Farzana gazed at herself in the mirror for what seemed like the hundredth time.What the hell did you wear to meet then King of a freaking country?She wondered as she gazed at the clothing in her cupboard.Her eyes fell on a peach tunic which had a peter pan collar along with a belt around the middle and a pair of white trousers which she had gotten sown back in South Africa.She decided she would put on a darker colour scarf and would tie off the outfit with pink flats.She was not ready to wear heels and after Eid she knew it would be better to wait until the twins were walking for her to wear heels.She laid it out on the bed so she could first wake her babies up,bath them then change otherwise she would turn into a mess before she could leave.
She made her way to the crib,ready to wake her twins up only to smile when she found Ayesha awake.Like always Ayesha pulled at her feet only letting go and smiling when she saw her mama,making grabby hands.
"As salaam mu alaykum,baby." Farzana picked Ayesha up,placing a kiss on her cheek,"My baby is awake,early.Let's take you to bath then we'll wake Hafsa up."
Farzana was rewarded with a gurgle and something that sounded like yeah as she walked Ayesha to the bathroom and sat her down in the empty tub.She filled the baby bath before turning to undress Ayesha before placing her in the baby bath.She trickled water down Ayesha's head causing her baby to giggle and clap her hands against the water.Fazrana smiled as she took Ayesha out causing her to pout.While Hafsa still hated bath time,Ayesha loved it and even though there were no tantrums when she was taken out there was always a pout.
Farzana wrapped the towel around Ayesha,drying her off before taking her to the room.Farzana laid her on the bed.She made her way to the drawers that held the babies clothing.She choose a pink grower that said the struggle is real along with a black pants and a cute pink hat with black flowers.She turned back to the bed and dressed Ayesha in the clothes,omitting the hat which sshe knew Ayesha would just remove.She put Ayesha on the floor in the playpen,just as Hafsa moaned.
Farzana turned to walk to her,picking her up,"As salaam mu alaykum,moaner.Let's take you to torture time." Hafsa glared at Farzana as she walked into the bathroom,putting her on the floor with a toy from the bath tub,a little yellow ducky.Farzana threw out the dirty water before refiling it only to giggle when she looked down and saw Hafsa crawling out of the bathroom,"Ayy,wait." Hafsa only crawled faster as Farzana hurried behind her,swooping her up,"Where do you think you are going?"
"Mama." She moaned,wiggling herself as Farzana laid her on the changing bed.
"No,you still need to bath." Farzana undressed her as she begun to whimper as Farzana sat her in the bath,Farzana put a toy in the bath which captivated her attention for five seconds before it went flying out the tub,"No,Hafsa." Farzana put another bath toy as Hafsa's whimpers grew into full blown tears and both mother-daughter duo could not have been more relieved when bath time was over.
Farzana repeated the process of wrapping Hafsa in her towel,drying her off before carrying her to the bed.She laid her on the bed after rubbing her back and kissing her multiple times while apologizing.Farzana made her way to the drawers where she picked out a white grower which said I'm mummy's angel along with a black pants and a white hat with flowers.Farzana dressed Hafsa up before kissing her forehead and putting her in the play pen.She looked at the time,nodding her head when she saw there was still one and a half hour to go until the car would come to fetch her.Farzana put the baby monitor on as she made her way to the kitchen.She made Hafsa and Ayesha a porridge made of marie biscuits along with water and mixed it.She also filled a baby cup with water.She made her way to the room,sitting down near the playpen before feeding the twins.She sighed in relief when Hafsa got more in her mouth then on her face and clothes.She gave the twins water in between and when the bowl was empty she kissed their foreheads.She made her way into the kitchen,whipping up a Japanese omelette for herself along with a hot cup of chai.
As she sat down to ring her phone rang,she smiled seeing Razia's number as the caller ID.
"As salaam mu alaykum,bhabi."
"Wa alaykum mu salaam,Zana.How are you feeling?"
Farzana finally gave time to think of her twisting insides and racing thoughts that had tormented her the entire night,"Very nervous."
