The Dangers of Islam: The Terrorist

Chapter 21: Penguins

     Dawood winced as he heard the roaring of a lion in his ear. He didn't understand why he had allowed Khadijah to program his alarm with that sound, but now he was facing the repercussions of his actions. "Go back to sleep," Dawood heard a soft voice whisper as the alarm magically turned off. He smiled and sleepily looked at the owner of the voice. Iman rubbed her eyes and fumbled with Dawood's phone before putting it back on the nightstand. Dawood pretended to fall bask asleep, but draped his arm over Iman's waist. She smacked Dawood's hand gently and said, "What are you doing? I know you're not asleep." "Is it a crime to cuddle with my wife?" Dawood mumbled as he buried his nose in the crook of Iman's neck. "Stop that! Your beard tickles!" Iman cried out and sat up abruptly. "Stop it." Dawood pouted as he lay back down against his pillows, "Fine. Be a meanie. Also, I don't have a beard. I have stubble." Iman smiled and pinched Dawood's cheeks gently, "Why is my husband so cute?"

     "I want to say it's because I use soap daily," Dawood replied. "That's what Khadijah says," Iman pointed out as she lay back down and rested her head on Dawood's chest. "Yeah? Well, where do you think she gets it from?" Dawood asked as he protectively wrapped his arm around Iman. "I get it, I get it. I married into a family of cute individuals," Iman said and looked up at Dawood who had a smug smile on his face. "Yeah, but we can't compete with how gorgeous you are," Dawood said as he looked at Iman and let his fingers play with her long hair. Iman smiled and closed her eyes for a minute, granting Dawood a moment to study his wife. This once closeted woman had seemed to blossom into an even more wondrous person in their house. Her smiles were something Dawood looked forward to every time he woke up, every time he came home, and every time he saw her.

     "You're lost in thought," Iman whispered and quickly sat up once she heard a floorboard creak. "She's not awake yet, Iman," Dawood smiled and pulled her back into his arms. "Khadijah very well could be. You just want to cuddle, don't you?" Iman sighed, but smiled as Dawood nodded. "Is that so wrong?" Dawood asked and smiled as Iman draped her arm over his waist again. "I suppose not," Iman shrugged with a slight smile. "Iman?" Dawood whispered. "Hmm?" Iman responded as she looked up at Dawood expectantly. "Thank you for being my wife," Dawood smiled. Iman shook her head and sighed, "Ugh. Why do you say such awkward things?" "Why is that awkward? I'm serious. I'm far from perfect. In fact, perfect is on the other side of the world from me. You seem to come from Perfectville, USA. I married a woman from Perfectville. Not only is she perfect, she decided to be my wife and my daughter's mother. Not only is she my wife and my daughter's mo-," Dawood began but was cut off by Iman as she placed her hand over Dawood's mouth.

     "I get it. You're still awkward though. You don't have to thank me for marrying you. We mutually agreed we were right for each other," Iman explained and laughed as Dawood gave her a hug. "I don't know what we did right in our lives to have you as part of our family, but I thank Allah everyday for having you in our lives," Dawood sighed. "You're way too sweet," Iman said as she stifled another yawn. "My queen is exhausted, isn't she?" Dawood asked and felt his heart race as Iman sleepily nodded. "Absolutely stunning," Dawood murmured to himself and shook his head once Iman looked at him in question. "You said something, didn't you?" Iman asked. "Nope," Dawood lied and shook his head again.

     After a few minutes of quiet, Iman spoke up and said, "Your sister-in-law messaged me yesterday." "Which one?" Dawood asked as he sat up and rested his back against the headboard. "The one I'm friends with," Iman said and gently ran her fingertips over the scar that ran over Dawood's clavicle. "Aisha Bhabi?" Dawood asked in surprise. "We've been married for how long?" Iman asked. "Three months, going on four," Dawood answered proudly. "Right. She decided to message me yesterday asking what's up. This is the first time in months that we've spoken. I suppose your eldest brother decided to spill the beans," Iman speculated. "I doubt it. He's a vindictive little shi-uh I mean," Dawood stammered as he tried to find a less offensive word to describe his brother.