Salim's POV

After speaking to the agent we were waiting for Feroz and Reshma, so that we can leave. Ten minutes back they sent a message that they will return in few minutes. There was a small bench in the corridor and we sat in that. Kayal shuffled her bag and brought out a container with dates. She took one and then offered it to me. Even though I have shared dates a few times with her in the past, now I was a little hesitant thinking whether it is Halaal or not. I know we are supposed to share food in the same plate after marriage only. How about snacks? When in doubt, it is better to stay away. Since Allah(SWT) has showered his mercy on me, I wanted to stay Halaal as much as possible. I said, "No thanks."

"Any problem Salim? You love dates?"

"Well, we have shared dates in the past. But, now I want to stay Halaal till our marriage. It is not permissible to share food from the same plate before marriage. I am not sure about snacks. So, I think it is better to stay away."

As soon as I finished saying the sentence, she had a coughing fit. I took her bag and gave her the water bottle. When she was a little steady, I asked her, "What happened?"

"Ummmmm, I don't know how to say this."

"Tell me, do you think these Halaal rules are weird?"

Before I could go on, she stopped me, "No, I was not thinking about Halaal rules. It is just that in our office we have the habit of sharing our snacks a lot. Everybody shares snacks like cup cakes, biscuits, fruits, toffees everything. Since this morning, at least fifteen people might have had dates from this container, men included."

I bent down my head and laughed at that. Ya Allah. If this container is not exclusively used by her, then I suppose I can have some. Now I took the container and got the dates from it. She tried very hard to stop smiling. She then said, "Salim, I am very sorry that I pushed our marriage by three months. I never thought keeping our relationship Halaal will be this difficult."

"How about tomorrow morning?"

"For what?"

"For our Nikkah. We can sign the Nikkah papers tomorrow morning. From here, I can directly go to Trichy and make arrangements for our Nikkah. Along with your family members you can start from your home around 4 a.m. You can reach our home by 8 a.m and by 9 a.m we can be married. We can have the wedding reception of both our customs and wedding of your custom on the fixed date."

She smiled and said, "I know where you are getting at. You are thinking of Halaal Dating."

"No, as soon as we sign the Nikkah Papers we are Husband and Wife before Allah(SWT)."

"But my parents will not let us stay together till we are married in our custom. In that case, it will be even more difficult. Imagine you are married and you still can't live with your partner."

Ya Allah. "That will be terrible."

She leaned on the side handle of the seat and said, "I know Salim. I know. So, enough of grumbling now. We should make best use of this time. It is said that this time between engagement and marriage is a golden period in life. We can never get this time again in our lives."

I thought of teasing her a little. "Actually, it is possible for me. In Islam we are allowed to marry four women."

She stared at me for a second and said, "Over my dead body. I know, in Islam you can marry four women only if you can treat them equally. You can't love any other woman the way you love me. So it is Haraam."

I almost expected her to threaten me that she would make me useless for other women, because I am very well aware about her sterilization skills. I also thought that she would be jealous, angry and warn me with a lawsuit because our marriage will be registered under Special Marriages Act and a second marriage is not valid in the eyes of law till the partners are married and both of them are alive. But, I was happy that she had so much trust in my love for her. I grinned and said, "You are right. I can't love anybody else the way I love you. So yeah, only one marriage for me." I said the last sentence in a little sad tone.

She then said in her teasing tone, "You know Paanchali?"

"She is a character in Mahabharatham (It is a Hindu Epic)???"

"She had five husbands at the same time. Do you think it will be fun to have five husbands at the same time?"

I deserved it for teasing her. But, I got irritated a little. "No. It will not be fun. And you don't even think about it."

"I was not thinking of having five husbands. I was just asking your opinion on Polyandry (When a woman is married to more than one man at a time). As far as I am concerned, one husband is enough for a life time. If it's true that we have seven lives, I will be happy to have my fiancé as my husband for seven lives as well. Do you know my fiancé Salim Ali? He is a really awesome person. He is very sweet and caring. I can't hurt him you know. So, only one marriage for me as well." She finished the last sentence just the way I finished, in a little sad tone.

