*

I woke up around 3am as I usually do to offer some units of prayers. I didn't know that Simran had also woken up until she joined me spreading another mat beside me as we concentrated and poured out our hearts to the one who his All Hearing the Al-Aleem .

After that ,we both said our azkars and waited for the adhan for subh to be called before we offered two units of raka'atanul fajr and then subh.

" Alhamdulillah now that we have prayed let me hug my pillow and continue my dream " Simran yawned drawing the covers closer to her chest level .

" You surprised me when I see you praying,were you not the person who warned me times without number to never wake her up ?" I asked arms akimbo and she laughed saying " I missed you that's why I forced myself to let go of the stupid sleep and start getting closer to my Rabb, besides it makes me think I somehow still have a connection with you because I know you're probably at home praying " she lazily stated with a husky voice and yawned again .

" Aww my sweetest Besty ,what can I do without you in my messed up life " I cooed .

" Die of course or live in misery " she mumbled.

" Sleep tight beautiful " I whispered

" sleep tight ugly " she whispered back and we all fell into a deep sleep oblivious of the world around us .

We woke up around 12pm to the shrilling sound of Simran's phone and I hissed telling her to switch it off.

" Hajia wake up it's already noon and because you are the queen of the laziest category of people you're still in bed " she teased dragging the covers.

" Simran I swear to the Almighty I will slap you just let me sleep some more " I whisper yelled .

She left me in peace for almost 20 minutes before she came back again ." so you are still sleeping " she stated matter of fact .

" No I am dancing " I retorted .

" Don't you think you should get up and wash off the stress from your body and I think you stink" She stated scrunching her nose emphasizing the fact that I actually stink

" Do I look like a fish to you ? And God will never let you see the day I will stink early morning even if I hadn't taken a bath for a month" I said sticking my tongue out at her and getting up , stretching my arms mumbling a prayer .

" Yeah ,you look like the one in finding Nemo " she gave me her annoying come back , combing her hair in front of the mirror but her attention is on me .Then she burst out laughing

" I pity the man who is unlucky to marry you ,because the sight of your morning face will make him run for his dear life " she said In between fits of laugher.

" that's not funny " I whined and got up from bed but before I head to the wash room I choked her till she apologised and said I look super duper cute it was jealousy that made her laugh at me.

After we had brunch , we headed back to Simran's room for me to pack my things and leave .Ammy texted me that Hajia had been discharged and they are on their way back home . Mama made Zobo drink (hibiscus) for me to take to Hajia as her token of get well soon gift since she wasn't able to take anything to her the other day .

" I hope the zobo is much ,you know me I can finish it before I reach home .Yah Allah ! How much I've missed Mama's special zobo " I stated in a dream like haze .

" There you go again Missy ,zobo, zobo zobo ,sometimes I used to wonder whether all the people you love on this planet comes after zobo " Simran squeezed her face .

" By the way when is Yaya Al-Amin coming back " I asked taking out the bag I packed my Abayah from yesterday .

" Don't tell me you have a crush on him too " she asked incredulously popping her eyes out .

" No I don't have a crush on him, I have a truck load of crushes on him since I have become a crusher " I rolled my eyes at her .

" If you admit that you do have a crush on my brother I will give you a truck load of hibiscus " she mimicked me and I aimed towards her with a punch .

" Ouch ! Evilest witch " She wailed

" Yeah that's my first name ,evilest witch Manal Khaleed " I stuck my tongue out at her earning a glare

" Seriously ,I hate you " she said

" And I hate you way more " I gave her a hug and she escorted me to where the driver is waiting for me.

" Allah Hafiz dear,take heart and be a good girl ,talk to ya later and I will miss you ,thanks for coming " she waved and I smiled sticking my tongue out through the window.

" See who is behaving like a good girl while you are a total bad child " I said as we left their compound.

I Felt really good after such a long time and I kept thanking Allah ,praying that Abby and Ammy ,Muntaseer and Hajia will forgive me too so that everything will be alright but boy I was so wrong .

Everyone was in the living room waiting for me ,Ammy looks like she had cried and Abby looks indifferent .After I greeted everyone which lucky for me they all answered with a poker face except Hajia who even hugs me to her side. Abby cleared his throat

" Manal I have decided that you will go to the place where your mother and I grew up so that you will have a glimpse of what we've gone through and maybe you'll learn your lesson and start respecting people " he commanded .

I thought I didn't heard him well, that it Is my imagination playing a trick on me or I was having a nightmare but the fact that even Muntaseer looked shocked made me realise that I wasn't dreaming .It's my dad ,the love of my life ,my hero, my knight in shining armor ,the person who calls me his princess and grant my every wish in a blink of an eye is sending me to a village I have never been to for only Allah knows how long because of my bad habits . I gulped down the tears that threatened to spill and just shook my head indicating that I've heard what he said .

