SHUMAYLL

The day i told Iqraam about Iqra and I

"Its just because......... I feel like you are more of a brother to her than me-" he said and I stared at him

what?

me?

her brother?

NO!

I wanted to scream out loud but I did the most logical thing, kept shut

"No, you are her brother, she worries about you, and me and her? well we fight and get along just fine, so chill, i am not taking your place" i explained

If only he knew!

"Then............................. do you like her?" he asked me, in a serious note

My eyes went wide and my mind went blank

Oh hell!

He waited for my answer and i said my silent prayers

I knew Iqraam would never let his most loved sister to a guy like me and he would most probably punch me if i told him we liked each other

"Ummmm hypothetically speaking, what would you do if i said yes?" i asked him, in all seriousness

It was best that i told him this before anyone else does- that would only create alot of problems in the future

He launched up and slapped my arm, it was a harsh slap but it was legit

"Speak the truth now" he stated, his eyes narrowing in danger

he knew

He was not dumb and nor were everyone else

"Fine- I love your sister- I have loved her for years now- since she was 19 and i was 21- it was clear as day that i liked her but soon my feelings grew- wait wait- before you tell me its haraam to look at your sister that way- Loving someone is not haraam Iqraam, continuing the relationship with them is- what Iqra and I have is pure and nothing haraam. We like each other alot and during her stay all the while here, we made a pact that we would remain good friends. I know i consider you as my brother but its not necessary that your sister be mine too!" I tried to explain and when i looked up to his face, i realized all my explanation has gone down the drain because I was eventually going to get beaten up by him

"So you saying that you two love each other? If that was the case then why didn't Iqra tell me?" he growled out and i inched away from him

an angry Iqraam is not a friendly Iqraam

"This- last time i told you that there were speculations about my marriage to your sister, you exclaimed Iqra and began laughing and saying no no no! So i assumed you would not want me as her husband who would?" I said the last part in almost a whisper

during these times with Iqra, i had forgotten the most important details about me. She made me forget that i had a dark past

Iqraam let out a frustrated sigh

"Honestly I don't know why you love her!" He said, running his hand through his hair

What?

I punched his shoulder

Hard

"What the hell man?!?" He growled out

"What do you mean, how can I love her? What's not to love about her? She's perfect dude! You don't realize how much blessing you have in her form!" I stated and he sighed again

"-alright! God damn it Iqraam!! Iqra is all every guy would want! She has humour, has amazing eyes, has comebacks and of course she is someone who can keep me on my toes!" I said and Iqraam shook his head

"You don't know a thing about her apart from the simple facts!" He stated "-maybe its just some infatuation?"

I stared at him

Oh right

I like her for over 3 years and this is what I get?

"Iqraam! Honestly man, this was the reason why she was not telling me she liked me! This! She knew your reaction would be negative!" I muttered and he growled

I looked up to him and realized he was very angry

I pushed him on the sofa and turned up the AC

"Look man, we have been friends for over 10 years now, what Iqra and I have- which is nothing at the moment-" I said when he shot me a glare

I set in front of him and smiled slightly

"- I love your sister a lot and she loves me back- if you marry her to someone else, she would not question you at all even though she is not happy! You know me like the back of your hand, do you really think I would play with her feelings?" I questioned him and he shrugged

I knew I was right

"Uhuh but what about Nabaahat? We all know she likes you too-" he shot back with a glare and i ran my hand through my hair

i did think about that

i think i did

anyway

"I like Iqra who likes me back, whats it to do with Nabaahat? I will talk to her and sort things out- don't worry about it" i said and he shot me another of his heated glares

"You know that they got whatever they wanted all their lives, right? what makes you think she will give you up without a fight?" he asked me and i rubbed my forehead

"I would talk to her and if she wants a fight, i will give her one. I know Iqra loves me, Alhamdulillah! and that matters. You know i would do anything to protect the people i love and cherish the most, well your sister happens to be in the same book, so yes, i will make sure she is mine" i said and Iqraam was still staring at me like i am alien

he was angry, no doubt

But he had to be rational here

Its not like we did something haraam

After a long deafening silence, he spoke

"What about me? you know that in this fight, i would have to chose between two sisters and a best friend, right? And to be honest, i am not ready to lose any one of them! I know Iqra will not ask me to chose but i cannot say the same for Nabaahat as i do not know her that long. What if she asks me to choose between her and Iqra? We both know i would choose Iqra first but then will be compelled to choose Nabaahat because my decision can make a family but also break another one. I also know that Iqra will never go against my rules and decisions, she will not voice out her opinion to anyone, not even Ruqayyah! You don't understand the full picture, Shumayll!" he said, aggravatedly and i shifted to sit beside him

"You think i don't know all that? I know but i also have faith in Iqra and I, I also have trust in Allah that he would do whats right- I also know that whatever you decide, i would follow it too but in my way-" i said and he sighed

we stayed silent for a long time

he was gathering his thoughts and i, well I was praying to Allah the whole time for Iqraam to agree so that we don't have to fight

after several minutes that seemed hours, he spoke

"Are you sure? I mean I doubt anyone will let you and Iqra be-"

"Would you rather marry her to someone total unknown and one she doesn't love than with someone you know like the back of your hand and she loves him too?" I questioned him again

He stared at me

"Her favorite food?" He questioned me

"What?" I asked him taken back by his question

"Her favorite food? Hobby? Color? Tell me you know them" he said and a small smile made its way on my face

And just like that we spent the time questioning and answering

Well he questioned and I answered

That's the interrogation I went through

By the time I was done, Iqra was laughing whole heartedly

"He interrogated you!?" She laughed and I snuggled in her arms, resting my chin on her head

"Sorta but he knew i would never hurt you" i smiled at her and she nodded

"You would never" she whispered before closing her eyes

she was going to sleep

"Iqra?" i called her

"Hmm?"

"What are your thoughts of visiting Saudi Arabia?" i questioned her and her eyes shot open

"You mean in a sense that we visit the holy kabah, the graveyard of the holy prophet (S.A.W) and can even do umrah?" Iqra asked me, excitement clear in her voice

"Uhuh" i said and she set up immediately

"Uhuh? When are we leaving? Can we cut the rest of the trip and go there already?" she was literally begging me to go there

"We can but we won't- because its all planned!" i said and she pouted like a little girl

"But- but why not?" she said and i chuckled, pulling her back on the bed with me so she was lying in my arms

"I don't like you out of my arms, first and second because its all planned! I can't cancel some of them and don't worry, we will have ample time for you to roam the city of Mecca, Medinah and some others if you want" I said and she gave me a tooth smile

"Did i ever tell you i love you?" she asked me, snuggling into my arms

"Of course you did and I love you back the way you love food" i said and she giggled

i stared at her in shock, my mouth almost ajar

did she just giggle?

"What?" she asked me

"Did you just- giggle?" i asked her raising my eyebrows and she grinned shyly

I laughed and pulled her chubby cheeks until they were red

"My fluffy is going soft!" i said and she laughed

"Its not my fault! You go all romantic and stuff with me so i guess...... it happened" she said the first part confidently and shied away on the last part

I smiled before placing a kiss on her red cheeks

"Its alright, i am glad i am the only one who sees this side of you" i winked at her and she chuckled, placing a kiss on my cheek

"I am glad too!" she whispered in my arms

we stayed like that, lost in the moment for a few seconds when Fluffy had to ruin it with her comment

"It feels as if this scene is right out of a cheesy romance novel!"