عن قتادة مرسلا قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: من الجفاء أن أذكر عند رجل فلا يصلي علي صلى الله علي وسلم أخرجه النميري هكذا من وجهين من طريق عبد الرزاق وهو في جامعه ورواته ثقات (القول البديع ص311)
Hazrat Qataadah (rahimahullah) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said It is a sign of a person being ill-mannered (and ungrateful) that my name is mentioned in his presence, yet he neglects reciting durood upon me.
***
How do you feel when there is a certain thing you wish never happens and that is the exact thing that happens? And to add to the misery you cannot do anything about it. Rehan looked at the people in the room, feeling the world collapse in front of him. His gaze landed on Rida who looked as shocked as him. Their eyes met for a fraction of second but Rida was quick enough to avert her gaze from his, but he was sure he saw something in her eyes which he couldn't figure out. He glanced at Kaif who had his eyes on Rida and he couldn't help but feel a pang in his heart but he shook his head with a painful look.
"Zakir..." Rehan looked at Rida's parents who looked happy. He looked at Rida who was now looking at her parents. He smiled because he now understood what Kaif meant. She would never reject the proposal, not for her but for her parents.
He slowly moved away from there, because things had started suffocating him and all he required was fresh air. He walked out to the room and took a deep breath.
'This was all that you wanted right? Rida out of your life!' He heard his inner voice mock him and he shook his head vigorously
"I just wanted her away from the troubles in my life, not away from me." He whispered almost loosing his mind. He sunk down near his car feeling so much at a time.
"Rehan?" He heard his name being called and he took a breath when he realised that Kaif was searching for him. He got up from the back of his car and smiled at Kaif waving at him.
Kaif ran towards him while taking him in a hug.
"I did it." Kaif whispered and Rehan tighten his hold on his back and nodded his head not able to form any words. He moved away from Kaif and smiled at him. He could see how happy Kaif looked and he felt bad. He wanted to be happy for his friend, but he wasn't.
"I am happy for you." Rehan said smiling a genuine smile at his friend ignoring the pain that he felt.
Rida moved away from the living area not able to grasp anything. She felt that life was playing games with her. It was hardly three days back that she had received one proposal and now one more? And that too by the people whom she had known for a year.
She went back to the room she had been sleeping, not wanting to hear any more conversation that would take place in between their parents. She was hardly inside the room when an excited Sheerin bragged inside the room engulfing her in a bear hug.
"I am so happy, you are going to be my sister-in-law." Sheerin said with so much happiness that Rida cracked a small smile at her.
Rida glanced at Faiza who was standing a little away from them, with no emotions on her face. She shook her head in a no making Rida to look away from her. She very well knew what her sister was speaking through her action but right now all that mattered to her was her parents. She had rejected one proposal because she was not ready and had pained her parents though they did not show her, but she was sure if she rejected this proposal too, their family relation would be in trouble.
Zakir and Abdul have been very close friends just like brothers to each other and if something went wrong among them because of Rida, she wouldn't bear it.
She did not say anything, just listened to what Sheerin had to say. The entire time, Faiza did not utter a word. They both were called down almost after half an hour. She was sure they would be talking about the proposal itself so she did not question anything to anybody.
She and Faiza walked down with Sheerin running in front of them. She looked at Amina smiling at her and she reciprocated it back.
"I know you both will make a perfect couple. May Allah Subhana watahaalah bless you both." She said and kissed her forehead. Rida closed her eyes, gulping the lump that was now forming in her throat. She felt weak. She smiled at the lady who was adoring her with so much happiness on her face.
"But in the end it is her decision." Zakir said coming towards his wife and she nodded her head understanding what point her husband was keeping forwards.
"We will meet you'll tomorrow at your place." Zakir said to Abdul and he nodded his head before hugging each other.
After biding farewell, everyone walked out to see Rehan and Kaif busy, involved in a talk.
"See you'll soon." Abdul said his gaze lingering from Kaif to Rehan who smiled at him and mumbled a small 'salaam'.
Rehan glanced at Rida who had her eyes casted down on the floor. He smiled because maybe this was the last time he would see her as his friend and the next time he would see her would be his friend's would be wife.
The Shaikh family got inside the car and drove away while Rida looked at Rehan from the rear view mirror from the backseat she was seated. She smiled at his figure. She didn't knew what she felt at that moment but she was very sure about her answer.
***
Rida stirred in her sleep to only realise that she was trapped by a hand of a person that never left her. She smiled and moved closer to the person who made her life a complete bliss. Her husband. She inhaled his cologne, the cologne that she loved while she rested her hand on his hand that was firmly placed around her waist.
"Good morning Beautiful." He spoke in his husky voice startling Rida. She blushed a little and tried moving away from his body to be only pulled more into him.
"Good morning." She mumbled, her face covered in the darkest shade of red.
"What were you doing?" He asked nuzzling his nose in her neck, making her heart to hammer in her chest. Even after two years of marriage he still had that effect on Rida.
