The Proposal
1574 Words
Chapter Fourteen
A week passed before Zaydan spoke to his father again.
Seven days.
Seven quiet, restless days that seemed to stretch longer than they should.
Zaydan had tried to focus on his routine — his work, his prayers, the responsibilities that normally kept his mind steady and disciplined. Yet no matter how much he tried to move forward, his thoughts kept returning to the same conversation.
The one he had with his father.
His father was not a man who spoke carelessly. When he raised a subject, it was always deliberate — always thoughtful.
And this time, the subject had been marriage.
More specifically… Aonat.
Zaydan sat alone in his room that evening, his elbows resting on his desk while he stared at nothing in particular. Outside his window, the late evening sky had turned a deep shade of orange and purple, signaling that Maghrib prayer time was approaching.
He exhaled slowly.
The truth was, Aonat had never been a stranger to his thoughts.
He had always known of her.
Everyone did.
She was Yahyah’s younger sister — lively, expressive, and far more emotional than the people Zaydan usually surrounded himself with.
Where he was controlled, she was spontaneous.
Where he was reserved, she was vibrant.
Their personalities were very different.
Perhaps that was exactly why the idea of marrying her had unsettled him at first.
But as the week passed, he began to think about it differently.
Marriage, after all, was not about comfort.
It was about responsibility.
And Zaydan had never been a man to run from responsibility.
A gentle knock on his door interrupted his thoughts.
“Zaydan.”
His father’s voice came from outside.
“Come to the sitting room.”
Zaydan stood immediately.
“Yes, Father.”
When he entered the room, his father was already seated in his usual chair. The soft scent of oud lingered in the air, and the low hum of the ceiling fan moved slowly above them.
Zaydan sat down across from him.
His father looked at him calmly.
“Have you thought about what we discussed last week?”
The question was direct.
Zaydan didn’t rush his answer.
Instead, he took a moment to collect his thoughts before finally speaking.
“Yes.”
His father nodded slightly.
“And what have you decided?”
Zaydan met his father’s gaze.
“I have thought about it carefully.”
He paused.
Then he spoke with quiet certainty.
“I agree.”
The room fell silent for a moment.
His father studied his face carefully, as though measuring the sincerity behind his words.
“You understand what marriage means, Zaydan.”
“I do.”
“It is not simply companionship.”
“I know.”
“It is responsibility, patience, and leadership.”
Zaydan nodded calmly.
“I understand that.”
His father leaned back slightly in his chair.
There was approval in his expression now.
Then he asked the question that mattered most.
“Does Aonat know about this?”
His father shook his head.
“No.”
Zaydan frowned slightly.
“That should come first.”
His father agreed immediately.
“Yes. She should be informed before anything is decided.”
His father nodded.
“If she is comfortable with the idea, then we will proceed.”
Zaydan rested his hands together.
“If she is okay with it,” he said quietly, “then I am as well.”
His father gave a small approving nod.
“That is the correct approach.”
The matter seemed settled between them.
But Zaydan still had something to do.
Later that night, he picked up his phone.
For several seconds, he simply stared at the screen.
Calling Aonat’s father was not something he took lightly.
Respect mattered.
Timing mattered.
Finally, he dialed the number.
The phone rang twice before it was answered.
“Assalamu alaikum.”
“Wa alaikum salam,” Zaydan replied respectfully.
“Sir, I hope I’m not disturbing you.”
“Aah, Zaydan,” Aonat’s father replied warmly. “Not at all. How are you?”
“I’m well, sir.”
There was a brief pause.
Then Zaydan continued.
“My father and I recently discussed something important… and I felt it was respectful to speak with you directly.”
Aonat’s father listened carefully.
“What is it?”
Zaydan spoke calmly and clearly.
“My family would like to formally express our interest in proposing for Aonat’s hand in marriage… if your family finds it acceptable.”
The silence that followed lasted several seconds.
Zaydan waited patiently.
Then Aonat’s father let out a small laugh — the warm kind that comes from genuine surprise.
“That is wonderful news.”
His tone carried unmistakable happiness.
