The Perfect Union

Chapter 2 - Sibling Support

Aliyah's POV

When I heard the doorbell I froze for a few seconds, before I ran down the stairs taking two at a time to get to the kitchen before someone answered the door. Haider just watched me with a smirk on his face as he made his way to the front door.

'Aliyah why did u take so long getting ready, they are here and......' mum turned around to face me 'Mashah Allah you are looking so beautiful' she said with the hint of tears in her eyes. 'Come on Ammi, no crying today OK. Just be happy. If it’s meant to be it will be Inshah Allah' I said as she gave me a big hug.

With all this emotional drama going on with my mum, I had temporarily forgotten about the people who had just arrived. My mum gave me a quick kiss on my cheek and went to welcome the guests. Left alone in the kitchen, I started to get the dishes out and start serving up the food.

I had just started taking the drinks out of the fridge when Rabs (my youngest sister Rabiya) came into the kitchen 'Aly, mum said to call you and to start getting the dishes ready'. She looked at all the prep I had already done 'oh looks like there is no work for me to do. I guess someone's eager' she winked at me.

'Haha very funny. What else was I supposed to do while I was sitting here twiddling my thumbs' I told her pretending to be angry.

'Well time to face the music big sis' she could tell I was anxious so she gave me a hug 'don’t worry everything will be fine. On a totally unrelated note Ahmed looks quite nice considering he has a beard'. I pretended like I hadn't heard her and just rolled my eyes at her.

I was shaking inside but took a few seconds to calm myself down before I walked into the living room. Thankfully only the female members of either family were here so I was relieved.

I walked in and my mum said 'And here is my eldest daughter Aliyah' I smiled, gave salaam and then walked towards the Aunty sitting next to my mum who I assumed was Ahmed's mum as she was the only other person in the room who was around the same age as my mum. I said salaam to her again and she got up to give me a hug and a kiss on my cheek.

'Mashah Allah' she said sitting down 'finally I get to meet Aliyah. I have heard a lot about you from so many people especially Fatima so I am very happy to finally see you for myself'. I turned to Fatima who was Ahmed's sister. I didn't know her well but I had made her acquaintance during my best friend Samaa’s wedding and then met her again at several Islamic lectures. In our brief acquaintance I already had a lot of love and respect for her. She was so knowledgeable and the way she talked about Islam anybody would be interested. 'Walaikum Asalaam' she said getting up, giving me a hug and a kiss. She then held my arm and pulled me down to sit next to her. She went on to introduce me to her youngest sister Aaminah. 'Walaikum Asalaam' she said a bit shyly and a bit like she was going to burst ' Can I just say I love how you have worn your hijab. And your make up is wow. Not that you need it Mashah Allah you are absolutely stunning'. I smiled, she was just like your typical sixteen year old.

‘Jazakh Allah and you are too too kind. By the way if we have some time I can show you some of my hijab tips and tricks' I said winking at her. I could tell I had already won her over.

I and Fatima chatted for a while just about general things. She asked about my job and how my Arabic classes were going. I told her how everything was good Alhamdulillah. I asked about her family especially her little boy Hamzah who had become my personal little favourite.

After a few minutes I excused myself as it was time to serve the food. I walked into the kitchen where all my siblings were standing discussing my prospective future in laws.

'Can I just say' started my middle sister Samira who was heavily pregnant and just about to sit down 'in my opinion they seem perfect. Aunty Razia seems nice. Her and mum are getting on like a house on fire. And Aliyah you already seem to have a good relationship with Fatima and we can see Aaminah is already in awe of you. Mark my words I can hear wedding bells'.

'Inshah Allah' added Haider with a smile on his face.

'Well I think you three need to calm down. They have only been here for 5 minutes and you have already set the date. Am I such a burden on all on you guys? If anyone heard you they would think you couldn't wait to get rid of me' I said pretending to be really sad.

'No of course we didn't mean that. Please don't be sad Aly, we were just joking. It’s just we are all really happy for you. Come on, you must have felt it too. This family feel like they were made for you. You will fit right in' said Rabs.

I walked over to Sam’s chair and pulled Rabs along too. 'I know, I know I was only kidding. What would I do without my crazy sisters eh' I said pulling them both into a hug.

'Hey what about me' said Haider pretending to be all hurt and left out.

'Come here you big banana. How can we ever leave you out' I said holding out my hand to him as I added cheekily 'and even if we tried we know who you would go running to' we laughed. 'Mummy’s boy' all three sisters said together.

It was one of those crazy moments when all four of us were having a laugh totally oblivious of what was going around us when we heard someone clear their throat.

'Sorry to intrude. I was just looking for the bathroom' he said.

'That's okay Ahmed. Come I will show you where it is' said Haider.

So this is Ahmed, I thought to myself.