oh jaano,
we laughed & we loved
we joked & we cried
we found comfort
in each other’s presence
a throbbing ache
a wonderful present
for my heart screams to break
the love that we have
one can never compare
for how you held me
in the depth of the night
as i sobbed in your arms
shaking with pain and hurt
you held me as i fell apart.
you held me,
as i learnt to put myself back together again
you loved me when i couldn’t fathom
to look at my reflection in the mirror
you never forgot me
you held space for me
as we lay in bed
side by side
as we sat on swings
in the solemn night
as we jumped in puddles
soaked in the heavy downpour
at midnight on new year’s
as we prayed together and
shared meals with one another
in medina, where hope and love
flooded every crevice of our soul
the love of our Rabb
flowing through the blood in our veins
making us whole once again
to Allah we belong
and to Him we return
as we learnt to love our bodies
and traveled across our tiny island
to appreciate the gift of movement
to rediscover the vessels Allah gifted us
oh, to be a woman.
as we struggled to love ourselves from within
we learnt to hold each other up
as we cycled down differed paths
caught heavenly sunsets
breathed in the salty ocean air
rushing to be back home before curfew
as i stepped out of my comfort zone
to watch you grow and thrive
as you focused on your work
i watched as you bloomed
cheering for you from the sidelines
my incredible lady boss CEO
younger you would be in awe
a woman, a boss, a sister, a wife
you’ve found a love so raw
now i watch
as you hold hands
with the man of your dreams
to see you glow
to see An-Nur within you
nothing can beat this feeling
seeing you shine so gracefully
as he glances at you so shyly
moving ever so elegantly
as you walk down the aisle
with your man on your arm
a vision i longed to see come true
i watched your siblings beam with tears
each tear a symbolism of their abundant love
for you were their first love.
now, a wonderful future awaits you
your smiles that make each other shy
your heart that aches for his
his heart that aches for yours
a love so pure
a love so whole
as your father & brother grieve
for the man who holds you now
loves you almost as much as they do
but no one can replace
the love your own blood holds.
as your sisters yearn
a void in their bed
a warmth that’s been cleared out
but never a hollow moment
for their hearts glow
when they think of you
their beloved baji
as your mum’s heart throbs
her first born
her first love
you were the one who gave her purpose
you gave her life and so much love
as you fix her hijab one last time as her daughter
the next time you do will be as a new wife
oh baji,
you are the backbone and light of your family
it’s time to embark into the world to start a new chapter
although life changing
the same people are with you
every step of the way
and with so many new!
for your family blooms!
welcoming your handsome groom
holding space for the both of you -
to grow
to learn
to bloom
a love that exists in every single corner
for every heart that celebrates the two of you aches with so much love
a welcoming warmth flowing endlessly
Allah created you in pairs
a match made in heaven
a love no one can deny
your heart beats for his
and his heart beats for yours
a love so pristine
a love so new
a love so shiny
a love that is true.
may Allah keep your hearts soft
may He be pleased with all that you do
as you grow old with one another
as you bicker, love, and laugh
my dear baji,
walk towards your forever
with love at your side
and Allah in your heart
for you are loved beyond words
held beyond time
cherished beyond measure
may Allah bless every breath
every tear, every smile
until you are reunited once more
in gardens beneath which rivers flow
ameen x