Chills circulated down her frame when the warm forest green eyes captured hers. She had walked downstairs unknown about his presence, but then she had seen someone else sat next to Bilal. She looked at Naimat, silently questioning the man's presence. Naimat just shrugged, then walked to the dining table.

Upon settling right opposite to him, she realized the man was none other than Zaib, who had heard her blabber pure nonsense to him on the phone. And to add to that atrocity, he decided to pay her a visit– Fudge.

During the awkward breakfast, there was a hollow feeling in the pit of her stomach eating at her. And it all fell apart when she looked up at him, and they shared a single magical glance.

To say the least, she was stunned. He had striking features–blessed with round eyes which were a rare shade of deep green, his cheeks and chin were covered with a short brown beard. He had ash brown disarrayed hair. But the undeniable attraction was the glow of Allah almighty's light all over him.

That one glance was ruining her. She groaned irritatingly, tossing her book at the ground. No, she couldn't read; she couldn't think. What was going on? One glance, and she went cuckoo all of a sudden? Zoya shot out of the armchair, then plodded to the bathroom. She would take a shower until she had her senses back.

As soon as the water spilled over her head, she sighed in relief. Usually when she suffered from severe headaches, she would either take a lengthy shower or just fall into prostration. Falling into a sujood whenever she was tired, torn, sad or frustrated, had become a habit. Allah always helped her through those tough times better than anything else.

Zoya got dressed into her long navy shirt and jeans, then straight away headed to open the book of Allah. That was the main solution to every problem. She read Surat Al Yousuf and the trials he outlived. Subhan Allah, how could we complain when the prophets had such a difficult test themselves; Allah always made it easier. Zoya smiled at the verses. Even after what Yousuf (as)'s brothers had done to him he never uttered a hateful word.

"He said, "No blame will there be upon you today. Allah will forgive you; and He is the most merciful of the merciful." -12:92

Indeed this ayat arises a splint of hope and encouragement within our hearts that's Allah almighty would forgive us

"Zoya, come downstairs!"

Zoya kept her Quran back on the shelve, then proceeded to head downstairs. Her mother had probably called her for dinner. Bilal was already at the table, gawking at the food. Zoya looked around, searching for her father.

"Nadeem's not home yet," her mother muttered. Zoya's eyebrows furrowed in curiosity. He was always back home before dinner. What had happened today?

"Don't worry Zoe. He must've had some work," her mom smiled at her. Despite the abnormal thoughts running through her head, she sat next to Bilal. Bilal dived right in, filling his plate with some kebabs and rice.

Something wasn't right. She didn't feel too well anymore. Her stomach muscles clenched, a feeling which occurred only when she was frightened or nervous. She tried to contain her emotions; however, Mariam was a mother, and a mother notices even the smallest of difficulties her child was going through.

"Zoya," she spoke, reaching out to hold Zoya's hand in hers. "Nothing is wrong, okay? Calm, stay calm," she uttered.

"I'm fine mom," Zoya whispered, clutching onto her hand tightly.

Just then the door slammed open and in emerged her pale faced father. Immediately, Zoya jerked up from her chair, sprawling to hug him. She didn't know why her heart was suddenly beating restlessly, but as soon as her father was before her eyes, she felt a huge burden had weighted off her shoulders. Her father was home: safe and sound.

"Zoe, what's wrong?" Her father muttered.

"Dad, there is something wrong. Why were you late?" Zoya pulled away, asking him questions.

"It's just work dear..."

"Are you sure?" Her father appeared tensed. Even his body language seemed to radiate off bad energy. He held a little frown on his lips and his eyes were wide and tired.

"Yes, I am. Don't worry," he tiredly strolled towards the stairs.

"Nadeem, have dinner."

He turned at the sound of his wife's worried words and looked at her with sadness. He then shook his head, "I don't feel hungry." And then he was silently heading up into his own world. Zoya stood wondering. Her father never behaved in such manner. He'd always be full of energy and excitement when he arrived back home from a long day of work. What was going on?

Zoya's mother stood at her feet, giving Bilal and her a sad smile and then she went after her husband. With the kebabs stuffed in his mouth, Bilal slowly stood up.

"Do you know what's going on?" He asked.

"No," she muttered.

Bilal sighed, "Don't be upset Zoe. Ask Allah for blessings and happiness. If mom and dad will want to tell us about what is bothering them, they will. There's no good in thinking about it."

"Jazak Allah Khair. I'm just scared Bilal. Is dad really okay?" Zoya but her lip anxiously.

"I don't know Zoe. But it'll all be fine."

**^^**

"Ya Al Malik, you haven't given me a difficulty which is more than I can take. You've always planned for the better. I don't know what is bothering my parents. But Allah, you know I can never see them sad or unhappy. Please, fix whatever it is that saddens them and forgive me for I am a weak human and I tend to commit many mistakes. Ameen."

She desperately needed Allah. Her soul was restless and something just wasn't right, at all.

"Zoya and Bilal, come to our room!" Her mother shouted.

Zoya sprung up from the praying may, folding it quickly and then plodded out to her parents room where Bilal already stood ready to enter. She gulped since suddenly her throat was dry with nervousness. As Bilal and Zoya entered, they saw their father and mother sat on the small bed, hand in hand.

"Sit."

Zoya sat next to her mother whereas Bilal took a seat beside his father. Zoya stared at them anxiously.

"A month ago, your father lost his job."

It was already painful. Bile rose up Zoya's throat and she pinched her eyes shut in order to restrain any tears from falling. She was going to be brave for her parents.

"The company that he worked for decided to begin developing some gambling warehouses throughout the country. Nadeem obviously declined and advised them to not execute any such plan. But they are from the disbelievers; they didn't listen. Your father had to quit because he didn't want to be a part of any such act."

"But as soon as he quit, the company spread rumors and talks about how your father wasn't a man capable of doing his job. No one wants to hire him anymore."

Her breath was caught in her throat, and her chest was constricted with tangled emotions. Her eyes were flooded with unshed tears. She couldn't even believe the society they lived in. How! How could they just spread false information about her father all over the city? She wanted to set out and hunt the people who caused this trouble. The world was a nasty place.

"I will go for interviews as soon as I can dad. Don't worry at all. I will fix this," Bilal vowed. But everyone knew his words wouldn't help. Bilal still wasn't classified as an actual software engineer because when his final exams had neared, his father didn't have the money to pay for it. Bilal couldn't do much nor could Zoya.

"Bilal, son. I'm so sorry for this. First, I didn't have enough to pay for the exams and now–"

"Stop dad! You have nothing to apologize for. I'm sorry for not helping out much. But I promise, tomorrow morning, I'll fix this." Bilal repeated. It seemed like more than encouraging his family, he was building up the encouragement for himself.

Nadeem glanced at his daughter who hadn't uttered a word. He gulped.

"Zoya dear, if I ask for something, will you be able to give it to me?" Zoya's gaze fell onto him while she trembled. He seemed unsure as if he shouldn't ask her. But she nodded anyways. She never declined her father's wishes.

"Zoe, you know I can't pay for your University anymore. But I can do something else for you, dear. Please don't deny it," he mumbled.

"What dad?" She questioned.

"I want you to marry."

The King (one of Allah Almighty's name)