"Only for my Yazia—My Warrior."
Taehyung inhaled a deep breath and with a last caress on the headstones he stood up. With a heavy heart, he continued to speak, as if hoping his words would somehow reach the ears of his departed parents.
"I wish you were here, Dad, to scold me", Taehyung whispered, his voice barely more than a breath. "I miss your wisdom, your strength. I feel lost without you. I would even let you beat me", he tried to make it light by joking but it came out solemn. A solitary tear trickled down his cheek.
"I am thankful to you both for leaving me under Uncle's guidance," Taehyung whispered, his words a quiet acknowledgment of the trust his parents had placed in their friend. "He is the nicest man I know."
"And Mom", he added softly, his voice barely audible above the rustle of leaves. "I wish you were here to wrap me in your warmth, you know I love hugs. I miss you more than words can say." As he spoke, a sense of peace washed over Taehyung, a quiet acceptance of the inevitable passage of time and the bittersweet memories it left in its wake.
"Thank you for listening, although you were too quiet. I love you", he murmured, with that, Taehyung turned away from the graves, his steps lightened by the knowledge that, though they may be gone, his parents' love would be forever.
He came out and saw Mr. Saad standing there leaning on the car hand crossed in front of him. Mr. Saad smiled looking at him coming. "Had a good Talk?", Taehyung nodded and muttered a thank you.
"Dive, we'll go back", Mr. Saad held out the car keys in front of him. Taehyung looked at his smiling face waiting for Taehyung to take keys. Taehyung took the key, and both sat inside the car. Taehyung started driving.
"We'll go back, and I have important things to tell you and all of them too", Mr. Saad spoke out the thing he is keeping to himself only. "I'll tell them and fulfill your wish Jonghyun", Mr. Saad thought to himself getting himself ready.
«»
Yazia returned home from work and entered the living room, where she found Ayzal seated on the couch, her legs crossed and still wearing her veil.
"You didn't change?" Yazia inquired, settling down beside Ayzal. "Assalamualaikum is what you say first", Yazia, and she held her ears.
"Sorry, Assalamualaikum!" Ayzal nodded and greeted her back. "I was just surprised to see you completely covered in home." Yazia again expressed her concerns. "You are sitting in Abaya and hijab too." Yazia looked at herself.
"I just came back home", she explained, and Ayzal picked up her veil. and gave her a tight smile. "Yeah... us moment I came back a while ago too."
Yazia chuckled at her and shook her head. "You could just tell it simply, no need to complicate it.", Ayzal patted Yazia's shoulder. "You don't understand things simply." Yazia looked at Ayzal with widened eyes.
"Did you taunt me?" Yazia asked, and Ayzal shook her head. "No one has the ability to taunt, Yazia the Great first." Yazia scrunched her nose and replied. "A bad joke."
Both were talking when they heard the entrance door open and heard footsteps. Both looked in the direction and stood up cheerfully.
"Assalamualaikum!! My cuties!!" There stood their aunt, their father's one and only sister. She lives in the southern side of Asia as her husband was South Asian. On hearing her both Yazia and Ayzal almost ran toward her.
"Gomo!!", Both said in unison and hugged her. "My both babies got big, last time I saw you both were kids", she Hugged them.
"I am so happy you came", Ayzal said in joy. She cupped her face with affection. "I missed you Aya", Ayza gave her a smile. "Is this the surprise Appa was talking about?", Yazia said and Ayzal nodded. "I love this surprise."
"Leave her let her come inside", Mrs. Saad scolded both and they left her, and she walked to their mother. "How are you, Mehak." They both hugged.
"Ammi!! Your bag is with me here", They all heard a male voice and Ayzal adjusted her veil covering her face. All looked at the owner of the voice and saw a tall man standing there he had a tanned complexion.
"Asad! Is he Asad?", Mrs. Saad asked, and the guy smiled. "Yes!! I am Asad, you guessed it right", he introduced himself.
