Our Space

Chapter 21

"Hi and goodbye. I might not be alive the next time you see me, thanks to this," A blonde woman said as she dropped a note on Sami's desk, amusement clear in her tone as she giggled while walking off.

Sami was still in a state of shock. Radia had remembered him and gave a whole adorable apology. Sami shook his head. Not an adorable apology, just an apology. But she said she prayed for him. Sami fought back a smile as his heart warmed while he recalled the words.

He had been considering going after her when she hurried away, but he thought that to be a strange thing to do. He just wanted to respond to her and tell her that her father's bluntness had actually helped him. Then Sami remembered when he first met her, he was so sure he wanted to get to know her better. He thought there might be fitnah if he were to run after her so he left it. But then, he received the note.

He opened folded piece of paper to read what was written.

I think my friend, Radia, is interested in you. If you're still single, email her.

Below, an email was written. Sami stared at the piece of paper, feeling mortified for Radia. Poor girl, no one deserved to go through that level of embarrassment. Nonetheless, Sami felt an unexplainable amount of joy. She was interested in him? He tried to ignore how happy that made him. Instead he focused on how he was grateful for having a way to respond to her earlier rambling, as she called it.

Looking up at his computer screen, he knew he could email her right away if he wanted to. However, he didn't want to come across as desperate though he was planning on his response to be totally formal. He only wanted to get his point across. But it still seemed odd to reply so quickly. Instead, he put the note in his pocket and tried to get back to work.

I prayed for you. The words kept playing in Sami's mind. Radia had something so unique about her. Her voice and her beauty. Well, she wasn't exactly beautiful but in a way she was. Sami chided himself. He really needed to stop thinking about her.

However, he couldn't. Especially not after her friend said she was interested in him. Would it be silly or irrational to ask to get to know her again? Did her father still have something against him? Did her father even remember him? Were they still compatible? People can change a lot in two years.

Sami put all those thoughts to one side. For now, he'd just tell her how all is forgiven and how he's actually rather grateful. He'd explain everything that happened after he left her house. And he'd tell her he's grateful she prayed for him.

The rest of the day, Sami itched to start on his email to Radia. He managed to put it off until he had finished teaching his class in the masjid and had prayed Isha. He got home and put some food into the microwave for his dinner. Standing next to the microwave, Sami got out his phone and the note he still had in his pocket.

He typed the email into his phone and started writing.

Asalamu'alaykum.

I'd like to begin with saying that I appreciate that you came to apologise, thought I don't think an apology was needed.

Sami looked down at the words, wondering what to say next. Should he go straight into how he speaks to his family now? Or should he say that he forgives her father for what he said even though Sami couldn't even remember what was said properly. That part of the memory was a little hazy. He also didn't want to make it sound like there was anything worth forgiving. This was difficult.

I don't hold any ill feelings if that's what you're worried about. But you guessed correctly, I was going through some difficulties. Therefore, I appreciate that you prayed for me and maybe it is because of your prayers that things have improved significantly.