Mission nearly accomplished

"Hey, look at me…" she heard him say. She opened her eyes and looked up. Tears were streaming down her cheeks. Nazreen wiped her tears with his thumbs while cupping her face up.

"Life and death are in God's hands. If Allah says it's time, no one can stop it… we have to believe in al-Qada wa l- Qadar" Nazreen then bent forward closer to her face. Their noses were nearly touching each other. He looked into her onyx eyes. "All we, as humans, have to do is live life each day as it comes."

Hidayah covered Nazreen's hands that were still cupping her face. "You would rather suffer with me knowing that I will leave you one day?"

"In Surah Al-Baqarah verse 153, it reads *Yaaa 'ayyuhallaziina 'aamanusta'iinuubis 'Sabri was' Salaahi Innallaaha ma as' saabiriin*. O you who believe! Seek help in patience and prayers. Truly! Allah is with the patient. If the surgery will make you live longer so that you can be grateful longer, then why not? If the surgery fails, that means Allah loves you more than we love you and He has set that your time borrowed to us was expected to end… but that does not mean that we should give up, right? And that is not a reason for me to walk away…"

"Hidayah, I married you for Allah. There's nothing except Allah that will make me leave you…" Nazreen rubbed his thumbs against her cheeks. He slowly pulled her face closer and kissed her on her forehead. Long kiss.

Pearls of tears slowly trickled down her face. Her eyes became redder and glossier. Her nose was red like a cherry tomato. When Nazreen pulled away from her forehead, he could hear her whimper softly.

"Thank you…" Hidayah said in between her sobs.

**********

When the plane landed on the asphalt of the Amerigo Vespucci Airport, the group made their way to the main hall. Nazreen was holding firmly and neatly to Hidayah's hand with their fingers interlocked with each other.

The rest of the group smiled coyly at the couple who were behaving like newlyweds… it looks like nai nai's mission for the group was mid-way accomplished.

After the plane halted entirely and the doors were opened, the group slowly made their way down the airstair and walked towards the fleet of Armored Mercedes Benz S550 54″ – Pullman Guard edition to accommodate the group of seventeen.

Each car was designated to two guards, totalling up to ten guards on duty to drive and protect the group.

After every one of them had settled in the cars, the fleet drove towards their villa in Chianti, less than an hour's drive from the airport.

By the time they arrived at the villa, it was almost 9.30 in the morning and they were exhausted after a long fifteen hours flight.

The staff quickly ushered the group to their respective rooms for respite before they prepare an early lunch as per Hidayah's request.