We prayed like we did last night, just without any conversations.
It was partly my fault. I was the one making things awkward because of what happened previously.
We both bid each other goodnight and walked into our rooms.
I slid down onto the floor, resting my back against the door while hugging my thighs tightly.
I was disappointed in myself.
I was somewhat avoiding his gaze.
Why was I acting like this?
Nevertheless, morning arrived, and so did his breakfast.
I quickly slung the heavy tote bag over my shoulder and began eating the food before I was late for class.
He seemed to notice my urgency and quickened his pace as well.
He stopped the car in front of the entrance of my university campus.
I could sense the stares from the students walking by.
The girl who usually came alone was suddenly being dropped off by a luxurious car.
I glanced back at him and spoke.
"Assalamualaikum."
"Waalaikumsalam. I'll come to pick you up later."
I gave a simple nod and walked inside the campus.
As I walked through the hallways, two pairs of hands suddenly pulled me into a tight embrace.
"Naima!"
It was my friend, who had been watching me from the moment I stepped out of his car.
"It's been so long since I've seen your husband! You two are getting along better than I expected."
I chuckled at her remark and replied.
"It somehow ended up that way."
"Well, leave that aside. I have a big surprise for you!"
She dragged me towards one of the empty auditorium rooms and covered my eyes.
"Walaa!"
She screamed as she revealed the surprise.
Another firm embrace immediately welcomed me.
"Ireen?!"
Ireen laughed and spun me around in the air.
"How?"
"I came back yesterday."
She had missed my wedding because she was visiting her aunt in London. I had to hear so many apologies from her for missing it.
She clasped her hands together and pleaded.
"I'm so sorry for missing the wedding!"
"It's alright. You saw the pictures anyway."
"Yeah, I did. You looked so tense."
"She was barely breathing, you know," Naima answered on my behalf.
I awkwardly giggled under my breath and it was peaceful once more. The sight of their faces eased my heart and filled me with a sense of security.
However, my peace was interrupted by some girls moving towards me.
I had no clue who they were but they asked with a giant grin on their face; their lips were painted with lipstick, and blush dusted their cheeks.
"Who's the guy you came with? He's hot."
Both my allies glanced at me, smirking in silence and watching the event unfold. They were ready to pounce on them if things escalated.
I took a brief moment to read their faces and replied wearing a stoic face.
"My husband."
The cheeky girl's eyes grew larger and they shifted their demeanour in seconds.
"Oh! When did you even get married?"
"Hasn't been long."
The girls laughed and drifted off while whispering behind my back. I'm pretty sure, they made it clear for me to hear their opinions.
"How did a girl like her marry him?"
"Tsk, I would've suited him better."
Sigh
Again with those comments, I was tired of hearing them. I adjusted my round glasses and turned towards the smirking girls behind me.
They dramatically proceeded to tease me.
"Ooohhh defending husbands are we?"
I clicked my tongue and grabbed them both by their hijabs, before pouncing on thrm like a lioness.
"When will you two get married to free me from the misery of being the only married one!!"
The girls snickered at my burst of anger, and midway in their endless laughter they spoke with joy tucked to their voice.
"Now this is the real Ariya!"
Their words were filled with nothing but truth. This was me, stubborn, relentless and a very key habit of speaking out of normal tone. It was from the piles of novels I indulged myself in, I picked up their language in no time.
"You shan't be compiling about my speech to anyone, specifically my husband."
I warned them off and they giggled under their breaths. I sighed and chatted away until reaching the actual class.
I had only ever shown this side of myself to them. It took plenty of years to reach to a level of understanding we have for each other. They were my only friends and the only ones I would ever need.
My heart called for them whenever I was in a pitch of trouble. Although we had met by chance, there wasn't a single day afterward when we didn't chat.
No matter how perfect you appear to the eyes of others, as long as you had people like them, it was alright to be vulnerable.
Wow, it felt great to be back.