm dry,' he said again grinning like an idiot.

'Stupid boy, get off me,' she said shoving him, before turning to look at me.

'It's a wonder you live with this boy and still manage to love him,' she said to me. 

'Aren't you glad she does? Otherwise I'd be living with you,' Dihya said  laughing.

His mother thought about it for a bit, and then she turned to look at me.

'Have I ever told you how grateful I am that Dihya married you?' she asked me, making me laugh.

'Hey! I'm so loveable! Maryam tell them!' Dihya whined.

'Huh?' Maryam said when Dihya called her again.

I looked towards where she was looking,and saw Faheem's friend (Ihsaan,was it?), standing and talking to him there.

'Oooohhhh, someone's in loooove.' I thought as I looked at Maryam. Dihya is going to freak when I tell him! He's very possessive and over-protective.

Dihya also noticed Ihsaan and went out to greet him. Mummy left the room, saying that she'd be back in a while

I made myself comfy in my bed (Technically, not mine) and shuffled a bit before patting the space next to me for Maryam. She came over and sat down.

'Sooooo,' I started.                                                                                                                                       

'Hmm?' Maryam said distantly.                                                                                                                                                       

'What's up with Ihsaan?' I asked softly, smiling a bit.                                              

'N...noth..NOTHING!'                                                                                                                                 

I looked at her pointedly.    

'Ok, promise not to say anything to Dihya?' she asked shyly.

 'Promise.'                                                                                                                    

 'I...er...Well not really like, but...Uhm...Well I guess you could say...No. Ok, I think I'm  interested  in Ihsaan,' she confessed, looking down, as red as a tomato.                                                                                                                                                                    

 I giggled at her confession, before taking a look at him then her. They'd make a really cute couple. He had wavy,long hair, a sunnah length beard, he was tall, but not as tall as Dihya, built and even from here you could see he had light eyes.

I grinned at Maryam.                        

'You two would make such a cute couple!'                                                                                                

She smiled a little, but then it disappeared.

 'Yeah, maybe...But 'Diya? Honestly, I don't think he'll even look at me. I mean he's all these things: Qari, Haafidh, Aalim...What am I?'                                                                                                 

'A Haafidhah...' I said and  sighed when she frowned.                                                         

'Look. I used to think the same about me and Dihya: That I'm not good enough for him. But you know what Maryam? Sometimes Allah puts people in our lives that are more learned, for us to learn. Do you know much closer Dihya's brought me to my Allah? It's unbelievable!' I told her.

Maryam looked at me before biting her lip

'So...Do you think I have a chance with Ihsaan?'

'Definitely!' I said with a grin.

I looked out at the guys and found Ihsaan staring at Maryam with a small smile. Dihya flicked his forehead , and Ihsaan looked at him apologetically. I giggled before turning to look at Maryam, who was fiddling with her fingers.

'What's wrong darling?' I asked her.

She looked at me tearfully.

'I...I don't w-w-want you to go 'Diya,' she whispered.

'But love...Imagine! I'm going to  place of eternal happiness, Don't you want that for me?'

'Of course I do! But...I also want to have little nieces and nephews. AND I want a sister. But mostly I want a happy brother. And you are the only one who can make that happen,' she choked out before hugging me.

I laughed a little. Tears were falling from my eyes too.

'Allahu knows how much I wanted children. But we plan and Allah plans and Allah is the best of planners. Do me a favour? If I pa...When I pass away, tell Dihya that everytime he needs me, he should close his eyes and send me Du'aa and tilaawah of the quraan. Tell him that when his heart yearns for mine, he should picture me waiting for him in Jannah . And when he cries for me , he should imagine me wiping away his tears, Tell him that every moment of  everyday until we meet again I will always be with him. And I miss him too...'

She shook her head in amazement and choked back her sobs.

'Diya. I want a love story like yours. I want my husband and I to love each other more than life itself!'

'And you will get that one day, In Shaa Allah .And if I am not there to see, know that I wish you the best in life and marriage, and may Allah always be with you... Maryam, I'll talk just now dear. My  chest is paining again,' I said clutching my chest.

She nodded and asked if she should call Dihya in. I only nodded, the pain had gotten so bad. I laughed as I saw Ihsaan and Maryam look at each other, before looking down in embarrassment. They were so getting married!

