While Ummeey and her mother were still talking, Abba walked in, greeting them with “Assalamu alaikum.” They both replied cheerfully, welcoming him home.

Ummeey quickly went to serve him food and water in a cup, saying softly,

“Abba, here’s your meal.”

Pleased, Abba smiled.

“Well done, my dear,” he said warmly. “It seems you’ve been working hard today.”

Her mother chuckled. “Of course! It’s your daughter’s cooking—your favorite dish.”

Abba nodded, satisfied. “Excellent! Truly, you’ve done well, my daughter.”

As Ummeey turned to leave, Abba stopped her.

“Where are you going? Sit down; I want to speak with you.”

Respectfully, she replied, “Okay, Abba,” and sat quietly. Her heart began to pound, and she whispered a silent prayer for strength.

After finishing his meal, Abba looked at her closely and cleared his throat.

“Ummeey,” he began seriously, “I want you to tell me honestly what you think about the choice I made for you—to marry Muhammad.

If you’re not happy with it, tell me. I will never force my daughter into a marriage against her will.”

He paused, then added,

“It’s because of your good character, calmness, and upbringing that my brother Abdallah thought it best to join you in marriage with his son, your cousin. I trust Abdallah completely—he wouldn’t propose anything harmful for you. But if you truly don’t want Muhammad, I won’t compel you.”

The tears that Ummeey had been holding back finally began to fall. In a trembling voice, she said,

“Abba, I accept your choice. I agree to marry Muhammad. I will live with him and obey him to the best of my ability.”

A look of peace came over Abba’s face.

“May Allah bless you, my daughter,” he said with satisfaction. “Get ready. Muhammad will be coming later so that you two can get to know each other better. We’ve already fixed the wedding date—it will be in three weeks.”

Her mother, who had been quiet all this time, felt her chest tighten the moment he mentioned that the wedding date was already set. She forced a weak smile, but inside she was uneasy.

Ummeey’s legs went weak. She almost collapsed where she sat, overwhelmed by shock and despair. So the date for her marriage had been fixed—and not to Haydar!

She whispered softly, “Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un… so this is how life is—everyone with their own test.”

She stood up slowly, moving like someone sick, and went into her room. Throwing herself on her mattress, she wept bitterly and prayed:

“Ya Allah, give me patience and endurance for what I’m going through. Please calm my heart and make me obedient to my father. Help me fulfill his wish.”

Eventually, exhaustion overcame her, and she fell into a deep sleep.

In her dream, she saw Haydar—in a terrible state. He stretched his hand toward her, crying,

“Ummeey! Come back to me. You are my happiness, Ummeey. I can’t live without you…”

Then he began to cough violently, blood spilling from his mouth. He fell to the ground, motionless.

Ummeey screamed in terror—so loud that it woke her up. Her mother rushed in, frightened by the sound.

She found Ummeey drenched in sweat, trembling.

“Ummeey! Are you alright?” Mama asked in panic.

Still shaken, Ummeey replied,

“Mama… I feel Haydar is in deep trouble. Every time I sleep, I see him in pain, struggling… the dreams feel so real,” she said, sobbing.

Mama sat beside her and gently held her shoulder.

“Calm down, my daughter. Dreams are not real, Ummeey. Only prophets have true dreams. Don’t let this worry you,” she said soothingly.

Then she reminded her,

“We must accept destiny—whether it brings ease or hardship. Everything happens by Allah’s will.”

Ummeey took her mother’s advice to heart. Slowly, she regained her calm.

She got up, went to the bathroom, performed ablution, and prayed. She made long supplications, asking Allah for strength and peace.

When she came out, she found her mother in the courtyard and sat beside her, ready to speak—

but before she could, they heard someone calling from outside.

Mama answered the greeting, and a young boy entered.

“They said Ummeey should come out; someone wants to see her,” he said.

Mama replied, “Tell them she’s coming.”

Ummeey looked at her mother, eyes full of questions.

And that moment—

she realized deep within her heart that everything happening was…

“MY FATHER’S CHOICE.”