"Don't you worry.Remember what is meant for you will reach you even if it is beneath mountains and what is not meant for you will not reach you even if it is in front of you.Just read durood sharif and keep on asking for Allah's help,He will never leave you stranded.King Ridwaan is a King,he seems very kind and understanding.He will understand your story.He delivers justice and i just feel that he will be the justice that you deserve."
Farzana smiled as she finish chew a piece of omelette.Her thoughts settled down as her nerves stopped buzzing,"Jazakallah,bhabi.I really needed this pep talk from you.In Sha Allah,it all works out."
"It will.I can feel it inside me that it will." Farzana heard her brother say something on the other line followed by the sound of him moaning in pain.
"What did bhai say?"
"He said,it's not a feeling its his baby." Farzana could just imagine her sister-in-law rolling her eyes,"He also says don't worry,you will be fine and if King Ridwaan doesn't understand he is a fool.He also says he loves you and you must phone as soon as you leave the palace."
"Tell him,I love him too and I will phone."
"What are you wearing?"
"The pink tunic top we bought when we went shopping for Eid and the white pants I had sown before I came to Rahila.I'll also wear my white pumps."
"Huh ah,wear your white heels.It will look nicer."
Farzana groaned,"How can I wear heels and carry my babies?"
Razia scoffed,"Just wear the heels,you already proved on Eid day that you can wear heels and carry your babies."
"And I almost fell." Farzana reminded her.
"Oh yeah." Razia said sheepishly,"Okay,then wear the pumps.Shouldn''t you start getting ready?"
Farzana looked at the clock,"I still have an forty five minutes.Let me put the phone down,finish breakfast then I'll change."
"Okay.Remember,you deserve the happiness you get so don't shy away from it.Don't worry,put your trust in Allah and let it all play out as He has planned."
"Jee,I will.As salaam mu alaykum bhabi."
"Wa alaykum mu salam."
Farzana put her phone down as she ate finish and drank her chai.She made her way to the room where she found Hafsa asleep in the play pen while Ayesha had laid on her back,a cuddly star in her hands.Farzana shed her bathing robe before putting on her clothes.She applied primer followed by concealer then foundation and powder.She went for a nude lipstick,black kajal and mascara.She ended it by pryaing on setting spray.She tied her scarf on and slipped on the pumps.She grabbed the baby bag,ensuring that there were baby napkins,she put in the wet wipes and another set of clothing.She also put in two light sweaters which would be easy to slip onto the twins if there would be a chill in the air.She made her way to the kitchen,taking out two baby food sachets which she put in the bag and made two bottle just in case she had to feed them.She put the Tupperwares that had food for Ahmed in a plastic bag.She had made some butter chicken and naan for him.Somewhere she knew that if things did not work out she wanted Ahmed to remember her attempt with a sweet memory.
When she glanced at the clock she saw there were ten minutes left before the car would come to pick her up.Farzana opened up the pram,putting the bag onto the handle and she walked into the room.Ayesha had sat up,putting the toy in her mouth causing Farzana to shake her head.
"Huh ah,that's dirty." Farzana removed the toy from Ayesha's mouth,piking her up and picking up a moon cuddle toy.She strapped Ayesha in the pram,handing her the cuddle toy which Ayesha immediately grabbed.Farzana repeated the trip,this time picking up Hafsa who slept as she lowered the pram seat and laid her in.Farzana strapped her in,putting her cuddle toy in the bag.Just as Farzana had grabbed her own bag,throwing in her phone and some tissues the doorbell rang.
Farzana pushed the pram to the door,hodling the packet in one hand,grabbing her keys that hung on the hooks near the door and she opened the door to be greeted by the sight of the two bodyguards.
"As salaam mu alaykum wa rahmatulahi wa barakatu,Imran and Tahir."
"Wa alaykum mu salaam wa rahmatulahi wa barakatu,ma'am.Is there anything we should carry?" Tahir asked.
Farzana held out the packet,"Just this,please.It has a curry in it so I'm afraid it might spill."
Imran took it from her,holding it securely,"Don't worry,ma'am.I'll make sure it doesn't spill.Are you ready to go,ma'am?"
