Husband?

Haleema was excited for today. She had plans with Salah that evening and was looking forward to it impatiently. The last time that they had gone out together, which was actually just two days ago but seemed like ages ago, she had had the greatest time of her life. They had gone shopping together, and he had bought for her two pairs of sandals, a few scarves, and a bouquet of red roses. She had stacked them in a vase, and petals were starting to fall off them.

She needed to learn to keep her emotions under control whenever she was with him, she thought. She squealed and sighed and blushed whenever they were together. She needed to act mature and not like a crazy child, she thought. But she also loved the way he laughed whenever she acted this way. She realized that she had a huge grin plastered on her face.

Was she in love? Little did she know about love. She was confused. Yes, she did catch herself thinking about him many times during the day. He was on her mind most of the time. She missed him whenever they were not together, but she still wasn’t sure. She also didn’t find anything wrong with him. It wasn’t that he was perfect, but her eyes wouldn’t allow her to find faults in him. She had caught herself staring at him many times, and had warned herself not to do that again, but she just couldn’t resist. It would be very awkward if he ever caught her staring. She loved to day dream about him. She replayed all the beautiful moments she had shared with him again and again in her mind.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. She opened the door to find Ameerah standing there.

“Hi,” Ameerah said nervously. “I hope I am not disturbing you.”

“Assalam u alaikum,” Haleema said cheerfully, “What a wonderful surprise. You are welcome anytime Ameeerah. I am so glad to see you,” she said excitedly and gave her a small hug.

Haleema lead her inside and they both sat on the bed.

“I was just about to make some tea. Would you like to have some?” Haleema asked getting up.

“Sure. I am always ready for a cup of tea.”

“Yeah, me too. I just love the taste, the smell, the warmth,” she said laughing lightly.

“Let me help,” Ameerah said and got up.

They both went to the kitchen and as they waited for the water to boil, Ameerah took out a drawing pad from her bag.

“I made some designs for your abayas,” she said and opened the designs on the shelf in front of them.

“Really?” Haleema said excitedly and began to look at the designs in front of her.

She turned the pages one by one, and looked at the designs with a serious face.

When she was done, she looked up and smiled.

“So? Do you like them?” Ameerah asked anxiously.

“They are really pretty. You are very talented MashaAllah,” she said and paused. “But are these going to be this fitted the way it is in the drawings?”

“Yes. What’s the matter? These are according to the latest trends. I did a lot of research as I did not have much experience with abayas. Did you not like them?”

“No, I do like them. A lot. It’s just that they are a little too fitted for me.”

“But Haleema, this is the trend these days,” she tried to explain to her.

“Yes Ameerah. I understand that.” They walked out from the kitchen into the bedroom with their tea.

They sat on the bed, facing each other. Haleema started to speak,”I completely understand your point Ameerah, and trust me your designs are amazing, but I just don’t believe in trends, or about what’s in and what’s not. I am just not comfortable with such fitted abayas. I hope you understand.”

“But what’s wrong with following trends?”

“There is nothing wrong with trends. It’s just that I would prefer a loose abaya that covers me up properly. I hope you don’t mind Ameerah. I feel so bad. You made those designs for me, and look at me, being so ungrateful to you.”

“No Haleema it’s fine. I understand you. I just believe that Islam isn’t that strict. I mean, how can religion be based on what you wear. Does your mom ask you to do hijab?”

Haleema laughed lightly. “No my mom doesn’t ask me to do anything. It’s completely my choice, and I love every moment of it,” she said smiling happily.

“How can you love a restriction?” Ameerah asked slightly surprised at Haleema’s statement.

“How can it be a restriction, when actually you are the one controlling how much of your body others can see. When I go out covered, I feel free. Guys don’t look at me the way they look at other girls. I feel honored and privileged,” Haleema said with satisfaction.

“Wow Haleema, I respect your perspective completely. You are smart for your age. I understand how you skipped a grade now,”Ameerah said smiling slightly.

There was a knock on the door, and Haleema jumped up to open the door, “It must be Salah. He is always on time.”

Ameerah noticed a slight twinkle in her eyes, and the way she was giggling was adorable. She stood in front of the mirror and slightly adjusted her hair, and wiped her face with a paper towel. She applied some lip balm and rubbed her lips together. Ameerah was looking at her amused, “is it someone special at the door?”

Haleema laughed.

“You are going to be very surprised, but yes. He is my husband,” she giggled and went to open the door.

Ameerah’s jaw dropped and she sat there dazed. Haleema laughed a little more at her expressions, and opened the door.

“Assalam u alaikum love,” he bent down a little to give Haleema a kiss on the cheek, but when he noticed someone sitting on the bed, he straightened.

“Walaikum assalam,” Haleema said laughing. “She is a friend of mine, Ameerah”

Salah looked at her and said,” Assalam u alaikum.”

She replied to his salam, but felt very awkward. She wanted to add something else like ‘it’s nice to meet you’ or ‘how are you’ to not seem rude, but he just stood there looking at the floor, and she found it very difficult to interact. It was never this difficult to talk to a guy before.

“I should go Haleema.” Haleema smiled at her.

“Sure. But do come again. I like spending time with you.”

Ameerah looked at Salah, who was now looking down at his phone.

She gave a quick hug to Haleema, and left.