He walks inside the mosque after standing for days outside it. He feels like he belongs here but he is too dirty to stay in a clean place like this. But his feet seem to carry him in today.

He looks around clueless to what he can do here. Beside praying (it's not the time for it and he prayed at home) he has nothing to do.

"Brother". He heard someone says

He turns to a man in his thirties smiling at him. He watches as the man face has a different kind of glow and his aura is so warm.

"I am Ali. Are you looking for something?". He asked standing in front of him

"I am lost". Aashir replied

Ali smiles softly, "Aren't we all?". He pauses patting his shoulder, "It's not that hard to find yourself again".

"Will he (Lord) be happy from me?". Aashir asked

Ali chuckled lightly, "The world around us seems to make us think that our Lord is someone who is hard to please".

"What?". Aashir said confused

"Our Lord is the most merciful and we seem to forget it every day. He loves us more than our mother do you think he will not be happy form us when we try something for him?". Ali asked

Aashir shakes his head merely, "But what can I possibly do to please him?. I am sinful, weak and not the person anyone can like".

"You are his person. He loves all his people that is why he created you and sent you here for tests. Not everyone is sent to the world to be tested". Ali said as they walk outside, "Isn't it weird we know he created all this around us and he is so powerful but he seems to ask us to do small things that make him love us!?".

"I don't understand". Aashir said

"The world is turning into it's worse form at the moment. As we speak more innocent lives are taken by the people in power. The people around her seem to make this mere earth something so big and scary that we are even more scared of our Lord who made it. We need to stop for a moment and realise he created this for us to enjoy not to be intimidated by it. He is big, powerful and he can do everything but he is also someone who is kind, loving and the most merciful. He never asks for much for what he had given us. All he asks is little time of us". Ali said smiling genuinely, "How about we start from the smallest task. He loves children especially orphan as he has given them rights and asked us to provide for them. How about you volunteer in giving to his people (especially the most loved ones) and you can find yourself along the way".

"How is giving connected to finding myself?". Aashir asked

"Giving seems to be such a small act but it has a greater impact. We have forgotten that he asked us not to waste a single grain and instead donate it to the one in need. We seem to forget he asked us to continue to give, give and give as much as we can. It wasn't just to feed the hungry but to feed our hungry soul. The more we give the closer we are to him. By giving to his people we will find the peace we have lost". Ali explained, "Let's go. I feel like you will find your path soon".

*******

He looks at her and the frown on her face which is filled with anger making him chuckle.

He was rejected.

It isn't like he imagine something less from her. She will never agree to him just like that. He wanted to plant a seed in her mind from when he actually takes action to make her his wife.

Wife.

God. He never imagines himself to suddenly liking the idea of being married. He never truly thought he will marry all he thought was he will lose himself to the world.

She seems to shake his world once again.

Imaging himself with her as his life partner is something that flutters his heart always.

He is going to take actions.

He had spoken to Azhar and fortunately, he found that they have at least one uncle who is not as bad as others in their family who is willing to help. That uncle is not directly related but a friend of their parents who will help by being her wali (guardian).

His name is Ali.

He sighs.

He walks back into his house with a mission on hands as he finds his mother in her room.

"Mom". He said making her look at him, "Remember I asked you for a promise of doing whatever I wanted?".

His mother nodded as he continues, "I know what I want".

******

"Why is that we always doubt our Lord will forgive us?". Aashir asked Ali as they sit under a tree

"Because people don't forgive people easily these days. They hold grudges and they hold onto all negative emotions that seems pleasing to them. Our mind analyses our Lord in the same way that if it's so hard for someone so mere (human) to forgive it should be harder for our Lord. You know something amazing?". Ali asked he shakes his head as he continues, "Our Lord granted heaven for a woman who helped a thirsty cat. How hard do you think it is to make him happy with ourselves?".

"I am getting married". Aashir said suddenly thinking he would object, "Wouldn't you ask why or I shouldn't do it because I am young?".

"Who said marriage has an age?". Ali asked, "How is that when we see an older couple getting married we say that they are breaking stereotypes and when we see young people marry we say they shouldn't?".