I laughed at that. I find it really cute when she talks to me about myself, as if I am not Salim but somebody else. She will be the death of me. "Kayal"

"Sollunga (Tell me)"

I liked her nga. "This is like a first date after our engagement. I wish to gift you something for today. But, every time I think of buying something for you, I think that you may not like it, ummmm like you are not a flowers and chocolate woman. Other than that I always end up getting things which I like for you. I know you love books. But you already have around five hundred of them. So my gift will not be unique. So please tell me your choice in things."

She smiled and said, "Take your mobile out."

I took my mobile thinking she will ask me to order something online. She continued, "Create a playlist for me of your favorite songs. Songs which will remind me of you, songs which I can hear before going to sleep. And then share it with me."

Wow so cheesy. I grinned at her, "Most of my collection is of A.R.Rahman Sir. Will you prefer it over Raja Sir?"

"I am a fan of good music, mostly melody and good lyrics."

I then immediately created a playlist in my mobile and named it 'Just for you'. When I was adding nice melodious romantic songs in that collection, I turned towards her, "Can you create a playlist for me?"

She smiled and asked me, "Will you prefer Raja Sir over A.R.Rahman Sir?"

I couldn't speak to her by looking at her eyes. So I looked at my mobile and said, "I have started to appreciate other music directors as well. I have been listening to that 'Yamunai Aatrile' song daily."

"That's so sweet." With that she took her mobile out with lots of excitement.

After few minutes, when I was done, I shared it with her. She also shared her playlist with me. She had named the playlist, 'Thinking about you'. Kayal can be romantic when she wants to. It had a lot of lovely romantic songs. It had my favorite 'Lesa Lesa' song. Wow. When I was happily going through each and every song, she asked me, "Salim, your list is awesome. Now tell me, were you sure that I will accept your marriage proposal?"

I kept my mobile back in my pocket and said, "First thank you for the amazing idea of sharing playlists and I like your playlist and the name you have given it. Regarding the marriage proposal I knew you would be a little afraid and you may hesitate. But for sure I knew you would accept my proposal."

She mocked me, "Over confidence????????"

"Over confidence not on me, but on you. I knew you had feelings for me since a long time."

"What?????"

"Yeah, I have solid proof for that."

"What proof?"

"Do you remember sometimes we used to communicate through my diary?"

"Yeah, when I am over phone, we end up conversing in your diary. And the last time, when we were in flight, we were writing in that diary."

I nodded her head and said, "After our marriage, I will give that diary to you. When you read those conversations again you will understand the love you had for me."

She said, "Really???"

"Really, especially that time when our results were out and you were talking with Maama on the phone."

"I will definitely read that."

"Sure. And then," I smirked and said, "I have seen you talking to a lot of men. But only when you see me, your eyes brighten up. It happens every time."

She lost her speech for a second and said, "I.. I... I am not aware about that."

I laughed and said, "Of course, you can't see your own eyes. May be after marriage I will take a picture of it."

She grinned a little, brought her knees to her chin and said, "What else?"

"I am the only man in your life with whom you are comfortable sharing everything. Even personal stuff. Not even Feroz, Prince or Anbu had shared that space with you."

She nodded her head, "I agree with this."

I chuckled and said, "I am the man for whom you care the most. I know generally you are a very caring person. But you are extremely over protective about me."

She gave me a very cute shy smile, Masha Allah, "Yes, I am."

I was happy to get this reaction from her. "And then everybody around you told me that you liked me a lot. Including your parents."

"My parents???"

"Yeah, on the very first day I met your Amma, she told me that you liked me and you will eventually fall in love with me. And, when I called in to inform them that we will be coming with a marriage proposal she told me that you are missing me a lot and singing 'Po nee Po' song all the time."

When I finished the sentence with a grin, she was stunned and asked me, "Did Amma tell you that?"

"Yes."

She said in a grumpy voice, "I was singing that song because it had a nice tune."

