Chapter Six: The Letter

It was cream-colored, neatly sealed, and addressed to her mother.

At first, Maryam didn't think much of it.

She walked past it, poured herself a glass of water, and joined her mother in the kitchen.

“Ummi, did someone come earlier?”

Her mother looked up.

“Yes. A woman brought a letter.”

Maryam glanced toward the table.

“Who is it from?”

Her mother wiped her hands and walked over to pick up the envelope.

“I haven't opened it yet.”

She turned it over.

Then she stopped.

Her expression changed.

Maryam noticed immediately.

“What is it?”

Her mother looked at her.

“Do you know a family called the Alhajis?”

Maryam's heart skipped.

The name sounded familiar.

She shook her head.

“No.”

Her mother opened the envelope.

Maryam tried not to stare.

She failed.

Her mother's eyes moved across the page.

Then she looked at Maryam again.

“This is a marriage proposal.”

Maryam froze.

“A what?”

Her mother smiled gently.

“A proposal.”

Maryam felt her face grow warm.

“From who?”

Her mother didn't answer immediately.

Instead, she handed her the letter.

Maryam hesitated before taking it.

Her eyes moved across the page.

And then she saw the name.

Adam Alhaji.

For several seconds, she couldn't breathe properly.

It was him.

The boy from the library.

The quiet young man who had told her about his father.

The person she had been trying so hard not to think about.

She looked up at her mother.

“Ummi…”

“I know.”

“But how?”

Her mother sat down.

“Apparently, his mother knows your aunt. They asked about our family some time ago.”

Maryam stared at the letter.

“Some time ago?”

“Yes.”

“Before I met him?”

Her mother nodded.

Maryam's thoughts raced.

So their meeting at the library hadn't been the first connection between their families.

There had been something happening quietly in the background.

Something she knew nothing about.

“Did Adam know?”

Her mother considered the question.

“I don't know.”

Maryam lowered the letter.

For some reason, she suddenly felt overwhelmed.

She had spent days telling herself that she wasn't interested in Adam.

Now his name was sitting in her hands, written in a letter that could change everything.

Her mother reached for her hand.

“You don't have to decide anything today.”

Maryam looked at her.

“Really?”

“Of course. Marriage is not something to rush.”

Maryam nodded.

Her mother continued softly.

“If you are uncomfortable, say so. If you want to know more, we can ask questions. Your feelings matter.”

Maryam felt relieved.

“Thank you, Ummi.”

That evening, Maryam went to her room and sat beside the window.

The city outside was beginning to quiet down.

She opened her notebook.

For a long time, she didn't write anything.

Then she finally wrote:

I asked Allah to protect my heart.

She paused.

Maybe protection doesn't always mean keeping someone away.

Her pen stopped.

She wasn't sure what to write next.

So she closed the notebook.

Meanwhile, across the city, Adam was sitting in the living room with his mother.

She had just told him.

“You know the family?”

Adam looked confused.

“What family?”

His mother mentioned Maryam's family.

He went completely silent.

“Maryam?”

His mother nodded.

“The girl from the university?”

Adam stared at her.

“You know her?”

His mother smiled.

“I know of her family. Why?”

Adam looked away.

“Nothing.”

His mother studied him.

“Adam.”

He sighed.

“I've met her.”

His mother's smile widened.

“Where?”

“At the library.”

“And?”

“And nothing.”

She raised an eyebrow.

Adam laughed softly.

“Ammi, please.”

She smiled.

“I didn't say anything.”

Adam leaned back.

For the first time, he wondered whether their meetings had been coincidence after all.

Maybe the book.

Maybe the rain.

Maybe the conversations.

Maybe all those little moments had been leading somewhere.

But he knew better than to assume.

If this was something meant for him, it would unfold in the right way.

That night, Maryam prayed for clarity.

Adam prayed for guidance.

Neither knew what the other was asking Allah for.

But both understood one thing:

Their story had reached a turning point.

And soon, they would have to decide whether to take the next step…

or let their paths separate.

With love,

Aysha ❤️