Our Space

Chapter 29

"I'm flattered, Colleen, really. But no hugs please."

"Fine, I'll leave that to Radia then. I can't believe you're married to Radia! She was an amazing student, so full of creative ideas. How is she by the way? How are things going?"

"Amazing!" Sami said before he could stop himself. Then he began to blush as he tried to divert his attention on unwrapping his present. Colleen let out an ear piercing squeal. Worse than the squeal Radia let out when Sami bought her a bracelet with their names on it.

Sami was surprised when he saw what his gift was. It was a canvas with calligraphy and the translation read, 'They are a garment for you, and you are a garment for them... (Qur'an 2:187)'

"Wow!" Sami exclaimed, analysing the delicate strokes of gold on a black background.

"Okay, getting a present was my idea. Getting something about your religion was also my idea since you and Radia are both quite religious. That specific gift was Sultan's idea. Though I must say, that's a very nice quote from the koran."

"It is, isn't it? Thank you so much. I'm so touched."

"Sami!" Someone said, grabbing his shoulders and shaking him. "So you got hitched, huh?"

"Yes, Sultan. Thanks for picking out the present by the way."

"No problem. Congrats man!"

"Thanks." Next, Sami took the envelope out of the card and read the messages inside. All were the typical messages he'd expected to get, congratulating him and wishing him well. Sami kept the card on display for the rest of the day.

At some point, a female student came to see him and saw the card.

"Sir, did you get married?" She asked and Sami nodded. The girl hung her head as she frowned. "But sir, I like you," She confessed and Sami jumped back a little.

"What?" How was he supposed to deal with this? He looked around for help. Luckily, Stacey saved him by leading the girl out of the office for a private chat.

During lunch, after Sami had prayed, he escaped from his teasing colleagues and even some students who had joined in, and got his phone out to phone Radia after opening up his lunch. Hearing her voice felt so soothing from the craziness of his day. He asked how her day had been and she described her shopping experience with great detail. It gave enough time for Sami to finish eating his sandwich and apple.

"We're going to our fourth shop now in such little time. I hope the saleslady in this shop is better than the last one! Also, I still can't decide on what colour to wear. Do you have any suggestions?"

"I'm sure you'll look beautiful in whatever colour you choose to wear."

"Except yellow," Radia responded and Sami rolled his eyes.

"Will you ever let that go?" Sami had bought Radia a yellow dress which he thought would look cute and summery on her. But Radia complained that the colour yellow doesn't suit her and they'd decided that Radia would just pick out her own clothes thereon out.

"This isn't even in relation to that. I'm just making a general statement. Anyways, how has your day been?"

"Some student started crying because she found out I got married."

"No way! Aww, poor thing. She had a crush on you?"

"Yeah, I don't see why. I can't even remember her name. I just know she's friends with one of the students I mentor."

"You're there to work! Stop causing fitnah."

"I'm not doing anything! By the way, we got a really present and a card too. The card is how that student found out."