~ There is no force more powerful than a woman determined to Rise.

Shehzad

As the day before yersterday was Zameer's birthday, I began getting ready to leave to his place. Mom had packed one of her famous chocolate mousse pudding and told me to give it to Zameer and his family. It wasn't a gift, just food. Not like I would ever buy him a gift. Ever.

Ever since we met, we had not exchanged gifts on the exact date of our birthdays, it was always a day after or never. Because I didn't want to celebrate birthdays, according to the teachings of Islam.

When we were young, we used to shop together and buy something the two of us like. Growing up, we had changed in many ways. It felt awkward to even buy a gift.

When I was seventeen, I had received two books from my relative, who had said that she didn't have anyone else to give it to. I gladly accepted. It was later I had realized that the book was actually for a married couple. One was on Responsibilities of a good husband while the other on Responsibilities of a good wife. The poor woman couldn't read english and hence didn't even know about it.

I thought of pranking Zameer on his seventeenth birthday and give him the "good husband" book, but instead I mistakenly had wrapped the book which was on How to be a great wife. One of the most awkward moments in my life. Not just Zameer, but I as well had been shocked to my core. To sum it up, he had opened the gift in front of our families, but thankfully before they could see it, Zameer had snatched it away.

From then till now we'd never exchanged gifts. Least of all mention the word gift. We hadn't spoken to each other for a month after that unfortunate incident and never brought it up either.

Several weeks after that incident, when Zameer had came to my house, I saw him sneaking through the pages of the book How to be a great husband. And not to forget, I saw him turning a deep shade of red.

I quietly left from there, not daring to say a single word to him, because I too had sneakily read all it's contents and flushed red with embarassment. It had been alot more awkward to read the book Responsibilities of a good wife. I was sure Zameer had read it as well, as I had seen it hidden well under his pillow.

Neither of us ever questioned each other about it.

***

At Zameer's house, all I've been doing is listening to Zameer's so-called adventures.

Exaggeration is his hobby. So I just let him rant till he couldn't anymore.

"You know what!?" Zameer exclaimed.

"What?" I asked, bored.

"I am starting work from tomorrow. From nine to two at my office, then four to seven at that shop, finally I would come home and sleep at eight. Isn't it wonderful!?"

"Wonderful," I replied plainly.

"I know right!" Zameer kept on ranting. "You don't know the feeling. It's actually a big honour. In the morning I would--"

"Yes. Yes. It's amazing. Wonderful. Unbelievable. Sweet. Awesome."

"Get lost," Zameer responded offended. "I'm going to watch the match."

Oh no!

***

"Goal! Goal! Are you stupid maan!? Run faster! Yes! One more!! Go!!" Zameer jumped fisting his hands up and down.

Watching a football match with Zameer was the worst idea ever.

"Calm down!" I yelled.

"Shut up! Oh my gosh!!! Did he just fall!? Is he crazy!?" He glared at the television. "Goal! Goal! Go!! Noo!!"

Help. Me.

Then suddenly he turned towards the door and screamed again.

"Zehra! Can you believe what just happened!? That idiot fell! Now we lost!!"

Eh!?

"Yeah, big brother! I feel like slapping him! I would have played much better than him!!" I heard his sister scream back.

Huh?

I should have known.

***

"Shehzad! Come here."

"Coming, mom. Wait!" Coming back from Zameer's, I was currently scrolling through my phone when I heard mom's yell.

Walking to the living room, I found mom and dad whispering something.

Then mom began. "Shehzad, you know we've been looking for a bride for you for the past year, but nothing caught our interest... and you are going to be twenty five soon... I think it's time to get you married, right?"

I looked away, a tint of blush arising in my neck.

Dad continued saying, "This one caught our interest. We have the bio data, first read it and if you're interested then we'll show you the girl's picture too. What do you say?"

I bit my lip and nodded.

"Here."

I took it and read the content. Other than the name, all other information had been mentioned.

Bride's details.

My eyes moved down the page. A normal girl of 19 years of age. Simple. Religious. 

I felt myself nodding after a while.

The next moment, dad handed me a picture. Mom tilted her head in question.

I looked at the picture slowly. It was of a girl who looked far too familiar.

No way.

That's her! What the--!? Nooo!!!

NO!!!!

No?

Yes?

No. Yes. Yes. Yes.

"I... I... I... um..."

***

Amyrah

My feet dangled from the bed, I just stared grinning at the outset seen from the mirror. Feeling bored, I had applied make-up.