Ya Allah! This pain is something else. I heard Dihya coming in but my eyes were closed.

'Dhul Hun? What happened?' He was next to me in a flash.

'Its hurting again...'

'Same place?'

'Mm-hmm...'

'Shit,' he said and I glared at him.

'Language, Dihya,' I warned him. He held his hands up apologetically.

'Should I call the doctor?' he asked and just then, Dr Tahmid walked in. How did this woman walk in every time someone needed her?

'Assalamu Alaykum, How are you feeling dear?'

'Wa Alaykum Salaam Wa Rahmatullah...' Dihya and I greeted back.

'Tell...tell her Dihya...' The pain was so intense that I couldn't talk.

'Uhm...Her...her chest is hurting. It happened just before I brought her to the hospital. Is it normal or—-'

They both turned to look at me and Dihya stopped talking as I started to cough. It was horrible and sounded as if thunder was rumbling from within me. I tried to hide the pain from showing but Dihya knew me too well.

He came over to me and pushed the hair back from my forehead and kissed it.

'There, there...' he said.

'I feel nauseous...' I said, feeling the bile rising up.

Dihya grabbed the dish Dr.Tahmid passed him and placed it infront of me just in time.

He rubbed my back with one hand and held back my hair with the other, all the while.

When I was...done...he took he container away and disposed of it.

Dr Tahmid offered me a glass of water and I took it with my shaky hands.

Half the glass of water had emptied onto me but that was the least of my concerns now. Dihya came back and took his place next to me on the bed. He kissed my head and put two bubblegums into my mouth.

'Jazakallah' I muttered before falling asleep. I was feeling very tired lately...

Dihya's POV

She slept away on my shoulder in the next 3 seconds. I glanced at Dr Tahmid worriedly and she gave me a small smile.

'Don't worry, these things are all normal. The pains, the cough, the nausea, everything. Brace yourself  Dihya. There's worse to come...'

'Her...her father is taking here away from me. She won't be with me...' I bit back a sob.

'Dihya, your wife needs you. Even if her father takes her away, you have to find someway to see her. If she doesn't have you in her life, she'll get more sick and that isn't good. Right now I'd give her 3 months max. Allahu Aa'lam, but its not looking good at all. As I have said before, she needs you,' Dr Tahmid said, frowning deeply.

I nodded and she made salaam as she walked out. Mardiyyah groaned suddenly.

'Dhul Hun?'

She gritted her teeth and clenched her fists, her eyes still closed. Again she groaned. 

Tears tickled down her rosy cheeks and I wiped them away.

'Dhul hun?' I asked again.

She clutched my arm and with a grunt her eyes flew open.

'Dihya...'

'Yes Dhul Hun?' 

She looked at me, opened her mouth and then closed it. Again she opened it.

'Jazakallah Dihya. For everything. My father is taking me away now. I don't...don't know if I'll see you ever again. Allah may take me away  before we meet again. I want you to remember me, even after I'm gone. Don't forget me EVER. But...but marry again...Don't—-'

'Shhh...Don't, I can't...' my voice broke as I spoke.

'Just listen to me!' she scolded through her tears.

'Now...Zawyj, don't think that I am your only happiness. Its not true. When I'm gone, take care of Maryam and Faheem. Get Maryam married and on her wedding tell her that she is the most beautiful bride that mankind has seen. Tell her that I love her and am waiting for her patiently.And you...get yourself married. You love me, yes. I love you too. But I'm not the only one that you can love. After, when I pass away, and you miss me remember that I'm there, with the breeze. Every time  the breeze touches your face, its me...' she smiled sweetly through the tears falling down her cheeks. 

I didn't know what to say, so I just nodded. She buried her face in my neck while I stroked her hair. We stayed like that for an hour, occasionally I'd drop a kiss here or there. I kissed her temple and as I moved the hair from her face, her father walked into the room, barely muttering his salaam.

Mardiyyah and I replied to the salaam softly, and as we did I felt her arms tighten around me.

'Where are your bags Mardiyyah?' he asked gruffly.

She lifted a shaky hand and pointed them in the corner of the room. My mother and sister had gone home and packed some things for her.

Her father walked over to the bags, picked them up and walked out.

'We leave in 15 minutes. Say your goodbye's quickly,' he said, and left the room.