“You are a good young man, Zaydan. I have always respected your character.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“But of course,” Aonat’s father continued, “I must discuss this with my family first.”
“Of course.”
“I will call you after we talk.”
“Thank you, sir.”
After the call ended, Aonat’s father leaned back in his chair with a thoughtful smile.
Zaydan.
He had known the young man for years.
Quiet.
Disciplined.
Respectful.
Everything a father hoped for in a son-in-law.
Without wasting time, he picked up his phone again and called his eldest son.
“Yahyah.”
“Yes, Father?”
“Come to the house now.”
Yahyah sounded curious.
“Is everything alright?”
“Yes. I simply want to discuss something important.”
“I’ll be there shortly.”
Less than an hour later, Yahyah arrived.
They sat together in the living room while the evening breeze drifted through the open windows.
His father looked at him calmly.
“There has been a proposal.”
Yahyah’s eyebrows lifted slightly.
“For who?”
“For Aonat.”
Yahyah leaned forward.
“Who is asking?”
“Zaydan.”
For a moment, Yahyah simply blinked.
Then he nodded slowly.
“That actually makes sense.”
Their father smiled faintly.
“You think so?”
“Of course.”
Yahyah leaned back in his chair.
“Zaydan is responsible. He’s mature beyond his age.”
“And disciplined,” their father added.
“Exactly.”
Yahyah crossed his arms thoughtfully.
“He would be able to handle Aonat.”
His father chuckled.
“She can be… strong-willed.”
“That’s an understatement.”
Both men laughed quietly.
After their discussion, Aonat’s father decided it was time to inform the rest of the family.
He called everyone into the sitting room.
His wife came first, wiping her hands on her scarf after leaving the kitchen.
“What is it?” she asked.
Then Yahyah’s wife, Mariam, joined them as well.
Finally—
Aonat walked in.
She paused at the doorway.
Something about the room felt different.
Serious.
Important.
Her mother smiled gently.
“Come sit, my daughter.”
Aonat sat beside her, glancing nervously between the faces around her.
Her father cleared his throat.
“There is something we want to discuss.”
Her heart began beating faster.
“A proposal has come.”
The words alone made her chest tighten.
“For you.”
Aonat blinked.
“Who?”
Her father answered calmly.
“Zaydan.”
The room went quiet.
The name echoed inside her mind.
Zaydan.
She knew exactly who he was.
Everyone did.
He had a reputation that followed him everywhere.
Reserved.
Disciplined.
Serious.
A man who rarely smiled and never tolerated foolishness.
Her father continued speaking.
“He is a respectable man, Aonat. Responsible. Mature.”
Yahyah nodded.
“He would take good care of you.”
Mariam smiled softly.
“And he is known for his strong character.”
But Aonat barely heard the rest.
Her thoughts were racing.
Marriage.
To Zaydan?
Her mother spoke gently.
“We are not forcing you, my daughter. We want to hear your thoughts too.”
Aonat swallowed.
“I… I need time.”
Her father nodded immediately.
“Take your time.”
She stood slowly and left the room.
The moment she reached her bedroom and closed the door behind her, the tears came.
Not loud crying.
Just quiet tears sliding down her cheeks.
She sat on the edge of her bed.
Zaydan.
Out of all the men in the world… why him?
He was the exact opposite of her.
He was strict.
Disciplined.
Grounded.
The type of man who expected structure and order in everything.
Could she really live with someone like that?
Would he try to control her?
Would she lose the freedom she valued so much?
Her chest tightened.
Slowly, she raised her hands in prayer.
Her voice trembled.
“Ya Allah…”
Tears slipped down her cheeks.
“You know what is in my heart.”
She closed her eyes.
“If this is good for me… guide me toward it.”
Her breathing shook slightly.
“And if it is not… please protect me from making the wrong choice.”
She lowered her hands slowly.
The room felt heavy with silence.
Across the city, Zaydan sat quietly in his room.
Waiting.
Not knowing that at that very moment, Aonat was crying and asking Allah for guidance.
Their futures were slowly moving toward each other.
But neither of them knew what the other truly felt.
And the decision that would change both their lives…
Had only just begun.
- Writer