"You've grown up into a handsome man now, Masha'Allah", Mrs. Saad looked at him with admiration. "He is my son; how can he not be handsome?" Mehak said with a proud smile.
Asad looked around and saw Yazia and Ayzal standing there. He greeted them with a smile which was returned kindly by both sisters.
"I missed all of you so much, Eonni", Mehk said sitting on the couch holding Mrs. Saad's hands. "We all missed you too, I am happy you came. Now I know why Saad was Happy this morning", Mrs. Saad spoke happily.
Asad sat silently on the couch, observing Yazia and Ayzal engaged in lively conversation. His gaze lingered on Yazia for a moment longer than intended, and when she looked up, he quickly averted his eyes. Sensing the shift in energy, Yazia let out a scoff, her irritation evident.
"Taehyung would have stared shamelessly", she thought to herself, the comparison slipping out without conscious intent. "Gomo... you have to stay here for a long time", Yazia remarked, directing her attention to her aunt and making her smile.
"We'll stay here for the whole Ramadan, we'll spend Eid together", Mehak declared cheerfully, her eyes bright with excitement. Yazia hummed joyfully. "I won't let you leave before Eid then. You've promised to spend it with us", Yazia teased, a playful glint in her eyes.
"I won't go anywhere, and if I did, I'll take you with me", Mehak replied with a chuckle, her words filled with affection. "I'll go and help in the kitchen", Ayzal said and stood up Yazia stood up after her too, she was feeling continuous stares at her so to avoid them she decided to go with Ayzal.
"I'll come with you too", Yazia announced, offering Ayzal a reassuring smile as they left the room together, leaving the scene behind them. Mehak looks at Yazia going with a smile that hides countless intentions. "Kids got big in the blink of an eye", Mehk said to Mrs. Saad, and she agreed.
"Allah just grant them good fate." Mrs. Saad prayed and Mehak nodded saying Ameen. "Eonni... do you remember when Yazia was born? You promised me that you'd give her hand to Asad for marriage," Mehak recalled, with the intentions and didn't give Mrs. Saad time to speak and added.
"Before coming here, I made myself a promise. I won't leave until I witness Asad and Yazia tying the knot", Mehak's tone was firm and whiny. Mrs. Saad shook her head. "Talk to your brother, Yazia is his piece of heart, you can ask him about this."
Mehak made a painful face. "Eonni you should help me too, I remember we decided it when they were young", Mehak insisted, and Mrs. Saad nodded and held her arm in an assuring way.
"He is your brother and Asad is a nice boy, he'll not reject it", Mrs. Saad assured her and she smiled Happily. Asad who was listening to all had a smirk on his face.
"Eomma, dinner is served", Ayzal announced to her mother, who nodded in acknowledgment. "Where's your father? Mehak is here, and he's nowhere to be seen", Mrs. Saad sighed, rising from her seat. "Let's go, Mehak, and eat dinner. Your brother is going to be late", she said, motioning for Mehak to follow her.
"It's okay, he's busy with his company. His work is important", Mehak offered an excuse for her brother, but Mrs. Saad shook her head in frustration. "Yazia is the one handling office work. He just went out saying he has important business. I don't know what 'important' work he has these days?"
Mehak raised her eyebrows in surprise. "Yazia is the one handling all of that?" she asked, amused by the revelation.
"Ayzal doesn't have much interest in business, and Saad is occupied with his own work. Allah knows what he's up to. So, Yazia is taking care of it", Mrs. Saad explained, her tone tinged with pride for her daughter. Mehak had a big smile hearing all this.
"After Saad, is Yazia going to be the one running the company?" Mehak inquired curiously.
Mrs. Saad nodded, leading the way to the dining table. "That's what Saad planned. Let's see what Allah has in store", she replied with a smile, leaving the future open to Allah's will.
"Sit Mehak let's start eating. Saad especially told me to prepare food", Mrs. Saad said unaware of the real reason behind Mr. Saad's request. "Asad, you too eat well I made them with love", Asad nodded smiling at her words.
