The Perfect Union

Chapter 20 - Vanishing distances

Aliyahs POV

'Oh my god Aliyah, you had me scared for a second there....i was like damn what is she going to ask for. And all you want is to go Samaa's. Sure get ready and I will take you' Ahmed said still chuckling to himself.

It had been a whole week since that dreaded phone call and although I had all but convinced myself it was just my warped imagination I had to talk to Samaa about it.

'We cant go just yet its just gone 10am on a sunday morning Ahmed. Plus Aunty Nazia is here. I dont think she will be happy if I go out and spend the whole day with my friend. Anyway I have to call Samaa and findout what time is best for her' I told him as I started to tidy up the kitchen.

'Yeah sure. Anyway Im going to go to the living room and try and watch some cricket as long as Aunty Nazia doesnt have any issues with that' Ahmed said as he rolled his eyes.

'Dont worry she is already complaining about how your wife has you wrapped around her little finger seeing as u have spent 27minutes in the kitchen this morning' Aaminah said walking back in the kitchen alot more awake and happier then before. We all chuckled at her comments and Ahmed left pretending he was saying a quick pray before he went.

I finished cleaning the kitchen and left Aaminah munching on her pancakes as I walked to the living room. I looked around trying to find the best place to sit. Aunty Nazia was sitting on one sofa and Ahmed was sitting on the other sofa.

I could tell Aunty Nazia was watching me to see if I would sit next to Ahmed so I gave a her quick smile as I sat next to her. She made a little small talk asking about my family and I looked around wandering where Aunty Sara was who lucky for me walked back in and sat down next to Ahmed.

'Sara, this outfit Aliyah is wearing, is it one of the ones you gave her' Aunty Nazia asked and although the question seemed innocent enough I dont know why I had the feeling that she was about to start something really ugly.

'No I dont think so. Aliyah is this outfit from your mums house' Aunty Sara turned and asked me.

'Errmm yes it is Aunty. Actually one of my friends gave it to me. I really liked it so I decided to wear it today' I told her wandering what I had done wrong as the look on Aunty Nazias face showed she was far from pleased.

'Theres nothing wrong with it but you just got married you shouldnt be wearing colours like white, you should wear pinks and reds and greens.' She said finally spitting out what was really annoying her.

I didnt know how to answer her. I couldnt believe she was seriously telling me how I should dress. Just as I was deciding how I should answer her Ahmed spoke up.

'Actually I think Aliyah looks really nice in this outfit. White really suits her.'

I couldnt believe he just said that infront of everyone. I could feel my cheeks getting warmer as Im sure I was blushing. I quickly glanced at him as he gave me a smile and winked at me. I quickly looked away feeling even more embarassed.

Only then I noticed that Aunty Nazia had started a rant about kids nowadays having no respect for their elders. Great now I am going to have sit here and listen to this all day long.

I just sat there nodding along, not really paying attention on what Aunty Nazia was saying but trying my best not to anger her anymore.

All of a sudden Ahmed stood up 'Anyway you guys chat. I have some work to do' he said. I looked up at him pleading with him to get me out of there somehow but I could tell by the mischievious smirk that Ahmed was going to do nothing like that at all. Just as he was about to leave he turned and said 'Aliyah didnt you need to call Samaa' and I thought to myself thank god for this.

'Oh yes. I think my phone is upstairs. Aunty Nazia and Aunty Sara you guys chat I will be just back' I said getting up quickly before anybody could stop me.

As I started to climb the stairs I turned to Ahmed behind.

'Thank you so much. Although it was kinda your fault Aunty had gotten angry in the first place. Anyway Im glad you helped me get out of there' I whispered to him and then I noticed we were standing abit too close on the narrow stairs.

'My fault you say.....maybe I should send you back and make you spend all of today with her' he said with a serious look and for a second I actually fell for it until he started laughing abit too loudly. Before I knew what I was doing I put my hand on his mouth to stop him laughing.

Why the hell did you do that for......you do realise that u were awfully close to him before and you just went and made everything 10 times worse.

I quickly took my hand down and looked away as I whispered 'Sorry I didnt mean to do that.....its just you were laughing so loudly'.

'Its ok Aliyah' he said quietly as he ran a hand through his hair. It looked like he was deciding to say something but before he had the chance I heard the living room door open and decided it was best to make my way upstairs.

Ahmeds POV

'Actually I think Aliyah looks really nice in this outfit. White really suits her.' The words were out of my mouth as soon as I thought them and for the first time I didnt care how angry Aunty Nazia would get.

She was never happy anyway and I was done walking on eggshells around her.

What surprised me the most was the shocked look on Aliyahs face when I made that comment. I could see her cheeks blushing and this made her look even more cute. She blushed at the smallest things and when she did this it made me laugh.

Great now I have to sit here and listen to this rant. Not exactly what I had planned on doing for my last day before work.

After 10 minutes I decided I had enough. No amount of cricket was worth having my ears chewed up.

