Umm Ayyub, her husband Abu Ayyub, and her son Ayyub were all organizing the house. Sana had helped out, but most of the time she was busy trying to calm herself down. Her heart beat rapidly as she thought of facing Hasan again... under the pretense of marriage, too. She had no idea what he was thinking, until now... and it turns out that she still has no idea what to expect from him. So, her family understood when she needed her space and let her breathe and relax, whilst preparing the house for Hasan's family to come over.

Hasan, uncharacteristically, had been stuck in front of the mirror, trying to find the best stance that matches his outfit – and one that hides his nerves. Once he's sure he looks confident enough, he turns to his room's door, which flies open as Hussein barges in.

"AKHI, DID YOU DIE OUT OF NERVOUSNESS?" he yelled in panic, looking around the room rapidly.

Hasan jolts in surprise, he could see that his little brother was almost more nervous than he was, "No, why would I...?" Hasan asked, slightly raising a brow at Hussein.

Hania came running behind Hussein. "Because we can hear your heart racing," she said, imitating a race car with her 'vroom, vroom' and steering wheel impression.

"Where did you learn that from?" Hasan demanded as Hussein looked away innocently, clearing his throat. "Anyways, is everyone ready to go?"

"Ummi and Abbi have been waiting for you for the past ten minutes. I thought you died 'cause you were taking so long," Hussein scolded.

Hasan let out a huff of laughter. "I was just checking my outfit," he admitted, looking at Hania, who seemed to be judging his appearance. "I hope it's not too much?"

Hania gives Hasan an approving nod and a thumbs up, "You look handsome, Akhi, Ukhti Sana would be swooning!"

"Seriously, who's teaching her all those words?" Hasan sighed, exasperated.

Hussein ran away before he could answer, "Don't look at me!" Hasan smiled as he tried to run away, knowing very well that she got those big words from him. "Anyways, come on already," Hussein urged him to leave the house. Hania joined as they both pulled him out of his room and out of the house, all the way to Sana's house.

And it was finally time for them to meet.

Hania rang the doorbell of Sana's house, Hussein stood behind her, and the parents were behind with Hasan... although for some reason, Hasan stood slightly further back, clearing his throat multiple times.

Once the door opened, his heart leaped. It was Ismail who opened the door, immediately excited upon seeing Hania as they both ran off to the living room, while the rest of the family entered the house. Hasan looked around as if it were his first time here. Which it definitely wasn't.

Then the fathers went and sat on one side of the table, and the mothers sat on the other side, leaving spaces in between for Hussein, Hasan, and Sana. Hasan sat in his seat and faced the empty seat, which he assumed belonged to Sana. Goodness, this was making him more nervous than his engineering exam.

He kept staring at her empty chair until he noticed her descend the stairs and pull out her chair. He instantly dropped his gaze to the table and waited till she was ready to speak.

Sana was so surprised at the sudden turn of events. Here she was questioning whether he liked her at all, or if she even liked him herself, and here he was sitting before her like a nervous boy from when she first met him.

To break the ice, the mothers spoke first. "We've gathered here to discuss the union between our families... in that light, since the parents are agreeing to it, we want to see if the ones being united are agreeing to this as well," Umm Ayyub announced, looking at both Hasan and Sana.

Hasan was grateful for the icebreaker. "Yes, of course, I do agree," he declared, still lowering his gaze.

"I agree too..." Sana declared, looking at her mother.

Hasan's eyes widen as he hears her agreement in front of him. She said it with such conviction that he felt how he agreed earlier didn't sound convincing enough. But Sana understood, and she smiled. But he couldn't see that yet.

"But, as Sana has told us, we would wait for the union after she is done with college, right, Sana?" Umm Hasan asked, bringing to light the problems they might face so that they can deal with some of them.

Sana nodded, "I did say that," she admits, a frown appearing on her face, "But if we do get married sooner, I would still want to finish college and work," she replied with certainty.

Hasan admired her decisiveness and was relieved when she considered a sooner time. "No need to rush it... You can take as long as you need, and by that time, I would hope to get a stable source of income," he consoled. The mothers were proud of their children, and holding back tears at how they've grown up so fast. They could see in their eyes the mischief of little Hasan and little Sana, and now here they are, discussing their marriage.

It was the father's turn to speak. "You can join our business, that is, if you want, we can help you find other sources of income," Abu Ayyub mentioned.

"And we're here to provide for you and support you in case," Abu Hasan smiled, which felt like a pat on his shoulder.

Hasan smiled at his father(s). "I wouldn't want to trouble you... as for your business, yes, I'd love to join if there is a way I can help... Jazakumullahu Khairan,"

"Wa Iyyak, my son," Abu Ayyub smiled proudly, already considering him a part of their family.

