Your Lord is most knowing of what is within yourselves. If you should be righteous [in intention] - then indeed He is ever, to the often returning [to Him], Forgiving.
-Surah al-Isra, 17:25
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More than a year later
AALEYAH
I cannot stop grinning like an i***t. The wrapped present in my arms feels too heavy, and although I am slightly out of breath, I don’t let Adian carry it for me.
“Lady! When will you ever listen to me!” he jogs towards me, snatching one of the two boxes out of my arms.
“Give that back to me!” I shout, and people give us curious looks. “Give that back right now,” I repeat, this time in a lower voice.
“What is it with you!” he groans, throwing