I stood up saying I was going to do some work. Just as I left I saw Aliyah looking at me, literally silently pleading to be saved by this t*****e.

An idea came to me. I decided to remind Aliyah that she needed to call Samaa. That way she would be able to leave the room as her phone was upstairs. Luckily my plan worked and we were both freed.

As we started to walk up the stairs Aliyah turned around quickly. Had I not been walking slowly I probably would have bumped straight into her.

'Thank you so much. Although it was kinda your fault Aunty had gotten angry in the first place. Anyway Im glad you help me get out of there' she whispered quickly as she looked everywhere but straight at me.

'My fault you say.....maybe I should send you back and make you spend all of today with her' I answered her back trying to sound as serious as possible and the look on her face showed she really had fallen for it. I couldnt help but start laughing loudly.

I was so caught up with laughing that I didnt realise that all of a sudden a soft hand was over my mouth. Everything was so quiet....all I could hear was mine and Aliyahs breaths. We stayed like that for a few seconds just staring into eachothers eyes when I saw a hint of recognition cross Aliyahs eyes before she dropped her hand.

'Sorry I didnt mean to do that.....its just you were laughing so loudly'. She said quickly.

I told her it was ok. Everything she did left me so confused. I was still rooted to the spot but I heard the living room door opening and decided it was best to make my way upstairs behind Aliyah.

Aliyahs POV

'So you are sure you are not busy today....I just thought it would be nice to catch up' I told Samaa, my phone between my ear and my shoulder as I was tidying my drawer.

After the little moment me and Ahmed had just had I had practically ran upstairs and rang Sama straight away so by the time Ahmed came upstairs I was busy with my phonecall. I could feel his eyes watching me from across the room but I was too scared to turn around.

'Yeah Habibi i wasnt planning on doing anything today anyway. To be honest I was planning on making some brownies and watching a marathon of TVD.

Ah oh chocolate brownies that can only mean one thing. Time of the month.

'Oh Samaa......you sure you want company over. I would understand if you just wanted to laze around all day' I said remembering how before Samaa got married this was our monthly ritual. We spent so much time together that even our monthlys were in tune. We both suffered so bad that the first day was normally spent in bed with a big batch of chocolate brownies watching movies and shows.

'Yeah like I said it will be nice to have a catch up. Plus you can spoil me. The boys can go out. Im sure they have been missing each other.....a week apart for them is way too long' she said laughing loudly and I heard Abdullah mumbling something in thr background that sounded like he couldnt wait for Ahmed to come over because he was getting bored of Samaa.

'Okay then. We will be down about 2.30ish. See you later Inshah Allah. Salaam' I said finishing the call.

I was smiling to myself as I turned to tell Ahmed what the plan was and I caught him staring at me. For a few seconds I just stood there and I had forgotten what I was going to say.

'2.30 then?' Ahmed finally asked breaking the trance.

Eurghhh why do I keep doing this.

'Yeah if thats ok with you?' I asked quietly pretending to go back to my drawer. In my attempt of tidying my hijabs up i managed to get my bangles tangled in the strands of one of my scarfs.

'Aliyah can I ask you something?' Ahmed said. I turned to answer him and didnt realise he was standing right behind me.

I swallowed trying to get my breath back as I stepped back trying to keep some distance between us but instead ended up bumping into the cupboard. I knew my cheeks would be blushing bright red giving away my feeling of embarassment so I quickly went back to the task of untangling my scarf.

'Aliyah' he said again.

Why does he have to say my name like that.....it makes me feel like my heart is made of chocolate and is starting to melt.

'Yeah' I said not looking up as I couldnt trust myself to face his gaze.

'Why do you find me so intimidating' he asked and for the first time i heard something in his voice that I hadnt heard yet. He sounded hurt!

'I dont' I said finally looking up and the look on his face confirmed the feeling I had felt. There was alot of hurt there.

He started untangling the scarf in my hand.

'You know this isnt going to work unless you give me a chance. I still remember what you told me before we got married and Im not going back on my promise I wont push you......but you have to try....you have to let me in' he said looking straight at me.

'I am trying....I really am... I just need some time' I said looking back at him.

How did we get so close I could feel the door of the cupboard behind me and Ahmeds right arm was resting just by my head and his left arm was resting just inches from my waist. The seconds felt like minutes as we stood there just looking into eachothers eyes as so many unspoken words were being spoken. He leaned forward.

I closed my eyes and my whole body went stiff as I felt him get close to me. You know technically you cant stop him he is your husband the nagging voice told me. But that doesnt mean Im ready for all this I told myself. I could feel his hot breathe on my face.

'Ok' he said and when i opened my eyes I saw him walking towards the door.

'Ahmed' I called as he was just about to open the door.

'Im just going to tell mum we will be going out later. You can finish off what you were doing' he said not really looking at me.

I dont deserve him I told myself as I started to cry.