Even though the fathers wouldn't have minded listening in on the emotional aspect of the marriage, they excused themselves to give the two of them space and left to play football with the other fathers.

Now was the real nerve-wrecking moment. Discussing how they feel about the arrangement.

"So... the two of you can feel free to talk, we're here if anything happens," Umm Ayyub smiled at the two of them, and they smiled back.

Sana didn't waste a moment. "Why now?" she asked, getting to the point.

Hasan's words caught in his throat, but he had prepared himself earlier for answering this question. "I'm sorry it took me so long to realize how I felt about you... But ever since then, when I started distancing myself from you, I felt strongly about you," he paused, reflecting on those days. "Every time I looked away from you, forced myself to walk away from you, I told myself that one day I would be able to speak with you again, and here I am." He sighed, looking back at how dumb he was not to accept his feelings when it was as clear as day. "I think I was just afraid to face those feelings because I didn't know how you would feel after all this time."

"Dumb–" She cleared her throat before she swore accidentally in front of her future husband. He looked up, surprised, then dropped his gaze back down, holding back a chuckle at her reaction. "Ahem... what you say is valid, and I don't hold anything against you. You did the right thing, and I took the hint and distanced myself, too. We're supposed to love each other for the sake of Allah, and that was our way of showing it. Preventing getting too close and instead, keeping distance out of love, so we protect each other from sin and instead lead each other to Jannah..." she reflected.

His heart fluttered at the word 'love'. But he understood where she was coming from. "I know that a lot of time has passed since we last spoke freely... and that we have both grown into better people, which is why I want you to know that I'd love to get to know you again, the right way."

She chuckled to herself quietly, "Me too, let's make it official then, Mr. Hasan, I hope to get to know you well."

Hasan had to hold back another chuckle, "I await our next meeting, Ms. Sana."

"Mrs. Sana," she corrects.

"Not yet, after the signing," he counters.

And the mothers can't help but swoon at their chemistry.

On good terms, Hasan finally leaves, and Sana feels a huge weight leave her shoulders. He not only likes her but is willing to get to know her again.

They both remember each other with a fond smile, awaiting their next meeting.

Meanwhile, Sarah had been sent to Maryam's house with some biryani that she and her mother had made that day. Ishaaq had already left early to deliver food to Ayyub's house, promising he would be back on time to deliver it to Ibrahim's house. He must have gotten caught up talking with Ayyub. So her mother sent her to Maryam's house.

Maryam opened the door and took the dishes from her, inviting her inside. She took her friend to the kitchen to help unpack the biryani. This is where she greeted Umm Ibrahim.

"Jazakillahu Khairan Katheeran, my dear," she made dua, asking Allah to reward her for her act of sharing.

"Wa Iyyaki," she returned the dua with a smile.

Ibrahim might not have known Sarah was in the house when he started reciting the Quran aloud. His recitation was beautiful... making her want to hear more – until she wondered what in the world she was doing thinking all that. She shook her head.

"Are you okay, Ukthi?" Maryam asked as she saw her shake her head.

"Ah, yes, I'm fine, completely," Sarah replied, chuckling.

By this time, Ibrahim had heard his sister mention Ukhti and felt self-conscious. He cleared his throat and continued reciting, trying his best not to wonder what she might think of his recitation.

Focus, Ibrahim... you're reciting for the sake of Allah, so that Allah rewards you. Not for Sarah.

To leave, she had to walk in front of him – although she did try her best to be as far as she could, he still caught a glimpse of her from his peripheral vision. And she too briefly noted how he was seated at the table with his Quran.

Maryam walked her out and then closed the door behind her. Ibrahim then continued to recite normally. Maryam noticed the change in his demeanor and smiled to herself. He thought he was being slick. Mwahahaha.

"Akhi, what was that?" she asked, a mischievous grin on her face.

"What was what?" he asked innocently, pausing his recitation.

Maryam burst out laughing and left Ibrahim confused, "Nothing, never mind."

"You can't just say that and then leave!" he demanded, but Maryam just walked away, leaving him in suspense.

He had a good idea of what she was teasing him for, the way he lowered his voice cautiously because he knew Sarah was here. But at the same time, he wanted to recite louder and more beautifully. Warring himself, the best thing to do in the end was to quiet down so as not to fall into Riyaa. Which was minor shirk. We're only supposed to do good deeds, and especially Ibadah for the sake of Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) alone, not anyone else, and especially not a cheerful niqabi sister he wants to impress. Wait, no. Scratch that. Ahem.