They were seated when Mr. Saad entered the dining hall and his eyes widened in surprise at the sight of his sister. Taehyung, following closely behind him, halted in his tracks upon seeing unfamiliar faces.
"Mehak!! Assalamualaikum! What a pleasant surprise," Mr. Saad exclaimed, drawing the attention of everyone in the room. Mehak rose from her seat and walked towards her brother.
Mr. Saad enveloped her in a side hug. "I missed you, Oppa," Mehak greeted him warmly, glancing back to signal Asad to approach.
Asad stepped forward, standing before Mr. Saad. "Remember him?" Mehak asked, a playful smile on her lips.
"That's a question you shouldn't even ask. I know my one and only Asad," Mr. Saad replied, opening his arms invitingly. "Come here, my son. Give me a hug." Asad embraced him warmly, and Mr. Saad patted his back affectionately, Taehyung looked at everything confused for a while then his gaze automatically transferred to Yazia.
With a broad, boxy smile, Taehyung's eyes locked onto Yazia, oblivious to the world around him "Today, she looks extra beautiful," he thought, completely engrossed in his admiration for Yazia.
Meanwhile, Yazia felt the weight of Taehyung's gaze on her, a sensation she was all too familiar with. Unlike the discomfort she had felt earlier, this gaze felt different, she stared back at Taehyung who just Stared and maintain his smile.
"Shameless man," she thought with a playful roll of her eyes, amused by Taehyung's unabashed admiration. "I knew it, he never looks away after getting caught." She rolled her eyes looked back at the table and Sat there waiting for everyone to arrive.
"Your surprise was nice", Mrs. Saad addressed her husband, who looked thoroughly confused. "I didn't even tell you, and you're already saying it's nice?" He chuckled, and Mrs. Saad narrowed her eyes in suspicion.
"Wasn't Mehak's arrival your surprise?" she asked, her confusion evident. "It was a surprise for me too, but the one I have is much bigger", Mr. Saad replied only adding to her confusion.
"Appa, tell us what your surprise is, then", Yazia interjected from her seat, her curiosity piqued as she leaned forward with an eager smile. Taehyung smirked beside her, knowing she would be shocked, his gaze softening as he watched her anticipation.
"Come here, Taehyung", Mr. Saad called out. Taehyung obliged, walking over to stand beside Mr. Saad, who then placed a hand around Taehyung's shoulder. "My surprise is this", Mr. Saad declared, gesturing proudly at Taehyung, who smiled in response.
Confusion swept through the room as everyone tried to comprehend r Mr. Saad's statement. Mehak and Asad, unaware of Taehyung's significance, exchanged puzzled glances. Mr. Saad couldn't help but chuckle at their bewildered expressions.
"Taehyung accepted Islam today", Mr. Saad finally revealed, the words hanging in the air like a thunderclap. Shock and surprise aroused through the room, leaving everyone speechless. Yazia, in particular, was rendered speechless by the unexpected news.
Mrs. Saad's eyes darted back and forth between her husband and Taehyung, searching for confirmation. When Taehyung nodded in affirmation, tears welled up in her eyes. "Alhamdulillah! Ya Allah, Shukr!" she exclaimed, her heart overflowing with gratitude and joy at the news.
"I am proud of you, my prince. You are truly blessed," Mrs. Saad said, her voice choked with emotion her heart brimming with pride and love for the young man who had chosen to embrace Islam.
Yazia, her initial shock evident in her widened eyes, took a step back, her heart racing with a mixture of surprise and disbelief. Ayzal offered him congratulations with a warm smile. "Congratulations, Taehyung", she said, her voice filled with genuine happiness for him.
"Thank you", Taehyung returned it kindly. Ayzal was the one who suggested him to reach out his father and he is really thankful to her for being kind even despite knowing his feelings for her sister.
Mehak and Asad, still bewildered by the unexpected turn of events, exchanged uncertain glances, their confusion. "Who is this?" Mehak asked confused. Mrs. Saad patted Taehyung's shoulder affectionally and turned to Mehak.
