Bilal did not waste even a single minute in contacting his friend Hussein regarding Yumnah.His daughter had suffered too much already and it was time she knew where she really stood.

His friend had been over the moon on receiving the news though he too had been surprised about the broken engagement.He had promised to talk to Yasir over dinner that very same night.

Bilal could not believe that so much had been going on in his house without his knowledge.How could his daughter have suffered so much?Alone.

Personally,he had no problem with her choice.He had known Yasir since he was a kid and had seen him grow up into the fine young man he was now.He knew very well that the young man had a golden heart and he would treat his Yumnah with all the love and respect that she deserved.

He hoped that his wife would come to her senses soon.As for him,he had done his part as a father and as a Wali.

It was just a matter of time now before their fates got sealed.

****

Hussein Hosseini quietly watched Yasir and Khaleel from the doorway.The two boys were too busy taking a "perfect" picture of his wife's couscous dish,to notice him.

He smiled when he saw Yasir let out a loud laugh.His son had grown up too fast.He still could remember the day he was born and today he had received a marriage proposal for him.He had never thought that such a day would come.He had already told his wife everything and she too had been overwhelmed with happiness.

But he was scared to talk to Yasir.He genuinely did not know how his son would react.He had a feeling that he would say no and he couldn't blame him for that.He very well knew where his son was coming from.

He just hoped for Khair.

"You should have asked me to open for you guys a studio.I wouldn't have sent you both to business school," he said as he walked into the dining room.

"Ya rabb, Hitler is here, hide the camera Khaleel," whispered Yasir but it was still loud enough for his father to hear.

Hussein stifled a smile as he watched his nephew attempt to hide the large camera in his pocket.Like really?He loved intimidating them and the poor kids always fell for it.

"We were just laying the table Khalo,Yasir where are the forks?"

"Khaleel, we are having couscous bro."

"Oh yeah.I usually have couscous wih a fork Khalo.Old habit of mine," said Khaleel nervously.Shucks, he should just have stayed at home and had his usual tea and toast.

"Hussein stop terrrorizing them.Can we all sit and eat?The food is getting cold," said his wife as she pulled out a chair.

Both Yasir and Khaleel let out huge sighs of relief as they too pulled out their chairs.

Hussein watched his son eagerly eat his meal and uncertainty filled his heart.Should he bring it up now at the dinner table?Should he ask him?What if he got angry and stopped eating his food?

Well knowing Yasir,he would never disrespect his food but this was a delicate topic.He looked at his wife who sent him an encouraging look.Well, he might just as well.

"Yasir."

"Yes Baba," he said as he shoved another spoonful of couscous into his mouth.

"I received a marriage proposal for you today."

There was a pindrop silence in the room as everyone including Khaleel waited for Yasir's reaction.

"Oh.Okay," said Yasir as he took a sip of his water.His heart was beating thunderously against his chest and he hoped the others could not hear it.What was this feeling anyway and why?

"Its from Yumnah," said his father.He kept releasing information slowly.Yasir could explode anytime.

"Which Yumnah?Khaleel's Yumnah?" he asked.And what was wrong with his heart?Did he have a heart problem as well?

"She is not mine bro," Khaleel said immediately.

"Yeah.Sorry Khaleel but why me now?Didn't they just break off their engagement today?"

"Because she likes you.Our engagement had been a misunderstanding," said Khaleel.

"Tell her i said No."

"But Yasir, she likes you...," his mom began but stopped when Yasir raised his hand.

"Mama i said no, and that is my final decision."

*****

Yasir closed his eyes as he listened to the recitation of Surah Mulk.It was another of his favourite surahs but unfortunately,he could not pay much attention to its recitation.His mind kept drifting back to well, Yumnah.

Who was this Yumnah anyway and how could she like him?They did not even know each other.Okay, they had met once at Hisham's Walima but even then she had weirdley ran out when he had tried to talk to her.Wait, had she run out because of him?

Had she really mistaken Khaleel for him?

"Yasir," said his mother.Yasir knowingly smiled.He knew she had come for the pep talk.

"Yes Mama?"

"How are you feeling my son?" she asked.Yasir let out a hearty laugh.

"Come on Mama, i know why you have come here."

He heard his mother chuckle beside him.

"That makes my work easier then.Dont say no Yasir.Its unfair to the poor girl and its also wrong.You dont even have a reason to say no and no i dont want to hear about you being blind.I think Yumnah already knows that, dont you think?"

"I guess she does," he said.

"But she still sent you a proposal, regardless?"

"Yeah!"

"Then why are you saying no and you havent even met her.What if Allah has sent it to you and you are rejecting it without sparing it a single thought?"

Yasir fell silent for a while as he tried to ponder over what his mother had said.It was true but...

"At least give me a chance to do Istikhara Mama, then il tell you my decision," he finally said.That was the best way to clear off all his doubts.

"Of course my son and Khaleel is sleeping over tonight.You can talk to him since i know you are missing Hisham," said his mother as she stood up to leave.

"Okay Mama."

"And Yasir?"

"Yes?"

"Don't fight Qadr my son,you will definately lose."

*********

Morning brought new hope to the Hosseini family as they all waited for Yasir at the breakfast table.

"Do you think he already got an answer Khalo?" asked Khaleel.He had never been this nervous in his entire life.

"I dont know son,sometimes it takes a while to get an answer," his uncle replied.

They all quietly watched as Yasir came into the room with the help of their butler.

"Asalam aleikum," he said, sitting down.

"Waleikum salam," they replied in unison much to his surprise.

"Whats for breakfast Mama," he asked and immediately he heard a plate being placed infront of him.Wow, that was quick.

"Khaleel, please pass me the salt...shaker."

The shaker had already been placed even before he finished his sentence.

Yasir smiled to himself.He was enjoying this.He should make them suffer for like a week or two.No, he was a nice guy but just a few more minutes would not hurt.

He began eating his food but he could feel all six eyes on him.

"Are you guys waiting for a court verdict or something?" he finally asked.

"Yasir did you....?" his mother began.

"Did i sleep well?Yes i did Mama."

Khaleel rolled his eyes.Leave it to Yasir to create suspense.The guy was now doing it on purpose and was succeding.He too couldnt wait to know of his decision.Like he was willing to live with Khalo in the same room for a week even if only Yasir would say yes.

"Since you guys are very much eager,well,i have my answer," he said and immediately everyone stopped breathing.

Mrs.Hosseini closed her eyes preparing for the worst while her husband and Khaleel held on to the spoons in their hands.

"