<p> </p><p> </p><p>—</p><p>"My Yaya, why did you turn off your phone for two days? I couldn’t find you," her father’s younger brother began in a consoling tone.</p><p>"I'm sorry, my cutie Babe. I didn’t know you would be this worried. I did this to surprise you, that’s why," he explained.</p><p>She let go of him, pouting. "Uhm, My Yaya, I’m angry with you because you did this on purpose," she said, still pouting as she sat on the couch, acting like she had been wronged.</p><p>He smiled, knowing he had upset his little troublemaker. He leaned in as if whispering and said, “Sorry, my cutie. I won’t do it again. You know I came back just to see you. Please forgive me, okay, little sis?”</p><p>She pushed her lips out again and said, “I won’t forgive you.”</p><p>Pretending to be sad, he said, “Then should I go back?”</p><p>She turned to him with a sulking face and said, "I missed you, and now you’re saying you’ll leave?" She glared at him playfully.</p><p>He cupped her cheeks and said, “I missed you too; that’s why I came back. I was just joking so you’d forgive me.”</p><p>“Okay, I’ve forgiven you, but don’t do it again.”</p><p>He flashed his expensive smile and said, “Insha Allah, I won’t. Now, smile for me. You know you look prettier when you smile.”</p><p>She laughed, covering her face, then rested her head on his shoulder. He finally sighed and said, “I hope you're doing well?”</p><p>She nodded and replied, “Alhamdulillah, except for missing you. But now that you’re back, I’m fine. I hope you had a safe trip?”</p><p>Smiling, he said, "I came back safely, but I was sick from missing you. Now I’m cured." He stroked her hair and added, “You’ve grown so much, cutie. What’s the secret? Or is Inna feeding you something special?”</p><p>She giggled, covering her face. “No, Yaya, you’re the one who has grown!”</p><p>Inna suddenly exclaimed, “Ah! The troublemaker is back! Now, I’ll have to deal with all the hugging and clinging in this house!”</p><p>They all burst into laughter, except for Arman, who just smiled. He said, “Come on, old lady, you didn’t even welcome your groom before you started complaining.”</p><p>She scoffed. “Who bought you at the market? You didn’t even greet me when you came in. Instead, you ran to your spoiled little princess.”</p><p>He smirked, watching Aira glare at Inna. “Forgive me, Queen Mother. How could I forget my wife’s mother? May you live long like a date palm tree!”</p><p>Inna immediately softened. “Welcome back, Mujahid. How was your trip to the land of the white people?”</p><p>“It was fine, Inna. I hope you all are doing well?”</p><p>Ammah and Haidar greeted him briefly, uninterested, as they knew he only truly opened up around Aira.</p><p>Aira grabbed his hand and said, “Yaya, forget Inna. She just loves causing trouble. Come, let’s go outside so I can tell you everything that happened while you were away.”</p><p>She pulled him outside, ignoring Inna’s grumbling. They spent a long time talking and laughing until Maghrib prayer. His mother had to call him to remind him not to stay out too late.</p><p>He looked at Aira and said, “Baby, I have to go. Mummy is calling me.”</p><p>She pouted, “But I’m not tired of seeing you yet.”</p><p>He struggled to console her before leaving, promising to return the next day to take her out for ice cream and bring her a gift.</p><p>That night, both of them slept happily.</p><p>The next day, Aira returned from school just as it was time for Tahfeez. She feigned sickness, claiming she wasn’t feeling well, just so she wouldn’t miss Yaya Arman’s visit.</p><p>Around 5 PM, he arrived. He looked incredibly handsome in a grey shirt and black jeans, while she wore a long, elegant gown with a scarf tied neatly, showing off her long hair. She looked stunning.</p><p>Arman couldn’t stop staring at her beauty.</p><p>She stood in front of his car and said, “Yaya, I’m ready. Let’s go.”</p><p>Frowning, he said, “You’re going out like this? With your hair exposed and that flimsy scarf? Go wear a hijab.”</p><p>Pouting, she pleaded, “Please, Yaya, let me go like this. I already covered my hair, and I’ll wear my scarf properly when we arrive. Please?”</p><p>“If you insist on going like this, then we’re not going. You don’t even care about yourself.”</p><p>She quickly wrapped the scarf properly and said, “Okay, Yaya, I covered my hair. Please don’t say anything else.”</p><p>Unhappy but giving in, he drove them to several fun places. She was overjoyed—it had been two months since she felt this happy, ever since he left for London.</p><p> </p><p> </p>