"Jazakallah.Nam,I'm ready to go." The bodyguards moved away from the door as Farzana pushed the pram out before turning to lock the door.She heard Ayesha make a sound and she turned just in time to see Tahir picking up the moon cuddle toy which he handed back to Ayesha.Farzana heard the giggle in her daughter''s voice,she also saw the soft look in Tahir's eyes as he looked at Ayesha/
"Jazakallah,Tahir."
Tahir looked at Farzana,"Ameen,ma'am.Let's go."
Farzana pushed the pram to the elevator which's doors Imran held open.Soon they were downstairs with Farzana removing the pram seat which she was thankful turned into car seats and placed it on the backseats,hooking it in.Imran took the pram and folded it while she climbed in.Farzna noticed that the windows on this car were tinted almost black and she could not help but wonder why.
"King Ridwaan told us to take this car as many times there are media personnel outside the palace waiting to catch a picture of the King's guests." Imran answered her unasked question and Farzana nodded her head as he begun to drive.
"Oh,I see." King Ridwaan had been thoughtful if her privacy and that itself meant a lot to Farzana because after what she had to share with him there was a chance he might refuse to marry her and in that case for her identity to be protected would be a great thing.Farzana looked at Ayesha who had begun to doze off with her cuddly toy in her hand and she looked out the windows.They passed numerous shops,stalls and resturants.From what Farzana knew the palace laid in the middle of the city near the officers from which the King gave his speeches and worked.
When they came to the palace doors,Imran rolled up the divider between the drivers seat and passenger seat.Farzana wondered why until she saw a flash against bounce against the car window.Ahh,she thought.The media personnel that Imran had mentioned.She heard Imran greet someone before he drove through the wide gates which opened up.
Farzana could not help but gasp as they drove through the driveway.The driveway was lined with bushes of rose in all colours.There were trees as far as Farzana's eyes could see along with guards patrolling the area.She could see garderners tending to the rose bushses as well as the plants that laid beyond them.Her eyes grew wide as they drove up the palace.The baby blue walls seemed to stretch on for ages before twisting and Farzana appreciated the architecture that went into the details on the wall.The car came to a stop causing Farzana to snap her mouth close and adjust herself.She could not be caught off guard and she was thankful for the divider.
Farzana begun unhooking the baby seats when her door was opened by Imran while Tahir unfolded the pram,"Ma'am,you can hand me the baby and car seat.I'll hook it in." Farzana stopped in her tracks but she knew she had to trust the man so she nodded as she handed him Hafsa's car seat which he hooked into the pram before doing the same with Ayesha's.Farzana took one long breath before exiting the car,she put her hand over her eyes to shield the sun and was grateful that it prevented her from staring in awe at the building in front of her.
When Farzana pushed the pram towards the stairs she found the two princes and their wives standing there with big smiles on their faces.Along them was Ahmed who ran down the stairs causing Farzana to stop the pram and move to the side,crouching down as Ahmed ran into her arms.
"As salaam mu alaykum,ma'am.Welcome to my house."
"Wa alaykum mu salaam,Ahmed.Jazakallah.How are you?"
Ahmed smiled at her as he pulled back and she stood up,his hand going to hold her's,"I'm well,ma'am.Just a tiny bit excited to see you here." He left Farzana's hand to sneak a look into the pram,"They are sleeping." He whispered,looking up at Farzana with big eyes.
"They usually sleep till ten o'clock after they have breakfast,so don't worry you'll have time to greet them."
"Yay."
Farzana turned to Imran who handed her the plastic and she held it out to Ahmed,"I made you some butter chicken and naan.Careful,don't let it spill.There's enough for your whole family."
It did not seem possible but Ahmed's smile grew wider as he took the plastic,"Jazakallah,ma'am.I can't wait for lunch now." Farzana ruffled his hair with a smile of her own.
"As salaam mu alaykum,Fazrana." Farzana looked to see Nabeela coming around to greet her and to her surprise she hugged Farzana.Fazrana though momentarily stunned returned the hug.
"Wa alaykum mu salaam,Nabeela.How are you?"
"Alhumdulilah,I am well and yourself?"
"Alhumdulilah I am well.As salaam mu alaykum,Zainub."
