Chapter 61

Daddy nodded his head as he had understood what muhsin said. "You have no idea how happy I am about this. In fact, I will go meet him face to face as soon as I am done with work today. May Allah bless you all. You have my full permission and support for this." Muhsin heaved a sigh of relief before started thanking him. He never knew it would be easy when he was married to his daughter. But daddy was different, he was one of a kind and he would forever be grateful to have him as his father in law. He left the office after a short while and went to Yusuf's house. He had to tell his cousin about it first before he told anyone. He knew daddy would do him the favour of telling his parents about the news. He wouldn't make the mistake of going to inform his father, knowing there was no way his father would agree for him to do that to Amira, not when her father is his closest friend. Yusuf gave him a questioning look as they settled down in living room. "What?" Muhsin asked him beaming from ear to ear. "You look so happy this early morning. What's the secret? Or are you going to be a father?" He asked him. Muhsin threw his head back laughing. He had long removed that thought about amira having their baby. "I wish... but this too is a good news but guess," he spoke, excitedly. "You're making me feel weird, just tell me already." Muhsin chuckled before he adjusted his sitting position to face Yusuf on the three seater they were seated on. "I was from daddy's office just now," he started. "What took you there?" Yusuf asked, for an unnecessary reason, his heart skipped beats. What took him there? If it was business matter he wouldn't be that excited. He stared at muhsin, eager to hear what he has to say. "I asked Dalia's hand in marriage and he agreed. He is going to...." Then Yusuf didn't hear his next statement. He felt a throbbing pain in his chest as he tried to keep his cool. The girl he had been chasing just one time his cousin was now trying to take her away? He had taken her away if daddy had agreed to it, then muhsin has taken her away from him. Why didn't she tell him there was something between her and muhsin? She accepted a married man over him? That was being selfish, he thought to himself. "Yusuf? Yusuf? What is wrong? I was telling you about the good news but you seem off." "You asked daddy for dalia's hand in marriage? Why? When you already have a wife?" His words were a demanding and an accusation. Muhsin chuckled out of confusion. "What... what do you mean, Yusuf? I came here thinking you'd support me and be happy for me like I am. Don't you want me to be happy in my life? You know my marriage with Amira is a mess and this girl is my only chance of my happiness." Yusuf let a long sigh as he rubbed his temple. Maybe he had gone too far. And he had no right to be angry with his cousin since he didn't even think of making that kind of move when the girl doesn't even like him. "You're right, you deserve the happiness in the world and I am very happy for you. May Allah choose what's khair for us. Congratulations brother." Yusuf felt a knot tied in his throat. It hurts, it really did. He had lost her. How did he let her to slip away that easily? He consoled himself and took deep breaths before he smiled. Muhsin left hours later and he found himself calling Dalia. He had to ask why she chose Muhsin over him. After several trails, she finally picked up. "Salamu alaikum, good afternoon." He heard her voice. "Wa'alaikumus Salam, how have you been, Dalia?" He asked her even though deep down he wanted to vent his anger out. "I have been okay, Alhamdulillah." "Why didn't you tell me you were in a relationship with my cousin, muhsin?" She heard him say before she had the chance to close her mouth. She was mute for a minute. Then she chuckled, he must be joking, she thought. "Relationship? Why would I be in a relationship with a married man?" She answered his question with another question instead. "Be honest with me here, Dalia. Are you or are you not in a relationship with Muhsin?" He asked her again. "Why do you suddenly think that I am in a relationship with him? Nothing is between us. He sometimes come to pick me up in school when daddy's driver is not around and that's all." He palmed his face and sighed. What was going on? Muhsin went ahead and asked for her hand in marriage without talking to her about it or was she lying to him? But, why would she lie, to avoid getting him hurt? He ended the call instead. What was he going to tell her next? He had nothing to say. He was abashed and hurt. Just a little more effort he would've gotten the girl but his brother overtook him. He blamed nobody but himself. If he had made the move muhsin had done, he would be the one rejoicing and praising Allah for fulfilling one of his wishes. Allah knows he wanted to cry out his heart. He knew what he had seen in that girl. He knew how she'd make a perfect wife, a perfect mother if he was the one to marry but he had played with his one chance and now he had lost her, for good.