Sofiya opened her eyes, feeling a bit disoriented as she looked at an unfamiliar room. Memories of where she was flooded her mind and then she blushed beet red, remembering what had happened last night.

Ali had been a beast … a gentle one, but a beast nonetheless.

After the initial pain, she had been swept away by the intense emotions that Ali invoked within her. Never, in her wildest dreams, did she imagine it could have been like that.

The way Ali had carefully, and tenderly, loved her in many ways made her gulp and her face go red as she remembered last night.

Her body truly ached right now and she wondered whether the times he had suppressed himself when they had been together turned him into that seemingly high-stamina man that lasted almost the whole night.

She said almost, because she got so exhausted that she had fallen asleep after the fourth round.

As Sofiya started entering dreamland, she had a vague recollection of Ali kissing her forehead and doing something, but she was too deep in sleep by then to know what it was.

Sofiya looked to her side, and noticed that Ali wasn't around. She touched the bedsheet, and noticed that it was not warm anymore, so he must have woken up extra early.

She groaned, looking at the time and was in relief that it was still early. She had not missed the first prayer of the day as yet.

Sofiya quickly got up and tenderly walked to the bathroom to bathe.

When Ali entered the room, he was struck with the vision of Sofiya praying.

Ali didn't know how to describe what he was feeling, other than a sense of pride and love that enveloped his entire being. Even without him prompting her, she had started performing the prayer.

Ali placed the tray with breakfast on the dressing table and waited for her to finish. Just watching her gave him a sense of peace that went deep into his soul.

Once she was done, she spent a few more minutes after, to recite a few dzikir* before putting her hands together to pray, to seek guidance and happiness.

Once done, she turned to Ali with a smile, but scolded him, "Why didn't you wake me up? I might have missed the Subuh prayers."

"I was going to when I get back," Ali explained, "I was getting breakfast first. There is still time."

"But it is still not good to delay it, right?" Sofiya said as she took off her prayer garment.

For females, the area that had to be covered for praying was extensive. Only the face could be shown. For men, the area is between the belly button to the knee (but of course, no one prays shirtless).

Sofiya folded her prayer garment and prayer mat and set it aside.

Ali came over and kissed her, saying "Yes, you are right. I am sorry."

"From now on, we must pray together," Sofiya told him as they sat down on the bed, "You are, after all, my guide."

"Yes, you are right," Ali said again, kissing her again, this time more passionately.

"Ali, I'm hungry," Sofiya protested.

"So am I," he growled, pushing her down on the bed.

Looks like breakfast would need to wait for a while ...

Much later, as they lay intertwined on the bed, Ali asked, "Tell me all about your journey."

Sofiya snuggled up to Ali, and began her story.

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Sophia stood hesitantly at the door into the monastery. It looked rather imposing, in the sense that it was really big yet the entire building was simplistic. It was unusual to view something majestic, yet simple.

There was a course that the monastery offered, which provided an overview of Buddhism in which the fundamental principles are taught. One would learn how to apply these principles into daily life so that the teachings become meaningful.

Meditation is also taught, in which it can be used to calm the mind.

Sophia had opted for the ten day course, which included a two day silent retreat at the end. She wanted to get as much as possible from her stay, and the retreat was a great opportunity to gain practical experience of meditation.[1]

This ten day course was just the foundation and if she wanted to delve in deeper, there were more advanced programmes. Sophia was going to immerse herself completely in this ten day course and if this was the path for her, or if she was curious for more, then she would take the advance course.

Sophia was greeted and she had to check-in first. At the counter, Sophia had to hand in her handphone and all electronic devices. This was to ensure that one would be completely devoted to learning, rather than be distracted by such devices.

However, this did not mean that they were cut off from the world, as they could use the private phone line for emergency cases. Families could also contact them in that manner.

After she finished her registration, she was led to her accommodation. Food and lodging are provided, so things were simpler for her.

The course began the very next day, at 6.30am. They would have breakfast before the morning session began. Lunch is provided, and the session continues again until 9pm.

Right after lunch, they were to observe strict silence which was to last until 10pm. However, since the day 'ended' at 9pm, who would really go out of their rooms to seek out other people to talk to?

It also felt like they were going against what the whole course was about. They were to reflect on the day, and meditate.

They were to observe strict silence during breakfast and lunch.

In fact, one could even ask for a yellow ribbon to tie on their door, to indicate that they chose to be silent throughout the course.