The following day,plenty times had I tried to speak to mum about this but I failed.

The evening, our parents left for Ibrahim's house,they invited them for dinner.

next morning before I could seek mum,she came seeking for us.

"Khadeeja wear your niqaab Darling, leaving for the market.They called, they would be visiting tomorrow"

"Who mum?"

"Your in-laws and your sister's in-laws"

She said blushing away.

Ugh-No way! All these years we were killing flies for passing our times and now at a blink of an eye it all wants to happen at once!

"Mum!...mum..I really need to speak you about "

"We have no time,tell me that in our way!"

Mum hurried me to exit.

_-_-_-_-_-_-_

"Rumera would love this, wouldn't she!"

"Yes mum, she would"

I said as we bought the last dress.

We had too many bags and only a single pair of hands each.

Stumbling was a must. Soon it was a mess on the floor.

A saw a hand helping.

I immediately looked up,it was Baraaq.

He didn't even lose his sight to me,looking all to the floor he handed me the bags and looked over to mum and smiled shyly.

Awww my heart went.

He greeted mum and accompanied us to the car,helped us get away smoothly all without looking at me,his gaze lowered and all sights and courtesy to mum only.

I like this boy for my sister. Why can't she see this right now,if I go and tell her this story she isn't going to be affected.

But that didn't stop me to give it a try.

_-_-_-_-_-_

"Good men lower their gaze,maybe you won't have what you're looking for but defiantly a loyal man!"

"Why do you think Khadeeja that what you want is what every girl in the world should be wanting and must be wanting because clearly you think you have firm choice of goodness,right?"

"You're taking it in a wrong way Raidah,he really was a gentleman, not everybody gets a chance to have men like these, remember your friend Ameera;she married what we thought would be the most perfect man,all rich and handsome and what did he do? Had an affair with her maid or abused her,Allah knows! See my point is, the best security is a good man"

"I do not understand why are you defending him so much and also what do you think I am,do you think I'm a materialistic heartless women who only wants wealth! Khaddeja get words right! I want a Good man but I can't ignore the fact that he has a bad life. Out of all of us why am I expected to fix my dream while the two of you can have what you want without a change!"

"Raidah..that's.."

"No! Jana is marrying her dream,you are marrying the man you've fancied all your life and then I'm stuck here to compromise! And then I do not have the courage to go to dad and tell him I reject his choice! Because I want a better life,a better looking husband with a better situation. I am here being the bad girl, a shallow selfish woman and Allah knows how much I hate it but I can't help it! I want to marry Khadeeja,I want to marry a good man but I don't know if I want to marry only a good man,I am not you Khadeeja,I do not have a Strong Sabr....I am tired thinking about this and I'm tired feeling so shallow...I'm done...I'm really done.."

She left for the bathroom when she returned,she slept facing without words,that what it should've have seemed but we couldn't sleep,none of us.

Rumera came in the morning with an request.

"Please talk to mum about her,she isn't happy....she's not happy"

I knew all hopes were on me but like Raidah I was low in courage.

The preparations were on the go,I caught mum's hand and took her into the room and told her all.

She inhaled the air deeply and looked at me.

"And what do you think of Baraaq?"

"I think he is a very good guy mum but there's no use of marrying Raidah if she isn't willing to marry him after all she is also right about him,we are pushing her into a sure struggles, isn't fair on her mamma"

Raidah was brought to the room,she confronted mum.

Mum sighed and surprisingly smiled and said.

"Raidah I'm sorry to say but I'm disappointed in you,you are so clever that these words sound even so dumb coming from you,is it anxiety darling? Or must I say you are feeding a lot on dunya these days that it is blinding you?"

Raidah stood frozen. A tremble took over her and suddenly she hugged me.

"I'm sorry Khadeeja,I'm so sorry....I'm sorry mum,you are right... I am so.."

"Don't be sorry, an apology with a sincere heart is forgiven before it even takes a verbal form darling"

Mum hugged her and kissed her forehead.

They are right when they say mothers are the best therapist, what I've been trying to do all these day she just did in a few minutes.

"It's alright to feel anxious,after all we are humans. I know that is a big family and you haven't been out from here with much people,also your dad and I have discussed Baraaq's financial condition, we think he can provide you with the necessities to be least."

