The Perfect Union

Chapter 9 - The final decision

Aliyahs POV

It had been 10 minutes since Abdullah and Ahmed had left for the masjid and I was still crying with Samaa comforting me. Retelling my past had brought it all back. I had done what I had come to do. I had said my piece and now the decision for my future was left in Ahmeds hands.

I didnt know about the future but right now I knew I couldnt love or trust him entirely. Not that there was anything wrong with him, but only because I was broken.

I heard the Adhaan play from my phone. It was time for Maghrib. And like many times previously in my life I was thankful for the time to pray to Allah SWT and ask for some guidance. I wiped my tears, gave a reassuring smile to Samaa and went to go get the prayer mats for both of us.

I finished praying alot earlier then Samaa but that was expected seeing it was quite hard to pray for her as she was so big at the moment. I sat on the prayer mat and prayed for guidance. My future had never seemed so uncertain as much as it did now. I was in my own little bubble, and it was only when Samaa touched my shoulder did I realise I had been there for 20 minutes.

'Aliyah its 6.00pm. I didnt want to stop you praying but you have a got a train to catch. Why dont you reconsider and stay the night. Abdullah wont mind going to his mums for one day.' She said.

I smiled at her and gave her a hug 'Thank you so much for today Samaa. It was a big day for me and I dont know what i would have done without you but I have to get home. My mum will get worried if I stay and the train ride will help clear my mind' I told her as I got up and folded the mat away and started getting my things together.

Ahmeds POV

As me and Abdullah walked to the masjid I didnt say anything and thankfully Abdullah didnt ask. We went in prayed and I stayed sitting there for a while waiting for Abdullah to finish his prayer.

I turned to Abdullah 'Why didnt you tell me' I asked him abit hurt that my best friend had kept the story from me.

'I didnt know Ahmed. Today was the first time that Samaa told me too.' He said looking genuinely sorry.

'Oh' I said my anger vanishing 'What do I do Abdullah. I mean I know nothing happened and thats a literal non issue for me. But...but... but she told me she doesnt know if she will ever allow herself to trust or love me. How can I marry her knowing we will never truely be husband and wife.'

'Can I just say one thing Abdullah. How long have you loved her?? 5 years or so....and you are giving up. Think why has Allah SWT brought her back in your life?? She might not think she can ever love or trust you now but who knows what will happen. You told me yourself that you had done Istakhara and it had shown you a clear sign that this marriage is right for you. So who are you to second guess a sign from Allah SWT. Ahmed you just have to be strong and be yourself Inshah Allah she will fall in love with you.'

I listened to everything he said and I was glad to have this voice of reason with me. The stress, anxiety and emotions of the afternoon had clouded my judgement. I had trust in Allah SWT and I had trust in myself. I was nothing like Aliyahs ex and I would do everything in my power to proove that to her. There was no way I would lose her for the second time.

I felt alot happier then I had done when I had arrived at the masjid. I said a silent pray of thanks to Allah SWT for clearing my thoughts and for giving me a friend like Abdullah.

I reached over and hugged Abdullah 'Thank you so much for that soppy speech my brother that was exactly what I needed. Theres no way Im giving up now.'

'Well lucky for you that you understood because lets just say if you hadnt a definite a*s kicking was on the cards for you' he said as we both walked out of the masjid laughing our heads off.

I decided it was best that I didnt return to the flat. Samaa had called to say Aliyah had left as she had a train to catch.

'Well bro you better get back to the wife. I think me and my future wife (Inshah Allah) have taken up enough of your time today as it is. Jazakh Allah I owe you guys big time.'

I walked away feeling alot better then I had about half an hour ago. I was just walking around lost in my thoughts when I didnt realise I was walking towards the train station. It was then that I saw a girl walking ahead of me wearing a blue scarf. It was Aliyah.

Everything she had told me today added to how I already felt for her I couldnt help feeling extra protective of her. It was totally not like me at all but I decided to follow her and make sure she made it on the train safely.

I caught up to her at the next traffic lights and was just about to say her name to get her attention when I noticed she had her headphones in. Now I would have to follow her until she somehow noticed me. Great I had officially become a stalker.

Aliyahs POV

I had left Samaas appartment and put my headphones in. I had a tension headache and thought some recitation of Surah Rehman would help. It was dark but there was plenty of people about. For once I was thankful for the bustling crowds of London. But still I couldnt wait to get home safe and sound. I was so lost in the recitation as well as my goal of getting to the train station on time that I wasnt paying attention to people around me.

I was on the escalator on my way to the underground tube station when i was looking for some vaseline in my bag that was hanging on my left shoulder. It was only when I looked up in the mirror opposite me that I noticed Ahmed standing on a few steps behind me. What was he doing here??? Was he following me? This was crazy.