The mascara I applied was too much that it made my iris puffed, lipstick in dark maroon, my hair made up in styles with curly locks falling over my not so chubby cheeks, which was rubbed with a blusher. I looked far better than an actress, I grinned.

While admiring my looks, my phone rang, to which I snapped the answer button.

"I am applying makeup yaar!"

"Assalamu Alaikum, darling?" My father's sister, Azreena aunty answered, with an 'ehh' expression.

"Oh hi! Oh wow. Aunty! Hahaha. I mean, Walaikum salaam. Who are you!? Eh... no I am asking How are you? Yeah, my tongue slipped..." I blabbed, smacking my forehead.

"Actually darling, I called to know whether you are at home."

I replied, "Yep. Why?"

She let out a huge sigh. "I wanted to speak to you about your studies and your marriage."

"I am actually busy..." I said nervously not wanting to hear her say anything.

"What about studies?"

"I don't know. But I'd love to learn online, rather than going College. And I feel like continuing teaching too."

"Hm... if that's what you want, darling. Um... actually Shehzad said---"

"Oops I gotta go!" I quickly cut the call. I don't know why I didn't want to know whatever he said. It just felt like it was something... weird.

Just then aunt barged into her room.

As she stepped into my room, her face froze. "A..amyrah..?"

"What happened?" I asked curiously.

Aunt's lips twitched. "Hahaha... aah... hahaha... your face... oh.... Allah... hahaha!!!"

My hand flew to my chest, beating wildly. Had aunt gone mad? In all these years, for the first time aunt had laughed, more like showed all her teeth. Running past her, I slid down the banister and yelled, "Ammar! Look at aunt!!"

Ammar, his wife and uncle ran out of their room, only to find me with my face all made up. Aunt came running down the stairs, still laughing.

"Hahaha... look at your face! hahaha!" Ammar laughed, followed by all the others.

The whole house echoed with their laughter. While I just stared at them in shock.

It felt beautiful to laugh together. So I began laughing at myself too.

A maniac laugh indeed.

***

Turning the pages of the book How to be a great wife, my eyes narrowed with concentration.

I realized there were so many things about Islamic lifestyle that I never practiced or even knew atleast.

Dear women : Do not speak unnecessarily with Ajnabi men (strangers). Other than your mahram (father, brothers, nephews, uncles or sons) avoid useless speech and bickerings. When a man and woman are alone, the third party is the Shaitan.

Teenagers tend to believe in boyfriends, going on dates and such uncharacteristic thoughts. Allah forbid, wallahi that isn't what you call love. Love isn't an infatuation or a physical attraction, it's something based on respect, compassion and understanding.

True love is after nikah. A blooming, honest and lifelong relationship. Love is, when you give first preference to Allah the Almighty. Love is not something you boast and be proud of, it's something that makes you feel content and peaceful.

Love is for the sake of Allah.

Feeling overwhelmed, my heard trembled with a feel of guilt. Had I not spoken uselessly to Zameer, Shehzad and other guys too? Had I not joked with them?

I took a deep breath and took a call.

"Hey Zehra? From tomorrow you don't have to drop me to school. Say Zam--- I mean your brother."

"Eh!?"

"And call me tonight. Something's fishy about Sheh--- I mean your brother's friend," I continued.

"You crazy?"

"Bye, Zee."

"Wait!! What!!? Why---"

Grrrrr.

Just as I cut the call, my phone rang. Mrs. Malik. Again.

"Azreena aunty! I---"

She interrupted me and spoke hurriedly, probably thinking I might hang up on her. "I have to say you something. I called your aunt, but she isn't answering. It's about Shehzad. I want to ask your opinion."

"Um... okay? About?" I nervously asked.

"Marriage. His and---" She began.

"Wait!" I interrupted her.

"What now?" Her voice sounded strained. Ooops.

"I have to go now? Haha. You know I am busy. I---"

This time she cut me saying, "Listen. Actually after discussions Shehzad agreed to marry---"

My lungs tightened. The phone grasped tightly in my hand, pressed hard to my ears. My mouth hung open.

I breathed.

And cut the call.

No. No. No.

Yes. Yes.

No!! No!!

Why!? Shehzad!!!? Why!!?

"YA ALLAH!!! Noooo!!!" 

☆☆☆

A/N

Um... so?

Shehzad? Zameer?
Choose only one. Or else---!!!😒

And, thank you all so much for all the support! This "Halaal food" is bought especially for you all with lots of love💕🤗