F A R A H

The cool breeze cascaded through the streets making me increase my speed. As I reached home I closed the door behind me.

“Mom I'm back” Mom is in the kitchen preparing food as today Aunt, uncle and my soon-to-be husband are coming, to be honest, I'm nervous, I don't know what he will think of me. I kept the things I bought on the kitchen counter and help my mom prepare the food. We are almost done when Mom ushered me to go and start dressing up, as they will arrive anytime soon.

washing my hands, I went up to my room Yasmin will be coming back anytime from now, As if she read my thought she barged in I jumped back in surprise.

“Wow, Yasmin...I was just thinking about you and next time make sure you knock first please” I declared in a serious note.

“Done sis” she cracked a smile. “Sis you better start getting ready, you don't want to keep your husband-to-be waiting” she winked at me before I could reply her back, she closed the door and shouted 'I will be back'.

taking a warm shower, and wrapping my hair around with a small towel. I opened my wardrobe deciding on the clothe to wear, coming across a beautiful maroon Abaya. I smiled thinking of the day; our lives were filled with so much happiness back then. I made my hair in a tight bun, wanting to put on my veil when Yasmin came back with a full plate of chocolate balls.

“Masha Allah sis Farah, you look so takeaway” she sat down on the soft bed staring at me.

“You just need one thing”

“And what's that?” I asked raising my brows.

“Makeup” I stared at her wide eyes.

“What? No...You know I don't do makeup” I said shaking my head in negative.

“Come on sis just for today, besides don't you want to impress Jawad at first meeting”

“Please” she pleaded. If I don't agree with her she won't leave me alone.

“Okay just for today” I pressed my lips in a thin line.

Thirty minutes later and she's still turning my head from one position to another. “Are you done?” I asked feeling tired.

“Just give me a minute” she sprayed something on my face.

“What's that Yasmin?”

“Calm down sis, it's called setting spray. It is used after you're through with your makeup. A finishing touch to your makeup, okay done” she clapped her hands together. I watched myself in the mirror, Masha Allah. indeed I looked different.

“Sis Farah you look stunning, Jawad will fall head over heels for you”

I wish

“Thanks for the makeup” I smile at her.

“Let me check on mom before they arrive”

***

“Sis Farah!” I heard Yasmin calling my name, followed by a  knock on the door.

“Come in” she sat down chuckling

“What happened Yasmin, why are you shouting my name?”

“They're here, I saw Jawad he's so handsome, just wait till you meet him, I'm so happy” she squirms.

“Let's go mom said you should come down” I place my scarf gently on my head and held Yasmin's hands,  nervousness crept inside me.

Aunt Khadija and her husband were seated on the 3 sitter couch, while whom I assumed as Jawad is sitting on the 2 sitter, his head down pressing his on phone.

“Assalamu Alaikum aunt”

“Assalamu Alaikum uncle” I greeted them.

“Wa Alaikum Salam my daughter you look beautiful, how are you” she held my hands.

“I'm fine aunt Thank you ”

We exchange greetings with uncle too. I sat down on the one sitter chair. The urge to glance at him increases.  I lift up my head slowly and my eyes meet with a cold dark eyes, staring right back at me. I quickly averted my eyes looking elsewhere. feeling my heart beat just by his gaze.

We were sited at the dining eating while the families we're chatting. All the while I couldn't bring my eyes to look at jawad, he'sJawad quite too, until mom decided to break his silence.

“How's Netherland jawad?”

“Fine ma'am” he answered masha Allah he has a sweet voice.

“He's taking over the company” aunt khadija blurted out. What? Will he be my new boss?

Yasmin touched my arm and mouthed 'are you okay' it was then that I realised I didn't eat much.

“Sorry” I muttered without being noticed.

After eating the families gave us time to  to know more about each other. I lead us towards the direction of the balcony,   Jawad tailing  behind me. We sat down on a bench quite only the sound of birds chirping could be heard.

Nervousness is killing me and he's also not saying anything, he just kept looking at his watch. I decided to break the silence.

