EP__________1️⃣6️⃣

Mansur sat down, watching how aryan was talking calmly and gently, as if he wasn't the stubborn Aryan he knew. While thinking to himself, he said, "If I didn't know you Aryan, I'd think demons visited you from time to time." If you don't live with Aryan, you might think he's arrogant, prideful or even intimidating but living with him and getting to know him will show you a different side he's a simple, kind-hearted person, though quick-tempered and strong willed but he's also quick to calm down and respectful to adults, he's great with children and animals. People say that anyone who loves kids, brings them close, and treats them gently has a kind heart and isn't wicked. 

Aryan never holds grudges, he might flare up and say things that seem explosive but once he's vented, he'll calm down and talk things through. He's the kind of man that doesn't get tired of helping others, giving selflessly even if it means parting with his last resource.

Their childhood friendship blossomed when they were little, on a shopping trip with their parents. Aryan picked up a Spider-Man toy and Mansur's eyes lit up wanting one too. They went to check if they could find one because it seemed like the one Aryan had was the last one. Mansur's father apologized to him and told him they'd look for it at certain places.

As they turned to left, Aryan ran to Mansur who was crying and held his hand, he handed him the Spider-Man toy, laughing and helped him wipe his tears. Mansur's tears turned to laughter and said, "Will you join me in our house and let's play?" And Aryan said they should go and tell his dad first.

Mansur's mother smiled and said, "You, Mansur are the one who took his toy, so you should go meet him." Mom intervened and said, "No Hajiya, it won't be a problem if Aryan joined him too." The two moms became fast friends and exchanged numbers at the mall.

A wide smile spread across Mansur's face as he recalled the moment.

Aryan emerged from the bathroom after a quick shower, moved to the mirror, looking at Mansur through the mirror. He got dressed and turned to Mansur, putting on his link and said, "In an cewa mutum bashi da hankali kuma ya musa."

Mansur chuckled and said, "What concern you with my life? Maybe I was in love." 

He raised his eyes and gave him a stern 2-second look before shifting his gaze, shrugging dismissively. He picked up his perfume and sprayed it on, grabbed his zanna bukar and put it on.

"Masha Allah, Masha Allah," Mansur repeated, "please help someone's daughter, don't make her faint, look how beautiful you are, to ai ni sai ta dauka boyi boyin ka ne ma."

"Mtswee," Aryan hissed, "let's go please," he said as he swiftly leave the room. Mansur stood up and followed him, breaking into a jog to keep pace with Aryan's long, majestic strides. 

Even now, it was Mansur who drove, checking the address until they reached it and honked. The guard opened the gate slightly, peeked at them and then ran back to fully open it.

"Go out and talk to them," Aryan said absent-mindedly.

Mansur eyed him and said, "Ni nazo zancen ne." But when he saw Aryan adjust his sitting position not intending to get out, he opened the door and stepped out. He looked at the gateman and said, "Dan ji mana." 

The gateman came running to him, greeted him and mansur responded gently before asking, "Mai gidan fa?"

"Alhaji's inside."

"Okay, can you please let him know he has a visitor?" 

"Okay, who should I say is here?"

Before Mansur could respond, they saw Appa and Nasar emerge from the building, seemingly heading outside.

"Shikenan ma, ga alhajin nan," the gate man said, pointing at Appa. 

"Okay thank you, you can go," Mansur said, returning to their car and said, "You should step out, her father is here." But Aryan didn't budge, making mansur wonder if he'd heard him at all, so he already left the car and approached appa by the time Aryan finally opened the door and stepped out, catching up to Mansur before he reached Appa.

Mansur initiated the greeting with salam to Appa, who was about to enter his car. Appa turned, looked at them and paused before speaking. Aryan knelt down and Mansur followed suit. They began greeting Appa who responded warmly saying, " ahh please stand up, Aryan ku ne tafe?" Mansur smiled at Aryan, while Aryan shot him a stern look before they stood up together.

"How's Alhaji Sarakee?" Appa asked. 

"He's fine, he sent his regards to you," Aryan said, looking a bit shy under Appa's charismatic presence.

"Masha Allah, I accepted his regards bismillah let's go in, Nasar wait for me I'll inform your mother and come back," Appa said, taking the lead.

As he walked toward the building he added, "Alhaji Sarakee told me you were supposed to come yesterday, but when I didn't see you, I thought maybe work kept you busy." 

"Eh whl baba, it's a matter of work that's why, Since yesterday I intended to come but I was late, so I said I would leave it till today," Aryan said, like someone had a gun to his head. 

"Amma Kai dai, you don't fear Allah," Mansur whispered to him while Aryan pinched Mansur in response.

Appa had them sit in the main parlor since the guest living room wasn't cleaned, he left them and went inside, meeting Maama who was combing her hair. "Sharmila you should quickly inform Faryal that the boy, son of Alhaji Sarakee has arrived they're in the main parlor, Cox me I'm heading out now. Please tell Faryal not to embarrass or disgrace us dan Allah." 

"In Sha Allah, she won't do either Hafiz don't worry."

"Thank you Sharmila, they are waiting, you should tell her okay." He said, leaving the room.

He informed them that she was coming before departing and they followed him with a prayer for safety.

"Gskyne soyayya ruwan zuma," Mansur said, looking at Aryan, who was smiling alone.

Aryan fixed his eyes on him, still smiling.