"He is the son of Jonghyun and Eunjin's son", Mehak smiled remembering his parents. "Oh! You're Hyun Oppa's son. How is he?" Mehak inquired, unaware of the death of his parents. Taehyung smiled sadly.
Mr. Saad sighed, recognizing Taehyung's pain, but before he could speak, Taehyung interjected. "I don't know how they are, but I pray they are in a better place", I don't know how they are, but I pray they are in a better place", Taehyungs words confused Mehak.
"They passed away a month ago", Taehyung revealed with a heavy heart. Mehak's eyes widened in realization. Yazia felt bad for him, and Mehak felt a pang of guilt for her unwitting question. "I'm sorry, I didn't know", Mehak apologized, her voice filled with remorse. Taehyung shook his head gently. "It's fine", he reassured her. Yazia noticed the hurt he was trying to conceal beneath the surface.
"Let's go and eat dinner. I told Saima to make a special dinner for you", Mrs. Saad suggested, breaking the tension in the room. Taehyung nodded gratefully, and they all made their way to the table.
Asad's gaze wandered around the room until it landed on Yazia. He stood there for a moment, seemingly lost in thought. However, his lingering stare did not go unnoticed by someone who shot him a glare of disapproval. Taehyung followed Asad's gaze and saw him staring at Yazia, his blood boiling with anger.
"How dare he look at her like that? I'll gouge his eyes out", Taehyung seethed silently with rage.
Asad made his way toward Yazia, aiming to claim the empty seat beside her. Sensing his intention, Taehyung swiftly walked over to Mrs. Saad. "Auntie, may I sit beside you? I would love to eat with your hands", Taehyung requested with a warm smile. Mrs. Saad returned his smile affectionately.
"My prince, come here, sit beside me. I'll make sure you eat", Mrs. Saad said tenderly, patting the chair next to her. Asad halted in his tracks upon hearing Mr. Saad's words, his plan to sit beside Yazia failed.
Taehyung shot Asad a piercing glare before obediently taking the seat next to Mrs. Saad, effectively foiling Asad's attempt. "No one sits beside her except for me, especially someone who's suspicious", Taehyung muttered to himself under his breath. Asad quietly made his way to the other side of the table, taking a seat at an available chair.
Yazia glanced at Taehyung, shaking her head in exasperation. "You're never going to change", she muttered, her words meant only for Taehyung's ears. Taehyung smiled in response and whispered back, his voice barely audible. "I'll answer you later."
For Yazia, the fact that Taehyung had embraced Islam was still difficult to fathom. Never in her wildest dreams did she imagine Taehyung making such a significant change. Yet, somewhere deep inside, she felt a glimmer of delight. A small flicker of hope ignited within her heart maybe.
As dinner commenced, Mrs. Saad held out the first bite for Taehyung, who accepted it happily. "Did you recite dua?" Mr. Saad inquired, breaking the silence.
"Sorry, Appa!!"
"I forgot!!"
Yazia and Taehyung spoke in unison and looked at each other with a knowing gaze. "Yazia... I asked Taehyung but you didn't recite it?", Yazia bit her tongue closing her eyes. It was a question directed at Taehyung and she got caught in it.
"Sorry, Appa I forgot I'll do it now", Yazia apologized her father let out a gentle sigh, his expression carrying a mixture of understanding and disappointment.
"It's important to remember, Yazia. Don't overlook the dua before anything. When you start with the name of Allah, His guidance and protection will be with you, and Satan cannot disrupt you," Mr. Saad advised, his tone gentle.
"I'll remember it from now on," Yazia promised, her voice tinged with determination. Taehyung echoed her sentiment, nodding in agreement. Mr. Saad couldn't help but smile at their adorable guilty faces. "They are so alike," Mehak remarked, eliciting laughter from everyone.
Yazia rolled her eyes in annoyance. "I'll recite the dua now, okay Appa," she said, her tone slightly exasperated. Her father shook his head gently.