I smirked and said, "For one whole week, all the time??? As a matter of fact, Athai (Aunty, Mother in law is also called as Athai) had even recorded your singing once and sent me in WhatsApp when we fixed the date for our visit. You were singing in a more emotional tune than Mohith and Anirudh."

She covered her face with her hands. "Ammaaaaaaaaaa."

Ya Allah. Is she pissed off? "I was really happy that you missed me, just like how I missed you. I was just feeling bad that I couldn't come earlier after listening to that song. But, I came with a proposal as soon as possible. Please don't be mad at Athai."

She now looked towards me, "Why couldn't you come earlier?"

"I didn't want to come earlier because I wanted to approach your parents with a job. I came to your home two days after I got my appointment order. I had my part time work, but I wanted to approach your parents with a proper job."

Now she asked me in a very playful tone, "Salim, is that the only reason? Or you were waiting for something to you know ummmm...?"

She was very clearly looking at my moustache now. Evil woman, taunting me like this even though she very well knew that I grew my moustache just for her. I stopped her mid sentence and diverted the topic, "As with your feelings, your cousins also knew about it and we talked a lot during that night of your cousin's wedding."

She smirked and said, "Kazhuvura meenla nazhuvura meen (The fish which escapes your hand while washing). Dhileepan told me about the discussions they had with you on the day of our engagement. As with my cousins they are a little pissed off with us for breaking the latest trend in our families."

Even though she teased me, I was happy that she also changed the topic. "What trend?"

"In our families, the latest trend is to cut the cake for every occasion. Engagement, Marriage everything. Since I asked them not to buy cake, they were pissed off."

"Big deal. We could have cut it."

She stared at me for a second and said, "Salim, after cutting the cake, you should have fed me the cake and vice versa."

"Astaghfirullah."

"I thought you would say just this. So, I asked them not to buy cake for our engagement. They tried to convince me that we can feed each other with spoons. But, I was stubborn. So, all of them have decided to buy a big cake for our wedding."

Alhamdulillah. "Thank you for stopping them from buying a cake for our engagement. I will be very happy to cut the cake after our wedding."

"Oh yeahhhhhhhh."

I wish I could twist her ears for mocking me. "Call Feroz now. It's getting late."

She laughed and took her mobile. Just then we heard a voice, "Hai Kayal". It was not Feroz and Reshma, some other guy was walking towards us.

Kayal looked up at him and said, "Hai Ahmed."

Ahmed, the name sounded familiar. Yeah, got it. When he came towards us she introduced me to him, "Ahmed, this is Salim Ali, my fiancé." It is really nice when she introduces me as her fiancé. She turned towards me and said, "Salim, this is Ahmed. He is..."

Before she could finish I said, "Your blood buddy."

She smiled, "You remember?"

I smiled and turned towards Ahmed, "Assalamualaikum".

He smiled and said, "Walaikkum Salam. Nice to know that Kayal is engaged to you. Anbu had told me a lot about you."

I smiled and said, "Jazakallah Khair for donating blood to Kayal." I couldn't stop myself from hugging him.

He too gave me a proper hug and told me, "Wa iyak. Do you live here?"

"Not yet, we just came in to see a property with two of Kayal's friends as chaperones. They have gone inside that house to meet their cousin sister. But haven't come out yet."

"If you mean that house, then it must be Nisha."

"Yeah."

"They can't come out for another two hours at least. She has a problem with closing her mouth."

Kayal asked him, "You know Nisha?"

"Of course, she is my Aunty's neighbor. Sometimes she comes to my Aunty's place, speaks for hours together, gets tired and sleeps on her couch."

Both of us laughed at that. Kayal also complaints about jaw pain after talking too much, but she isn't like Nisha, forcing people to listen to her. Now Ahmed asked Kayal, "By any chance are you planning to revert?"

She replied, "No. I will not convert and the best thing is I was not asked to in the first place."

Ahmed turned towards me and said, "That is really nice of your family Ali Bhai." We then talked for few more minutes and exchanged our numbers.

When he left saying, he is getting late, I turned towards Kayal. She was smiling at me. I asked her "What?"

