chapter 17

She woke up after 4 hours. She saw time and it was 10. She took a shower and made her breakfast. She quit the idea of going to university. She ate breakfast while scrolling on to phone. And started to think that how she should return him money without facing him again.

She changed her clothes and styled her hair into a bun and went off. She reached his office at 11. As usual she met his assistant. She walked towards her and handed her the envelope of money. "please give this to MR. Steven" after saying she walked away.

Inside the envelope she put a note, which read "thank you MR. Steven for your gesture but I don't need your money. That's why I'm returning it. I hope you'll accept it and I apologize for my rude behavior. I'm sorry. I hope we will never get to see each other again. From Stella"

As he received the envelope from his assistant he went towards the window. And slightly pushed the curtain aside. He saw Stella  walking away from the building. He read the letter and saw the money. Then silently he put them in his drawer.

Stella's final semester was about to start. And she started preparing for the exams. On the other hand she was also excited for her job. She marked the most popular companies of the city, in which she decided to apply after her semester. But excluding McKasson. She didn't wanted to apply there, despite knowing that it was above all.

One day she was randomly watching TV when she remembered the day of her mother died. She suddenly remembered the words which she listened that day and when she went to church and asked for help but still god didn't save her mother. She think hard and noticed that she only hear those words whenever she needs help and she is hurt. She decided that she would tell Fatima next day and ask her about this.

The next day when she was in university, they sat together between the break and Stella found her chance to tell Fatima. "Fatima I want to tell you something and want to ask about it" she said with a confused expression.

"go on"

"Fatima whenever I'm hurt or need help, I hear some voices"

"kind of?"

"Of your Quran, it's translation, it feels like someone is talking to me, and those words are answers to the situation I'm in, like how do these words know that I'm hurt? Why they call me towards them?" she added.

"Stella you should accept Islam" she said carefully.

"why?"

"Because god wants you to, god wants you to chose the right path"

"I need time to think"

"take your time but don't deny"

Stella kept thinking about it all the way to home. She couldn't decide that whether she should change her religion or not. It was big decision for her and all life she have to abide by the rules. At night she opened her laptop and started to read about the important regulations which Muslim men and women follow. Even read the importance women in Islam. And she was impressed. Finally she made up a decision that she should change her religion as she lost her faith back then on Christianity when her mother died.

Next day after university, she told Fatima that she has made up her mind. And she's ready to accept Islam and it's regulations. Fatima was very happy on her decision and took her to Mustafa. Mustafa took Stella to imam of a masjid and on his hand she accepted Islam. He asked her three times that if she's being forced? And she replied that she's converting it at her own will. After accepting Islam, he asked her to change her name. And Mustafa suggested her Ayesha. Stella once again got attracted to Mustafa, her feelings grew appealing. She agreed and she converted to Islam. On her way Mustafa bought her a hijab, and asked her cover head from now on like Muslim women. "its their recognition, Muslim women always wears hijab" he told her. Stella literally fell again for him after this gesture. And she did like he told to. She nicely covered her head. "you're looking pretty" he complimented. She smiled shyly. As they rode to home Fatima was waiting for her at the entrance. "welcome to Islam Stella" she greeted. "my name is Ayesha from now on" she told her and they hugged, smiling.