"Kai ni stop looking at me with those hypocritical eyes of yours just tell me what you're planning, Dan na san whl baa banza ba." 

"Ayya Mansur you should wait and see, gani da ido ai ya Kori ji." 

"Look Aryan, Dan girman Allah don't do something unfair, look at her father's generosity toward us even because of him you should show restraint."

"Mansur, you've witnessed what happened, like I said, what I will do now is what will bring peace to me and save the girl too."

Beta, who came with refreshments, interrupted them, she set it on the center table, greeted them and headed inside when Mansur stopped her saying, "Come here my sister." 

Beta came back to them, her small finger on her mouth, looking at them uncomfortably, Mansur asked, "What's your name?" 

"Beta," she replied. 

"Beta, it's not a name, it's a nickname right?" Mansur said lightheartedly and Beta shook her head, indicating yes.

"Then what's your name?"

"Rania Hafiz!" Beta said.

"Wow, what a sweet name! Which class are you in?"

"JSS 2."

"Kaiii Beta, tell me the truth, did you really reached JSS 2 or primary 5?"

Beta slightly laughed and said, "Whl JSS 2."

Mansur put his hand in his pocket, pulled out some money and handed it over to her, saying, "Take this and buy sweets, I forgot to buy them for you."

Beta shook her head and said, "Appa prevented, and Bhan Faryal will be angry if I take it." 

"I know Appa will tell you not to take anything from strangers, but I'm your brother," Mansur said as Aryan whispered, "Like you were with them when he told them."

Without Mansur minding him, he continued, saying, "My name is Mansur and here's Aryan, your brother-in-law." He ended smiling because he knew he was indirectly provoking Aryan. Beta collected the money and thanked him, then ran inside after glancing at Aryan again. As soon as Beta got in, Aryan started talking to Mansur sounded pissed.

***             ***            ***

She was sitting, going through people's mail, with her ear fixed on AirPods, doing a conference call with Manira Shenal and her another friend, Hamsyyerh. They were talking about Faryal's upcoming furniture brand, which she was planning to establish and would assign Manira to oversees. When Maama came in, she excused herself and muted the call.

"Faryal, get up and get ready your guests are in the main living room," Maama said.

Faryal looked at her mother with an inquiring gaze before uttering, "Maama which guest again?" 

"The guest I told you would come yesterday but didn't make it, are here today," Maama replied. 

"Who are they?" 

Maama sat beside Faryal and said, "It's Aryan, son of your father's friend, Faryal please don't disgrace him even though I know it's not your habit to disgrace people, I want you to know I would be happier than anyone if I saw you get married that's the ambition of every mother."

She continued, "You know what happened with you before, we finished mourning about it and yaya Turai and your uncle bring their own tension. You know there's no way to get rid of them except you get married. Faryal help me and help yourself your father has already done his role because he made sure to investigate about him. He's such a good man he doesn't have any problems you know we won't choose someone who will cheat you. Let's stop here when you meet them and come back, we will continue discussing." Maama said as she stood up and left the room.

Her head hung low she felt like shouting wholeheartedly. At this time, she wasn't interested in any man she needed time Cox even if she tried to forget what happened, she couldn't she was still affected that's why she saw every man as a suspect. On the other hand, if she didn't accept this man, how would she do with Yaya Turai and Jabeer? With this thought, she stood up and went to her wardrobe to bring out an after-dress, wearing it over her simple wears.

She stopped in front of the mirror, picked up her oil perfume and applied it on her hand. She stopped when she saw a drop of water on her hand, which made her look up to see where the water drop came from, she felt moisture on her cheek, which made her look at the mirror to see herself in it. She realized she was crying she shook her head, wiped her tears and composed herself before going out.

She entered the living room with a salam on her mouth, through her calm voice. Mansur looked up, responded to her salam glorifying the Lord of All creatures, "Glory be to Allah," Mansur said whisperly. This made him receive a cautionary glance from Aryan, who was in confusion since he heard the voice that offered salam but found it hard to look up, let alone act like he knew a person came in.

Faryal completed her entry and sat on the sofa that was beside Aryan, her head lowered without looking at the people sitting.

"Masha Allah, you see Allah's wisdom ko, gashi ya sake hadamu in da bamuyi zato ba," Mansur said, smiling. "Hopefully, there won't be a fight today." He added

His words made the two individuals' hearts beat faster and their eyes met as they looked up simultaneously.

Aryan was the first to squeeze his eyes shut, thinking to himself, "I know I feel it this witch is still following my footsteps and now she's here as my father's choice, no it can't be possible"

Meanwhile, Faryal's heart raced as she wondered if Aryan was indeed her father's choice. She quickly dismissed the thought, thinking "No, it can't be, this cruel man will only hurt me he treated me poorly even when we had no connection, he hates me without knowing me what will happen now?" Faryal's mind was filled with uncertainty and predictions of potential outcomes. But another part of her mind countered with a glimmer of hope, "Maybe he'll change because you'll be his future wife he might treat you with kindness and affection."

Mansur smiled, praising Allah's will in his mind. "This lady, whom we've encountered several times, is now here as Aryan's future wife," he thought, looking at Aryan to gauge his reaction. Eager to see how things would unfold.

READERS THE HOUSE IS YOURS TODAY, WHAT DO YOU THINK WILL HAPPEN BETWEEN FARYAL AND ARYAN ? SHARE YOUR IDEAS IN THE COMMENTS