He sat crosslegged on the carpet deep in thought.His face looked pale and worry lines were etched all across his forehead.Just a few weeks back,Yasir had never thought thats there would come such a juncture in his life.

A stage in life in which he was close to losing someone precious.He knew that they had had only one meeting so far but that was enough for him to know that she was the one for him.

But then he had rejected her.Twice to be precise.And what about her mother?He still did not want to hurt her feelings.Why was everything always so complicated?He passed his hand through his hair as he thought of what to do.

"Yasir,you called for me?"asked his mother as she walked into the room.

"Yes Mama."

His mother came and sat down next to him on the carpet and immediately Yasir laid his head on her shoulder.

"What is bothering my son?"

Yasir closed his eyes as he snuggled in closer.His mother smiled.Yasir always did that whenever he was upset or confused.

"This is about Yumnah isn't it?"she asked.

"I am losing her Mama and i dont know what to do anymore."

"Why did you say no,if you like her?What happened that day Yasir?"asked his mother.

Yasir quickly narrated to his mother of what had transpired and also the reason as to why he had said no.

"I left it to Allah,Mama.I have tawakkul in Him.I know that nothing can stop us from being together if its really meant to be."

He heard his mother sigh and for a few minutes they sat in silence.

"Yasir,do you remember the hadith i once told you about tying the camel?"asked his mother.

"Yes,Mama."

"What was the owner of the camel told in the hadith?"

"To tie his camel and put his trust in Allah,"answered Yasir.

"Exactly.Its good that you have put your trust in Allah my boy but that does not mean that you simply sit back and not take any measures."

Yasir nodded his head in understanding.

"Do you remember Maryam's(may Allah have mercy on her) story?Did the date palms just fall to her or did she have to shake the tree herself?"

"She had to shake the tree herself,Mama," said Yasir realisation dawning on him.Why hadn't he thought of all this before?His Mama had made everything so simple.

"So if you like her Yasir then fight for her.The poor girl has suffered enough.First Khaleel, then you and as for you,you just rejected her without thinking things through.That was really unfair to her Yasir."

"I am sorry Mama but what about her mother?I would never want to hurt your feelings and i don't want to Yumnah to do the same,"said Yasir.

"Yasir,her mother is just being overprotective.Instead of saying no,you should have tried to convince her to give you her daughter's hand.If she gets to know how much you will love,respect and take care of her daughter she will definately relent."

That was so true.He should have fought for Yumnah but instead he had just broken her heart.

"So what do i do now Mama?Her father wants to get her married to some Muneer."

His mother let out a hearty laugh.Was her son always this naive or was today a special day?

"Well, i think you should pick up your phone and call uncle Bilal and tell him that you are still interested in his daughter," said his mother still laughing.

"But Yumnah is still mad at me and i deserve it.I was really mean to her today because i got jealous and rudely told her bye but all this is because of that Muneer," huffed Yasir.

"Mmmmh,well then i guess we wont be tying our camel then?"asked his mother and Yasir did not miss the hint of amusement in her voice.

Was he just whining about Yumnah to his mother?Ya Allah how embarassing.

"Mama!," he said,his cheeks now flushed.

"Come on my son,here take the phone and call uncle Bilal.Your impatience is clearly etched all over your face," she said laughing at the same time keying in the phone number for him.

Yasir too laughed as he took the phone from her gratefully.His mother then stood up to leave but not before placing a kiss on his forehead.

"All will be well Yasir.I can feel it," she said.

"In Sha Allah."

"One more thing Yasir,as far as Muneer is concerned,you shouldn't be worried.He is Farouq's son alright but he is also a sixth grader and i doubt that is what you consider as competition," she said before she left.

Yasir could not believe his ears.A sixth grader?

"BABA!" he whispered to himself.

When and where had he ever wronged that man?

***********

Yumnah rested her head on her bed's headboard thinking about her fate.What had Allah really planned for her?Her life had been more of a roller coaster the past few weeks and she wondered what was in store for her next.

Her mother had finally accepted Yasir but he on the other hand had rejected her and she had no plans of sending him a proposal again.She had her self respect too and what did he even think of himself?

He had just said no immediately as if his life depended on it.If only he had been a little patient.

Stupid Yasir.

Yes, she was mad at him.He had been so rude to her at the mall as well.He had not even said Salam.Well,she hadn't as well but still.And why was she still thinking about him?She let out groan as she buried her face into her pillow.This was all so frustrating.

"Yumnah,Yumnah my dear," she heard her father shout afterwhich she heard fast movement on the staircase.Was he running?

"Yumnah,guess who is on the phone?"he asked excitedly.

"I dont know Papa,who is it?"

"Its Yasir and he wants to talk you,"exclaimed Bilal.

Yumnah's breath hitched.Yasir?Really?

"I dont want to talk to him,"she said turning her face away.

Bilal looked at his daughter in confusion.He had been over the moon after receiving Yasir's call and Wallahi he had never been this excited even during his own wedding.

"But why?"

"Just like that,"said Yumnah,crossing her hands over her chest.

"Ya Allah,what is this?First he says no,then you say no.Are you guys planning to kill me or what?"asked poor Bilal.These kids Wallahi were a test at times.

"Fine,il talk to him but only because of you,"said Yumnah as she took the phone from him not knowing that Yasir had been clearly listening to their conversation from the other end of the line.

"Hello?"

"Asalam aleikum."

"Waleikum salam Yassssir," she said stressing his name in annoyance.

Yasir bit his lower lip trying not to laugh.Wow,he really had hurt her it seemed.

"I gather you are still mad at me?"asked Yasir.

"You dont say!"

"Well then i am really sorry Yumnah."

"Hmmmm."

"Yumnah?"

"Okay fine,you are forgiven,"she finally gave in.Who could stay mad at him anyway?She still loved him regardless.

"JazakAllah,i called to ask when..."

She quickly cut him short.

"When we can have our next meeting?Well definately not this Friday because i plan on staying back at the masjid after classes to pray for some to learn how to have patience," she said once again stressing the word people.

Yasir palmed his face.Wait,was that statement directed at him?And here he was thinking that he was one very patient man.Well,seemed like his other half to be,thought otherwise.

"No Yumnah,i did not call to ask for another meeting," he said.

"Rather i called to ask you when do you want us to get married?"

************

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