“Salam, I'm Farah” I croak a smile. I'm not sure if it's the right thing to say.

“I'm jawad” he said after a while, his voice coming out husky.

“You must have heard about me from your parents, so tell me about you” I don't know why my lip blurted it, but it is not a problem to know more about him. 

Suddenly silence prevail in the background. my head was down so I couldn't tell what he's thinking. and his figure towering behind me wasn't helping either.

“Don't worry, you will get to know me when we get married” I was confused by his words but decided to get my mind off the unnecessary thinking of mine.

“If you don't have anything more  to say again, can we go inside?” wow do I sense rudeness in his tone.

                         •••

The family we're now seated in the living when we came back. Jawad sat down beside Uncle, while I squatted close to Mom.

“So since everything is settled now, let's fix the wedding date” uncle Abdallah Started. My heart hammered in my chest, now that the wedding is about to be fix I'm feeling kind of insecurities. what if I made the wrong decision.  Mom and Aunt Khadija nodded their heads in agreement.

“Okay let's fix it in 3weeks time. What do you say Farah, your opinion is what mattered most ” he inquired. We have come this far, there is no need to drag anything more.

“Yes uncle” I answered in a low voice.  I could swear from the corner of my eyes I saw a hint of anger on Jawad face. But why being angry, he agreed to this reunion too.

“Masha Allah. May Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala see us through this day”

“Ameen” everyone answered.

                           •••

As they are living we accompanied them to their car. Jawad is already in the car as he's the one driving. I saw aunt khadija talking to him before she trekked towards me.

“Here, give me your mobile number and don't worry about jawad he's just a little shy" She exclaimed offering me her radiant smile. We exchanged number and they left. I catch a glimpse of Jawad for the last time seeing his face glued to the road.

3weeks? In 3weeks time I will be married.

                           °°°

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J A W A D

I can't believe I'm getting married and that to some low-class girl. I just came back from Netherlands that finally I will be taking over father's business but instead I received unexpected news. Events of what happened flashed through my mind.

***

We were eating dinner when dad announced he wants to talk to me, I was a little bit excited because I knew he was going to talk about handing me the company, but what he said made my eyes widen in shock.

“You're getting married” I choked at my food, sipping a glass of water immediately.

“What? Dad getting married, I just came back from Netherlands”

“No son, you're 25, you're not getting younger you need to settle down and we've already discussed with her family, she's a nice girl, you will like her” I stared at my dad dumbstruck

“Dad I can't, I'm not ready to get married, I have a lot planned for myself. ” I blurted out. Seriously I'm not ready for any marriage, besides I want to marry someone I love.

“And what if I said you must,” dad said with a serious tone.

“Calm down son, we want what is best for you” mom chipped in, after keeping quiet for a while.

“But mom, I want to marry someone I love not someone you choose for me, I'm not a kid”

“You have no choice but to accept this marriage or forget about the company” dad threatened. “I know you want the company so badly”.

“Are you serious dad?” I asked utterly surprised at my dad's statement.

“Did I ever joke to you? Choose: you either get married to her or forget about the company” he fumed in anger and stormed out of the house.

I was beyond short of words, this is unexpected.  I  looked at mom for some explanation but found none.

“Look son just trust us, we won't choose what's bad for you. Think about this, what will they think if we tell them we won't go through with the marriage. Please do this for our sake” she patted my back and left leaving totally speechless

•••

I connect my fist with the chair beside me,  placing my head on my hands. I swear she's going to suffer, its all her fault this is happening, I have no choice I will have to accept this marriage proposal or I will lose the company I've been dreaming of.

**

I perform my wudhu and prayed my Namaz after I'm through I got getting ready as we are going to my so-called wife-to-be house. Just the thought irritates me. wearing my navy blue kaftan, I  smoothed my black hair with my hands, descending downstairs to meet my parents already dressed waiting for me, my eyes flickered to dad but he didn't even glance at me. He's still angry. We made our way toward the car and drove off.