Zainub also surprised her with a hug which she returned,"Wa alaykum mu salaam,Farzana.Welcome to our home.I hope the trip was fine."
"It was." Farzana saw the prince's step down and she greeted quietly,"As salaam mu alaykum,Prince Ali and Prince Nadir."
"Wa alaykum mu salaam,please call us Ali and Nadir.Prince makes it too formal.Please come in." Farzana only nodded her head before looking at the stairs,confused as to how could she get the pram up,"Oh.Nadir and I will lift the pram up."
Farzana stepped back as Prince-sorry Ali grabbed the foot strap and Nadir came to the back to grab the handles.They both recited bismilah before lifting the pram up while Ahmed held on to Farzana's hand.
"Aww,MashaAllah,the twins look so beautiful.Ah,I'm sorry to be asking but who is who?" Zainub's cheeks flushed red as they walked into the palace and Farzana gave her a comforting smile.
"Don't worry,my own brother can't really tell them apart after all this time and you've only met them once.The one in pink is Ayesha and the one in white is Hafsa.Another way to recognize them is their earings,Ayesha has green aerings and Hafsa has blue earings."
"That's clever.They really are MashaAllah." Nabeela said as she looked down at the babies as she reached down to gently caress Ayesha's cheek before pulling her hand back when Ayesha moved around,"That was close."
"Shall we take Farzana to the lounge or do you'll want to finish speaking at the door?" Nadir asked in a playful voice causing Zainub to elbow him.
"You not funny.Come Farzana." She smiled at Farzana after giving Nadir the stink eye,they begin walking in with Ahmed holding onto Farzana's hand that was on the handle.Fazrana took in the décor around the hall,numerous paintings covered the wall while there were vases around and when they entered the lounge,she smiled seeing the gardens from the windows.
"Is this your favourite teacher,Ahmed?" Farzana looked towards the couch where an old lady stood up,her hand on a walking stick and her wrinkly face pulled in a smile.
"Nam,jadati.This is Miss.Fazrana."
The old woman turned to look at Farzana with the same smile as she came forward and Farzana moved towards the front of the pram to meet her,"As salaam mu alaykum,child.I am Ahmed's great-grandmother,Ummi Abdul Rahman.Everyone calls me jadati,you may call me jadati as well."
"Wa alaykum mu salaam,jadati." Farzana was once again surprised when Ummi Abdul Rahman pulled her into a hug which she returned before pulling back.Ummi Abdul Rahman searched her face.
"Ahh,you have seen a lot in your life but here you are a strong woman raising your babies all on your own.You are a beautiful woman who deserves the world and more." Farzana blushed at her compliment before watching Ummi Abdul Rahman move to look t the twins,"MashaAllah,your babies are beautiful.What are their names?"
"The one in pink is Ayesha and the one in white is Hafsa."
"MashaAllah what beautiful names.The names of the daughters of Abu Bakr and Umar radiyallahhuanhum.The names of the wives of the Prophet Muhammed salahualayhiwasalam.None of those fancy names that people give their children nowadays.Simple but beautiful.I wish everyone was like that otherwise people today pick such complicated names that you can't even remember them." She glared at her grandchildren,"Better give your kids simple names or I will make your lives a living hell." Farzana giggled at her words as the princes and princesses looked horrified as they nodded their heads.Ummi Abdul Rahman turned to Farzana with a satisfied smile,"Come,my grandson is waiting for you.I presume you have something to say to him."
Farzana nodded,"Nam,I do."
Ummi Abdul Rahman's eyebrow went up,"You speak Arabic?" She questioned in Arabic.
"Nam,I speak Arabic,Urdu and English.I learnt Arabic when I was in school and took it further on as a subject in university." Farzana replied in Arabic as well causing Ummi Abdul Rahman to smile with pride.
"MashaAllah,you speak so fluently.Come."
Farzana looked down at the pram just as Hafsa moaned,rubbing at her eyes as she glanced around and her lip pulled up at the unfamiliar faces that she saw,her eyes watering before she let out a cry,"Oh Hafsa." Farzana unstrapped her before picking her up and cradling her to her chest,"Shh,shh baby.Mama is here."