"I really admire your brotherhood. It takes less than two minutes for you to become a Muslim's friend."

I smiled, "He seems to be a great guy and I think we are never conscious about this sort of bonding between Muslims. But, Alhamdulillah it just happens."

Just then Feroz came running towards us, "Sorry for the delay. But, I hope you guys had a nice time."

Reshma was also walking towards us. I said, "No problem. Thanks for being our chaperones. After my marriage with Kayal, if Reshma sister prefers we will be happy to be her chaperones when she wants to meet Yasar Bhai and same goes to you as well Feroz."

She cleared her throat and said, "Jazakallah Khair for the offer, but we are thinking of getting married just one week after you. Insha Allah."

Feroz was looking at his sister with an amused look. I replied, "Wa iyak, then I have to say that the offer is valid only for Feroz".

He laughed, "When my time comes, I will definitely remember you guys."

We then parted with "Allah Hafiz".

When we were in the parking lot Kayal was looking at me with a smile in her face. I said, "Bye ma. Take care. Drive safely."

She nodded her head happily. "Bye Salim. Pathrama poitu vaanga (Be safe)."

******************

After that day, I was missing Kayal very badly. In the night, I regularly listened to her playlist. That is the beauty of listening to music. When we see a song we look at the hero and heroine. But when we listen to them, our imagination can run like wild horses. I didn't imagine myself to be a hero but I valued the thought behind Kayal's gesture. Most of the lyrics were amazing.

Out of the blue, we suddenly got a mail from our college about our exam time table. Kayal was our personal tutor. After a lot of discussion we decided on the topics where we needed her help. She then gave us a schedule where she would come on Skype on every alternate day for two weeks. I was happy to see her through Skype at least.

So one morning after returning from my Fajr prayers in the mosque, all of us in our group had a skype chat. Umar couldn't sleep next to me. So he also sat up and started listening to her class. Kayal couldn't see him. She was explaining about Foreign Policies. Something came up when Harneet said, "I will be very happy if we can score good marks in this semester as well."

Kayal said, "Harneet, marks isn't that important. Why we are studying this is more important."

Harneet still maintained, "We are studying for the sake of marks only."

She said, "Harneet, you have spent fourteen years in school and three plus years in college. Do you think whatever you studied in all these years is of no use to you other than your mark sheet?"

"I will get a good job if I get good marks."

"Possible, but is that the only goal of your education?"

He still replied, "Yes. I don't see any other purpose for my degree."

Kayal said, "Guys, let's have a break. Let's get back to the basics first. Whatever we are studying are not only important for marks, it also important for our lives. The basic purpose of education is to broaden our outlook. Knowledge is wealth. We have accumulated wealth for the past so many years. What is the use of wealth if we don't know what to do with it? Can I ask a very basic question? Any one of you tell me, why did we study Calculus in our School days?"

Calculus was a very difficult subject. I never thought it could be used in daily lives. But I remember what Vappa once told me, "I think it is used in autopsy, to calculate the time of death of a corpse. And then of course to calculate Birth Rate and Death Rate."

She said, "Yes great."

John was saying something about Coffee Machines. Umar gave me a piece of paper in which he had written Application of Calculus while driving. I then said, "It is used while driving, when we are in a dilemma to overtake the other vehicle or not. That is when we work on a calculus in our mind. It is also used in Cruise control in cars."

She replied, "Yes. The simplest appliance which uses Calculus is right behind you Salim."

I turned behind and thought that she was referring to Air Conditioner. "Are you talking about Air Conditioner?"

"Yeah, the timing system, PID (Proportional Integral Derivative Controller), to be more specific uses Calculus. If we can understand that we can make our Air Conditioner work in a more energy efficient way and may be reduce our Electricity Bills."

John and Harneet got very enthusiastic and started talking about few more topics like Trignometry, Geography, History, Biology etc. She had answers for everything.

