Married To You?

A Sleepover?

Once we got into the event, everyone spread out leaving me and Qasim alone.

They obviously planned it, seeing as they didn't even say anything instead they all just ran off. How they knew where they were going, I have no clue!

Me and Qasim were just standing side by side, staring at each other then we silently decided to go to the stalls in the hall full of Islamic stalls full of things you could buy, hijabs, paintings of Arabic words etc.

It was actually beautiful as it reminded me of the stories of how people used to shop in a market being able to say hello to anyone because you just knew everyone.

Loud groups of families rushing to show each other what they wanted to get, it just had such a strong "community" feeling.

Walking around the stalls- the hall was full of them-, I was trailing ahead of him feeling a bit shy, because I didn't know what to say and the last time we were in front of each other, I had just married him.

He stopped me after a while grabbing my arm, making me turn around to face him, "Maher Zain's your favourite nasheed artist, isn't he?"

"Yeah, he is," I mumbled, confused with his topic starter, "He's awesome, pretty hot, sweet and adorable with his children and his nasheeds are beautiful, Ma Sha Allah!" I gushed; this is what happens if you ask me about my favourite artists.

He smirked, "I'm hotter though, aren't I?"

I smirked, -YAY, MY SHYNESS WENT AWAY!-, "Oh I don't know, he has such good fashion sense and he has brown hair and his voice... Oh my gosh!" I fanned my hands near my face, teasing him.

He looked a bit pissed but I just smiled innocently.

That's what he gets for being so confident all the time!

Whilst we were talking about Maher Zain, Qasim had led us to the hallways full of memorable Islamic monuments.

He smirked when he looked in the room we were in and to my luck, NOBODY WAS IN HERE! Why did I have to tease him? Now he's going to do something that's probably going to leave me embarrassed for the rest of the day.

He figured out what I was thinking second later, as he burst out with laughter.

"Oh, Khadijah..." He laughed.

"Qasim." I pleaded, stepping back away from him.

With me stupidly going back, I inevitably hit the wall, making him advance on me letting him corner me.

He put his arms on the wall, level with my head, "Hi."

I just blushed, hi? HI? That's what he's going to say?

"Hey!" I replied.

He bent down a little so his head was centimetres away from me, "Hey."

This guy was clearly teasing me, HI, HEY?

I didn't say anything, just nodding taking in the view of his face, his structured cheekbones, his hazel eyes with blessed gold flecks in them.

He smiled, whispering, "Oh my god, you're so beautiful."

I blushed- OBVIOUSLY!

I didn't say anything, what could I say anyway?

"So, Maher Zain's hotter than me, yeah?" He asked, teasing me.

I laughed, "Ahh, no, yeah, you're hotter than him, happy?" I whispered very aware of my heart beating faster than ever

"Ecstatic!" He sighed.

He sat down on the floor and I followed suit and we began talking about everything yet nothing at the same time, we were in a room full of historical things; nobody was in here and we were talking to each other so openly as if we've known each other for a long time.

Explains why I didn't want to leave.

After a while of sitting and asking each other random questions, we both decided to make the most of our day and had fun learning things about Islam, listening to people's thoughts on the history of different places, we even prayed salah together.

Reading my prayer next to Qasim, gave me the best feeling ever as I just felt closer to him and to Allah as Qasim was the one person who would complete half my deen. Praying with Qasim got me to see him in a different perspective as he looked happy, peaceful even when praying and being able to sit by him and listen whilst he lead the prayer made me more assured that this is the man Allah wanted me to spend the rest of my life with.

After praying we decided to go get some ice-cream. Yummers-Ben and Jerry's Chocolate Fudge Brownie- oh my gosh! I can't lie, the ice-cream was perfect, sitting across Qasim sharing a tub of ice-cream, it made me feel as if we've done this so many times its normal!

Once we had our ice-cream, it was now 3 o'clock, we decided to go listen to some of the nasheeds playing; MAHER ZAIN WAS HERE!

I was ecstatic I actually came to the event this year, MAHER ZAIN was here man!

I took millions of pictures and films, recording his nasheeds. I also took loads of pictures with Qasim as he sat next to me sulking, "Who cares, I'm better-looking than him!"

Laughing I said, "Oh, Qasim, stop getting upset, look I'll take pictures of you!"

He looked at me sighing exaggerating his exasperation, "It's fine, you carry on taking pictures of Maher Zain!"

"No it's okay; I'll take pictures of you now!"

Resulting with my phone having enough pictures of Qasim to last me a lifetime.

Once Maher Zain's time on the stage was over, Asr's (one of the five prayers) azaan had just started so we went to do wudhu and prepare to pray.