I sighed and got off the bed, making my way to the corner of the room. I picked Mardiyyah's jilbaab, scarf and niqaab up,  and made my way to her. I  watched as she sat up straighter, coughing terribly every little while. It was obvious that it hurt but I had no idea what to do to help her.

She sat up slowly, and then paused, taking in deep breaths. She lifted the covers off her, then lifted her leg. When that leg was down she tried moving the other one, but was interrupted by her cough.

I couldn't bare the sight any longer,so I walked over to her, picked her up and whispered to her, telling her to  put her arms around my neck, which she did, coughing all the while.

Taking her to the chair in the middle of the room, I put her down. My heart broke as I saw her lean against it, her eyes shut, sweat beads on her forehead, and her hair everywhere. My fingers moved on their own, pushing back the hair from her face. She caught my hand with her shaky one and intertwined our fingers.

'I love you... she said, barely a whisper.

'I love you too...' I said and watched as a tear rolled down her cheek.

'No more crying darling. Whatever He plans will happen. Now come on. I promised I'd put your jilbaab on for you...' I said.

She nodded and watched me as I put it on for her. It seemed like all her strength had been sucked out from her as soon as she'd brought up. Her face was pale and her hair fell loosely around her face.

Finally, she was ready and only her niqaab needed to be put on, along with her gloves.

'Dihya...come here.' she said to me.

I walked over to her silently. I knew if I said anything the tears would fall. And I had to be strong for her.

She made me kneel in front of her, and she was about to say something, when that nasty cough returned. She took a deep breath and then sighed, leaning against the back of the chair. For a while we just stared at each other. Her fingertips traced my lips, caressed my cheek, stroked my eyelids, ran through my hair and held onto my fingers finally. All the while, she smiled.

'I have an appointment  with Dr. Tahmid in 15 days time. Will you come for it, with me?' she asked quietly.

'Of course I will.' I replied.

She nodded and sighed. I guessed that was it. I looked down at her and saw her biting her lips fighting back the tears. Immediately, I leaned forward and kissed her. She kissed me back softly, tangling her fingers in my hair. I pulled back and stroked her soft cheeks.

'Dhul Hun....' I murmured as she let a few tears fall.

I kissed her again, savouring the moment. That may have our last  kiss EVER. The very thought made me want to kill her father with my bare hands, but I knew I couldn't. Mardiyyah loved the lunatic.

There was a soft knock on the door. I looked at a coughing Mardiyyah, and she nodded at me to open it. In walked my mother and sister while Faheem and Ihsaan, my soon-to-be brother-in-law stood outside.

Maryam and my mother were crying, Faheem looked lost and angry and Ihsaan  had a sad look on his face.

Maryam ran over to Mardiyyah and they hugged each other, sobbing together. Everyone's hearts broke along with theirs.

'This isn't fair! Ya Allah how can this be happening?' Maryam said looking around the room, her eyes empty, but full at the same time.

My mother walked over to them, and moved, Maryam to the side. She took Mardiyyah's face into her palms and couldn't stop murmuring,

'My beautiful daughter...'

Finally, she couldn't hold it in and began to cry again. Mardiyyah held onto her and sobbed,coughed and tried to speak at the same time.                    

'Dhul Hun...' I warned and she looked at me apologetically.                                                                  

I went over to her and rubbed her back gently before kissing the back of her head. She'd brought one of her hands to rest on one of mine, which were on her shoulder.

My mother smiled at both of us.

'Jazakallah khayran mummy, For everything,' Mardiyyah started.                                                 

 'You were the mother I never had. Jazakallah for supporting me and taking MY part whenever Dihya and I fought,' she said grinning.

Maryam and I chuckled.

'I...I can never thank you enough mummy. Without you I wouldn't have known what love between a mother and daughter is. Without you...without you, I wouldn't have known of the love between husband and wife. I wouldn't have known what having a FAMILY felt like...Mummy, I'm going to leave this world soon. And when I do, take care of my darling Dihya, my sweetheart Maryam and the most annoying and sweet younger brother Faheem. All of you,' she said looking around at each of us, 'I'm going soon. Leaving this world for the next, and none of us can do anything about it because it's the will of Allah.'

She took a breath in.

