Everything I Could Ever Ask For

Chapter Five.

Ikram's POV

Something big was about to happen . I could feel it. I didn't know know what it was but I couldn't shake off the feeling. It scared me as much as it excited me. I didn't want to dwell much on it because right now I had a bigger problem. Zahra my best friend. She had been avoiding me. I didn't know what I did.

At school,immediately a lecture is over, she hurriedly excuses herself and says something's up. I haven't had a proper conversation with her for almost two weeks. I didn't know what was wrong that's why I was on my way to her house now. I don't mind that I haven't called to inform her that I'm coming because she might just give me an excuse and I'm not taking no for an answer today. She'll have to explain herself.

I took my time walking. I decided to walk because their house was just a trekking distance from ours. Besides it was healthy and I could admire the nature around me all day.

I arrived at their house and knocked at their gate. Their gate man, Mallam Musa opened the gate. I greeted him and asked if Zahra was around and he replied with the affirmative.

I walked inside admiring their mansion. The fountain in the middle of the large compound. Rows of cars were parked at one side. They had so many cars. Unlike us that had three. One for Baba, one for Mama and the last one for Ya Ahmad. Yep I didn't own a car yet. But Baba promised me he'll get me one very soon. Although I told him it was fine and that I didn't really mind but insisted. I love this man. Have I mentioned that? Oh yeah I have.

I went up to their front door and pressed the doorbell. The door was opened in a flash and there before me stood Adnan. He looked disappointed as if he was expecting someone and that person definitely wasn't me. He was staring at me so I lowered my head and blushed. God. Why did he always make me blush?

Just at that moment, a young handsome guy who I'm guessing was Adnan's friend came. He said a quick salaam to me and Adnan ushered him in,leaving me standing my the door without even a glance.

I sighed and went up to Zahra's room. I knocked before I heard her shout come in. I went inside and found her lying on her bed playing temple run on her iPhone7. She didn't even raise her head to acknowledge whoever came in. I cleared my throat and announced my presence. The look on her face was priceless. I wanted to laugh but just kept it in because I came to talk about something serious.

"Surprised seeing your abandoned BFF?" I said almost irritably.

She looked as if she wanted to cry and I almost went over to her but I held my myself.

"Cat got your tongue?" I said annoyed. I knew I was being mean but I was really hurt.

"I'm so sorry Ikram." She sobbed. "Please don't think I've been avoiding you for no reason at all."

"Then what's the reason? You finally got tired of me? Or is it because you realized I'm not worth your time anymore?" I was really angry. All the pent up emotions that I've been holding back for the last two weeks came pouring. I knew what I said was a low blow but I was too upset to even think about it.

"How can you say that?" She said angrily. Oh now she was the one being angry.

"You so badly want to know why I've been avoiding you? Well I was ashamed to face you." I was now confused.

"I was ashamed because I broke a promise I made to you." She continued. "You see, Abba wants Ya Adnan to get married so he can take over the company and he told ya Adnan to bring a wife in just one month or else he'll get him married to a village girl."

I was shocked and zoned out completely. I wasn't listening to her anymore. My heart was beating at an irregular pace. Adnan..marriage...in a month's time or rather 2 weeks now. So this was what heartbreak felt like. The kind of heartbreak where you haven't even fallen in love,the type where the other party doesn't even know you exist. How can something that was never even yours to begin with break your heart?

"I've lost him..I've lost him..." I kept mumbling.

That's when Zahra noticed I wasn't even paying attention to her. She stopped and she looked at me with so much pity that I felt disgusted with myself. Who am I kidding? Why am I even letting this affect me? From the start, I always knew that I didn't have a chance but a tiny part of me told me I could try my luck and look where that brought me. Unnecessary pain.

"I'm sorry Zahra, I didn't know. Thanks for looking out for me though." I said blankly.

"Wait Ikram,there's something I can do,don't lose hope. I promised and I'll make sure I keep my promise. Please talk to me."

"It's okay. We weren't meant to be." I said flatly.

"Let me start going home. Mama would be looking for me." I said and made my way out of the room.

