TAQDEER(meant to be)

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Nabeelahs POV

Last night I slept over Sir Aaban's request,not even sure if it was a request,an order or a threat,he seems quite like the type of husband every lady would want to have to herself but then there's this rude and pompous side of him that sends me off,he said it's a contract nikkah which meant he's going to be paying me and sure I needed the money but then I couldn't succumb to whatever it is he wanted and just like he said,he's the person who knows his ways to get his hands on anything he wants,he's the last person I'd want to drag a matter with,I've always fantasize on a beautiful life long marriage with a sweet and loving gentleman, someone who'd go to the end of the world for me and take a bullet for me if he had to, someone who'd know I can do it on my own but still wouldn't let me do it myself because I'm the one he cherished so much,if at all some three months contract marriage is the last thing I'd ever consider,which lady in her right sense would do that by the way?
I was still on the train of thoughts when Naynah came into the room
"Ya nabeelah..."
Nayns please not now I'm not in the mood,I cut her sentence midway
"What's not now?"she question me
"Whatever it is you want to do or say not now girl"
She sat on the edge of the bed pouting her lips
"Ya nabeelah I haven't seen..."
"Naynah can you please shut up?you haven't seen Aaban sir for a while yeah?"I asked furiously cause I don't understand why it should be a concern if she hadn't seen him in a while,oh!I've forgotten he's her "idol"
"Teenage these days"I said to myself
"Do you think you can have a contract marriage?" I said it rather unexpectedly
"Huh?"she ask me raising a brow
"Yeah you heard me right"I said to her
"Ohhh,a contract nikkah that means money is involve yeah?"
There she goes again,Naynah and money,I mentally slapped myself,I get it we needed the money and everyone wants money but Naynah is making her love for money so evidently that even a blind man from 80s would know she likes money
"Nayns it's not about the mon..."
"Oh yeah it's always about the money don't be fool by the world"she cuts me off
"So who's this person that wants a contract nikkah with my....ohh don't tell me it's what I'm thinking"she said with a mix of surprise and excitement on her face
"Yeah" I answered rather bluntly giving a straight face
"And you're giving it a second thought?ya nabeelah that's like the best offer you could get out there although I don't know about the amount but I'm sure it's pretty good so please don't do this to us"
"Nayns all you've ever been worried about is money and good looking men,can't you be rational in a situation like this?you aren't even thinking what ummah would say all you care about is the money "
She scoffed
"Ummah won't be an issue so long as we aren't telling her it's a contract nikkah, beside not all marriages are bound to last long"
"Wow,who even is my sister right now? seriously?" I asked her
"Ya nabeelah you're the one who isn't being rational here,you know how much we needed the money if not anything then for ummah's treatm...."
"Yes please I do and it's not your duty to remind me of something as vital as this"
"So all you have to do is pick up this phone right here,and give that dude a call telling him you've accepted the contract and you're ready to sign it with immediate effect "
"But Naynah.."
"No buts please ya nabeelah "she said making those puppy eye I can't resist,she always makes that when ever she wanted something from me,it's like her way of compelling me and it actually works each time she does it
I was quite for a moment,not like Naynah is completely wrong,no, beside she's right but then can I cope living under same roof and breathing same oxygen with Aaban sir?
Whatever!I shrug,maybe I can and maybe not,it won't hurt to give a try I said to myself
"Pass me my phone nayns"
And it was as if she was waiting for that statement,she jumped out of bed and grab my phone,she handed it over to me "yes you can do it"
"Can you please shut up for Allah's sake?"
I wanted to give him a call but then I gave it a second thought and settled for a message,a simple one of course
"Hey, I've accepted your contract but I'll have my conditions" and I sent it to him,well there's no need to be formal again yeah?
"Ya Nabeelah?"
"Uhmm"
And before she could say whatever it is she wanted to say my phone buzz and it was a message from sir Aaban when I checked
"Whatever,get ready I'm picking you up by 4pm to go and see Abba"
Wtf?is he a crazy jerk or something?I said out loud
"Let me see ya nabeelah"
"What's he even taking himself as?"she said
Glad it's for the money and nothing else
"Now I guess we should tell umma you're getting married"she chuckle
"You can't be serious"
"Of course I am"
She stood up and ran out of the room calling ummah's name
"Nayns please you can't do it like that"I shouted and got up to follow her.

*******
Aaban sir picked me up at exactly 4pm and the ride to his home was quite,the air felt empty and for a moment I was lost,the aura of the atmosphere felt cold and hard,like a warzone that was raided by the enemies,we arrived at his home after a long drive of silence,he took the lead while I followed behind,upon reaching the entrance door he stopped and turn towards me "nothing should be off about us please, Abba didn't know this was supposed to be a contract nikkah, smile"he said
I didn't say a word,rather I nodded my head and we went inside "sit down while I call Abba " he said bluntly pointing to a couch by his right,I sat down while he made his way through a hallway where I suppose that's where Abba's room is,I looked around and Wondered how only two of them live in  a house as big as this,moments later I saw a man whom I guess should be in his mid 60s approach me with Aaban sir following behind,his grey beard perfectly fitted his jaw,he smiled brightly at me when he came closer and I thought to myself if this man gave birth to Aaban then Aaban is nothing like his father,I stood up from where I was sitting, knelt down and greeted him in a way us northerners show respect to our elders "good afternoon Abba" I said
"Good afternoon my beautiful daughter and soon to be daughter in law,how are you doing?how are your parents and everyone at home?" He asked all these questions at once while trying to sit and I was still kneeling
"This is your home please,stand up and have a seat" he said before I could answer his first series of question
"No Abba I'm okay here" I said trying to adjust and sit on the bare rug that was spread in the sitting room"
"Please don't be stubborn,your father is telling you to sit down unless you don't consider me a father to you "
Oucchh,I wasnt expecting that,so I stood up and sat on the chair with my head low
"So I asked Aaban to bring me the girl he loves I never knew my son had eyes for good things"he said smiling "so how's your father?" "She lost her father Abba "Aaban said before I could answer him "oh I'm sorry my dear,may his soul rest in peace and may Allah grant him jannah"
"Amin ya rabbil alameen "
We talked for a few minutes and for the first time I've seen an elderly man who's so free and jovial,we made jokes and he even said he can't wait to taste my food when his son finally marries me,he's the complete opposite of his son.
He left saying he had a meeting to attend and it was nice seeing me and to tell my mother they're coming next week to seek for my hand in marriage because he didn't want any delay, Aaban sir took me back home and after I got down from his car I saw him got down to and followed me
"Where to?"I asked
"I don't understand,to greet unmahyif course,or can't I?plus not that I trust you to give her the message Abba said "
With that he made his way into my house with a loud Salam,we went to the sitting room and met Naynah watching anime, she greeted him and I asked her where umma is,she called and and I left them and head to my room to discuss only Allah knows best but I was certain he's going to tell her his people are coming next week, whatever I shrug,I didn't want to think much about it,so what ever will be should just be.