" You'll stay there for two months and you will come back after which I will marry you off to a man of my choice ,I hope within those months you will learn your lessons and start treating people with humility. We will leave next week in shaa Allah " he stated with a tone of finality

.I looked up at him to make sure it is my Abby who just talked not an alien and I was met with his unsmiling face ,he looked away avoiding my gaze and I said

" I am really sorry Abby ,Ammy ,Hajia and Muntaseer, for disappointing you all ,but if this is what it takes for you to forgive me then I am ready to accept my fate ,I know you won't choose a husband who is not good for me Allah kaimu lokacin da alheri " I said brokenly getting up to leave .

From the corner of my eyes I saw a tear trailed down Ammy's face and I heard the faint voice of Hajia saying " isn't this too much on her ?" Before I locked my door . I couldn't cry ,the pain is too much for me to even shed a single tear. My heart is too heavy for me . I spent only God knows how many agonising hours before I heard someone comes into my room. I don't have to raise my head to know that it was Abby because I will always know that intoxicating and cool scent of his perfume. He sat on the edge of my bed .

" Manal " he called my name softly .

" Yes Abby " I answered raising my head .

He stared at me for a few seconds which felt like hours before finally saying " I don't actually know what made you do what you've done, but you know that it is wrong ,and as your parents we should guide you in any aspect of life ,it is our duty and you are an amanah to us by Allah. You are the only child Allah has blessed us with and I am thankful that you don't have to suffer the kind of life your mum and I have suffered.

But that doesn't give you the chance to be arrogant ,to treat people who may be are better than you in the sight of Allah like a piece of trash .We love you so much and we didn't get the chance to know and grow up with our parents ,you know that both your mum and I are orphans ,her dad died before she was born and her mum during her birth. I lost my mom during child birth too and my dad at the tender age of four months " he said patting my head and I had gathered my attention listening to the story of my parents.

He continued telling me that he was raised by his uncle who treated him like an animal and his aunt who doesn't care whether he eats or not, sometimes he slept outside in cold and in rain and whenever he get sick they won't mind to find any cure for him, he will suffer till a kind neighbour help him or till he gets well without being treated .

They used his inheritance and gave their children a luxurious life and left him out, fortunately for him he was able to get both Islamic and conventional education because of a kind friend of his dad who died before he could finish secondary school but God so kind he had started doing petty jobs and finished his school with flying colours which earned him a scholarship to further his studies .

After earning his degree he was sent out of his uncle's house and they left the village in search of greener pasture and no body knows there whereabout. He couldn't secure a decent job since there were no governmental organisations in town and he doesn't know or have a connection with anyone in the city .He had been friends with Muntaseer's dad since childhood and he has always been helping him out in difficult times .He married Hajia and they gave birth to Muntaseer before he managed to ask his uncle to help Abby who is the reason why Abby started working in the city after getting married to Ammy .

Abby looked so sad while narrating his story, and I scuttled closer to him ,held his hands in mine and whispered " I never thought that was the kind of life you went through Abby ,and am thankful to Allah that you came out strong and you've succeeded against all odds .I am really sorry for being an ungrateful child and letting you down I promise to you that from now on I'll be the kind of daughter you'll be proud of and you'll never complain of anything bad coming from me, I don't know why am this way but I've been praying to Allah to cleanse my heart and change me for the better "

He smiled warmly at me saying " It's okay my princess ,I've forgiven you a long time ago and I just want you to realise your mistake and Alhamdulillah you did " I was on cloud nine and I felt like jumping off the rooftop because Abby called me his princess again.

" What of Ammy's story " I asked furrowing my brows in curiosity .

" That's her story to tell which I doubt she never can tell, she suffered more than I did and she was abused to the core which led her to have a selective psychological amnesia. Besides some things are better left unsaid " he stated looking sad and for the first time I realised how old my Abby is becoming .

" About going there for two months I just wanted to rattle you , we are going for a few days because of Muntaseer's issue ,Hajia could not tell us the reason why they left town and since I know some of their relatives we want to get to the bottom of the matter " he said rising from the bed and motioning for me to follow him .

We walked down together hand in hand and my heart swelled with love and so much happiness. Ammy was sitting with Hajia in the living room and they all looked up at us smiling widely .

" So you guys are having a father - daughter moment without me huh "? Ammy teased .

" See this jealous woman instead of you to be happy ,you're sad and nagging " Abby stated with a wink .

I made him his cup of coffee and we sat in companionable silence watching news and saying one or two things here and there. Muntaseer came back and he looked happy to see us though he didn't talk to me I didn't mind because am content that everything is okay with my parents.

Few days before we left for the village, I called simran asking her to accompany me to the orphanage we went with Muntaseer . I felt like it will make me feel better knowing that those kids out there are like my parents and helping them out will ease my mind for being such an arrogant and rude person .

I no longer shout or sneer at beggars but smile at them and give them token amount of money. I even go around with new naira notes to give out in alms.

" Mrs Sluggish if you are going to waste my time , let me know so that I can find another company ". I texted Simran.