                         •••

It’s a simple modern house, with a black gate the walls painted in milk and white. I pressed the doorbell. A  young-looking girl opened the door.

“Assalamu alaikum aunt”

“Assalamu alaikum uncle” she greeted my parent with a smile on her face.

is she the girl? I find my mind asking.

She led us inside the house which is also simple with 4sofa, a plasma TV, and wall frames hanging on the white wall. I sat on the 2sitter sofa while mom and dad sat on the 3sitter. A woman who will be almost the same age as mom came hugging mom she must be the mother. I was busy with my phone when I heard a soft voice greeting mom I looked up and my eyes met with a beautiful one's she is wearing a maroon abaya, with a lipstick matching her outfit and a scarf covering her head. The moment she noticed me staring at her she quickly averted her eyes, my lips form a smirk. so she's the girl I'm getting married to. Not bad.

The greetings were over, we were seated at the dining eating, all the families were chatting which I have no interest in. From the corner of my eyes, I saw Farah focused on one direction. It was her mom’s voice that brought me back from my thought.

“How's Netherland Jawad?” she asked

“Fine ma'am” I croaked a smile. a fake one at it.

***

As we're through with eating, the families are now in the living room discussing.  giving us space to talk to know more about each other. Farah is leading us outside and I'm walking behind her. We sat on one of the benches outside, no one speaks a word. I bet she's nervous. What she said almost made me laugh but I held it in.

“Salam I'm Farah” she started. So she thinks I don't know her name.

“I'm Jawad” I spoke back without showing any emotion.

“You must have heard about me from your parent, so tell something about you” she bites his bottom lips this girl is playing with fire, she wants to know me.

“Don't worry, you will get to know me when we get married” I glanced at my watch we've spent some time already.

“If you don't have anything to say can we go inside” I stood up. It’s better if I show her a little side of me so that she won't give her hopes high. She bites her bottoms lips again, which I think she did ever since we came to the balcony.

We went back inside taking my seat in the same place I sat when we came beside Dad and she sat beside her Mom and Dad starting speaking.

“Since everything is settled now, let fix the date for the wedding” everyone nodded.

“Okay let's fix it in the next 3weeks, are you okay with it Farah” I wish she could say no but no I'm wrong, that isn't happening. we've already agreed on no turning back now.

“Yes, uncle” I felt angry now I'm going to marry this girl in the next 3weeks ya Allah.

“Masha Allah may Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala see us through” dad prayed

“Ameen” everyone answered.

                         •••

We were leaving to our house after everything is being discussed. I unlocked the car for dad and entered the driver's seat waiting for mom to finish her talk with Farah's mom, she approaches me with a frown on her face.

“Jawad why are you behaving like this” she exclaimed, placing her hands on her hips

“What did I do mom” I muttered, I really don't have the strength to argue now, after going through a lot today.

“We are leaving and you didn't even give Farah your phone number, even if you don't like her you shouldn't disrespect her like this. Give me your phone” my mom likes nagging if she wants something she will do anything to get it. So as you my inner voice spoke.

I gave her my phone and she went away with it towards Farah. I hissed in anger without dad noticing wallah I will make her suffer, she's going to regret getting married to me.

F A R A H

It’s almost a week now since my encounter with Jawad I didn't hear from him, his mom used to call mom so we get in touch

Preparation for the wedding is taking place at both houses. Mom had been busy with the preparation and Yasmin is also preparing for her exam. I'm sitting on my desk working on my laptop when precious tap me on the shoulder.

“Have you heard about the news?” she whispered looking around the surrounding.

“What news?” I asked furrowing my brows.

“We're getting a new boss” she chuckled as if it's something to be excited about.

“Oh that's good” I fake a smile. My boss and also my husband to be.

“I hope he's not like the previous boss” she spat. he's far more like the previous one.