Once we finished praying we decided to go to some of the shops, taking silly pictures of ourselves with hats and sunglasses on. It was fun, reminding me of the days when I used to go into town with all my friends messing around. It made me feel as if Qasim was one of my friends, making me feel even closer to him.

After window shopping we went to eat at.. NANDOS!!! Ahh, the food was lovely.

Walking around, we remembered this event was in the building right next to the pier, so we found our way to the doors that lead to the pier.

Qasim got a phone call from Abid, probably asking him where to meet up so we could spend some time together, then we could go home.

It was 6 o'clock right now, so we would probably pray Maghrib then listen to a few speeches before heading out at 8/9 o'clock and we would probably reach home at 12 o'clock, well that's my vague outline of the rest of the day.

Walking out onto the pier, staring out at the river Thames was actually peaceful.

The sunlight dipping into the water making it look like a sunset -totally i********: scenic picture.

Qasim was following me , heavy footsteps trailing behind me as I took my phone out to take pictures.

It was dark for 6 o'clock though, the shadows of the dark coming out to play.

Laughter resonated in the air as he stood behind me looking at my photography skills.

"Insta worthy?" He asked.

"Yes!" I replied.

The proximity between us was close but for some weird, unknown reason I liked it and it felt natural, as if we've been this close a hundred times before.

I started taking selfies with him, his head on my shoulder making some weird faces!

We just took some messed pictures together, the best weird one of him sticking his tongue out with me pouting, the best "cute" one was him kissing my cheek and me making an 'O' with my mouth.

I used the "cute" one as my background.

Laughing I went through all the pictures, "We're a weird couple, you know!"

"Yeah, but we're the best couple too!" He gushed, "like oh my gosh, we're so cute together!"

"Send me those pictures." Qasim said.

"Will do, later" I replied, feeling lazy.

"Lazy guts!" He laughed into my ear, teasingly.

I shivered, the warm night changing its tune.

"Cold?" He asked, genuinely concerned.

"No!" I didn't want him to take his hoodie off, he'll be cold.

"Khadijah, don't lie." He scolded.

"I'm fine, I'm warm!" I insisted.

He shifted a little, taking his hoodie off.

I groaned, "I said I'm okay..."

"Yeah well, I don't really believe you so sucks to be you!" He grinned.

Draping his hoodie over me, he leant against the pier's railing looking at me, "Put it on, properly!"

Putting it on properly, zipping it up, hood on. I could smell his 212 perfume mixed with his body smell- perfect!

Inhaling it, I smiled up at him, not really realising that he was staring at me. I just stared at him and then smiled innocently.

"Wait; let me take a picture of you!" Qasim quickly said.

I laughed, then posed with the hood on my head, peace signs and SHO sign all set. He grinned once he took the picture, "Yeah this one's my background!" He laughed.

"Perfect, woman you make my clothes look 100 more times better!" He groaned.

"Well, that just shows you make them look ugly then doesn't it?" I teased.

"Ugly, me?" he questioned in an astonished tone.

"Yes, ugly, you.." laughing, "I'm joking, you look much better than anyone else here by far!"

He grinned, "That's better!"

“Apart from Maher Zain, of course”

Laughing he shook his head,”Very funny”

“I am, aren't I?”

“Very” he said in a slightly angry tone but his face gave him away as he smiled at me showing me his beautiful dimples.

I turned to head inside, it WAS getting pretty cold. His footsteps followed but not before his hand grabbed mine. Once we were inside, we went to sit and listen to some speeches before we called it a night.

Abid, Haleena and Aneesah found us after 20 minutes and decided to sit and listen for a bit. It was only 9 o'clock after all. We decided to leave at 10 on the dot, meaning we'd probably be home at 1 o'clock.

I should probably text Zohrah and let her know;

Me: Salaam Zohrah, hw r u lot? Hving fun without us, lstn we shld b home @ 1:00. Tell Naveed.

She didn't reply so I put my phone in Qasim's hoodie pocket so I could at least feel the vibration when she replies.

"Hey, look what this one's wearing!" Abid pointed out when a break in the speeches occurred.

"Leave her alone!" Qasim said, making me smile at him and stick my tongue at Abid.

"Shame!" I laughed as he just scowled at me from his seat.

Ring-Ring .

My phone rang, I just grinned sheepishly and picked up the phone, it was Zohrah.

Me: Salaam

Zohrah: Walaikam- a -salam, can you give the phone to Qasim? I didn't have his number.

Me: Uhm.. Sure

Handing the phone to Qasim who just looked at me curiously, "It's Zohrah." I said, still unsure of why she needed to talk to him.

Abid, Haleena and Aneesah all looked at me curiously but I just shrugged.

Qasim: Assalam - u -alaikum baji.