"Mama." Hafsa called out as she tangled her fingers into Farzana's scarf,holding on tight as her cries turned to mere hiccups,"Mama."
"I'm here.Shh,baby." Hafsa relaxed against her shoulder,lifting her head slightly to survey her unfamiliar surroundings before looking at the others and laying her head on her mother's shoulder.
"Mama,ta." Farzana picked up the cuddle toy,handing it to Hafsa who held it close.
"Let me put you down." As Farzana attempted to put her back in the pram,Hafsa grabbed tighter on her scarf.
"Noooo."
"Okay,okay.No putting you down." Farzaa looked at Ummi Abdul Rahman who had a smile on her face,"I think I'll have to take her with me."
"No problem.Ridwaan will not mind.Come." As Farzana turned to walk away,Ayesha's moan sounded.
"Ahhh." Farzana gave Ummi Abdul Rahman an apologetic smile as she turned to look at Ayesha who had her lip pulled up,staring at the unknown people only to settle down when she saw Farzana's face,"Bababa." She said as she held her cuddle toy close to her,looking around before looking at Farzana,"Gabaga."
Farzana looked at Ummi Abdul Rahman who smiled knowingly,"Bring them both."
Farzana looked at Hafsa pulling her away a tiny bit,"Let mama put you in the pram,okay?Juice box?"
Hafsa's eyes lit up,"Yess." Farzana put her in the pram,reaching into the bag to pull out a cardbox juice box,she pocked the hole with the straw before handing it to Hafsa who took it eagerly and sucked.Fazrana smiled at Ahmed who held the Tupperwares close to him,looking up at her with hopeful eyes and she ruffled his hair,"Remember to share."
Ahmed nodded his head as he went to Nabeela as Fazrana begun to push the pram to follow Ummi Abdul Rahman.They entered the hallway and Ummi Abul Rahman slowed her pace so she could walk next to Farzana.
"I don't know what you are here to talk about to Ridwaan but there is one thing that I do know.I don't want you to feel under pressure because of Ahmed.Your choice deserves to be based on your own feelings.If you don't want to get married to Ridwaan but you are saying yes because you don't want to disappoint Ahmed,then say no because such a marriage will not work.But if you are saying yes because you have offered your istikahara prayers,you know in your heart that you want to marry Ridwaan for yourself so you can have a huaband,a support system and a healthy relationship while being a mother to Ahmed,then you are on the right path."
Farzana did not understand why but she knew she needed to seek Ummi Abdul Rahman's view on what she was about to do,"What if I want to say yes but my past might make King Ridwaan say no?What if I want to say yes for the latter reasons you mentioned but King Ridwaan may say no because of the burdens I carry?Then?"
Ummi Abdul Rahman looked at Farzana from the side of her eye as they took a turn,walking through a door that led to a corridor through a garden,"As women we carry a lot of burdens but some burdens are not ours.Some of these burdens are thrown at us by society and in that case those burdens belong to society,we should not pay them any heed.I don't think the burden of your past may be your fault but your fear makes you afraid,In Sha Allah my grandson will be able to clear those fears."
"Do you think the Kingdom will accept someone like me as their Queen?Will I not be rejected?Will I not be torn down like the Duchess of the Britain who was faulted for every move she made from holding her baby bump to eating avocados all because she was not like them?Will it be the same for me?Will my children be treated in the same way?Will they be mocked and taunted?" Farzana voiced her doubts as they came to a stop in front of a set of doors which was opened by a pair of guards who stood on either side.
"Maybe you will.Maybe you won't.But what will be important is that like the Duchess of Britain you will have a supportive,caring husband at your side who will do all to protect you.Unlike the Duchess whose husband is just a spare to the Kingdom due to which his family did not care enough to take action against those who spoke ill of her,your husband is the King." Ummi Abdul Rahman turned to face her as they stopped at the couches,her fragile hand comfortingly petted Farzana's shoulder,"He will do everything in his power to ensure that if you are harmed there will be consequences no matter if those who harm you are his own family.We all will be like a shield in front of you,we will make those who try to hurt you pay because you will be a apart of this family.We will make all those pay who will try and hurt your beautiful children because they will be a part of our family.We will never let anyone hurt them.Just believe in us." Ummi Abdul Rahman looked at the clock,"I cannot leave the two of you alone but I do not wish to interfere,I shall sit on the patio and enjoy a cup of tea while the two of you talk.Ridwaan will be here in a couple of minutes.Make yourself comfortable."
