Bookworms | ✔

forty

The three of them stepped into the mosque, right foot first like the Islamic tradition.

It was the night prayer when they walked in, a smooth voice running through the words in a maze of melody, never losing his focus. The reciter's voice spoke in a deep, subtle tone, warming every heart with the depth in his recitation.

The brothers prayed behind the reciter while Nicholas watched. I wish I knew how to pray, he thought.

He sat silent as a deer, curious eyes gazing at the endless rows of men from different backgrounds united under the same God, same religion, same beliefs. A royal blue carpet decorated the floor beneath them, small artistic remarks on the intricate and acute, golden designs that mirrored the silhouette of a mosque.

The women prayed behind the men, a divider between them in order to protect the women from lusty or inappropriate gazes, but most importantly giving them their privacy.

The men before him seemed to hold themselves in high respect and honor, their intentions purely on the worship of Allah and nothing else. Among the women, Nicholas knew Dina was praying with them. Her brothers knew nothing of the brewing romance between them and for that, Nicholas felt shame.

One day, he told himself, I'll have the courage to tell them.

Once the prayer was completed, the men sat in silence, lips whispering and some gazing at Nicholas in the corner of the room. The imam of the mosque stood up and took hold of the microphone.

He was a man of his late forties, jet-black hair graying and wrinkles forming in the corner of his eyes. The imam wasn't a golden tan like the Younes twins, but rather a pale white like Nicholas. With eyes as light as maple and cheeks whiter than snow, Nicholas knew this man was either of European descent or Mediterranean.

"Assalamualaikum, brothers and sisters!" he said in a thick accent.

"Waalaikumsalam."

The imam's eyes stayed on his, searching deep into his irises as if to check the certainty laying behind them. Nicholas's breath quickened, heart pumping rapidly in his chest as others followed the imam's eyes, landing on Nicholas's shy body. He averted his gaze.

"Today, we have a joyous event. A man would like to convert to Islam," he began, voice soft to comfort Nicholas. He appreciated the gesture. "Conversion is not always easy. It takes many obstacles, many trials, and many questions to get to this point where a believer comes back to Allah."

The crowd murmured in agreement. From the corner of Nicholas's eyes, he saw Haroon and Humaid giving him reassuring smiles, nodding eagerly at him. Their expressions were so proud.

It seemed as though they had won a long-fought battle and were finally seeing the results. They beamed at him with their elation coating them in all its glory. The Younes twins provided the comfort Nicholas needed in his time of self-discovery; they provided their confidence in him.

Never had his parents gazed at Nicholas with that look of pride like he was a champion of all contests. That one look was enough to erase all the bad memories, all the nightmares, and all his doubts about his future as a Muslim.

He managed to suppress his demons.

"But that's the thing about Islam. We believe that everyone was created with the testament of faith on their lips or in other words, before we were even born, we were Muslims. These converted Muslims aren't coming to a new religion, but rather they found their way back to Allah and His message," continued the imam. "So we are all blessed to witness and welcome a reverted Muslim taking his shahada (testament of faith)."

He gestured for Nicholas to come towards him, which he did hastily, stumbling at times when the weight of the world pushed down on his shoulders. This was the biggest moment of his life. Everything would be different once he repeated the words, yet he didn't feel the regular bundle of nerves.

Nicholas sat in front of the imam, who also took his seat beside him. He inhaled a deep breath, mentally preparing himself in the eyes of so many curious people.

"Repeat after me," he instructed, "Ashadu Anlaa."

"Ashadu Anlaa."

"Illaha."

"I-Illaha," he stuttered. This is really happening.

The imam smiled, gently nodding his head to urge Nicholas to relax. "Ilallaah," he continued.

"Ilallaah."

"Wa ashadu anna."

"Wa ashadu anna," repeated Nicholas, slightly cringing at his American accent.

"Muhammadur Rasoolullah."

"Muhammadur Rasoolullah," he finished as a wave of relief flooded through him. He had done it. Nicholas had become a Muslim.

"Takbir!" one brother shouted.

"Allahu Akbar (God is the greatest)!" the Muslims cheered.

A feeling of pride entered Nicholas's chest from the sheer fact that they were proud of him. They believed in him just like Dina.

The imam helped Nicholas's stand back on his feet. "Welcome to Islam, Nicholas," he grinned.

----

Aww my baby has finally become a Muslim after forty chapters. *wipes tears* I'm not crying I just have allergies.

I've been basically inhaling the World Cup. But hey, MY CROATIA ALWAYS PULLS THROUGH FOR ME.

Anyway, how do you think Nick's parents will react?

Don't forget to vote, comment, and follow!