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once again, under their own supervision! Only after that would they
allow you to move into Abdullah’s home.”
“Saleh is absolutely right”! Said Leila, as she bolted like an arrow,
straight to me. Anwar, Jamshaid, Aaliya, and Arifa followed behind
closely.
My happiness was enhanced many folds on seeing all of them. I
hugged them. When we were through with greetings, Naimah said in an
agitated tone:
“What is this childish idea about getting us married again?”
Aaliya replied:
“Mama, none of us could attend your wedding in the previous
world. Therefore, it is the combined desire of all brothers and us sisters
to get you two married again in a befitting manner. We will give you
away as a bride ourselves and until then, Papa would not be allowed to
see you.”
Anwar intervened, “I think it is a bit harsh. Let them see each other
but they would not be allowed to meet without a chaperone.”
“Thank you very much for your consideration! Tell me, when do you
intend to have the wedding ceremony”? I asked helplessly.
“That will take place once the preparations are complete”, Arifa
replied, in a serious tone.
“And what preparations do you require?” I asked.
“I will provide the details” Leila replied. Then she added:
“This place is fine for the venue. All we require are the clothes,
jewellery etc.”
“And I also need good clothes… like Papa’s outfit. After seeing his
clothes my own don’t appeal to me anymore!” Jamshaid also added his
share to the demands.
“Ok, once all these preparations have been made, would it be ok to
get married?” I asked.
“Indeed!” Everyone replied together.
“Come on then, let’s go. I shall take you to the biggest shopping
area of the Paradise. Usually, you would not be allowed to enter it but
on this occasion, you can buy all you want at my expense!”
All of them gave out a hurrah of joy. We then headed off for
shopping.
===============
That place also looked like a scene from the Arabian Nights. I had
been there many times with Saleh but whenever I visited, I had found
all kinds of new things to see. It seemed beyond what one would have
called a shopping Mall or bazaar in the previous world. It was an area
spread over hundreds of miles, glowing with the splendour of vibrant
colours and radiance. It was always night-time here. There were so
many items of food, clothing, and use that counting them was
impossible; only the number of items and their varieties reached
millions.
There were angels appointed everywhere. People would select
something displayed at a shop and ask the angels to record it; it would
then be delivered straight to their residence. Angels could easily check
any individual’s record and find out all they needed to know about him.
The “shopping Mall” had two sections; one for the ordinary
residents of Paradise and the other reserved only for the elite. The
former could visit the elite section but they could not buy anything as
only the elite residents had that privilege.
My family was visiting the shopping Mall for the first time. I took
them to the unreserved part first. They were ecstatic merely on seeing
it. After that, they started to buy whatever they wished. However,
Naimah remained with me all that time. After they were finished
shopping, I took them out for a meal to the upper section of that place.
From here, one could view the beautiful lights glowing for miles. Above
us was the star-filled sky. Unlike the previous world, where the city
lights used to cause the light of the stars to fade away, over here both
glowed simultaneously without affecting each other.
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