A Muslim's Romantic Journey

Chapter 47.

Yusuf’s POV

Things were looking up. Months after promising Maryam and dad that they can come over to meet Safia, I was finally taking them home. Safia recovered from her fever and hadn’t puked up for the last week. I made her take a test any way but it turned out negative. I was disappointed but relieved too. It would have been amazing to be a father, however, now wasn’t a good time. Safia was still in university and we were just about getting by. We didn’t have enough to support a baby just yet.

“Come on, let’s go now!” Maryam said pulling my arm to get me off my seat. Mum didn’t know where we were going but luckily she didn’t ask. I was going to drive dad’s car and take them to my flat. Safia was at home preparing dinner for them.

“Let dad come down, then we’ll go.” I replied.

“We can wait for him in the car.” She whined.

“Patience!” I snapped, losing my patience. That was slightly hypocritical of me. But it did the job. Maryam huffed and sat down. As soon as dad came, Maryam ran to the door.

“Let’s go!” She said opening the front door. I took dad’s keys and walked to the car. It felt good to be driving again, I sort of missed it. I’d been taking public transport after my car got destroyed beyond affordable repair. It wasn’t too bad going around on trains and buses. Safia didn’t mind either, she hardly minded anything. But I wanted a car again because it was so much more convenient.

When we were half way there, Maryam began asking,

“Are we there yet?” I first I replied telling her how long the journey was going to take. I continued with a similar response four times but the fifth time she said it, I got annoyed.

“If you ask one more time, I’m going to stop the car, throw you on the road and drive off. Then you can get there on your own.” I said frustrated. When I saw her through the mirror, she was wearing a sly smile. Her purpose was to annoy me.

“Okay Shrek.”

“You technically just called yourself Donkey.” She stuck her tongue out at me and got her phone out. Her phone kept her entertained for the rest of the journey.

I stretched my stiff limbs as I exited the car and led dad and Maryam to my home.

“Asalamu’alaykum!” Safia and Maryam both shouted seeing each other. Then they gave each other a long hug while dad and I stood awkwardly waiting for them. Then Safia saw dad and moved back and said salaam to dad.

“Come in and sit down.” She said, ushering them to the living room. We bought a few chairs so there was more space to sit other than that one sofa. Maryam sat next to Safia, bursting with joy at being with one of her best friends and the closest thing she had to a sister. Safia returned that enthusiasm too with her huge grin.

“So how have you been?” Dad asked.

“Alhamdulillah good. How have you been?” Safia asked in an extra polite voice. I remember when she used to use that polite voice with me at the beginning of our marriage. We had come such a long way.

“Good alhamdulillah. This is a nice place you’re living in.” That was an obvious lie. I could tell clearly by his face. Safia either didn’t realize or she was giving him the benefit of the doubt. Or she was just going along with it because it felt like the right thing to do.

“Yeah I really like it.” She replied. It wasn’t too bad I suppose. Dad and Safia talked a little more before she and Maryam went to the bedroom to have a private girly chat.

“Yusuf, this is where you live?” I nodded, not knowing what to say. “Are you happy here?”

“Of course I am, I’m with Safia.” Dad didn’t buy it although it was the truth. He took his wallet out and emptied it, handing all his notes over to me. “No no, I can’t accept this.”