I could feel Raidah's face fall a little again.

Mum too did noticed.

"Wouldn't ask Raidah?"

Said mum.

"What mother?"

"What are the basic necessities?"

"What are they?"

"Raidah, a companion to the right path,love,trust and goodness"

Raidah smiled.

"Now get going you silly girls get in your best dresses your in-laws and to be grooms are coming to get you all hitched"

She said with teary eyes and suppressed sigh.

_-_-_-_-_-_-_

I still didn't knew if Raidah was satisfied or still in complex.

"Oh I cannot imagine I'd get this whole room for myself!"

Rumena teased.

"In your dreams little bimboo"

Janaziah protested while she slipped her sapphire gown.

I dabbed a final touch of kohl under my eyes as I turned and all the pleats of my Scarlet gown circled around me before they finally placed themselves on the ground.

"Wowy you look stunning Khadeeja!"

Rumera complimented, a smiled lightened up my blush,oh it's finally happening... All this chaos made me forget how much I wanted this,it's a pity I couldn't thoroughly enjoy it but it's never too late.

Raidah's PoV

Mum is right,I shouldn't worry this much but collecting feelings for him is being so hard for me.

I cannot understand what's making me so repulsive, is it really his lifestyle I'm afraid of? Or is it something that I am sensing but I am unable to put in words. I feel so bad that Khadeeja and Jana are not being able to enjoy this because I'm being a Grumpy silly brat about this!

Can't I just accept this, he is nice, everybody says so.....he is very nice.....

I can't! I can't make a place for him in my heart....I am unable to...I'm trying,I'm trying so hard but he isn't the kind of man I wanted!

But mum was right,so is Khadeeja....why am I on this mission to destroy a good faithful future for little things like just a dreamy fantasy in my head,I should stop being so pathetic and act in firm.

"You haven't dressed yet!?"

Khadeeja came in to Mum's room where I've been sorting myself.

"No..I was just going to.."

"Do you still not want it?"

No.

"Yes I do...mum is right,I'm sorry I behaved like that"

"Don't be sorry Raidah that's is the last thing you should be today,we're getting engaged! "

"You look so gorgeous Khadeeja!"

"So will you!"

I got up and started decorating myself,usually this does the trick when I'm upset but today forming a smile is seeming so hard. I wore Emerald gown and little highlighter, done!

"Look at you!!"

Rumera hugged me.

"Dang you can call an emergency engagement situation yourself you little thing!"

No joke Rumiii is a stunner.

Jana ran into to the room.

"My in-laws are here!!"

"Are you scared or excited,I'm sorry I cannot make out from your face?"

"Is it because of too much makeup?"

"Gosh no Jana!"

"Well I'm very nervous!"

"Don't be,you're rocking the world Sapphire!"

Khadeeja came in.

"We've been asked to lock in ourselves till we are expected to be seen"

"Sounds fun"

I said.

I suddenly somehow I was enjoying it,not because I was in love with him or this ceremony because my sisters are getting engaged, they look like a million bucks today and I am going to enjoy it for them.

"Oh my gosh! He's here too, Mr Ibrahim is here too, No.3 is here!"

Rumera excitedly ran over Jana as they both celebrated No.3 arriving victory!

Khadeeja was getting over the joke 'No.3'.

We all three peeked outside and had Rumera giving us live updates.

"Is he handsome?"

Asked Jana.

"All better than the photos"

Exclaimed Rumii.

"How's his outfit?"

"He looks a Saint Laurent model!"

We all laughed and peeked outside.

Against the dull yellow lighting and white bright theme of our house, at the corner sat Mr. Ibrahim aka No.3 doing justice to Rumii's descriptions.

In the grant sofa he sat like a prince owning it,Jana's eyes were gleaming,the glitz was happiness, attraction and of course our little princess was fairly lost in love with the prince.

"Oh I've seen him for the first time,he looks good,doesn't he Raidah?"

Khadeeja said all smiles.

"Yes he does, they'd make a lovely couple"

"In shaa Allah"

He was tall and lean, could say he worked out, copper hair and dark eyes with fairly hues distributed amongst his face,he was blushing pink and with Jana; her long wavy locks and hazel eyes and round nose,he'd fit perfectly.