Farzana only nodded her head as Ummi Abdul Rahman opened the glass payio door before stepping outside and closing the door.Farzana moved to the closest couch,pushing the pram and sat in front.She unstrapped the twins as she tapped Hafsa's chin who put her hand on Farzana's mouth who opened her mouth,gently tugging at her fingertips with her lips over her teeth so she did not hurt Hafsa.Hafsa giggled tugging her hand back.
She grabbed the face cloth on the side of Ayesha,wiping away at the spit that had covered her chin while she had chewed on the one tip of the star,"Naughty baby,everything goes in the mouth."
Farzana had been so immersed in her twins that she had not heard the doors open when Ridwaan walked in.Ridwaan watched Farzana interact with her twins,his mouth filled into a small smile as he heard her mumble about Ayesha being naughty only for the child to slap her hand on Farzana's cheek.
"As salaam mu alaykum wa rahmatulahi wa baraktu."
Fazrana froze as she looked up slowly as the smooth,husky voice reached her ears.Her cheeks filled out with a red blush as she realized she had not heard King Ridwaan enter the room,"Wa alaykum mu salaam wa rahmatulahi wa barakatu,King Ridwaan."
"Please call me Ridwaan." He said as he came closer,looking into the pram causing the Ayesha to look up at him curiously,"These must be your daughters,Ayesha and Hafsa.Which one is which?"
Farzana looked down at her babies,Hafsa who now looked at Ridwaan like he had interrupted something and Ayesha who gurgled a sound as she tugged at a point of her cuddle toy,"The baby in the pink is Ayesha and the baby in the white is Hafsa."
"MashaAllah,they have very beautiful names and are beautiful babies."
"Jazakallah." Farzana mumbled as she twisted her hands together,something that Ridwaan noticed as he pulled a chair from the side and sat opposite Farzana.
"Nabeela said that you want to talk to me about something." Ridwaan broached the subject but did not push to find out what was it about.He wanted her to feel comfortable enough to talk at her own time.He saw her eyes flicker to the tea pot that sat on the table,it had been brought in a couple minutes before Farzana and jadati had entered the room,she cleared her voice as she looked at him.
"Would you like a cup of tea?"
Ridwaan nodded,he knew that she was buying time to tell him what she needed to tell him and he did not care.She needed time and he would give it to her,"Nam,one and a half sugar please."
Farzana stood up,kneeling at the table she poured two cups of tea.One for herself the other for Ridwaan.She fought back a smile as she smelt the authentic aroma of Indian tea,a blend of spices and her mouth watered as she saw the amazing colour the tea had.She put in his sugar before putting his cup on the otherside of the table where he reached for the cup while she put in her sugar,along with a teaspoon as she made her way back to the couch.She lifted the spoon until there was a little tea on the spoon,blew on it before bringing it to Hafsa's mouth once she was satisfied that it was just warm.Hafsa opened her mouth,drinking the tea before she did the same to Ayesha who attempted to grab the spoon.