I took my headphones out 'Ahmed were you following me? I asked...shock still visable on my face.

'Well yes but not in the stalkerish kind of way that your thinking. I can see you looking at me like Im some kind of freak' he said. He was right. At first I was shocked, confused and abit scared but that last bit made me laugh.

'Ok then why were you following me then. And why didnt you call me?' I asked as I got off the escalated.

'Well I saw you on Halloway road and I didnt think it was right you walking to the train station on your own. The subways are not safe at this time at night. Anyway when I got close enough i was going to call you but you had your headphones in and I didnt know how else to get your attention. To be honest I just thought Id make sure you got on the train OK and leave but you spotted me' he said looking abit embarassed.

I couldnt believe it. We had just spent a whirlwind of an afternoon together where I had just told him everything there was to know about me. I had told him that I would never be able to trust or love him like a wife and yet he was here making sure I got home safe. I was confused.....but grateful.

'Thank you' I said 'but you really didnt have to.......I told him.

We walked in silence and before we knew it we were at the platform. I had to get the tube to the next stop and then catch my train from there. He stood next to me but didnt actually look at me. He checked his phone.

'Next trains in 2 minutes' he said 'what time do u need to get the train to birmingham? He asked.

'The train is at 7.10pn and I should be home by 9.30ish Inshah Allah. Haider will be back from work so he will probably pick me up' I added I didnt know why but I thought if he cared enough to walk me to the train station he probably be worried how i would be getting home later that evening.

He just nodded and turned his attention to a group of lads who were standing near us. They kept glancing over to us. Well we were quite weird. Two people who seemed to be together but not actually talking to eachother.

Then we heard the train approaching. The doors opened infront of me as I climbed aboard and turned to say bye, the group of lads jumped on and the train became quite over crowded around me. I thought Ahmed was about to say bye, instead he jumped on and held the pole infront of me saying 'maybe I should make sure you get on the train OK' he said trying to mask his obvious worry at me sharing the train with a group of rowdy boys.

With every second I spent with him, I was becoming more and more confused. Although the train journey lasted only 3 minutes it showed me how much he already cared about me. From the way he had jumped on the train last minute to the way he positioned himself just so he there was a small people free corner for me to stand so that i wouldnt have random strangers pushing into me.

I was so grateful for everything he had done. I had spent so long pushing people away that I had forgotten what its like to find someone who cared.

The train stopped and with it all my thoughts went away to. We got off the train. It was 6.40pm. I looked around. My head was still pounding i had to get some medicine.

'Is there a pharmacy in here? I asked Ahmed.

He looked concerned ' yeah theres one just around the corner on the left.....is everything OK??

'Yeah i just have a sore throat' I lied ' I want to get some lozenges or something.

Oh crap i thought as he followed me. Please please please dont follow me i prayed and thankfully he waited outside the shop.

I grabbed some sore throat sweets, a bottle of water and with a quick glance which assured me Ahmed wasnt looking I grabbed some pain killers too.

I cued up and just as I reached the counter the assistant told me their card machine wasnt working. I opened my purse to see if I had enough change and just then I saw a hand over my shoulder passing over a note. I knew it must be Ahmed. I picked up my purchases and turned around to tell him there was no need for that but he spoke before I could say anything.

'Seeing as I am partly responsible for your headache the least I can do is buy you some painkillers'.

I was so embarassed and could fell my cheeks going bright red. 'Im sorry for lying. I do have a sore throat too but you are right I do have a headache. The last few days have been stressful.'

He looked at me like he totally understood and ran hes hand through his hair 'I know' he looked over at the monitor showing all the arrivals and departures 'well its nearly time for you to go. And before you go I have something to say. I dont need time to think about what you have told me. Dont get me wrong I was worried about what you told me but then I thought there was a reason why Allah SWT brought you into my life. You might not trust me yet but I have alot of trust in Allah SWT and i know you are the right person for me. Nothing you can say can change that. So as it was last week and as it was this morning, my decision hasnt change. I still want to marry you. Its in your hands now Aliyah whether you will accept me or not' he said, then he pointed to the left 'platform 12 is that way and you should get a move on or their wont be any good seats left' he said checking hes phone' tubes on its way in 2 minutes so I got to shoot. Allah Hafiz Aliyah. Please give my salaam to your family. I will pass your salaam on to my family and tell Ali you were asking about him. Takecare.'

'Allah Hafiz' I said and before I could say anything else he was already making his way through the crowds to the tube station.

As I walked to my train I thought about what a crazy rollercoaster of a day it had been. I had come to tell Ahmed my story and hoping he would choose to leave like everyone else in my past. But instead of leaving he was willing to stick with me. A part of me was scared about what would happen now but another part of me was silently happy. Ahmed was nothing like I thought he would be.