A Muslim's Romantic Journey

Chapter 38.

Safia’s POV

“Let me show her what I’m made of.” Aunt Jerry said. At first I was scared, but then I'd had enough. She began to insult me about the same stupid things! Before I could speak up, Yusuf said,

“Mum, stop please! This isn’t like one of those dramas you watch. You’re not a poor victim with an evil daughter in law who’s stealing your son away.” It probably wasn’t the right moment to giggle. Instead, I calmly spoke up.

“I’m sorry if you feel this way but I’ll remind you, I’ve done nothing wrong!” I stopped myself from saying, this is your fault! You drove your son away! Yusuf wouldn’t have liked me speaking to his mother like that.

“Because of you, my son is moving out. Because of you, he barely speaks to me.” She hissed.

“Safia,” Yusuf put his hand on my shoulder. “Let’s go, this isn’t worth the trouble.”

“No, let me speak. Just give me a few minutes to clear the air.” Yusuf motioned for Maryam to leave the room. Then, in a calm manner, I began letting out all the things I’d wanted to say to Aunt Jerry. “When did you ever attempt to speak to Yusuf? When did you ever fuss over him like you did with Javed?” I saw Yusuf turn away with pain evident on his face. He still had his hand on my shoulder, and I put my hand on his.

“Don’t tell me what sort of mother I am! I do what’s best for my children.”

“What’s best?” I said with an annoying sarcastic smile. “Look at your precious children. Look at all the pain you’ve caused them. All the pain you are causing them now.” I tried to stop myself from raising my voice. “I love Yusuf, Yusuf loves me. We make each other happy. If you wanted what was best for your children, you’d let them be happy. But no, you want what’s best for yourself.”

“I want what’s best for my children! Yusuf could have done so much better than you!”

“Maybe, but I was written in his destiny. If you had any fear of Allah, you’d let it be.”

“You’re preaching to me about religion? Who are you to tell me anything about religion? You argue with my son and pack your things and leave, yet you think you have the right to preach to me?”

“That’s enough. Safia, let’s go.” Yusuf said, pulling me a little.

“Fine, but let me say one last thing. Everyone is getting sick of this grudge you’re holding against me. Nothing good can come out of it.” With that, I turned around and walked away with my head held high. Yusuf stayed behind to have a word with his mum.

When I got to Yusuf’s car, I saw Javed coming down the road. He was still at a distance. I got into Yusuf’s car and put my head down so I won’t have to see him. I’d faced one person who hated me already. I didn’t want to face anyone else.

A little while later, there was knock on the car door. I looked up to see Javed. I rolled down the window only a little to see what he wanted.

“Hello sis.”

“What?” I was really confused. I looked behind to Javed’s house, hoping Yusuf would come out soon.

“That’s a little rude.” I ignored him as I kept staring at the door, willing for Yusuf to step through. “Yusuf said I’d never attempted a conversation with you, so I’m communicating. Isn’t that what he wanted?” I continued ignoring him. “You’re mad at me for this whole Amy issue, huh? I bet she made a whole big deal out of it. She had a tendency to do that.”

“Right, that’s enough. Not another word about Amy! What is wrong with you and your mother? A word of advice, one day you’re going to die. Could be in 50 years, could be today, could be tomorrow. Only a few days ago, I heard of a man around your age unexpectedly dying. It’ll be dangerous for you to realize the error of your ways then, when you’ll have no way out. So maybe start to reevaluate your life while you still have time.” Javed glared at me before he stormed away. Of course it was only after he entered his house that Yusuf came out.