"So you think I should marry?". Aashir asked

"If you are doing it for Lord and to save yourself from falling into sins. I will pray that he provides you with everything that one needs for marriage. Marriage is a simple event that holds too much. It will not be easy, ever, but you have to make sure that you do the right thing. Love your wife, respect her and protect her with your life. Don't ever fall for the evil around you and don't ever look at another woman beside her". Ali said smiling, "I am sure he is blessing you because you are going on his path".

"I am doing this because I have to save her". Aashir said restrained

"You are saving a person that belongs to him in the end. Make sure you ask him to guide you through everything". Ali said patting his shoulder

"Will you come?". He asked

"I don't know. I have prior meetings". Ali said, "But may Lord bless you with the best".

******

"Why don't you want to marry me?". Aashir asked her

"It's not that easy, Aashir". She said sighing after his continuous attempts to talk to her

"What is?". He asked pressing for her to speak

"My life". She said shortly thinking if she should say more she wanted to say more, "My life turned years back when my parents died. At first, we were numb and transferred to our uncle house. It was the worse decision because I saw all of us drifting into darkness. When our aunt started torturing me I lost myself pretty fast because my parents never even raised their voice at us. She would continuously mention our dead parents and how they leave a burden for them. When it was too much she once gave me an option to take my siblings back to our house and she will send us monthly checks for our needs".

He clenches his fist tightly, "Then?".

"It wasn't simple than either. We were all lost and I had to step up to bring us back together. Slowly I started taking everything on me and bringing everyone back. But, Nour was sick she was diagnosed with dyslexia which made it hard for her in her daily routine. I had to give her my full time just to make sure she wouldn't stay behind but the school always mentions it when she stays a little behind. Same for the twins, Asim is still lost I think he doesn't seem to be accepting the truth while Azhar is colour blind".

He gasps, "That's why".

He remembered the day he asked him for gloves and he hands him the wrong ones.

"Yes, each one of us is filled with problems. I don't want to drag them into your life. It's too much and I don't want you in them". She said softly

"Dunya". He said making her look at him, "I will never pity you for the situation you are in. All I know is that you are the strongest girl I have met. I don't know why you think that your problems will make me worry. I want to share your problems. I know you will take chances in your life at various point. Give one of them to me. Just one chance, please".

*****

"He asked for your hand from me". Her uncle said, "Technically his mother did saying his father was busy. What is the reason you are declining?".

"You know how my life is, Uncle. You know I have so much happening I can't-". She started

"Beta (daughter), when do you think you won't have anything happening?. Will you wait until you are not alive?. Our lives are a series of test you may pass this one but the next one is waiting right at the corner. You can not have too much in your life. Marriage is something that happens for your sake and to fulfil your faith. Try taking the leap by the name of your Lord. He will provide you with ease and answers". Her uncle said walking away to give her some time to think

****

"I do". He said smiling that now he is married to her

He walks away from his family towards her side when he finds her guardian which her brother asks him to greet standing. Just as the guardian turns he looks at Ali standing there in front of him.

The same Ali who had been giving him a lecture about Islam.

"Ali?". Aashir said confused

Ali hugs him tightly, "I am so glad Dunya is married to you".

Aashir nodded sit registering how Ali ended up being her guardian.

"Take care of her properly". Ali said walking away

He nervously takes the next steps closer to her. He can see her looking down and a few tears on her cheeks.

He sighs.

He knows it is because she misses her parents. He had seen tears on all the siblings faces before. Nour had been with him holding his hand all this time. He cannot even imagine that poor soul being so sick.

"Dunya". He said softly

She turns her head looking directly at him. This time there were no boundaries between them. They look into each other eyes with their pain combined this time there were a lot more promises along with it.

"I cannot believe you are staying at her place". His mother snickers

He shrugs, "I have lived with you long enough".

"What is that she has that made you like this?". His mother asked angrily

"Peace". He replied

*****

"Want to pray first?". Aashir asked her watching her nervousness which he finds endearing

She is still a mystery that he can spend his whole life unfolding. But he needs to takes steps to her because he knows she is too hesitant to do so even when he wants her to. It seems like she is still bound by her past and responsibilities to look at him.

Just as the thought occurs her eyes raise looking directly at him. His breath hitch when he finds her beautiful eyes looking at him. He can swear that no matter how much he looks in her eyes they always cause his heart to forget beat.

