Saeeda knocked softly on the door unsure of how to face her daughter.This was the first time that they had fought and she wasn't sure of how to patch things up.Should she have apologised to Yasir first?

No.

They were fighting because of that blind man in the first place.

Saeeda sighed.She really needed to put her ego aside if she wanted to win back her daughter and her husband.As much as she still did not approve of Yasir,she could do nothing about it.Her husband's words had sliced through her heart deeply.Never had he ever complained of her infertility but rather he had given all his love and attention to their only child.

She very well knew of how much he had always wanted other children.He had always wanted a big family but she had not been able to grant him that and today she was hurting the same man who had loved and respected her despite all odds.

And she was hurting their only child too but now she planned on winning them back even if it meant accepting Yasir.

Maybe,after some months of marriage,Yumnah would realise her mistake In Sha Allah.There was still hope and she would cling to it.

She knocked on the door once again but still there was no answer.

"Yumnah?"

Silence.

"Yumnah are you in there?"

Silence.

"Yumnah,i am really sorry about everything.If you want,i can even apologise to Yasir."

Still there was no answer.

"Yumnah won't you forgive your mother?"asked Saeeda desperately.Was her daughter annoyed to the point of not even answering back?

She knocked again this time a bit loudly but still there was no reply.She gently turned the door handle and opened the door only to find a neatly arranged but empty room.

******

"Yasir,there you are my boy,"said Hussein as he barged into Yasir's office.

Yasir grimaced.First of all, people had to stop barging into his office as if it was a public washroom and secondly,what enemity did they have with the poor door?His office would be doorless soon at this rate.

"Salam Baba."

"Waleikum salam my son."

Wait,why did "Hitler" sound so happy?Wasn't he mad like everyone else?

"Come on,lets go," said his father.

"Where to?"

"The mall.Im craving milkshake."

Yasir frowned.Since when did "Hitler" start having milkshake.

"Baba, you cannot be craving for milkshake,"he said crossing his hands over his chest.

"And why not?"

"You are lactose intolerant."

"Aaah that.I still have milk from time to time but dont tell your Mama.Its a secret and today Yasir you have been let on in on one of the biggest family secrets.I am so proud of you my son,"said Hussein.

"Really now Baba, and who else knows this secret?"asked Yasir.

"Since when did you become a cop?Shut up and lets go.I want to have icecream and thats it,"said his father as he grabbed his hand and pulled him.

Wait,hadn't he just said milkshake a few second ago?

What was going on?

*********

At the speed "Hitler" had driven the car,Yasir was unsure if the world was ending or if the mall was running out of "milk".And to think that he had come to the mall with "Hitler" out of all people.Were these his last days?May Allah have mercy on him.

"Yallah Yallah,come on Yasir walk quickly," said his father.

Okay now seriously,was someone dying or what?

They continued walking and poor Yasir could swear that they were going round in circles on the same floor.

"Bilaaaaaaaal my friend,fancy bumping into you here and Yumnah,how are you doing my dear," asked Hussein as he clasped his friend's hand.

Yasir mentally threw up.That was the most fake way of pretending to "bump into each other."So this was why they had been in a hurry.It had all been a plan.

Yumnah glanced at Yasir,but he had his head lowered.Neither of them greeted the other.She didnt even want to talk to him.He had broken her heart.She couldn't believe that her Papa had brought her to the mall to meet him on the pretext of buying himself a pair of shoes.

"Why dont you kids sit down and have milkshakes?Yumnah dear, please help Yasir to the table," said Hussein.

"I can find the table myself,Baba," said Yasir.

He knew that they were near the foodcourt from the aroma, finding a table would not be difficult and anyway he had come here mutiple times with Hisham.

They both sat down quietly on the table,none of them ready to speak up.

"Bilal,come let me show you the latest icecream flavours which are sold on the ground floor,"said Hussein and immediately both their fathers left.

Yasir sighed.So were they going to just sit there in silence?

"Good afternoon,would you guys like to place your order?"asked the waiter breaking the awkward silence that was reigning at the table.

"A large chocolate milkshake,"they both said in unison, much to the waiter's surprise, who simply nodded and came back soon after with their orders.

"So,how are you?"asked Yasir.

"Never been better."

"Good for you,"said Yasir.

"Why did you say no?" she asked after a while.

"Yumnah i cannot marry...."

"You didnt even wait.We could have sorted things out," she interrupted at the same time a sob escaped her lips.

"Yumnah,now why are you crying?"he asked wishing that he could just hug her tight and tell her that everything was okay.

"I am not crying and excuse me,"she said as she stood up and ran to the nearest washroom.

Yasir took in a deep breath.What could they have even sorted out?

Bilal and Hussein watched the two from a distance,listening in on everything.They had known that Yumnah would not last long before she would run to the washroom.It was time for phase two of their plan.

"Oooh,so you mean you have already received another proposal for Yumnah?"asked Hussein as he and Bilal sat down on the table with Yasir.

Yasir immediately choked on his milkshake followed by a series of coughs.Hussein gently patted him on the back,a smile on his face.

"Yes and this time il just convince her to say yes.She is a sensible girl and will know how to treat her husband.She will fall in love with him eventually.

"So true.Didnt we all get married like that and look at us now,we both love our wives dearly.Yasir isn't this just great news? asked Hussein.

"Amazing."

"So who is the boy you said?Farooq's son?"

"Yes,his name is Muneer.He is a pilot and an amazing young man.Im sure he will keep Yumnah happy.Do you know him?"

"MashAllah a pilot?Aaah,our Yumnah will get to travel to different countries then.No i dont know him,Yasir must be knowing him.These youngsters know each other.Yasir do you know Muneer?

"I dont know any Muneer," said Yasir as he tightly gripped his cane.

Muneer and Yumnah?They didn't even match from their names only and who was this Muneer anyway?He was going to find him and kill him.

Both Bilal and Hussein held back their laughs.This was mean but they had to do it.

"If you need any help Bilal,let me know.In fact why dont you do the Walima at the Hosseini mansion.Our garden is big enough and we will be happy to help.Isn't it Yasir?"

"Sure."

Walima in their garden?As if.The only Walima that would take place in their garden would be his and Yumnah's, In Sha Allah.Not that Muneer's.And help?He would rather die first.

"Yumnah,there you are.Shall we go?"asked Bilal.

"Yes Papa."

"Would you like to take your milkshake with you?"

"No!"

Yasir listened intently.Of course she would say no.Their very first milkshake together and she had not even drank it.And now she was going to marry that Muneeb.Wait what was his name again?Whatever,she could go have milkshakes with him now.He didn't care.

"See you Hussein," said Bilal as he stood up.

"In Sha Allah and call me in case of anything."

"Bye Yasir" said Yumnah.

"Bye!"

Both fathers did not miss the hint of irritation and jealousy in his voice.They both shared knowing looks.Their work was done.

Yasir heard them walk away his heart shattering to pieces.

Was this their fate?

And was he willing to accept it?...

********

WHOA,TOO MANY FEELINGS HERE!!!!

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