"just because i look happy doesn't mean i am happy; because even a white rose has a black shadow - afra ."
Hafsa had notified everyone about what had happened . While they were engaged in trying to deal with the situation , she had slipped away and decided to message Gabriel . Inaya had given her the permission long back , but she couldn't bring herself to do it . Now she figured out that she had waited for too long and it was best to let him know .
Hi Gabriel !
Her finger hovered over a smiley emoji . She really wanted to send that as an apology for making him wait for long but before she could think it out further , she almost jumped when a notification sound alerted her .
Her eyes skimmed over the screen and she found herself tensing over Gabriel's latest message .
Hafsa ? Oh God ! Thank you so much for answering back . *Smiley*
She did not know if she was being stupid , but his words flowed dreamily . She grinned like she found it something that made her very happy .
No worries . *Smiley*
She did not think twice about it this time . Infact , she very quickly sent it .
She had been stuck to the screen for quite some time . It seemed like he had left already .
Hmm...I was meaning to ask you something . Is it okay if we keep in touch this way ? I don't mean to trouble you or make you feel uncomfortable ."
Hafsa tensed at his question . She wanted to talk to him . He seemed like the unsolved piece of a jigsaw puzzle , wandering within the dark holes of a vague and lifleless dream . It was clearly prohibited to talk to the opposite gender . But she was determined to talk to him only if he took the initiative and if he was online at that particular moment . Her motive was to just show him towards the path of truth as according to her , he was lingering very close to the light while being stiff within the darkness around him .
Taking a deep breath , she tried to jot down a reply .
Yes , don't worry . I am alright . No offence , but I am not allowed to talk much to the opposite gender . So if I happen to not talk much to you , it's just this reason . *Smiley*
Gabriel was a very open minded and an enthusiastic person . It did not seem like he had lost his interest in Islam because that night they had socialized , Hafsa had witnessed his otherwise pale eyes shining brightly .
An image of her smiling face evoked in her mind , as she hopelessly tried to brush that off . Infact , thinking of Gabriele only succeeded in making her feel proud , slightly proud of herself . At times she felt like she was a horrible Muslim , without any such aim in life . But she was wondering if she could maybe change his mind for the better and aid him in accepting Islam . If that did happen , she would be able to at least thank her lord for an opportunity at helping a lost soul .
I won't trouble you much Hafsa . I only wanted to ask you for some help . If that is okay , of course .
Hafsa liked how her name seemed something exciting that came from him .
How can I help you out ?
Almost immediately , his reply flashed .
I want you to help me learn Islam .
Inaya was continuously being pestered by Mariam to call Faaris at least once in awhile . But the moment his name came up , it looked all the good in him vanished and he was just a venom filled monster .
Sometimes when Inaya found herself unable to focus on anything except what was wrong , she switched her phone on and listened to short surahs .
With a heavy sigh , Inaya figured out she might as well get it over with .
She dialed his number and waited a couple minutes . His phone rang and rang and rang . Just as she was about to disconnect the call very happy with her destiny's decision , someone picked up the phone .
A few things cluttered and banged together in the background before a soft voice spoke up .
"Inaya , is that you ?" Faaris sounded more dumfounded than amazed .
She rolled her eyes and was about to tell him to not get too excited about it because she was forced to do it .
"Oh Allah , Inaya ! It's so lovely of you to call me . Jazak'Allah ."
He sounded so overwhelmed that Inaya decided to be a merciful human and let him think it the way he did .
"Assalaamualaikum Faaris ." She answered , her voice devoid of emotions , unlike his .
"Walaikumusslaaam Inaya ." He seemed disheartened , his voice really low and cracked .
"How are you ?" She tried adding in a bit more enthusiastically , owing to the way how she saddened his beautiful voice .
She loved hearing him talk . But never admitted to it . And she wouldn't until she found out was being hidden from her . Atleast , she had a feeling that something was being hidden from her .
"Alhumdulillah and you ?" He questioned almost as quickly and Inaya could imagine him rubbing the back of his neck .
"Hmm.... I was wondering if we could out for some ice-cream ?" She asked , meekly .
She didn't like it when she disappointed anyone and Faaris had been given enough of that treatment for now . Mariam has warned her saying that she would regret him to that extent . As eerie as it sounded , she was always true in the end .
She was starting to get worked up when over the line , all she could hear was someone panting very hard . Somehow she was having second thoughts about it now .
But no , she couldn't just do nothing . She'd never be able to live with the guilt of hearing the disappointment in his tone while she did nothing about it .
"Allah ! Ya Allah ! Is this really happening ? This is serious right Inaya ?" He babbled so quickly that Inaya wondered if she heard everything properly . "Mother ! Inaya and I are going out ." He shouted so hard , apparently with the phone right on his mouth because Inaya's ear went numb for a minute .
She felt nervous all of a sudden .
"Inaya , um , I'm sorry . I....I a-m just to-o.....it's unbelievable ." He finally blurted out .
Inaya smiled warmly ."It's okay Faaris . Then , um , I'll get ready ?"
Faaris seemed like he was nodding his head . "Of course . I'll be there in half an hour ."
They quickly disconnected the call . Faster than she liked , Inaya found herself right in front of her dresser , running her fingers down her pale skin . Her eyes , as expected , were gloomy and sad . They were odd compared to her other youthful features .
She moved around the table , gathering things she'd need to get dressed up . Her face needed some emergency tanner and she found Hafsa's sunscreen within the several contents of the drawer . If applied too much , her skin could look ghastly . Very carefully , she smothered a little of her sunscreen along with Hafsa's.
She rushed forward to get the pretty light pink lipstick which Hafsa had gifted her . After lightly dabbing it over her thin lips , she threw back all the stuff into the drawer .
She couldn't tell what had prompted her to look impressive enough . But she was excited and looking forward for once .
She was looking forward for some fresh air and some ice cream .