After few more minutes of discussion she said, "So, Harneet moral of the story is simple, the purpose of reading Foreign Policies is in future when you are a diplomat, you should fight for the rights of Indian Nationals. Fishermen from Tamil Nadu are arrested frequently by Sri Lankan Navy, Fishermen from Gujarat are arrested in Pakistan. There are NRIs living as laborers in inhuman conditions in Middle East. There are racists who hurt people in our own country and claim Diplomatic Immunity. So, you have to be aware of all these policies to raise your voice for them. Sometimes big powerful nations stomp over us and lay unreasonable conditions in Treaties. So you should be able to make a valid case for our Country. Even if you are not going to be a Diplomat in the future, you can use this knowledge to access the foreign policies of various political parties and then vote for them."

He replied, "Great. I got it."

Harneet is preparing for IFS(Indian Foreign Service). After that we studied for one more hour. All of us had asked her doubts and she cleared everything. At last when I switched off the laptop, Umar said, "You have a great group of friends Anna. I wish I had a group like this and Anni is also a great teacher."

I smiled and said, "Yeah, last semester both of us scored the same percentage. Half the credit for our marks goes to Kayal. She is an amazing teacher. I am sure our kids will be very intelligent. Insha Allah."

Umar laughed and said, "Anna, you started dreaming about kids?"

I said, "Yeah. I have heard that children who are exposed to different cultures in their family setting will grow up to be very smart. Insha Allah."

"Anna, this is a bed. You better sleep and dream about Anni. I will start studying now. Since I don't have a friends group like yours, I have to study each and every chapter by myself."

"Ha ha, study properly now. Vappa is expecting you to get a University Rank for this time as well."

"Insha Allah."

Since it was a Sunday, I went back to sleep. Actually no, I went back to my land of Kayal. My Vappa and Amma had come to Chennai to check the properties. They are sleeping in the other room in our Maama's place. I can imagine two naughty kids just like Kayal for us. It will be so nice to pamper them.

Kayal's POV

I think things move really fast when you are a millionaire. It was just few days back when Salim texted me that his family liked that apartment, which we saw. Since it was ready, they got it registered in few days. They have also fixed the date for house warming ceremony. And, few minutes back Amma(Mother) came in to tell me that his family is coming to invite us for the house warming ceremony and I have to change to some decent dress. Since it was evening, I thought of making some snacks for them. When I went to the kitchen my Amma was preparing batter for Kuzhi Paniyaaram(A dish made with fermented Rice and White Lentils batter). I went in and said "Amma, please let me prepare Boli (Flat bread made with Maida and stuffed with a mixture of pulses and jaggery or coconut and jaggery)."

Amma turned around and smiled, "Okay. Kitchen is all yours."

She then kept the batter in the fridge and left the kitchen. I then immediately started preparing Boli. I first tasted one Boli. It had come out very well. Hopefully he will like it. I followed his grandmother's recipe. I am not doing this to impress him or anything. But, I like it when he is happy after eating my food. I wish to gift him a lot of things but most of my gift ideas will fall in the Haraam zone and make him feel uncomfortable. So with great difficulty I am restraining myself. But food doesn't fall in the Haraam zone. I had made all the Boli's and kept in a hot pack. Just when I was washing my hands, we heard a car stopping in front of our gate. All of us went to the door to invite his family and there I got astounded. Only his parents had come to invite us. I thought he must be coming after parking the vehicle. But no, only his parents had come. After formal introductions, Athai must have seen my disappointment. She smirked and asked, "Were you expecting somebody else Kayal?"

There can be no politically correct answer to this question. So I simply smiled and served them Boli. It is so frustrating. And everybody was laughing at me. Within few minutes Maama (Uncle, Father in law is also called as Maama) said to my parents, "You should definitely come to the House warming ceremony. We have invited very few people, only close family members and neighbors."

Appa (Father) said, "Definitely."

When they stood up for leaving, Athai said, "Why don't you pack some Boli for whom it was actually made for?"

Why? Why are our parents so bent upon embarrassing us? I politely nodded and packed few Bolis in a container and gave it to Athai with a smile. She happily got it.

When they left, Appa told me, "Kayal, you can't come to the House Warming Ceremony. Your Amma and I will go there."

"But, why?"

