Standing in front of the mirror, Nawal scanned her appearance. Was she beautiful? Would Daud be pleased to see me? She had never fretted over her looks before but now she had a reason to. Her unruly brown curly hair was not the best. Her hair had a mind of their own never ready to style the way she wanted. Then her skin, she had faint freckles on her nose and cheeks. They weren't much but still she was always conscious of them. Her eyes, she huffed, they weren't big but they were almond shaped and light brown like molten milk chocolate. She turned sideways in front of the full-length mirror and scanned her figure. She was tall, that was an advantage of having tall parents. At the height of 5 feet 7 inches, Nawal had always been taller than other girls and women around her. She wasn't really slim and nor fat. She was healthy but nothing she had been worried before. But now she was concerned as to what Daud would think.

She had no choice, she was meeting him after the exam today. She had just come out of the shower and was scrutinizing her looks. If he didn't like her looks, she couldn't do much about it. She took out the deep purple pashmina hijab and carefully wrapped it around her head. She wanted to look her best. Glancing at her reflection one more time, where she was wearing black boots, dark blue jeans and white collared shirt with mauve coloured cardigan. She didn't wear any make up or accessories. She had stuffed them in her handbag as she knew if she dressed up at home, Mom would ask. It was better to wear accessories and make up when she was about to meet him.

She sauntered downstairs to the kitchen to just grab an apple for breakfast as she was getting late. When Ghazala's voice stopped her, "Have you forgotten your manners and don't say your salaam."

In honesty, Nawal had been so engrossed in her thoughts that she hadn't noticed her mother sitting by the kitchen table. "I am sorry Mom. Assalam u alaikum" she responded solemnly.

"Walaikum salaam," Ghazala eyed her daughter and then her eyebrows furrowed, "Where are you going?"

"University."

Her scowl deepened, "You seem overly dressed."

Nawal slowly shook her head, "I felt like dressing up a bit. But it's nothing too much."

"Hmm..." Ghazala nodded, "When will you be back?"

"A..a..around 5pm," Nawal stuttered.

"Why this late?"

"I ...I have a group meeting about an assignment after the exam," Nawal hoped that her mother couldn't read through her lie.

"Okay." Ghazala slowly nodded.

Nawal turned around to leave when she heard her mother say, "Good luck for your exam."

****

It had been a fairly easy exam. She had studied well and was able to complete it the way she had wanted. But now her anticipation grew to meet Daud. Her pulse increased. She was breathless. She was nervous. Extremely nervous. She went into the female toilet to apply make-up and wear all the bangles and rings. After the make-up was done, she looked at herself in the mirror. The black kohl in her eyes and light pink lip gloss on her lips had enhanced her facial features. She had applied a light foundation to hide all those horrible freckles. Satisfied, she left for the Starbucks. She was going to be late if she didn't rush. She strode through the university campus to be on time, her heartbeat increasing. What will she talk to him? Will it be awkward? Will she be tongue tied? Shaking her head as if dismissing the distressing questions she hurried when she heard the text message alert.

Daud had reached the designated Starbucks branch ten minutes to three pm and he relaxed on one of the couches in the corner with legs stretched in front of him. He had texted her that he was here. He had met her several times in the last few months but today after knowing her a little in the last three weeks, he could admit to himself, he was looking forward to their meeting. He had no idea what he would say to her. But there was an urge to meet her and see where this goes.

Just then, the girl from his thoughts stepped into the café. She was nervously glancing around the busy café. He couldn't tear his eyes off her. An appreciating smile grew on his lips as he noticed she was wearing a deep purple hijab. Their eyes met and her cheeks tinted. Shyly she moved forward, something that had been missing in the women he met in the past. They were far more experienced at times rivalling his experience. But Nawal was different. And perhaps, this attracted him to her. Gracefully, he stood up, his eyes never left hers.

"Salaam" he said in his deep husky voice.

"Walaikum salaam" she whispered and her eyelids lowered.

She warily perched on the edge of the sofa in front of him. He could see she was nervous and stressed, "Relax Nawal. I don't bite." He smiled and he saw her ease a little and she sat back on her sofa.

"Tell me what you will drink?" he offered.

"Nothing really." She shook her head.

"C'mon I am going now to get myself a cappuccino. I won't feel like drinking alone." He softly said never leaving his eyes off her.

She hesitated for a few seconds and then breathed, "I will have a small Mochaccino."

"Anything to eat?"

She shook her head.

"Okay I will be back."

Nawal exhaled deeply and slumped back on the sofa. Her nerves were not calming down at all. But he was sweet. Trying his best to relax her. Her lips twitched into a small smile. He was a considerate man. And so very handsome. He was in formal clothes today in a black three-piece suit with no tie. He must be coming straight from work. And his eyes, not once his gaze had faltered from her. She could drown in those blue oceans.

It didn't take long for Daud to come back with a tray filled with coffee mugs and a pastry. He placed the tray on the small round table between the two single seater sofas and sat down. "I thought we should celebrate and got carrot cake. Do you like it?"

Her eyes fluttered from the food on the table to his. "I love carrot cake."

"Great." he handed her a spoon, "Dig in then."

She spooned a small part of the carrot cake and ate. He did the same. They were content in the silence. It was an intimate moment sharing one pastry.

"So what are your plans for the holidays?" he asked taking the first sip of his coffee.

"Nothing much. Stay with family, the usual." she wrapped her cold hands around the warm coffee mug.

He nodded thoughtfully and took another sip, "It is too cold to do any outdoor activities anyways."

Her eyes sparkled with interests, "Oh yes I remember you told me you like to do lots of outdoor activities. What was the recent fun you did?"

"I went hiking at the Wicklow mountains few months back. That was fun."