"Ikram...dan Allah..." she pleaded.

I just waved her off and gave her a sad smile. "I'm okay,don't worry about me. I'll get over it."

She didn't say anything. I took that as my cue to leave. I went downstairs, my head lowered when I bumped into something or rather someone.

"Ouch." I said.

I looked up and realized it was Adnan.

"Oh I'm...I'm...sor..sorry. Didn't see you there." I stuttered. What was wrong with me. Why does he always have this effect on me?

He was staring so hard at me that I felt really uncomfortable. He was looking into my eyes as though he was searching for something. My heart constricted at the thought that he'll never be mine. I think he finally realized he was staring too much. He moved his head away and uttered something I barely caught.

"It's okay." He said and left me standing by the door for the second time today. Those two simple words he uttered seemed like he was telling me everything was going to be fine. But I doubt it. I just needed to hold my gears tightly and move on from this crush.

I left their house and walked back home. As I entered the house, I noticed we had visitors. I think they were Baba's visitors. I went to the parlour and was about to greet them when I noticed it was Kabir and his dad. Great,this day couldn't get any worse.

I greeted Baba and Uncle Abdul then said a little salaam to Kabir and was about to go the room when Baba stopped me.

"Ikram,wajan ki suka zo."(they came to see you.)

I swear my breath stopped for a moment. This wasn't what I was thinking was it?

I think the confusion showed on my face that's why uncle Abdul decided to speak up.

"My daughter,as you know,Kabir here has shown interest in you and would like to court you. No it's not marriage,don't panic. We came to ask for your dad's permission and he refused to give us an answer. He said he wants to let you decide,so here we are now, what do you think?" I exhaled a breath I didn't know I was holding when he said it wasn't marriage. But immediately it dawned on me that Kabir wants to court me. No no no way. Who even courts these days?

I didn't know what to say. Kabir was there blushing like an i***t. Oh how I felt like wiping that smile off his face.

It's not that I don't have an answer. I do. I just don't want to make Baba look bad in front of his friend. I noticed they were all staring at me so I decided to respond.

"Uhm. .I don't know. Zan nema shawaran mama tukunna."(I'll ask for mum's opinion first)

Kabir looked displeased. Even if his dad was,but he didn't show it. He smiled and said. "No problem. Till we hear from you. Hoping to gain a positive response from you. I'll like to strengthen the bond between your father and I." He said.

I nodded. "I'll think about it in sha Allah" I said politely but deep down I already had an answer.

They stood up and left with Baba seeing them off. I went over to the room and laid down on the bed flat on my stomach. I remembered the events of today and I felt like crying when mama came inside.

"Ikram, Are you okay?" My mum asked worriedly.

"Yes mama I'm fine." I simply replied. I didn't want to bother her.

"I know when my daughter is not okay. Talk to me."

I contemplated telling Mama and decided to tell her. I told her everything from when I first met Adnan to where Zahra started avoiding me up till this present moment.

She listened attentively. Then replied.

"Ikram,patience is a virtue. Know that whatever is meant for you will always reach you even if the whole world is against it and whatever that is not meant for you would not reach you even if the whole world was to be on your side. Don't let any of these setbacks pull you down. You're your own person. Don't let Adnan bring you down. If he's meant for you,he'll find his way into your life. Just take things slowly and don't think too much about it. And about Kabir, I'll talk to your father. Don't worry about it."

With everything mama said I felt like crying but it made me feel good about myself. It made me content that whatever that was meant for me would always reach me.

I hugged mama and thanked her. I felt like a huge weight had been lifted from my shoulder.

"You've had a long day. Rest up. Khadija and Najmin will cook dinner." Mama said.

"Okay Mama."

Mama left the room and I laid down. Just staring at the ceiling. No sleep in sight. I remembered that I hadn't prayed asr, so I stood up and performed ablution. After praying, I asked Allah for guidance because He is the best of guiders. I folded up my mat and was about to go the kitchen when my phone rang. It was Zahra. I picked.

"Hey Zahra I said I'm fine. Don't worry about ...."

I didn't get to finish when she gave me the news that would change my life forever.