Hawwa loved his voice. 

"...Hello. It's me Hawwa." Qibriyah raised his one eyebrow as he heard Hawwa from his mobile which was held up beside his ear. He was sitting on a chair by the reading table in his room. His laptop was turned on with a movie paused. Behind the table, there was a window partially hidden by curtains. 

"Oh." 

"This is my number. Did Dadima share it with you?" 

"No." Qibriyah and Khadija told at once. Hawwa looked over her shoulder to see Khadija sitting at the side of the bed behind her. Wanting privacy Hawwa quickly headed towards the entrance of the room.

"What are you doing?" Hawwa lowered her voice. Having left the room, she was walking towards the living room with quick steps. 

"I was watching a movie." 

"What movie?" Not switching on the lights Hawwa sat down on the double sofa. 

"The Godfather Part 1."

"I haven't watched it." 

Silence befell with the two of them not finding anything more to say. 

"I will be hanging up." Qibriyah finally broke the silence. 

"Wait! I have a question." Hawwa raised her voice. Next moment she quickly looked to her right in panic. She didn't want anyone invading her privacy. Especially for what she was about to say. She whispered, covering her mouth. "I have never committed zina and other haram...sexual acts with a man as I want to be chaste and modest." Hawwa pressed her eyes closed as she blushed. Qibriyah detected discomfort in her voice. "It's not only because these acts are haram in Islam but also because of my personal beliefs. For me, doing these actions before marriage is an act of disrespect to one's marriage and spouse. These actions are precious and must be done with the deserving person who is the spouse. So have you ever committed zina and and other haram...sexual acts with a woman?" Hawwa swallowed, her hand dropping from her mouth. 

"No." Qibriyah replied pleased at Hawwa's thinking. Only if he was nine years younger than he was now. "I believe in sex the same way you do." He added confidently. Hawwa grinned falling back on the sofa, her heart fluttering.  

"I couldn't marry someone who didn't share the similar past and mindset in case of..." Hawwa again whispered covering her mouth. "...zina and other haram...sexual acts." 

"I also wouldn't marry someone for the same reasons." 

"But I don't look down upon those who don't." Hawwa shook her head.

"Me neither."  

"...Bye." Her hand  dropped from her mouth and her voice went back to normal. Her lips were arching down. If she could she would speak to him more. 

"Hmm. Bye." 

After the call was cut, Qibriyah saved Hawwa's number. In case of Hawwa, she was staring at his number in the call log dreamily when she suddenly groaned. 

Can you come tomorrow at afternoon?

She quickly messaged him on whatsapp. Frowning she stared at the mobile screen waiting for his reply. A few second went by, when the notification of him typing popped up making her heart calm down. 

Yes. At what time?

Hawwa went towards her room.

"Dadima." She called out at the doorway. Khadija looked up from her mobile. She was leaning on the bedstand with her legs stretched forward on the side she usually slept. "At what time during afternoon should Qibriyah bhaiya come tomorrow?"

"I will speak to Ruponti about this. Tell him I will inform him myself later." 

Hawwa went back to her mobile. 

"I messaged him that you will inform him later." Hawwa was walking towards her side of the bed when Khadija got on the phone. 

"Hello Ruponti, have you gone to sleep yet?" 

"Ask Chachi if bhaiya can come at 3:30 in the afternoon."

"Will it be alright for Qibriyah to visit at 3:30 in the afternoon? Qibriyah and Hawwa have agreed to court each other" Hawwa then heard indisnct voice of Ruponti as Khadija went silent.  "Qibriyah proposed to court Hawwa today. He wanted to make me happy." Then again came Ruponti's unclear voice. Khadija smiled. "Alright." Then she hung up.

"He can come, right?" Hawwa's eyes narrowed. Khadija nodded. Beaming, Hawwa's fingers worked on her mobile asking him if he can come at the aforementioned time. Throwing the mobile on the bed she went to the washroom. While she was brushing her teeth her heart was impatiently waiting for Qibriyah's response. Finishing, she rushed out to pick up her phone. As she tapped on the screen their conversation came on display. 

Yes.

"He can come!" Hawwa's eyes glowed with excitement while staring at his reply.  

***

Covers made by smwritesalot  for this books. Thank you so much!

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