Our Space

Chapter 29

A/N: Kind of unedited.

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Sami was dreading the day as he got ready for work. It was going to be his first day back at work as a married man. Radia had another week off and was planning to spend the days planning their Walima(1). They'd set a date for the Walima in two months' time to give them enough time for planning. As was the case before, Sami wasn't so bothered with the whole thing.

Once he was ready, Sami tried to delay his time at home for as long as he could, calculating what time he would need to leave to be on time but not early. Finally, Radia had to urge him to go.

"You're going to be late!" She said, handing him his bag.

"I don't want to go! I want to stay home with you," Sami complained, getting up.

"I would like that too but that's not possible right now. Now go!" Radia pulled him out of the room and towards the front door.

"I'm hurt you want me to go so badly. Is this because you want to go out shopping with your friends?" Sami said, pouting.

"No, I don't want you to get into trouble. But I am looking forwards to that," Radia responded, putting her hand on Sami's cheek. "Don't worry, I'll be back by the time you return, okay?"

"Okay," Sami said, leaning into her hand. Radia moved forward to hug him and Sami put his arms around her too. "I'm missing you already."

"Honestly, you're like a little kid."

"Well I never got to experience this as a kid so let me live it out now."

"Experience what?"

"A proper breakfast, clothes ironed for me, a packed lunch, a hug," Sami explained, looking towards the ground. A silence came over them and Sami brought his eyes up to see Radia staring at him, her eyes glazed over. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," She responded, putting her head against his shoulder.

"It's okay, I don't mind that I didn't get to experience it. I'm just making justifications of why I'm acting like a baby," Sami said in his attempt to cover up what was going on. This was the third time Radia had teared up over Sami's past. Sami felt like it didn't even affect him as much as it affected her.

"Babies don't complain about ironed shirts," Radia said, trying to get back to their usual teasing way of speaking.

"I really honestly do appreciate that you ironed my clothes for me but please, let ironing be my thing," Sami said, as he looked over at the creases on his shirt. As much as his adoration for Radia was growing, he couldn't deny that her ironing skills weren't the best. Or maybe he was so used to his own standards of ironing in which he had to take out every crease in order to be satisfied and having someone else do the job just felt a bit odd.

"Fine. Now go, you're going to be late!"

"Okay," Sami said, reluctantly letting go of Radia. "I'll see you when I get back, in'sha'Allah. Asalamu'alaykum." He gave her a quick kiss before stepping out of the door.

"Wa'alaykumusalaam. Oh, and call me when you have your lunch break."

"Okay, I will," Sami replied, walking away.

When Sami reached work, all his colleagues were eager to congratulate him. Sami wasn't used to the attention. He sat at his desk and noticed a wrapped present and a card sitting in front of his computer.

"Who's this from?" He asked, touched.

"It's from everyone, but it was my idea," An older colleague said as she leaned closer to Sami. "I'm so happy for you, I wish I could give you a hug!"