Her eyes grew wide, "Really. I would love to do that myself." her lips curled in annoyance, "but my family is very overprotective. They never allow me doing such activities."

"Next time I will take you with me." he suggested sipping his coffee and his eyes bore into hers.

Her heart thudded loudly and she hastily looked away. There was silence. She swallowed, she couldn't disillusion him.

Fiddling with the mug handle on her lap, she said in a low voice, "Daud, there is something I need to tell you."

He arched an eyebrow when she looked up to him, "Go on."

She then lowered her head and murmured, "My family is very strict. I don't think I can meet you again. If ... if we ever get caught, I have a feeling my mother would also stop my education."

He was taken aback. He had known her family was a conservative desi family but never did he think that her parents would make such drastic steps. He was quiet for a few minutes observing the girl in front of him. She didn't lift her head and it seemed the coffee mug in her hands had interested her. But he knew she was worried, anxious and what not.

Before he could stop himself, he said the words he had never dreamed of saying to any woman. "My intentions are honourable. I don't want a mere friendship. I want more, much more."

Abruptly, her head lifted and her forehead creased, "What do you mean?"

"I want to marry you." He said the words he dreaded the most.

She gasped, her eyes widening.

"Give me some time I will come with my parents to your doorstep and ask your hand in marriage from your parents."

She blushed but was unable to speak. She had only dreamed him to say such words but to actually become a reality. She was speechless.

He continued, "And it's okay, I can wait. I don't want you to get into trouble. We don't have to meet. We will have all our lives together."

She was still quiet, unable to utter a single word.

"Are you not going to say anything?" he murmured leaning on the table.

She placed the mug on the table. Her thick eyelashes lifted and her kohl adorned eyes met his. Even before she said anything he knew her answer.

"I will be waiting for that day."

****

In the darkened living room of his modern apartment, Daud was laying on the black leather sofa. His arms were crossed behind his head. His thoughts were only on one person. Nawal.

Closing his eyes, he asked the one question, he had been asking himself several times since he met her.

What have I done?

He knew over the last few weeks, he had developed feelings for her. He had planned the meeting to be casual. But things went out of control when he gazed at her in that deep purple hijab. He knew then. He wanted her for himself. He knew she was the one. Her shy gaze, her fingers fiddling the coffee mug and her sweet floral scent all had driven him crazy. Something he had remotely felt for any woman. But her biggest trait that attracted him was her innocence. It brought a protective feeling within him to be there for her.

His eyes opened suddenly with one realization. Salman.

No, he couldn't drag her into this war between him and Salman. He didn't want to hurt her. He will deal with Salman differently. He would just have to make his stronger moves in the business. But he will not use her. She didn't deserve this. The look she had given him before she left. He could sense she trusted him with her heart. He sat up immediately and went up to the glass wall that looked over the Liffey River and the Dublin City Centre.

He will cherish her the way she deserved. And perhaps, in her youth, he will find what he sought. He knew he will.

As for Salman, his hand curled into a fist. There were other ways to take his revenge than hurting an innocent girl. He was not letting his cousin go this easily...

****

Nawal lay on her bed staring at the ceiling lost in her thoughts. A dreamy smile on her face. Marriage to Daud? Oh Allah I had never thought of this.

She turned and buried her face into the pillow. She had dreamt of it countless times. But never ever hoped that it will become true. She was in no hurry to get married. But now that he had uttered those words, she couldn't wait any longer. Clutching the pillow to her chest, she mused, how it will be like to be his wife? Her smile widened. She knew he would be loving. Even though he was so much older than her but he treated her as his equal. Something she admired about him. He wasn't authoritative or gave the impression he knew it all. Instead, he was caring and with time becoming a good friend. He will be a friend in a husband. Something she craved. She hugged the pillow tightly.

She couldn't wait any longer...

Ya Allah let days pass by fast so I can be his wife soon.

****

A couple of days later, a hysterical Mr Raza rushed into Salman's office without even knocking on the door. Salman had been typing on the laptop. He stilled when he observed the frantic marketing manager.

"Salman, there are drastic changes in the market." Mr Raza informed breathlessly.

Salman whirled the office chair and frowned, "What do you mean?"

"Until now we knew the new company that Daud had started was doing modestly. There were no strong business strategies seen. But ... today's reports showed he changed his strategy completely."

Salman clenched his jaw, "What has he done?"

"It's a price war, Salman. He reduced his prices by 50%."

Salman's fist banged on the office desk, clattering the pens and shuffled the papers, "Fuck!"

He pushed back the chair and stood up, "Get an emergency board meeting ready. I am going to get the asshole once and for all. He wants war. He will get a fuckin war."

****

"Nawal come and sit beside your father," Shabbir patted the empty sofa seat beside him. It was a week after Nawal's exams. The family had just eaten dinner. Arbaaz was in his room playing his Play Station. Shabbir and Ghazala were seated in the living room with their cuppa tea. Nawal sauntered to her father after washing the dinner plates.

Shabbir smiled and gently placed his hand on his daughter's head. "You have grown into a fine young woman."

Nawal smiled back.

"We love you a lot my dear and always will. But no woman can stay at her parent's home forever. Even the king has to marry his daughter away to an eligible man."

Nawal eyebrows slightly rose and she gulped wondering why her father was saying such things. Her marriage had never come up before.

"And it is the time we get our little princess married."

She felt heaviness in her heart, she had to make some excuse until Daud can come with his parents, "Dad I don't want to get married yet."

"A proposal from a successful, pious and caring man has come for you."

Now she frowned, who was this man?

"Your Seema Khala has asked for your hand in marriage for Salman."

Salman? Did she hear her father right? Her cousin Salman? A man she had thought of as her brother all her life. Nawal moved back and slightly shook her head. Her eyes widened, "What?"