'This may be the last time I see all of you, or there may be an entire lifetime ahead of us. Allahu Aa'lam. But...Destiny always wins the game of life. When I go, please forgive me for all my shortcomings. In fact, forgive me now. When I go remember me only for good.. And when I go, remember that everything that happens is Allah's will. Remember that life carries on, and, if I stand with the with the best of creation on the Day of Qiyamah , Bi Ithnillah, I will beg Allah Ta'alah to enter all of you into Paradise. When I go...'

Everyone had tears rolling down their cheeks, even Ihsaan and Faheem who'd been standing outside. I realised that I hadn't told Mardiyyah about Maryam and Ihsaan yet. They were getting married, Alhamdulillah! 

I knew Faheem had already told Maryam so I decided to tell Mardiyyah.

'Dhul Hun?' I murmured.                                                                                                                            

'Hmm?' she said turning to her face toward me a little, her hand still on mine, on her shoulder. 

'I have some good news for you...' I said with a small smile.                                                                         

I could feel her smile as she nodded.

'Maryam and Ihsaan are getting married!'

'What!? Ya Allah, this is so exciting, Alhamdullilah!' She said in what I guessed was an excited voice. She turned towards Maryam and was about to say something when her father walked in, looking annoyed.

'I said 15 minutes. It's been ½ an hour. Get to the car, NOW!' he seethed.

My mother stepped in before anyone could say anything.

'Aswad, stop your nonsense,' she told Mardiyyah's father. Before he could say anything else she walked out of the room insisting that he follow her, which he did, reluctantly though.

Mardiyyah turned around and asked me to help her up. I nodded and walked to the bed, grabbing her gloves and putting them on for her. She started to stand up, but I scooped her into my arms. She gently wrapped her arms around my neck and rested her head on my chest tiredly. Maryam came toward us and tied her niqaab for her.

'Jazakallah...' Mardiyyah murmured.

'Wa Jazakallah Khayran Mithluh...'

Faheem opened the door for me and we all walked out together. Everyone turned to look at us as we walked out of the hospital. There were a few  'Oooooh's' and 'Ahhhh's' from some people, while some smiled at us sadly.

I realised I was crying only after Mardiyyah wiped away my tears. I smiled down at her and she clutched me tighter.

'I don't want to give you away' I whispered.                                                                                              

'You're not giving me away,' she muttered.                                                                                         

Finally we reached the front doors of the hospital. At his car, Mardiyyah's father was shouting at my mother. She yelled back at him, and looked angry enough to strangle him to death

'She has every right to know! And if you do anything to my daughter, I will hunt you down and kill you! You 

hear me? Your heart is as black as your name!'

He muttered something and she shook her head. Faheem approached them cautiously, and then opened the door to the backseat for me to put Mardiyyah down.

I walked over to the car, and stopped at the door to kiss her on her forehead.

'I love you,' I said before moving forward to put her down.

She tightened her arms around my neck, refusing to let me put her down.

'Dhul Hun?'                                                                                                    

'NO! You can't go Dihya! I need you...I need...' she whispered.                                                                  

Her body shook as she sobbed uncontrollably.

'Shhh...Relax Allah will reunite us Dhul Hun, If not here then in Jannah...'                                                         

She nodded but didn't let go of me. I kissed her head and sighed again.

'There's nothing we can do when destiny wins the game Dhul Hun...Remember that I love you. Now go. Bi Ithnillah we shall meet in a short while. Go now, I'll see you my love.'

She let me put her into the car, but pulled my face toward her for the last time.

'I love you. You're MY husband, don't ever forget that,' she whispered before kissing me through her niqaab.

'I love you too. And I'd have to forget myself to forget you...'

'Assalamu Alaykum wa Rahmatullah Dhul Hun,' I said through my tears.                                              

'Wa Alaykum Salaam wa Rahmahtullahy wa Barakatuh,' she whispered before I closed the door.

I walked over to my mother and held onto her. She stroked my hair and kissed the side of my head while I cried.

'Shhh, don't make yourself upset my darling, Don't worry, this is all part of His plan.'  

 I nodded and we watched as my crazy father-in-law got into the car and drove off.

For a while, the only sounds that could be heard was of everyone sniffling and sobbing. My head was on my mothers shoulder and my tears soaked through her abaya. She kept on repeating the ayah in which Allah says 'Verily after difficulty comes ease...'

Ya Allah! This is the most difficult situation I've been faced with yet. You are Rahmaan and Raheem, so be merciful, shower your mercy on me and ease my situation...