The following morning, Maryam woke before her alarm.

For a few moments, she lay quietly, staring at the ceiling.

Then she remembered.

The letter.

She sat up immediately.

Adam.

She covered her face with her hands.

“Ya Allah…”

She wasn't embarrassed exactly.

She was simply confused.

How could someone she had barely known suddenly become part of a conversation about her future?

She got ready for the day and went downstairs.

Her mother was already in the kitchen.

“Good morning, Ummi.”

“Good morning, my daughter.”

Maryam sat down.

Her mother placed breakfast in front of her.

For a while, neither spoke.

Then her mother said, “They would like to visit this weekend.”

Maryam's spoon stopped halfway to her mouth.

“They?”

“Adam's family.”

“Oh.”

Her mother smiled.

“You don't have to be nervous.”

“I’m not nervous.”

“You're holding your spoon like it's going to attack you.”

Maryam looked down.

She was.

She quickly placed it on the plate.

Her mother laughed.

Maryam couldn't help smiling too.

“I'm just… not sure what to expect.”

“Neither is anyone else.”

That answer made Maryam feel slightly better.

---

Saturday arrived sooner than she expected.

The house was busy from early morning.

Hafsa moved around excitedly, helping their mother prepare food and arranging the sitting room.

Maryam, meanwhile, sat quietly in her room.

She had changed her outfit three times before finally choosing something simple and comfortable.

She looked at herself in the mirror.

Her veil was neatly arranged.

She took a deep breath.

“This is just a conversation,” she reminded herself.

Nothing had been decided.

Nothing was promised.

It was simply two families meeting.

Still, her heart wouldn't listen.

When the sound of a car stopping outside reached her, she froze.

Hafsa rushed into the room.

“They're here!”

Maryam stared at her.

“You're enjoying this too much.”

“Maybe.”

“Hafsa!”

“I'm going.”

She disappeared, laughing.

Maryam closed her eyes for a moment.

Then she heard her mother calling.

She slowly walked downstairs.

Adam's family had arrived.

His mother greeted her warmly.

“So this is Maryam.”

Maryam smiled politely.

“Assalamu alaikum.”

“Wa alaikumussalam, my dear.”

She was introduced to the rest of the family before everyone settled into the sitting room.

Adam wasn't there.

Maryam noticed.

She wasn't sure whether she felt relieved or disappointed.

The conversation began with ordinary things.

Families.

School.

Work.

Life.

Nothing serious at first.

Then Adam's mother spoke gently.

“We've heard many good things about your daughter.”

Maryam's mother smiled.

“And we've heard good things about your son.”

Hafsa, sitting nearby, gave Maryam a quick look.

Maryam ignored her.

After some time, the adults began discussing the reason for the visit.

Maryam listened quietly.

Then her mother turned toward her.

“My daughter, you don't have to answer anything now. But if you have questions, you can ask.”

Maryam nodded.

She had one question.

“Does Adam know about this?”

Adam's mother smiled.

“Yes.”

Maryam's heart beat faster.

“He does?”

“He does.”

There was a brief silence.

Then Adam's mother added,

“And he asked that you be given time. He doesn't want you to feel pressured.”

Something about those words comforted Maryam.

She had been afraid that everyone had already decided her future for her.

But apparently, Adam had not.

The conversation continued for a while.

Eventually, Adam's mother stood.

“We should let the young people have some space to think.”

Maryam's mother nodded.

Maryam was about to leave the room when her mother gently called her back.

“There is someone who wants to speak with you.”

Maryam turned.

Her heart immediately knew who it was before her eyes confirmed it.

Adam stood near the doorway.

For a moment, neither spoke.

Then he smiled politely.

“Assalamu alaikum.”

“Wa alaikumussalam.”

They sat in separate chairs, with the door open and their families nearby.

Adam looked slightly nervous.

Maryam had never seen him like that before.

“I didn't know this would happen so soon,” he admitted.

“Neither did I.”

He smiled.

“I suppose our families had other plans.”

Maryam looked down.

“Are you okay with this?”

Adam didn't answer immediately.

Then he said,

“I wouldn't have agreed to it if I wasn't.”

Maryam looked at him.

“But I don't want you to feel like you have to say yes because our families like the idea.”

She was quiet.

Adam continued.

“I respect you, Maryam. Whatever your answer is, I want it to be your own.”

Those words meant more to her than he probably realized.

She smiled softly.

“Thank you.”

He nodded.

“And for what it's worth…”

Maryam looked up.

“I’m glad I met you before I knew about any of this.”

Her heart fluttered.

“Why?”

“Because then I got to know the person before hearing the family name.”

Maryam didn't know how to respond.

So she simply smiled.

For the first time, the silence between them didn't feel awkward.

It felt peaceful.

After a few minutes, Adam stood.

“I'll let you think.”

Maryam nodded.

“Okay.”

He walked toward the doorway, then stopped.

“Maryam?”

“Yes?”

“Don't forget your bookmark.”

She frowned.

“My bookmark?”

He smiled.

“The one that says, Trust Allah's timing.”

Then he left.

Maryam stared after him.

A quiet smile appeared beneath her veil.

Perhaps she didn't know what the future held.

Perhaps she wasn't ready to make a decision.

But one thing was becoming clear.

Sometimes Allah answers a prayer in a way you never expected.

And sometimes…

the beginning of an answer looks like a simple meeting in a library.

With love,
Aysha ❤️