Appa told me, "I am very much worried about evil eyes. Engaged couples are not supposed to meet in common functions. Only two months are left for your wedding, it is better if you don't attend any functions."

"Appa." I whined. But it was no use. Because he got a call and left me. Amma also left me to do some work. I went to my bedroom to read a novel to distract myself. He could have come today. I was so expecting him to meet him today. I should have messaged him and asked about his plans before preparing Boli. Such a late flash in me. Uggghhhhh. At last when I concentrated on the novel I got a message from Salim.

"Ready 1...2...3..... Start."

What does he mean? "Start what?"

"Amma told me that you were very disappointed that I couldn't come to meet you today. I know you must be fuming now. So, if you want to yell at me, you can yell now. But please stop within two minutes. When it comes to you, I have a very sensitive heart. Between your Boli is mouth watering. Thank you soooooooooooooo muchhhhhhhhhh."

He must be the first guy in this earth to ask for yelling from his woman and then give a time schedule for it. "First tell me, why didn't you come?"

"I wanted to come very badly ma, but my parents felt that if I visit your home frequently before marriage it will create a bad image for you as well as your parents."

"Thank you for your compliment. But, I am still feeling sad."

"Kayalllllllllllll, even though I feel good that you are missing me, please don't be sad ma. If you wish we can meet tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?????"

"In Reshma Sister's engagement. I was invited by both the sides."

"I don't think it is possible. Appa had laid down a condition that if I have to attend her engagement, I should stay at her room only. These days Appa is worried about evil eyes etc. I don't believe in it. But, I can't make him feel anxious for me. He has asked me not to attend the house warming ceremony as well. I also didn't attend my cousin's wedding because of the same reason."

"My family members were also worried about that. I don't want any more Nazar on you. I already almost lost you thrice. I am not strong enough to face one more test when it comes through you. So please let's only see each other tomorrow. I am all yours after marriage. Insha Allah just two more months ma."

He is afraid, as well as romantic. Salim is normally a very strong person, but when it comes to me I have learnt that he is very very sensitive. The other day when I called all my friends to inform them about our engagement, I spoke with John as well. He told me how depressed Salim was when I left for Chennai from Delhi without informing anybody about my whereabouts. Earlier, I thought Salim came also came in to volunteer just like me. But, it was John who told me that he came all the way from Delhi to Chennai, just to meet me. John also told me about the time, when I called Salim from Srikakulam saying that I was hurt. It seems Salim had cried on that day and spent most of his time praying for the next two days. He also told me how Salim first started fasting because he wanted to keep me out of his mind. Then when he decided to marry me, he started praying for our marriage, my well being and happiness. The best gift you can give for a person is to pray for him. Salim is fasting for me, for us. What else can I ask for in a husband? It seems Salim also used to wake up in the middle of the night rubbing his cheeks and lips and say 'Astaghfirullah.' He is actually a sweet heart.

"Salim, don't worry. God willing, I am not going anywhere without living at least till sixty years with you. As with tomorrow, let's see."

"I am praying for living a hundred years with you."

Usually I would have told him that I want to die when I am sixty. But this is not the time to argue such things with him.

"God willing, yes. I would love to see how you grow old with wrinkles and white hair. Tell me are you smiling now?"

"Insha Allah we can grow old together. Yes I am. :) :) :)"

I smiled at his smileys. I miss him very badly. These messages make me feel bad for staying away from him. "Salim, take care. See you tomorrow. Bye."

"Yes, I will. You too take care. I am waiting for tomorrow. Bye ma."

I then listened to the playlist created by him.

Readers please vote, comment and share. The song I have attached is 'Idhayathil Yetho ondru' from the movie 'Yennai Arindhal'. Singer: Chinmayi, Music Director: Harris Jayaraj Sir, Lyrics: Thamarai Mam, Director: Gautham Vasudev Menon Sir. I have translated my favorite lines.

There is only one heart

Till now it was mine

I am seeing it moving away from me

This is like a dream

I don't want to disturb it

In this dream state I saw myself in a dream

Please ask me about what do I want

When can we say that both of us are one?