Book II: My Muslimah, My Wife

Chapter 3

Ayesha

"I just can't believe you guys. Khalid just turned one", Ayesha said turning her face away from Afaaf's as they walked in the hospital hallway.

"I'm completely fine, Alhamdulilah. There's really no need to worry", Afaaf replied.

"No Afaaf, this is something to worry about. Khalid's still a baby. You're still a new mom. You went back to work like a few months ago. There are so many things to consider before making such life altering decisions"

"Ayesha, I told you. This is by the Will of Allah. We didn't plan anything. And I'm sure Imran and I will figure out the rest. I can't wait to tell him that I'm pregnant again. He doesn't have a single clue. His reaction is gonna be priceless", Afaaf laughed and Ayesha smiled shaking her head.

Little Afaaf, now all grown, seemed all prepared to take on huge challenges. Ayesha wondered what Imran had done to her silly little sister who hated changes and avoided challenges.

Forgiveness. Ayesha remembered Afaaf's answer. Afaaf had told her how at one critical point she found him very forgiving and merciful.

Suddenly, Afaaf's phone rang and her face lit up. No doubt that was Imran.

"Walaikumasalam wa rehmatullahi wa barakatuhu", Afaaf said answering the call. She lifted a finger asking Ayesha for a minute. Ayesha nodded and she took a few steps away to speak to Imran. Meanwhile Ayesha checked her phone for any new messages from work and noted the time left to pick up Ali from school. Just then she heard a familiar masculine voice calling her. She tightened her grip around the edges of her phone as a familiar face came to her mind.

"Ayesha!", Dr. Salman called her making her turn around. She pasted a fake smile on her face and greeted him. Her heart started beating faster as he started walking towards her.

Ayesha had met him for the first time when she came in with her sick mother who had to go under surgery. She met him in Dr. Haifa's office, her mother's cardiologist. Dr. Haifa of Jordanian origin, worked and practiced here as a senior cardiologist. She introduced Dr. Salman as her nephew who had just started his residency in this hospital thanks to his Aunt's connections.

Dr. Salman had a habit of hanging out in his Aunt's office during his break and Ayesha had met him a couple of times, sometimes briefly, sometimes for annoyingly long-winded meetings. It didn't help that Dr. Haifa had a habit of talking a lot especially about details of her personal life. She wasn't shy to mention to Ayesha how annoyed she was with Salman still being single despite his aunt showing him several proposals from girls of different backgrounds. Ayesha couldn't help but roll her eyes at the insinuations.

Despite Dr. Haifa's talkative nature, Ayesha couldn't help but find her endearing. It was afterall due to Dr. Haifa's this very nature that she was well informed on her mother's condition. She just disliked how every time Ayesha visited, she had to play matchmaker.

And Dr. Salman? He was just a friendly doctor, Ayesha reminded herself. Nothing more. Nothing less. There were many times when Ayesha wanted to make certain things very clear to him but she just couldn't. Dr. Haifa had grown closer to her and her mother. She was basically another of her mother's dear friends now. Ayesha couldn't find a way to refuse her attempts at matchmaking without damaging their close acquaintance.

"How are you? Long time no see!", Dr. Salman said approaching Ayesha. He was tall and fair skinned, had brown eyes and jet black hair that was cut short. He had a small stubble over his sharp jaw and a trimmed down moustache. He had a black tattoo on his left upper arm which he hid by wearing a white shirt underneath his scrubs. Dr. Haifa once exposed his little secret to Ayesha in a conversation.