Farzana took a deep breath as she felt Ridwaan's eyes on her and she knew she had to talk,"I am a divorcee as you may know.The divorce was a large affair amongst my family members and it had taken my community back in South Africa by storm.Ashraf,my ex-husband and the father of my twins had accused me in front of a gathering of cheating on him,merely two days after I told him I was pregnant with the twins.He accused me of carrying the children of this so called affair in my womb and trying to give them his name.I was distraught as he gave me two talaqs and I was sent to my brother's house,humiliated.I didn't cheat on him though." Farzana said as she looked up from her cup of tea at Ridwaan who looked at her with a straight face,her heart begun to sink,"Wallahi I did not cheat on him.I pleaded this to everyone but no one except my brother,sister-in-law and my mother's family.My father's family had cut relations with me because they thought I was an embarrassment to their family.My brother,Faizal pleaded with me to fight a court case so that Ashraf did not get away with this and I agreed.I was slandered in court,called horrible things but my lawyers were one of the best and they were quick to find out that Ashraf was the one having an affair.In fact he had gotten married for a second time and had been in a relation with this woman for a very long time.My name was cleared,I expected him to at least try to keep connections with his children but he decided to sign off all his rights on the girls as well as give me my last talaaq.That day I went into labour and that night I gave birth to my two angels." Farzana took a sip of her tea as Hafsa tugged at her and she repeated the action of giving her tea as she tried to let everything she said sink into Ridwaan's head,"I couldn't say yes without letting you know what you were getting into.My girls have no father figure over them,according to South African law they can't carry their father's surname because he signed over all their rights." Farzana looked at Ridwaan again,her heart sinking even lower at his blank expression,"After what I have told you,the decision you decide to make is the way I decide to go.If you do say no I honestly would understand."
Ridwaan's insides twisted at every words she said.Reading it in the report and listening to her speak about her experiences were two different things.His blood boiled at the thought of Farzana being humiliated in front of a crowd of people,he felt like finding this man and punching the lights out of him.His insides twisted at the fear and humiliation that laced her voice.She was so afraid that after hearing this he would say no and she would possibly break Ahmed's heart.He saw Ayesha drop her plush toy,he got up and kneeled by the pram,smiling as he handed it to her.Her small smile sent tingles down his body as he put his hand forward,a finger out and she grabbed on to it.
"When Imran and Tahir first told me that you had got Ahmed to eat,I had them get information about you." He heard her sharp intake of breath causing him to look at her as she stared at him with wide eyes,"Farzana,I hope you understand it was a precaution.I had to ensure that you were not a spy who wanted to harm my child.I already knew majority of what you told me.I cannot blame you for the crimes of a disgusting,cheap man who put all his blames on you and tired to make you look like a criminal.You are innocent not just in the eyes of the law but in my eyes as well." He looked at Ayesha who made grabby hands and he picked her up as he kneeled,sitting her on his knee and smiled when she grabbed lightly at his beard,"I want to give your daughters my name which I know Islamically is wrong but I don't want them to ever feel like they don't have a father.I want them to know that there is a man who will always do what is right for them.I want to protect them from the world,I want to make sure that they will always know to use their voices for what is right,to speak up against the wrong and to always fight for others.I want to raise them alongside Ahmed who will protect them as an elder brother should.I want to be to them what you are to Ahmed.A guiding light." Ridwaan looked at Farzana who's eyes filled with tears when Hafsa reached forward as well,seeing her sister in Ridwaan's arms and when he took her out of the pram,sitting on the floor holding both her babies,a tear ran down her face,"I accept them whole heartedly as I accept you as my wife before being a mother to my child,a companion,a partner and a confidant.I will protect you against every attack of the media,the people even my own family.I will never ever take a second wife in your presence.I will always treat you as my equal,any decision you take for Ahmed will always have my blessing.We'll start of as friends but I'm sure that one day this relationship will be more than that.I won't lie and tell you that I have completely forgotten about Fatima,I haven't.She is and will always be a part of my life but now you will come before her.You will me my Queen,ruling alongside me as long as we live.You will be my wife,my Rabatul Bait."
Farzana's bottom lip shook as tears fell down her face at each word that Ridwaan uttered,her heart at peace,her thoughts at peace and she felt surreal at that moment as he looked down at the twins,making a funny face that caused them to laugh.
"Yes,I'll be your Rabatul Bait."
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As salaam mu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa brakatu everyone
I hope you all liked this chapter and surprise it's a day early.I got done early with the next chapter.
I hope you all are well.I hope Quarantine plus Ramadan is going well.Let's be honest us brown girls and probably Middle Eastern girls,Quarantine feels like our usually life.Indoors,no going out just we like to do it alone not with the whole family 😂
Oh jazakallah for all the care on the last chapter where I spoke of how clumsy I am ❤️ Alhumdullilah I'm fine 😊
Stay safe.Stay home.
Fi Amanilah