I woke up with the sound of my alarm clock which was ringing alerting me to read my fajr prayer. Fajr is the time when you wake up with no other intension but to please Allah. It is your first victory of the day against shaytan. It is the most peaceful time of the day when you can pour your heart to Allah without thinking about your surroundings. At that time it's only you and him. No one else.

Waking up for fajr might be the tough but it is worth to sacrifice your sleep to meet your lord, to talk with him about your worries and to leave everything on him, having all your tawakkul on him.

Prayer lightens up the soul and grant the peace to survive through the tough times you are going through. Prayers clears all the mist and provides you with the positivity to go on.

It's not your prayer which grants you peace and strength but it is your trust in your lord which calms your soul and assures you that he is there. He is there with you, even when you feel alone, he is there to support you, to hold you, when you are unable to stand anymore. He is there standing by your side, always and forever.

My trust on Allah got stronger when I lost my parents. They were my everything, I never thought that I would ever be able to overcome their loss. But I did. It's not like I don't miss them at all but I learnt to live without them. I know that they are at a better place. I lost my parents but I got a family who loves me, adores me, take care of my needs, my every wish. I learnt if Allah takes something precious from you then he grants something more precious to you.

Ya Allah, I place my trust in you. The future remains uncertain; the past remains broken but as for today, I seek your guidance. Grant me to face this world, ya rabb. Grant me the strength to keep going.

Aameen.

Getting ready she went towards the breakfast table, taking her seat beside Mustafa who was already sitting there reading newspaper as always.

"Salam everyone."

It was Hassan who greeted everyone with a bright smile on his face. Everyone replied him but Maria being herself didn't replied him back and continued savoring her chocolate pancake with delight.

"Aapne mere Salam ka jawab nahi diya."

He whispered inside her ear making her startled and look at him wide eyed. He was behaving weird. Very weird according to her.

"It is not permissable to greet someone while eating."

She wittly replied, smirking at him and continued having her breakfast without sparing him any glance, making him amusedly smile at her reply.

"Hey!!! It's mine. Give it back to me you thief."

She shouted at Osama who placed the only remaining chocolate pancake in his plate intentionally to rile her up. He knew she was a sucker for chocolate pancakes and don't share them with anyone.

"No, I won't. It's mine now. Take the plain one."

He played innocently, not wanting anyone to know that he was teasing her.

"You know chocolate pancakes are made for 'me' only but you deliberately took what's mine."

She focused on 'me' claiming her right on the pancake, glaring at Osama making him chuckle at her possesiveness for pancake.

"Acha phir Hassan bhaai see bhi apna pancake waapis lo unke pass tumhara pancake hai."

( Okay then take your pancake back from Hassan too as he is also having your pancake.)

He said pointing towards Hassan, making her look at him who was unaware of her obsession with pancakes. Her crazy obsession with pancakes.

"I am so sorry I didn't know these are yours. Here, you can have them back."

Hassan being the sweet man he was, politely forwarded his plate towards her asking her to have his pancake.

"It's okay you can have it."

She sweetly smiled at Hassan acknowledging his sharing nature making his heart flutter seeing her cute dimpled smile.

"Yes, take his pancake and let me have mine."

Osama smirked at her making her go all red in anger.

"Yes, you can have mine."

Hassan too insisted her on the other side.

"It's okay Hassan. I am full. I won't eat more."

Squeezing Hassan's hand, she got up in anger making Osama realize his mistake. He went too far teasing her. She got up empty stomach making him feel guilty.

"Maria..."

Mustafa held her wrist, stopping her from leaving but she jerked her hand from his hold, taking her bag and ran towards the door to look for the driver, ready to leave for the college.

Both Hassan and Mustafa got up to go after her but Osama stopped Hassan in midway.

"She will not listen to you Hassan bhaai, leave her to Mustafa bhaai he will handle her."

"But..."

Hassan was not convinced and tried going after her but stopped in his tracks after hearing Osama, dejectedly.

"Let it be bhaai... Even if you go after her she will not listen to you. Only Mustafa bhaai can handle her when she is angry, no one else."