"Don't just recite it yourself. Help Taehyung too. He's new to all this, and you need to support him," Mr. Saad advised, emphasizing the importance of helping and guiding each other in their journey of faith.
Yazia nodded at her father's words. She looked at Taehyung beside who was waiting for her. "Repeat after me", Yazia instructed him.
بِسمِ اللهِ أَوَّلَهُ وَآخِرَهُ
"In the Name of Allah at the beginning and at the end"
Taehyung looked at her being lost. Mr. Saad looked at Yazia with a you-need-to-be-patient face. Yazia understood her father. "We forgot to eat so we can read this dua", Taehyung nodded understanding.
As Yazia explained the situation, Taehyung found himself hanging onto her every word, completely entranced by her presence. In that moment of clarity, a surge of gratitude and admiration washed over him, his heart pounding erratically in his chest. It was as if Yazia held him under her spell, her mere presence igniting a fire within him that he couldn't extinguish.
"That's why it didn't sound like the one I learned", Taehyung expressed his confusion. With each passing moment, Taehyung realized just how deeply he was under her spell. Despite her aloof demeanor, he found himself utterly infatuated with her, completely whipped by her every action.
"Ok so I'll go slow this time, repeat it after me", Taehyung hummed in response and Yazia felt shiver hearing his hum. "Yazia stop being stupid", Yazia scolded herself.
Yazia recited it slowly word by word and he repeated after her. "That's like my warrior", Mr. Saad appreciated her patience.
Taehyung's heart beating so fast. He loved it. "I can imagine myself with her in the future now", Taehyung thought and looked back at his food. Meanwhile, Yazia felt a strange sensation wash over her, her heart fluttering in her chest as she focused on her plate, trying to conceal the emotions.
"Ya Allah, protect them from any harm and grant me the strength to fulfill my dear friend's wish", Mr. Saad silently prayed, his gaze lingering on Taehyung and Yazia.
"It's so delicious, Auntie. I love the food you make", Taehyung praised, genuinely appreciating her culinary skills. "It's just your love, Taehyung", Mrs. Saad replied with a warm smile, her eyes twinkling with affection.
"I want to learn cooking. Will you teach me?" Taehyung asked with hopeful eyes, his sincerity evident in his tone. "I asked Mom, but before she could, she... left", he added, a hint of sadness.
Mrs. Saad's expression softened at Taehyung's request, her heart going out to him as he mentioned his mother. "Of course, Taehyung. I'd be happy to teach you", she replied warmly, reaching out to gently pat his hand in a comforting gesture.
"You're always welcome in our home, and I'll make sure you learn everything you want to," she reassured him, her eyes reflecting a sense of kindness and compassion. Taehyung nodded.
"What will you do after learning to cook? It's a woman's job to do it," Asad remarked, injecting his opinion. Taehyung opted not to engage in a heated debate. Instead, he responded with a light chuckle, masking his frustration.
"I'll cook for my wife," Taehyung countered calmly, his voice carrying a hint of amusement. "What if she doesn't know how to or doesn't like cooking? I'll do it for her," he added. Yazia's lips curved into a faint smile at Taehyung's response.
"Jonghyun, for sure it's your son," Mr. Saad mused inwardly. "He is the best decision for my daughter", he affirmed silently, feeling relief that his decision about both is not wrong.
"Your wife will be lucky then. What do you say, Yazia?" Ayzal commented, her gaze shifting to her sister with a playful twinkle in her eyes, awaiting Yazia's response. "How do I know?", Yazia responded, her tone laced with a hint of teasing skepticism.
As she observed Taehyung, Mehak couldn't shake the feeling that there was more beneath the surface, something unseen and perhaps even unsettling. "He can't just be a friend's son," Mehak mused to herself, her thoughts racing as she considered the possibilities.
As the dinner continued, Taehyung couldn't shake off the feeling that something was amiss. His senses heightened; he noticed Asad's lingering gaze on Yazia. A surge of possessiveness washed over Taehyung as he observed the intensity in Asad's stare.
