From a distance, one could easily tell that Yumnah and Yasir were a newly wed couple.From time to time, Yasir would take her hand in his and graze her wrist with his thumb, something he had become accustomed to in the past two days.

They had come down for breakfast around two hours ago but neither of them had any realisation of the time.They just sat together talking about the randomest of things.

"So you really think i should continue with my Quran classes?"

"Of course.I dont think you should stop just because you got married," said Yasir as he drew small circles on her wrist with his thumb.

Yumnah blushed as butterflies erupted in her stomach.He seemed to love doing that and she didn't have the heart to stop him inspite of how breathless it really made her.

"So how did you usually go for you're classes?"

"I used to take the bus and i was always late," said Yumnah laughing.Ustadha had grown tired of shouting at her every single time.

"Wow, i have never been on a bus before.Hisham has though,he snuck out of school once," said Yasir smiling.Hisham lets just say, was the black sheep in the family.

Yumnah looked at her husband in shock.

"Get serious."

"Wallah i haven't, but i want to one day," he said.

Yumnah immediately stood up and pulled his hand.

"Yallah Yallah, lets go," she said, half dragging him already.

"Habibty whats wrong? Where are we going?"

"To take a bus," she said still pulling him.

"Yumnaaah, are you crazy? Ya Rabb, whom did i get married to?" he said trying to free himself.This was one crazy woman for sure.

"Shut up and come already.The next bus will be here in the next five minutes.We can still catch it."

Yasir huffed and reluctantly followed her.This woman was going to be the death of him for sure.

They got to the bus stage and minutes later Yasir heard the sound of the bus.They continued standing quietly, Yasir unsure of what was going on.

"Yumnah why aren't we getting on it?" he asked.

"Because we are waiting for it to leave," she replied calmly.

"What?But why?"

"Because we are going to run after it Habibi.That's why."

Yasir immediately began to panic as soon as he digested what his wife had told him.Did she have plans of killing or what?

"Are you crazy?"he shouted.

"Yes!"

"I can't run Yumnah."

"Do you trust me Yasir?"she asked.

"No.Not at all especially not after today ," he replied worry etched all over his face.Yumnah laughed as she took the cane from his hand.

"I know you do, now just hold my hand and run when i tell you to," she replied her voice all calm.

"Yumnah, but..."

"Yasir just run habibty, run," she shouted as she pulled him.

And he did.

He tightly held on to her hand,and ran as fast he could in the direction she was pulling him.He let out a laugh when he heard a giggle and for the first time in his life, Yasir let himself go.He closed his eyes as he felt the wind hit his face not worrying at all about any obstacles on the pavement.

Because he knew that as long as he held on to her hand...

The bus stopped and Yumnah immediately helped him get in.

"My, my isn't it for Miss Yumnah? I could have sworn that i saw someone like you back at the stop but you running after the bus confirmed my doubts," said the bus driver.

"Hi Sam," said Yumnah smiling.

"Hey there kiddo and whose the handsome boy behind you?"

"

"Oh you got married i see, congratulations.Now hop in kids," said Sam as he started the bus.

"Here Yasir, sit next to the window, its the best place," she said as she helped him sit and slid open the window so that fresh air would gush in.

"JazakAllah and honestly that was the craziest and most fun thing that i have ever done in my entire life," he said smiling.

Yumnah immediately clasped his hands in excitement.

'It was right? We should do this once every week.How about Sundays?"

Yasir laughed loudly shaking his head.

"No Yumnah, i still plan on living my life as a normal human being, thank you very much," he said though laughing.

"Psssht.We still have alot to discover together In Sha Allah.Just wait and watch."

They remained quiet for the rest of the bus ride both enjoying the breeze coming in through the window.

"Okay kiddos thats the last stop," said Sam as he halted the bus.

Yasir frowned.It was over already? But he had just begun to get the hang of it.

"Thank you Sam.See you soon," said Yumnah as she helped Yasir out of the bus.

"Okay so what next?" asked Yasir.He was so sure that they were very far from their hotel.Were they going to wait for the next bus now?

"Ice cream."

"Where?"

"Just follow me habibi," she said as she handed him back his cane.

"They sell icecream around here somwhere, now come."

"Do i have an option?" asked Yasir as he followed her.

They walked hand in hand until they reached a small icecream cart.

"One large strawberry cone and what will you have habibi?"

"Chocolate."

Yasir listened to Yumnah shuffle through her handbag and he immediately stopped her.

"Seriously Yumnah? I will pay," he said as he pulled out his wallet from his pocket.

"Yasir, seriously its my treat.Please put your wallet away."

"No,you even paid for the bus tickets, now i will pay."

The icecream vendor watched the two bicker in amusement.This was definitely new and cute.Totally cute.

"Umm guys, the icecreams are melting," he said.

"Of course, here you go and keep the change ," said Yumnah as she handed him some bills from her purse.

Yasir sighed as he shoved his wallet back into his pocket.This woman...

They walked in silence both quietly licking on their icecreams.

"Thanks by the way," said Yasir blush creeping us his cheeks.

"For what?"

"For the date."

"What date," asked Yumnah confusedly.

"This was actually our first date.Our first halal date," he said, a large grin on his face.

Yumnah laughed.It actually was if you came to think about it.

"Well here's to many more random dates," she said as she took his hand and brought it to her lips.

"To many many more In Sha Allah."

*******

Hisham rang the door bell twice but there was no answer.He then tried knocking but still she did not open the door.Was she not at home?But where would she go to at this time in the evening?

He winced as he opened his work bag to look for the spare key.He had had a really long day at work and he was extremely tired.Although he worked for his own father, neither him, Khaleel nor Yasir got any special treatment.

The day had been really busy and he had not even eaten lunch, so all he wanted now was to have a cold shower followed by a warm meal.

He quickly opened the door only to find his wife watching tv with her legs propped up on the sofa.

Wow.

"Asalam aleikum Zulekha.Ive been ringing the bell, didnt you hear?"

"You have a spare key right?"

Hisham rolled his eyes.Some welcome this was.He removed his tie as he headed to the kitchen.He might just as well have dinner first before he showered.

There was a cooking pot on the cooker so she definitely had cooked something.He quickly opened it only to find it empty.Maybe she had laid the food on the table.

"Zulekha, did you make dinner?" he asked as he joined her in the sitting room.

"Yes i did."

"Oh, can i have some?" he asked.

"Oh sorry dear, i only made one plate.You can have some from mine."

Hisham smiled.

"No its okay, i am actually quite full," he lied.

"Your wish," she said shrugging her shoulders.

Hisham stood up, guess he would just shower then sleep but then he stopped.Maybe it was high time he confronted her.Maybe it was time he put his foot down.

"Zulekha, do you feel like everything is okay in this marriage of ours?" he asked the one question he should have asked her from the very first day.

"Of course.I dont see anything wrong.Do you?"

"I do Zulekha, i do.I think we are two very different people,who want different things in life," he said his voice rising.

"What do you want Hisham?"

"Well since you are asking, have you prayed Maghrib?" he shouted.

"Nope."

"Well then that what i want.I want a wife who at least prays her five Salahs.Not for me but for Allah at least," he said.

"Fine, so i dont pray, so what you want to leave me now?"

"Yes.Maybe we should just get divorced," he whispered.

"Wow, so you want to divorce me just because i dont pray?"

"I didnt say it that way.I just said that we are different."

"Well i have news for you Mr.Hosseini," she said tears staining her eyes.

"What?"

"

*******