"Nothing." She whispered trying her best to remove his hand from her waist but failed miserably.
"Trying to go away from me?" He asked his deep voice having so much of effect on Rida. She bite her lower lip and shook her head.
"Don't do that." He said and pulled out Rida's lower lip out from her teeth making her to be left shocked.
How did he come to know?
"I know you more than yourself." He whispered answering her unasked question and kissing her on her cheek.
"You are very beautiful." He said kissing her right behind her earlobe while she tried her best to supress the moan.
"You are very innocent." He said, his right hand on her cheek caressing it while kissing her neck.
"You make my life worth living." He said and pulled her on top of him making her squeal.
She closed her eyes and taking it as a chance he kissed them both, making her smile.
"I love your blush." He said wrapping his arms around her small waist securely and kissing her blush.
"I love your smile." He said and pecked her just below her lips making her to tighten her hold on his arms.
"I love my effect on you." He said with a small smirk and she opened her eyes, her eyes fixed on his bare chest.
"I love you, my love." He said and kissed her forehead. The kiss lasted for a long time while Rida enjoyed his warmth. He moved away from Rida and looked at her face that screamed pure innocence. He couldn't help but smile at her. He couldn't help but feel bless because this lady here was his.
He pulled her head a little closer to his, his eyes still on her face while she had her eyes shut. He caressed her cheek and removed her lip out from her teeth, a habit when she is nervous.
"Mor-morning breath." She breathed trying her best to speak in such a situation but he did not compelle much on it.
His lips connected with hers and Rida felt electric shock run through her entire body. She felt her knees going weak while she could clearly hear her own heartbeat that rhythmed with his. Her toes curled in pleasure while he smiled in between the kiss caressing her waist. She could feel the butterflies in her stomach. The kiss was gentle and full of love and affection. She wrapped her arms around his neck, her right hand moving to play with his messy rough black hair. They felt that the time had stopped and when they parted away it felt like eternity. They both were breathing heavily due to the lack of oxygen supply.
He smiled looking at Rida who looked nothing but as a beetroot due to the pink colour on her face. He caressed her cheek and pecked her forehead before mumbling,
"I love you hayati." He said making her happy. She loved when he called her hayati. It showed how precious she was in his life because she was his life.
"I love you too habibi." She said with a small smile lingering on her face. He was the love of her life and she was proud of it.
She shifted her gaze on her husband's face to see his dark pitch black eyes shining with so much of love and adoration for her that she almost felt jealous of her own self. How could someone love her so much?
She gazed at his face but she couldn't figure out his face. She rubbed her eyes a few times so that she could have a better view of her husband but failed miserably. She called out to him but he did not reply back. Did he sleep back again? She called out to him but it was like he couldn't hear her. And that is when she heard her name being called. Faiza?
She opened her eyes and blinked several times to understand what was happening. She took in the surrounding to realise that she wasn't in the same bed as she was a few seconds ago but she was at her place. She turned to her left to see Faiza giving her a curious look. She abruptly sat up straight, clearing her throat while putting back her hair locks.
"What were you dreaming about?" Faiza asked wiggling her eyebrow and Rida shook her head, feeling the heat rush up to her face. She did not wanted to embarrass herself in front of Faiza telling her about her extremely-exotic romantic scene with her husband whose face she was unable to see.
"What is the time?" Rida asked and glared at Faiza but she was smart enough to understand that her sister was ignoring her question.
"Nice try, its time for fajr and yeah after praying I need to talk to you." Faiza said in a serious tone making Rida to look at her worriedly with a raised eyebrow. Rida knew that her sister always pretended to be the elder one in between the both of them but today her voice sounded different.
"What could be the matter?" Rida asked her own self and looked at the time to see that there was very less time left to pray fajr. She hurriedly got up and after doing her ablution, she stood to pray. While she was praying, Faiza sneaked into her room and sat down on the bed reading the newest and the latest gossips about her college.
She was hardly into the suspense when she noticed that Rida was done praying and was folding her mat. She threw her phone and waited for her sister to join her on the bed.
"So what's the matter?" Rida asked directly coming to the point while Faiza took her own time to clear her throat.
"What is your answer?" Faiza asked and Rida sighed in relief. She couldn't believe that Faiza wanted to talk to her about the proposal and here she had thought the worst scenarios in her mind.
"You scared me I thought something bad happened." Rida said not answering her question instead telling what she had been going through. Faiza did not react anything and waited for Rida to answer her question. When Rida noticed that Faiza hadn't spoken anything she coughed a little and after taking a deep breath she replied,
"Well my answer in a yes." She said and Faiza did not respond as of she knew what she would be saying.
"Do you love him?" Faiza asked taking Rida by surprise. Rida shook her head and looked at Faiza in confusion.
"What does that have to do with this?" Rida asked and Faiza sighed loudly making Rida to realise that she was gonna speak something she did not wanted to hear.