Is this love?.

He dismisses the thought because he is too naive and young for it. Perhaps he is intrigued by her. He isn't sure. He needs to speak to Ali once more.

She nodded.

She can look at him all day if she is allowed to do so. His face seems so unreal for the world. There is this glow on his face each time she looks at him.

Like, that night.

She shakes her head as they did their ablution and standing on their prayer mats praying together.

Something both of them never dreamt of but the feeling of it had them beg to do it every day.

*****

Once again he roams in the forest this time he isn't running around because of the constant fear of being trapped instead he runs to find something that is worth everything for him.

He looks around the forest and as he steps forward the dark forest now turns greenish. It surprises him how the forest is changing too quickly. The darkness still lingers a little but it didn't scare him like before.

"Aashir". He heard her soft voice, "Isn't it beautiful here?".

"It is". He said looking around to find her

"Don't look for me, Aashir. Look around you to the beauty that your Lord has given you". She said chuckling, "You are so absorbed by constant fear and need to survive that you started fearing even his best creation. Don't be intimidated by what he created in this world this is nothing to what he can do more. He made these for you to enjoy not to be burdened by them. Just take a moment, stop, pause and live. Each step takes it slowly just to enjoy the things around you. You have me now, Aashir, you don't need to look for me. You need to look for yourself now".

******

It's been a week into their wedding the happiest of this is Nour and Azhar. He can feel Azhar wanted to secure his sister in whatever way in the long run. That boy might be young but the world had already shown him the worst situations that he now thinks ahead.

He feels assured that now she is his wife he can protect her in whichever way he likes.

He looks at her scribbling and this time he didn't have to turn his eyes away. He can look at her as much as he likes because now there are no boundaries.

"What is your dream?". He asked softly making her shriek

"Don't scare me like that". He said smiling

She rolls her eyes which is something he loves watching her do, "I don't have dreams".

"Lies". He said flatly, "Tell me, come on".

She sighs, "Really?". He nodded enthusiastically making her smile a little wanting to share everything, "If you promise me something".

He nodded.

"You will tell me the real you". She said making his smile falls

He tries to cover his expressions but he is sure she can read through him pretty fast.

He chuckles awkwardly, "I am real. This is me".

"Real you". She said pressing the words

He sighs, "Deal".

She smiles making his heart skip a beat, "Well, my dream is to be a doctor. But I quickly dismiss it because with my family condition being a doctor is something I cannot do".

"You can do it". He said not liking the sadness on her face

She smiles sadly nodding, "Maybe. Now your turn".

He took a deep breath, "How about we go to the park and I will speak?.

She nodded.

******

He takes her hand in his walking in the park. Holding her hand seems to be unreal. He had imagined for days for this day now he doesn't like letting her hand go. They fit so well with his hand as if they belong with his.

He smiles.

He loves the feeling he gets when he is with her. He truly prays every day that she stays with him until the end.

"You want to know me?". He asked looking at her peaceful face, "Why?".

She sighs, "It seems we have too many walls around us. I want to know about you so we can work together".

He smiles hearing her words nodding understanding, "Well, I was born in my hometown and we used to be a happy family of three until I was a little older. Then my father died due to something that happened at the construction site. Two years later my mother married another man. I was told he was the best man for my mother but they forgot he has to be the best dad for me too. Anyways my mother married and we moved here. Just a little after a month he started verbally abusing me on little things and soon enough it turned into physical abuse. He would beat a little in the start then turned into a full-on abuse. My mother always blamed me for everything and that he was a good man just sometimes he loses temper. My brother and sister soon joined my abuse decreased a little because he loved his children so he forgets me for a while. Then, my siblings also turned on me and they would tell him lies to which he would beat me for".

She holds his hand tightly," She never helped you?".

"Never". He said trying to control his anger," She would always blame me that's why she hide me for a year and that explains why I was a year behind".

"You are so strong, Aashir". She said hugging him tightly

He chuckles as tears fall down his face remembering his pain," I am not. I have done so many sins".

"If you have done sins you wouldn't be sitting here and crying like this". She said wiping his tears away, "We wouldn't be sitting here like this. You have me now, Aashir, you don't have to fight alone anymore".