Just when we were in the middle of our talk a man walked pass us, dressed in a suit, his hands stuffed in his pocket, my gaze wandered to his face, he has light brown eyes, with a beard, he has a curl black hair. That person is none other than Jawad. I won't lie, the guy is indeed handsome.  I was busy admiring his face I didn't notice precious calling my name

“Oh Farah, I've been calling you since what are you thinking about”  “You better start walking to his office” she pointed to the office door.

“Now?” I asked

“What do you mean, you're still the secretary, you better hurry up” she pushed me toward the door.  I almost tripped.

“Come in” his voice spoke. I entered closing the door behind me; I felt my heart speeding up.

“Good morning sir, here's your schedule” I pressed my lips in a thin line. The moment our eyes met, I felt uneasy.

“Tell the rest of the staff to gather at the conference room, I will be there in thirty minutes.” He spoke without even sparing me a glance.

“Okay sir” I was about to leave when he spoke again.

“And I need a hot coffee, make it with little sugar” I close my eyes to calm myself. I walked out of his office and close the door behind me. He acts as if he doesn’t know me. Ya Allah!  announcing to everybody about the meeting, I made the hot coffee for boss Jawad.

“Here is your coffee sir” taking the cup to his lips, he took a sip and his expression changed immediately.

“What's this? I clearly told you little sugar, but you put in too much sugar” he shouted gritting his teeth.

“Sorry sir, I will make another one”

“Better, I give you 5mins to bring me my coffee” with that he shot me an angry look and dismiss me. I made another coffee making sure the sugar is not too much.

“Here is the coffee sir” placing it on his desk,

“Is everyone in the conference room?” he inquired glancing at his watch.

“Yes sir”

The conference room was filled to the brim, all waiting for the boss to arrive. Earlier event flashed through my mind I made another coffee but he didn't even drink it. An annoyed smile made it way out of my lips, I'm being calm because it's my job if not I would have given him a piece of my mind, we are not yet married and he's ordering me around. The  Sound of footsteps emerged and the door flung revealing a hard face Jawad. Without much greetings, he started talking about the sole reason for the meeting.

“As you have been informed, I will be taking over the position of the previous President, so there would be few changes” everyone's attention is on now on him.

“I want everyone to be serious with his/her work, if I find some lazy person misbehaving I won't hesitate to fire him/her” he explained the frown not leaving his hard face.

“I have already checked your profiles and I will assign you according to your background. As for the secretary, you will stay in your position, before I find a new secretary. I  hope you all understood”

“I will take that as a yes, so that's the end of today's meeting” he added getting silence in return. He left leaving everyone in total silence. I followed behind him, upon opening the door,  he's nowhere to be found again and his next meeting is in 1hour. I'm exhausted from going in and out of his office, so I dialed his office number.

“Hello, Sir you have a meeting with Mr. Anthony in one hour” before I could say another word he hung up.   I don't know why he gets angry so easily, he wasn't like this when he came to our house what has changed. I hope our marriage is not the sole reason for his arrogance towards me.

                            •••

I performed my salah, after taking a warm shower to calm my nerves changing into my nighties. After going up and down with my boss today its feels like I've carried a load of books. I lay on my back when Yasmin entered chewing on something.

“Come here Yasmin, please massage my legs” I ushered. slumping down on the bed, she started massaging my legs.

“Sis Farah, did you carry a load of blocks at work,” she asked.

“Oh no...Yasmin, working as a secretary is very hard” I muttered, remembering how I used to work tirelessly.

“Oh right, Jawad called on your phone, that time you were in the bathroom” her statement surprised me. I sat up quickly.

“So what did you tell him?” I asked curiously.

“I told him you're sleeping; I don't want to tell him you're in the bathroom” she stated calmly.

“Thank you, Yasmin, you're the best sis in the world” I pinch her cheeks playfully resulting her to let out a hiss. she hates it when I pinch her cheeks.

“Here's your food, since you're tired no need to come down I've told mom already,” she said pushing herself off the bed.

“Goodnight sis”

“Goodnight Yasmin, thank you”

“Don't mention what sisters are for” Making sure she left, I took my phone and checked the call logs. He did call. What does he want? should I call back or not?