"This has to do everything with this. You just cannot marry anyone whom you don't love and yeah I know the reason behind you accepting this proposal." Faiza said and Rida looked away from her. She did not wanted to show how weak she felt at the moment but she had accepted the proposal because she felt a positive vibe from the proposal.
"I am doing this because I feel that this is good for me." Rida said and Faiza laughed a humorously.
"Whom are you trying to fool? Me or you? " Faiza asked poinying between the both and Rida did not answer her back because she herself didn't knew the answer to that.
"I don't know what is going on in that mind of yours but one thing I am very sure is that Kaif is not the one for you and I very well who the perfect man is." Faiza said taking Rida's hand in her hold while looking at her sister pleadingly.
"Faiza I don't want to talk about it. My decision is final." Rida declared pulling her hand away while Faiza opened her mouth to speak when she was interrupted by a knock on the door.
"Mom?" Rida called out when she saw her mom peeping in the room.
"Am I disturbing one of those sister moment?" Her mother asked with a small smiled and both the sisters smiled before shaking their head.
"Come in." Rida said and Mrs Shaikh came and sat besides Faiza who immediately laid down on her lap. She caressed her hair looking at her younger daughter who looked upset. She glanced at Rida and asked her what the matter was but she simply shook her head.
"Rida I need to talk to you." Her mother said making it aware that she was here for a reason and Rida was well aware what the reason was.
"Its a yes." Rida said not letting her mother speak. Mrs Shaikh raised her eyebrow at Rida who smiled at her mother and she nodded her head confirming what she just said.
"But.." Mrs Shaikh, Shehnaz, tried continuing further but Rida stopped her.
"I know mom they are a good family and I know Kaif is a good guy and you'll love him, that's more than enough for me. With time I will learn to love him too." Rida said and Shehnaz looked at her daughter who had grown up to be a matured and a sensible daughter.
"No Rida it is not like that..."
"Assalamualaikum." Mrs Shaikh couldn't complete her sentence as Safa bragged in the house looking as cheerful as ever.
"Safa? What a pleasant surprise! Walaikumassalam." Rida said and was startled when Safa engulfed her in a bear hug.
"Mabrook." Safa whispered and Rida sighed and patted her back.
"JazakAllahu Khairan Khair but what are you doing her so early?" Rida asked smiling at Safa, making space to let her sit.
"Assalamualaikum Aunty, well Saif had to leave for office early in the morning and I was awake so I told him to drop me here since I wanted to meet you after knowing about your marriage." Safa explained the reason behind her sudden visit and Rida nodded her head while Faiza smiled at the excitement level of Safa while Mrs Shaikh shook her head.
"The marriage is not fixed yet." Faiza said after she realised what Safa had said and Safa glanced at the three ladies before turning to Rida with a smirk,
"Obviously the answer has to be a yes, isn't it Rida?" Safa asked and Rida raised her eyebrow but nonetheless nodded her head with a small smile.
"Alhamdulillah I so knew it." Safa said once again hugging Rida and she couldn't help but laugh at her friend's overexcited figure. She knew the blame should be on the hormones those were making her so high.
"Faiza and Safa come downstairs while Rida? You freshen up and join us for breakfast." Mrs Shaikh said and all the girls nodded their head and followed what the elder lady ordered them.
Rida walked inside the washroom and stood in front of the mirror looking at her messed up figure. She pulled up her hair up in a messy bun, putting behind the few hair locks that were coming on her eyes. She took her toothbrush and applied the toothpaste on it her mind drifting to her dream.
She couldn't help but feel her face heat up. She did not understand how could she feel a dream so real! And those black eyes? She could still remember those black eyes staring through her soul, that made her blush.
She was so lost in her thoughts that she almost lost her balance, but was quick enough to hold the washbasin for her support. She face palmed herself and washed her face. She walked out of the washroom and changed her clothes and wrapped her hijab loosely around her head.
Rida walked downstairs to see the ladies busy talking while making breakfast. She glanced at Faiza who now looked normal. She smiled at how her sister did not show any of her thoughts in front of her mother for which she was glad. She walked to her mother and helped her out with the scrambled egg that was being prepared for her dad. Safa sat down on the dining table since she wasn't allowed to work as she was pregnant. Faiza made tea for everyone while Mrs Shaikh arranged the plates.
"Assalamualaikum Safa. After so long!" Rida looked at her father who was smiling at Safa while she did the same.
She placed the scrambled egg on her father's plate and passed it to him, through Faiza who smiled at her sister. Rida smiled when she noticed Faiza being normal with her. Faiza and Safa started having their breakfast along with the parents while Rida sat there just with a cup of coffee.
"So what am I suppose to make for lunch?" Rida's mother started a conversation and everyone got involved in the talk, excited, suggesting things except Rida who looked at her family's smile.
This was all that mattered to her. Her family's happiness. And she could do anything to see her parents smile.