His eyes how once fell on our door and he caught a sight of her and we never could escape from him thence returning over to that direction to find her.

And he'd look and smile and blush.

And something of the same manner was happening on this other side of the door.

Soon Khadeeja's in-laws and the ever greatest Qahtan came in.

"Oh khadeeja he came too!"

Rumii exclaimed jumping over her again.

"Really!"

Khadeeja peeked once and it was enough to keep her jelly for hours now.

Now she won't even come near the door,won't speak but just keep turning pink to red then Scarlett.

"Wha-! You match your dress Khadeeja!"

We almost hyperventilated laughing on her.

Unlike Ibrahim,this Mr.No.1 is engrossed in the male talk, not moving his sight anywhere. I know even if he saw Khads he won't look at her. This is him,the very reason I don't like him.

"Tell this man when you marry him,that a little love won't hurt"

I said bitterly.

"They are manners Raidah!"

Khadija always defends him.

''Excuse me,what are you implying here;my man got no manners?"

Jana raised her eyebrows and we fell in a laughter.

And lastly his family entered and him. Baraaq.

I've seen him a lot of times before,he looks no different today.

I look away.

Khadeeja is smiling to the floor.

"I love him Raidah!"

"I know, bless you Khadeeja you're the best sister ever!"

We both hugged and soon Rumii joined and we had to drag Jana because she was too busy staring Ibrahim.

"You didn't tell me Baraaq came in?"

Khadeeja questioned.

I'm not excited even a bit,I'm not even suppressing it,it's just not happening.

"OH yeah he's there!"

I pretend a smile.

"He looks handsome"

And I can always know when Jana lies.

"Yes he's very handsome"

And when Rumii helps.

"He is"

I smiled.

They cheered up, I'm lucky they don't know when I lie but Khads does.

I smiled at her but she didn't.

"I don't know why you can't see what I can see" She sadly spoke.

"Well if not I know certainly if you can see something in him,I would be able to see that for sure later,you know I follow things up always a bit later than you!"

I said lightly, for sure this was the truth.

Jana was called and Khadeeja went to help mum.

I waited in the room and somehow the air became heavy.

I looked outside there wasn't a man I was looking for,he seemed strange to me,rather someone I despised.

He was extremely tall,he had raven dense hair,black eyes and pale complexion so pale I could see his veins shine blue on his face.

His eyes fixed on the floor,he exchanged words only with Qahtan and remained stubbornly fixed on the same chair the whole evening.

We were called.

I don't know if I really want to give myself up this way.

I took a deep breath "Allah knows best"

Janaziah's PoV

We collected our trials and gathered them in a smooth line,I could hear us together take a deep breath and we walked in the hall.

On walking did we realize that there were not less than seventy people gathered.

Oh my gosh! This seems so nerve racking.

He stood there smiling, I could feel millions of butterflies widly rushing inside my stomach. Oh my gosh! Don't fall,not today please!

He's really handsome as we moved closer he looked more fine than ever.

I love you Dad!

I realized than I've walked a few steps ahead of my sisters.

Embarrassing!

I look back and they are giggling!

Why!!!

I walk back and stand.

"You look in a hurry"

My aunt teased as the whole back crowd laughed.

Oh boy! He laughed too!

The guys came in closer,

Woah, I need to have kids with him, this world needs beauty...preserve some of these genes boy!

He cross smiled. Butterflies-butterflies-butterflies all the way,I don't know why people are celebrating Christmas we should celebrate him!

The rings were brought. I sort of gave my hand a bit early without being asked I hope that wasn't noticed.

He smiled and pulled out his ring it was big diamond ring,exotic was the world...the ring was beautiful!

Where did you get this from? Does everything in your kingdom is this pretty? Am I dreaming? Is he real?

Am I really getting married to this man?

I love you Dad!

And right when I was eyeing this beauty in my finger, he whispered in my ear. 'I love you'

Oh my god!!!

I reach for his hand and shaking I place the ring on his finger.

My life is perfect right now! Alhumdullilah!

His sister is as excited as I am, his mum crying happy tears and lastly his brother's wife dreamingly looking at us! Everybody seems so sweet! Awwh my heart could explode with wild happinees right now, so much sugar love!