The Perfect Union

Chapter 8 - Time for the truth

Ahmed's POV

After so many days I had a day off and of all the days it was friday. I had made so many plans. I thought I could wake up late then get ready for Jummah properly. Whats more I wouldnt have to rush Jummah like I normally do when I am at work. After that I had planned to meet Abdullah at the youth centre.

Helping out at the youth centre was something we had done together for a number of years. It had been the perfect place for us when we were growing up and thats why we wanted to help other kids.

But the conversation with Abdullah that I had last night had totally effected my mood. Why did Aliyah want to meet me?? I didnt know why her engagement had broken and to be honest I didnt care. And therefore instead of having the relaxing day I had planned I had a day filled with anxiety and stress worrying about would happen later on.

Further more I couldnt go to the youth centre as I had to go shopping with my mum instead. I met Abdullah after Jummah and told him that I would meet him at the youth centre at 4.30pm and then we will go to his house.

I was just walking towards the youth centre when I saw Abdullah walking towards me on the phone 'Ok Samaa im just leaving now and I can just see Ahmed too. See you in about 15 minutes. Ok then Allah Hafiz' he said putting the phone down.

'Asalaam Alaikum Abdullah.' I said hugging him.

'Walaikum Asalaam Ahmed. Ready to face the music? He said trying to lighten the mood.

'Not really.....lets just get it over and done with. I dont know what to think but I dont think theres anything she can say to change my mind' I told him.

'Don't worry Inshah Allah everything will be fine' he said trying to reassure me.

The 15 minutes walk to his house felt like it took 1 minute. Before we knew it we were outside the door and Abdullah was ringing the doorbell just to let Samaa and Aliyah know we had arrived. Then he used his key to open the door.

We both walked into the empty living room.

'Asalaam Alaikum Samaa' Abdullah said loudly before sitting down.

'Walaikum Asalaam' said Sama walking in from the kitchen. We made some small talk asking about each others family but really all I could think about was Aliyah. I couldnt wait to see her yet I wanted to delay that as much as possible because seeing her would be followed by hearing what she had to say which I really didnt want to do.

A few minutes passed and then Samaa went back to the kitchen. Me and Abdullah were just talking about the upcoming football matches when Samaa returned with some food closely followed by Aliyah.

As usual she took my breath away.

'Asalaam Alaikum' she said setting down the plates on the table before sitting down next to Samaa on the sofa opposite me.

'Walaikum Asalaam. I hope you and your family are in the best of health Inshah Allah' I asked her.

'Alhamdulillah they are all well. How are your family?? And how is Ali?? My mum told me he was quite ill last week?' She asked with genuine concern.

'Alhamdulillah my family is also well. And thank you for asking but Ali is much better too' and then I added cheekily to lighten the tension 'I think he just ate too much trifle thats all'.

The genuine shock and embarassment on Aliyahs face made the whole scene more funny as me, Abdullah and Samaa started laughing.

'Oh Aliyah don't take Ahmed so serious he was just kidding' Samaa said 'And please why is everyone being so shy. Help yourself to the nibbles. I am in no condition to be the bully of a host I normally am.'

Ten minutes of silence followed while everyone nibbled on the snacks that Samaa and Aliyah had made.

I looked at the time it was 5.00pm. I thought to myself if we are going to have the all important chat we had better get a move on as Maghrib namaaz was at 5.40pm.

'I dont want to rush you but its already 5.00pm and Maghribs in about 40 minute.'

'I agree' said Samaa standing up 'Abdullah will you just help me take the dishes in the kitchen' she said trying and failing at being subtle. This obviously wasnt part of the plan as the look on Alitahs face showed that she was silently begging Samaa not to leave her alone.

'So Aliyah what did u want to talk to me about' I asked not really wanting to know but wanting it all to be over as soon as possible.

To be honest this was really uncomfortable for me too. I had never been one to talk so openly with girls but I just thought in this situation I had to be the confident one as Aliyah was too quiet.

As Abdullah and Samaa left the room, I faced Aliyah and said 'If its to do with your broken engagement, I told my family as well as Abdullah, all that is in the past and has no bearing for me.'

After a few minutes of silence where I didnt know what to do except wait, Aliyah finally looked up 'Thank you so much for saying that. It means alot. You are right I wanted to tell you not only why my engagement broke but how that has effected me as a person.'

'I was 19 when I met Raihaan. We met at a cousins wedding and among all the laughing and joking we realised we really liked eachother. Before you know it his family came with a proposal and I accepted. He was officially my fiancee and my family had no problem with me getting to know him better. Dont get me wrong all our communication was limited to phonecalls and the only time I saw him was when he came to our house. Its only now I realise how stupid all this was. I was young naive and didnt think we were doing anything wrong. Before I knew it I was head over heels and I thought he was too.'

Hearing her talk about her ex was tearing me apart. I couldnt react to what she was telling me when I had been the one who had been adament that I didnt care. I didnt want to be a hypocrit but one of the reason I didnt want to know about her past was the fact she had one.

'Anyway one day he wanted to meet me because it was his birthday. I was adament that we shouldnt meet alone and that I would come to his house with my family. Well he used alot of emotional blackmail and finally got me to agree. I remember how I convinced myself that there was nothing wrong with meeting him. He was going to be my future husband if I didnt trust him then how would I trust him later.'

'What happened that day I dont think I would ever forget in my whole life. I cant believe he thought that I would give up everything so easily. I told him that I loved him but if he loved me he wouldnt force me to do something I didnt want to. He seemed like a completely different person.He...he...he tried to...' she said as she started crying.

The realistation hit me. Her fiancee had tried to r**e her. What kind of animal was this guy. My blood began to boil. If I knew who this guy was I dont know what I would do to him. I calmed myslef down and looked over at Aliyah. I so wanted to comfort her but knew I couldnt. I reached over and passed her a tissue.

She looked up with a look on her face that showed that she was grateful that I hadnt tried to take advantage of the situation. After a few minutes she spoke again.

'He didnt manage to do anything that would physical scar me but that episode has left me mentally and emotionally scarred.' She looked up at me' It took me a long time to pull myself together after that. Coming closer to my deen and Allah SWT has really helped me become strong again. But I dont ever want to be vulnerable again. Ahmed, I dont think I can ever love or trust anybody as much as a wife is supposed to. And thats why I wanted to speak to you. I wanted you to know everything before you made your final decision."

I was speechless. I really didnt know what to say. So basically Allah SWT had given me a chance to marry the woman who I had admired and loved for so long but she would never love me. I didnt know whether to laugh or cry. Should I be happy or sad.

I said the only thing I could say 'Thank you for telling me. I really appreciate that you thought so highly of me to share this story with me. I will think about what you have told me.'

'Ahmed I have no issues with you or your family. If you agree to this marriage after everything I have told you today i will also agree without hesitation.'

'Well its nearly Maghrib time' I said 'Abdullah' I called feeling suffocated in the flat. I needed to get out, get some fresh air. The thoughts going around in my head were driving me mad.

Samaa and Abdullah both came out of the kitchen.

'Come on lets go or we will be late for Maghrib' I said. With one last look at Aliyah I walked out of the flat.