She is going to my wife but she is more close to bhaai. Don't feel jealous Hassan, you have no right to be jealous. She hasn't even said yes to this alliance. You should not think too much and relax...

Nodding at Osama he left for his room to get ready for office.

On the other hand Mustafa ran after Maria who was standing in sun, opening the door of the car looking all red in anger. He wanted to pinch her red cheeks for looking so cute but he knew it will irritate her more.

Looking at him she quickly sat at front seat and asked the driver to start the car.

"Uncle you go, I'll drive the car."

Seeing Mustafa she got out and started walking towards the gate but he held her wrist turning her towards him.

"Where do you think you are going ?"

"College."

Came her short reply.

"And how will you go there ?"

Folding his hands on his chest Mustafa asked waiting for her answer.

"I'll go by metro."

Looking down she whispered softly without looking at him. He didn't like the way she was treating him. He didn't like her ignorance and cold behavior.

"Look at me when I am talking with you."

He wanted her to look at him. He wanted to look inside her beautiful brown eyes and ensure that she was okay.

She looked up at him, her eyes filled with anger and replied him

"I am going by metro."

Without waiting for his reply she again started walking only to be stopped again by him, holding her hand tightly in his.

"No you will not, as today I'll drop you to college myself."

Holding her wrist he tugged her towards the car and opened the door for her. Knowing he'll not leave her she quietly sat inside the car glaring at his back.

Quickly jogging towards drivers seat Mustafa sat down and started the car.

He looked at her from time to time but she was busy looking out of the window ignoring him.

He knew she was angry with him because he didn't took her side. He kept quiet thinking Osama will stop after sometime but he didn't and now she was being the stubborn and ignoring him when he was not even at fault.

"Maria..."

"Little birdie..."

"Angry bird..."

He tried calling her with her every nickname but he only got her glare in return making him sigh deeply.

He again tried talking with her but she switched on the radio and increased it's volume.

"Maria..."

This time his voice was strict but she was one stubborn women, continuing her behavior she started singing loudly in her melodious voice, silencing him.

He was spellbound with her voice. It was magical. Her voice was so mesmerising that he was lost in it.

She got relaxed and stopped singing seeing him quiet, thinking he gave up and closed her eyes. Few minutes later the car stopped making her open her eyes.

"Stay here, I coming in five minutes."

She hummed in response and closed her eyes again. Few minutes later she heard shuffling sound and found him holding a large brown packet in his hand. Opening the packet he offered her a burger, which she didn't accepted.

"Come on!! Accept it and don't spoil our mini party."

"Who said I want to be a part of your mini party ?"

Folding her hands she asked making him smile sweetly at her and he answered

"I invited you. Please accept my offer because this party would be incomplete without you."

Keeping a hand at his heart he sincerely, making her narrow her eyes at him.

"I decline your offer. Now, start the car as i am getting late for my college."

She sarcastically smiled at him rejecting his offer.

"Okay then I won't eat too and will go to hospital empty stomach just like you."

He sadly smiled and kept his burger inside the paper bag and continued driving. Few minutes later he heard her groan loudly and then he heard her

"Fine, You won. Stop the car and let's continue your mini party."

She wasn't able to decline him. She didn't had had the heart to say no to him. Hearing, he too would not eat anything without her she accepted.

She had no problem going empty stomach to college but she would never want him to stay empty stomach too.

On the other hand, he grinned brightly seeing her pouting in defeat and pulled her cheeks not able to control himself seeing her cute expressions.

"Ouch... Don't pull my beautiful cheeks."

She warned rubbing her cheeks, pointing her finger at him in annoyance.

"I can and I will. Stop me if you can."

He laughed and pulled her cheeks again making her huff in annoyance but few seconds later it was replaced by her beautiful dimpled smile making him smile too.

Her smile is contagious. He thought.

Slowly but steadily she was making her way into his heart, embedding her

existence deep inside his soul, without his knowledge, without his permission.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Salam everyone,

My exams are starting and I am so sacred. Please pray for me guys. I need your wishes and sincere prayers.

Hope you like the chapter.

Till next time,

Allah Hafiz ❤️