His jaw clenched, Taehyung's eyes narrowed, a flicker of irritation evident in his gaze. He couldn't stand the thought of anyone else looking at Yazia. Taehyung's gaze shifted back to Yazia; he noticed a subtle shift in her demeanor. Though she continued to eat, a sense of discomfort seemed to settle over her.
he shot Asad a sharp glare, silently warning him to back off. However, much to Taehyung's surprise, Asad remained unfazed. Taehyung scoffed mentally and looked up at Mr. Saad. "Uncle, I have a question?", Taehyung asked him drawing the attention of everyone at the table.
Mr. Saad regarded Taehyung with a curious expression, nodding in acknowledgment. "Of course, Taehyung. What's on your mind?" he inquired. "I read about the eating mannerism from the book you gave me. I want to ask when we are eating, should our attention be focused on the food and not on staring at others?" Taehyung questioned.
"You're absolutely correct," Mr. Saad continued. "When we gather for meals, it's customary to focus on our own plates and the food before us", Mr. Saad explained, his voice gentle yet authoritative. "Staring at others while they eat can be considered impolite or intrusive."
Mr. Saad's words felt like a slap to Asad who was staring at Yazia a while ago. Taehyung nodded. "People should be polite and mindful of their actions", Taehyung added more fuel to the fire.
Ayzal chuckled and got attention her father raised eyebrows and asked. "What happened to my child what's so funny", Ayzal shook her head with a smile. "Taehyung just asks questions like the children I teach in madrasah. It reminded me of one particular student", she replied.
Yazia understood what Taehyung was actually trying to do. "Here is the great actor Kim Taehyung, like he follows it by himself", She shook her head subtly mocking Taehyung mentally.
In her words lay a deeper understanding of Taehyung's intentions—he wasn't adhering to etiquette, but rather subtly addressing Asad's behavior indirectly. Asad understood the Assignment and averted his attention to food not wanting to be portrayed as an ill-mannered person.
"Taehyung, you're welcome to stay here tonight. Tomorrow marks the beginning of Ramadan, and we'll be more than happy to help you understand it", Mrs. Saad graciously offered. Despite his initial inclination to decline, Taehyung couldn't ignore the presence of Asad, which unsettled him. Moreover, the thought of staying alone was not appealing, and he realized he needed to keep an eye on Asad.
"Thank you so much, Auntie. I truly appreciate it", Taehyung responded gratefully. "I've been feeling a bit confused about Ramadan myself, and I'm planning to fast as well. Your guidance will be helpful."
"We are more than happy to have you in our family, Taehyung," Mr. Saad added with a warm smile. Taehyung nodded to it.
Mahek looked around everyone was silently focused on food, "It's time let's do this", She gathered the courage finding the right time to blow a bomb. "Oppa, I wanted to talk to you on a serious matter", She began to talk.
Mr. Saad looked up from his plate, his expression attentive as he regarded Mehak. Sensing the gravity in her tone, he nodded encouragingly. "Of course, Mehak. What is it?", he asked.
"Do you remember you said you'd give me something?", Mr. Saad narrowed eyes at her words. "What you want, Oppa be sacrificed on you, whatever it may be, consider it yours," he reassured her. Mehak smiled happily.
Mehak's request hung in the air, casting a sudden weight over the table. Mr. Saad's expression shifted, his brows furrowing as he processed her words.
"I want Asad and Yazia to get married?"
____________________________________________________
"Do something that someone never expected"
ʕ'• ᴥ•̥'ʔ
Hi!! lovely sweet people I know you never expected what I did here!! Did you jump from your chair or whatever you were sitting on!! No, don't tell me you didn't!! You should!!
That pic of Taehyung above is my expression right now!!
Wishing you a happy life, good grades, good hair days, big success, a lot of chicken in your biriyani!! hope you find your own custom-made Taehyung!! love you all!!
VOTE and COMMENT if you don't want me to let Yazia and Asad get married!!!
From V
*:･ﾟ✧