" Hah! Not even funny ,and who might that company be ? " she replied

" A lot of my friends can accompany me " -Manal

" Ha ha ha ha ha call them then , and when you come back invite them over to my house I wanna see those invisible friends of yours Habibaty" - Simran

" Thunderstorm fire you " - Manal

" Ah now the angry bird has come out of her shell" - Simran

" Blast you Simmy you better not waste my time " - Manal

" Whenever you are done blabbering your abracadabra you can come out and meet me in Hajia's room "- simran

So the idiot is already in our house and she stressed me out .I huffed in annoyance taking out my bag and veil .

" Why don't you have respect for people that are helping you ? " simran asked as we drove out of the house .

" Hey Missy ! Don't boss me around just because it's your car " I feigned being angry

" Yah salaaam Manal ,what's wrong with you today and getting angry easily ?" She turned towards me looking at me for milliseconds before turning her attention to the road .

" Actually am very happy today and I don't know why ,just teasing you Simmy darling " I said making myself more comfortable .

" Arghhhh I hate that word Darling " she squeezed her face air quoting Darling.

" You prefer baby as Ameer use to call you huh " I teased further .

" Nah he calls me with my birth name Simran " she said with a small smile

" Liar liar pants on fire ,you know where liars end up in the hereafter so better tell me the truth what does he call you Simran!? " I mocked and she just laughed muttering something under her breath while I zoned out thinking of my soon to be unknown husband. Even though I pretend to be cool with it am actually bothered about it ,and since that day ,no one mentioned anything about it and I don't wanna ask anyone too.

We arrived at the orphanage and asked the gate man to help us take the provisions we bought inside while we carried some too, bickering at each other as we walked into the place .

We had lots of fun with the kids ,befriending a lot of them and after promising to come back soon we finally headed out but I was knocked out of air when I saw Muntaseer looking at me with his signature smile which I had forgotten when last I saw. while Simran who left before I did is actually talking to Ameer smiling like the idiot she is .I managed to smile back at him feeling jittery and my legs have turned to jelly but I started walking as fast as my shaky legs could to reach Simran's car .

" Wait " I heard his soft voice .And I automatically did without making myself to,without thinking twice I just stopped walking .He reached where I was standing like a statue and asked " when did you guys come here ?"

" Not long ago " I squeaked out with a voice I doubt is mine .

" That's so good of you pumpkin " he says with a smile again .

Yah Rabbi OMA he just called me pumpkin. I was so happy and surprised that he actually did call me pumpkin .

" Does that mean you forgive me ? " I asked hopefully .

" What's there to forgive Manal ? People make mistakes worse than yours and I've put off with a lot of your rudeness ,I was so angry that time because nothing on this earth is precious to me than my mom and you called her a hag telling me how helpless I am and that you don't care whether she dies or not " He said looking somber.

" I am really sorry Muntaseer I really am and thank you for finding it in your good heart to forgive me " I said smiling at him. He motioned for us to sit and talk .

" How many times do you want me to remind you that I love it when you call me Taseer? but now that you've been forgiven you're calling me Muntaseer " he mimicked my voice and I laughed out loud heartily .

" I heard what happened with Hanifah from Simran and I am sorry ,no one deserves to be treated that way " I apologised .

" Shh don't be I am glad it ended because after being engaged to her I came to realised that she is faking to be a good person and she's not actually the ideal wife for me ,I've known her for a long time and we were just friends before Hajia and her mother decided that we are in love and should get married .That's why I agreed because I can't say no to Hajia so don't beat yourself over what you can't control and it wasn't your fault ,besides it was destined to happen " He said playing with his hands .

" Okay then ,but please do you know who am getting married to ? Am sure Abby must have told you ." I asked

" I can't tell and I won't tell ,I just hope you like him " he said looking amused .

" that's not fair Taseer" I pouted

" You never grow up " he teased

" So do you " I countered .

" When did you ever see me behaving like a 2 year old " he asked

" I use to eavesdrop on you when you're in Hajia's room and you use to whine ,cry,pout and stomp your feet like a 1 year old " I said laughing at his expression .

" That is haraaam Manal so haraaam " he said exasperated.

" That's haraaam Manal so haraaam " I mimicked him laughing at his own expense.

" I will take back my forgiveness " he stated seriously and I stopped laughing abruptly which made him to laugh his heart out.

" You're impossible" I huffed in annoyance

" and you're cute " he said looking anywhere but me .

" are you shy ?" I teased

" why will I be?" He asked looking flushed .

" Hehehehe you're shy " I squealed.

" No I am not " he denied .

" Yes you're I said sticking my tongue out .

" If you guys are done playing laila and majnun you should let us know " the annoying voice of Simran interrupted our moment .

We all got up and instead of going home we followed Muntaseer and Ameer to other orphanage homes and for the first time in ages I feel content and happy .

The future is uncertain but I am sure with my loved ones around me and Allah as my guide there is no hurdle I can't cross.

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