Till Death Do Us Apart

[0.010101] 𝑴𝑼𝑱𝑯𝑺𝑬 𝑺𝑯𝑨𝑨𝑫𝑰 𝑲𝑨𝑹𝑶𝑮𝑬

[0.0101]  MUJHSE SHAADI KAROGE

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❝God knows I never sought anything in you except yourself; I wanted simply you, nothing of yours.❞ —Love letters of Abélard and Helöise

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DECEMBER,
2017

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It had been approximately one year and nine months since Imran first saw Zahra, one year and six months since he met her and four months since she followed him back on Instagram.

He still had not done a thing but pine for her from afar, and yet, he harboured deep affections for her. Now he could easily call it love but Imran believed that to love someone, you have to know them and since they were practically strangers, he couldn't call what he felt for her love.

While he was busy pining, doing all his ministrations and being the sad matyr who can't tell her the way he feels, her mother was getting impatient.

Sure she had told the boy she wasn't ready to part with her—no mother ever was—but it had been almost two years and he had not made a move; and she had been patient long enough which was why she was calling him right now.

“As-Salaam Alaykum,” She said the moment he answered the phone..

“Wa Alaykum As-Salaam, Mama. Ina wuni.” He replied, wondering what the phone call was for. He had not heard from her since he went to see her with his mother during Ramadhan—and because fate was adamant on keeping them apart until he made a move, Zahra was sleeping at a cousin's house that day.

“Lafiya,” She replied in a brisk tone, ever straightforward, she began, “Imran, it has been almost two years. If you're not serious about my daughter, let me know. I prayed Istikhara over you being with her, I gave you her number and yet, she still doesn't know you.”

Imran sputtered, he had no idea what to say. “M..Mama—”

“Aren't you supposed to be a man? You should have called her or messaged her. Especially after you met,“ Imran's eyes widened. How did she know about that? “But no, you bought her food, you didn't even go back to the stall to talk to her, ah ahn! and you're waiting for God to bring you together. Do you want Him to send an angel to inform her of your existence ne?” Imran lowered his head, feeling chastised. “He can't do everything for you, Heaven helps those who help themselves!”

“You're right,” Mama rolled her eyes, of course she was right, he didn't have to tell her that. “I'm sorry, Mama.” He sighed, “I really did want to talk to her but I get so flustered when she's around and every time I want to call her, I feel as though she won't answer or she'll hang up or she'll reject me.”

Mama rolled her eyes so hard she could feel a headache sprouting from her eyelids. “How is she supposed to reject when she doesn't know you exist?” She continued in a softer voice. “Listen, Imran, you're a good person and unless my daughter genuinely doesn't like you as a person—which she can't because she doesn't know you—you have a chance.”

Imran exhaled. “You're right. I'm sorry I wasted so much time.”

“It's not too late.” She said, “Are you still interested?”