The Perfect Union

Chapter 12 - 'And my answer is.....'

Ahmed's POV

'You did what???' Abdullah asked totally shocked when I told him I escorted Aliyah to the train station.

'Do you not understand English??' I asked cheekily.

'I just can't believe you would just follow her, have a conversation with her, get the tube and drop her off to her train. Thats so not you Mr I-Have-Never-spoken-to-a-member-of-the-opposite-s*x-unless-necessary. Seriously bro you have got it bad' he said running away from me knowing I was going to wrestle him or kick him or something.

'You are so lucky you have a little baby on the way otherwise you would be so dead' I shouted at him jokingly.

Aliyah's POV

I woke up to the beautiful winter sun peeking in through my window. Just as I turned to get a few more minutes of rest I heard my phone vibrate for the 10 millionth time that morning. I thought who is this crazy person disturbing me so early in the morning. I glanced at my o'clock its only 11.30am.....oh my god why hadn't anybody woken me up. I couldnt remember the last time I had had a lie in this late. I jumped up and grabbed my phone just as it started ringing again. It was Samaa.

'Asalaam Alaikum Habibi' I said in a sing song way trying to soften the attack that I knew was coming.

'Walaikam Asalaam sleeping beauty. Woken up have you. I had a long chat with your mum half an hour ago. Seems like she didnt get a full run down of yesterday either. So can you please tell what the hell happened when you left my place. My hubsy has been teasing me all morning about how he has heard something interesting from hes best friend and my best friend hasnt told me anything' I could literally feel her sulking over the phone.

'Calm down you are making it sound more dramatic then it is' I said laughing. I told her everything not that there was much to tell, it just took extra long because Samaa kept stopping me to ask stupid questions like what was hes facial expression like or how did he say such and such. She went totally teenager over the whole situation. I told her to calm down and be more mature. She would be a mum in a matter of days.

Just as I was saying bye to her my mum popped her head into my room. I gestured to her to come in and I saw she was bringing me breakfast in bed. I jumped out of bed, took the tray out of her hands and put it on my bedside draw. I turned and gave my mum the biggest hug in the world.

'Asalaam Alaikum mummy' I said giving her a big kiss ' you are the best mum in the world you know that. I was just getting up, you didnt have to bring me breakfast in bed'.

'Walaikum Asalaam. I know i didnt have to but I wanted to. Have you phoned Samaa yet. She has been ringing you like crazy since this morning. Sometimes I forget how old you both are now because you still act like you are 16.'

'Yeah I just spoke to her. I agree she is crazy but she is my bestest friend in the whole world.'

'Anyway Haider told me about yesterday. So it went well then?? My mum asked.

'Yes Alhamdulillah. I didnt expect Ahmed to react the way he did' I saw my mums concern 'Dont get me wrong, I could tell it wasnt what he expected and after he heard everything he seemed really quiet. But then it was Maghrib time and he just sort of left. To be honest I didnt know what to think. But I didnt have time to think I had to leave or I would have missed my train.'

'Haider was saying something about you meeting Ahmed at the train station. Was that by accident' my mum enquired.

'Not exactly. He said he saw me walking to the train station and thought it would be best if he made sure I got on the train safely. And then his sister Fatima rang me later on to make sure I had reach home safely when me and Haider were in the Ice cream shop.' I explained to her.

'Well I guess thats a good thing isnt it beta. Atleast that shows he is a good decent boy. And if he wasnt still interested why would he have bothered making sure you reached home ok.' My mum told.

'Yeah mum I guess so. Thank you for trusting me and giving me the chance to have my say. I do feel alot better after speaking to Ahmed.'

'Well Im glad you were able to get your piece of mind. Now have your breakfast its getting cold.' She told me as she got up to leave. When she reached the door I stopped her.

'Ammi.......I've made my decision' and then I told her.

Ahmed's POV

After a long crazy day with Abdullah and the kids at the youth centre I finally reached home at 6.00pm on the way back from the masjid. As I walked through the door I could hear the hubbub of conversation from the sitting room. The noise was alot louder then usual as if something was going.

I walked in giving Salaam and gestured to Aaminah to find her what all the commotion.

'Walaikum Asalaam Bhai. Guess where we are going tomorrow?' She asked with a big smile on her face.

'Where?' I asked looking around enquiringly at the faces of my family members.

'Well you know how I was going to phone Aliyah's mum tomorrow. I thought it would be better if we went to their house. I was about to phone them regarding this. What do you think Ahmed?? You are still happy for me to go ahead with the proposal?' She asked me.

Fatima baji was the only person in my family who knew the full details of my meeting with Aliyah yesterday but I am sure she would have told mum the main points.

'No mum nothing has changed. My decision is the same. Anyway i got to go have a shower' I said making my way out.

'Thank god. I mean I love you but you stink' Aaminah laughed.

Aliyahs POV

'Who was that on the phone?' I asked walking into the living room after praying Isha.

I dont know why for a split second it seemed everyone was just quiet and I witnessed a look between my mum and dad.

'It was Ahmeds mum. They were asking if its ok that they drive down tomorrow. I said that would be great. You are ok with that Aliyah?'she asked.

To be honest I didnt know what to say. I mean I could never have imagined Ahmeds reaction. Yeah he was taken back with what I had told him but it seemed like he did genuinely care about me. Maybe I should just take a chance, put my trust in Allah SWT and go with the flow.

'Yeah thats perfectly fine with me. And I might as well tell all of you now.......I've finally decided.....and my answer is Yes' I said just before Rabz and Haider engulfed me in a big bear hug.