We all just stared at him for a second trying to figure out what happened but then I just ignored it, if it's something I need to know then Qasim will tell me.

While he was talking, I zoned out- it's one of my best tasks!- I thought about how comfortable I am with Qasim, how I'm going to have to live with him, wake up to him.

I thought of the things that freaked me out, things that scared me, him being the father to my children - In Sha Allah -, the both of us arguing over things that could jeopardise our marriage.

It all scared me but it also excited me as I'd try to solve the problems, I love him so I'd sacrifice a lot to live happily with him.

"Khadijah, come with me" Qasim said in a tense tone, handing me my phone which I pocketed, making me worried something's wrong.

I stood up with him ignoring the three anxious stares I got, following him out to the pier.

I didn't say anything, just waited for him to say something.

"Khadijah..." he started off in a weary tone.

"Yes." I said in an equally as much worried tone.

"You and Haleena have to stay at our house today, your mum and dad know so does mine. They didn't want you coming home late." he said.

THAT WAS IT!

I just smiled glad it wasn't something my outrageous creativity invented.

"Is that okay?" he questioned.

I grinned, “I thought it was going to be something serious”

"Isn't that serious?" He teased, smirking.

"Not really, my imagination is wild !" I laughed.

" Hey, that's where you guys are!" Someone from behind us said-Abid, “what happened?”

“Hope you've prepared for a sleepover bro” I said in a cheery tone making Abid look at me confused and Qasim laugh

I smiled at the sight of him laughing carefree as if he had no tensions in the world- will he stay like this after the marriage too?

All three of us walked inside, me slowing a little so I could walk by Qasim's side, his hand holding mine again. We were welcomed by the sight of Haleena and Aneesah gushing, "Awwwh, that is so cute!"

I just groaned, pulling Qasim along to the speech hall, wanting to listen to the last few speeches, followed by the three idiots.

He abided by my pulling, sitting down with me, smiling at me as I sighed in contentment as the speeches weren't yet finished.

When there was a tiny break in the speeches, "You didn't answer my question, is it okay?"

"Yeah, I don't mind."I replied, he grinned shifting his head so lips were near my ear.

"Sorry sweetheart, but you can't sleep with me, I doubt your brother would let me live after that." he whispered.

I just blushed, ducking my head so he couldn't point it out.

I wasn't even thinking of sleeping with him, was I? I wasn't, right?

Oh crap, I'm so dead!!!

We continued listening to the speeches, Qasim holding my hand, my head leaning on his shoulder, Aneesah and Haleena whispering to each other whilst Abid sat next to Haleena; I wasn't really sure what exactly he was doing.

WE WERE FINALLY GOING HOME!

We were all happy, exhausted but glad we had a great day. Getting in the car (the back-seat),Qasim grabbed my hand, leading me to the front seat, "You're sitting with me!" he whispered into my ear.

I got into the car, burrowing myself into the seat and his hoodie warming myself up as the rest of them slowly walked to the car, honestly it was as if they were like my grandparents(may Allah grant them heaven).

Once they got in, we finally moved from our parking place, sighing a breath of relief, I looked at everyone; the three "children" already had headphones in-as if they couldn't bear to talk to us, humph!

Deciding to just stare at my man- my man, sounds pretty good, I shifted to face my body towards his face, staring at him. I still found it unbelievable that he WANTED to get married to me.

His face illuminated by the light of the moon, his eyes lightened with the hues of hazel and gold, his dark hair dishevelled from his hands. All these details made him more prominent to me, more good looking.

"Woman, stop staring..." he murmured lowly.

Ignoring him I stared at him as his eyes gazed at the road. His arm muscles flexing as he handled the steering wheel.

"Khadijah!" he groaned.

"Yes, sweetheart, is my staring bothering you?" I teased.

"Oh no, darling. Continue staring if you want." he said.

So I did, continue staring!

Inevitably I fell asleep as he drove to his house- my future home.

"Khadijah, get up." That's what I heard when I woke up so I slept through a three-hour drive AGAIN, wow, *high-five* new record!!

Anyway, opening my eyes rubbing the sleep away, I saw the three idiots were already making their way to the door -quite drunkenly, probably sleep-deprived- whilst Qasim was sitting staring at me.

"Hi!" I timidly muttered, waving.

He grinned, "Do you want to go sleep in a bed now?"

"Sure, yeah we can do that!" I said, clearly sleep was still running through my brain.

Quickly, slapping my hand over Qasim's mouth, trying to prevent any humiliating teasing coming from him, "Nope, no no no! That's not what I meant so just shush!"

He nodded, kissing my hand clearing my throat, I moved my hand and got out of the car, grabbing my things.

He followed suit.

Whoa... Back up, where am I going to sleep?