I quickly turned of my alarm, it was Tahajjud time. I shook Ayman beside you wake up so that we can pray Tahajjud together. "Ayman get up! Let's pray Tahajjud". I shook him over and over. This guys sleeps like the dead. I couldn't wait any longer, so I decided to get water and sprinkle it on his face.

"Whhattt, what! happened", "nothing happened wake up so we can pray Tahajjud together!". I went to make wudhu and came out I screamed when I saw Ayman standing by the bathroom door. "You scared the life out of me!!". "I knew I was going to fall back to sleep so I got out of bed! And waited until you were out of the bathroom".

I laid out the prayer mats, mines was slightly behind Ayman's. Ayman came out of the bathroom and slipped on his black thawb. Ayman had started the jamaat, Subhanallah his voice is beautiful, I had tears steaming down my face, when Ayman started reciting some ayahs from Surah Ibrahim. "And he gave you all what you ask him, and if you count the favours of Allah Swt, you will not be able to enumerate them. Indeed mankind is verily unjust and grateful". This ayah is soo true, we as humans are ungrateful. Subhanallah, we are sooo lucky that we are Muslims. Allah Swt mercy towards us is infinite.

"What's got you soo deep in your thoughts". Ayman asked. "I was thinking of the ayah that you recited from Surah Ibrahim. About how we as humans are ungrateful of Allah Swt blessings and bounty". "Shall we recite Surah Muzammil, it's really beneficial to recite after Tahajjud". "Yeah Bismillah!".

"I have planned our first ever date today! I'm excited I hope you enjoy it. But that's later in the evening, first we can drop mama and baba to the airport. Do you want to come with or stay at home?". "Nah I'll come, it's going to be boring at home alone".

I had just woken up it was half past eight, I turned to see Ayman not there. Hmm I wondered where he had gone. I brushed my teeth and slipped my bathrobe on. Im soo glad that Ayman doesn't have any brothers! I can waltz downstairs without having to put my hijab on.

I walked downstairs to see Aunty Khadijah all stressed out. "Aunty whats wrong!", "beta call me mum or ummi, I see you as my daughter. And i'm really annoyed at having to Pakistan on such short notice. Look at all of these clothes! it's a mess! I'm on the verge of a meltdown!".

"Its fine ummi, your flight leaves in six hours which means we have three hours to get everything packed and sorted!". "Beta your a lifesaver!". Two hours later me, Ayman and ummi had managed to fix the mess that was all over the place. Ammi and abba's suitcases were now nicely organised and packed! "ummi quickly go have a bath and sort yourself out. You have an hour left before you guys need to be at the airport!. I'll make something for you guys to eat before you guys leave!". "Beta your such a sweetheart! I feel so bad for making you do all of this, on your first day here". "Well ummi you said you see me as your daughter! I see you as my mama and I would do exactly the same thing for her. Now hurry up! Your going to end up missing the flight".

Now was my opportunity to showcase my cooking skills to my in laws. I decided to rustle up a quick shakshuka with prantha's. Hopefully they'll enjoy it! I was about to crack the eggs into the shakshuka when I yelped in surprise. I felt a pair of arms embrace me from behind. I turned my head to see Ayman looking at me with an emotion that I couldn't decipher. "Ayman! let go don't you feel embarrassed what if ummi or abba walk in!". "No I definitely don'y feel embarrassed your my wife and I guess they can put up with this for a little while. Because me and Afiyah had been raised always seeing mama and baba embracing each other, or coming home from school to see them both curled up on the sofa together. Back then we used to find it awkward. But if I'm honest it showed me how your supposed to treat your wife properly. And for Afiyah it showed her to never settle for a man less than her worth!".

"Okay you've made your point, but I wouldn't mind you doing it if they weren't here, but it's going to make me cringe soo hard if they walk in and see us!". "Your wish is my command babes!". "Can I help you?". Ayman asked. "Yeah sure! Cut the coriander to go on top of the shakshuka".

I began to roll out the pranthas they were actually round for the first time ever! Seems like luck was on my side today. Everything was finally prepared. "Ayman go call ummi and abba to eat. We've got twenty minutes left!".

We had all sat down to eat! I took a bite, it tasted like it normally does! There was silence, all I could hear was chewing. "Beta where did you learn to cook like this the shakshuka is delicious". Ummi asked. "I hate going out unless it's really necessary, so I spend most of my time at home cooking or cleaning with mama". "Ahlam the pranthas are cooked exactly how I like them crispy and buttery!!".

My fave was beetroot, I hate it when people compliment me I don't know how to respond. "Thank you ummi and Abba!". "Mama, baba hurry up! We've literally got ten minutes before we have to be out of the door". Ummi and Abba both went to quickly check they had everything sorted and me and Ayman washed and dried the dishes. One thing I loved about the Haq family's kitchen is that it's beautiful and spacious!

I quickly ran into our room and slipped on my black abaya and hijab. I was in the process of wrapping my hijab when Ayman came into the room. "Do you know how fricking tasty your food is Ahlam! I loved it!!". "Thank you, I'll spend these next three weeks cooking all your favourite dishes!, you can rate them".

"Okay we'll be back within twenty minutes inshallah from the airport. And the date I have planned we need to get going at like half six, it's only half eleven right now. So we'll be back from the airport by twelvish, what do you want to do for the rest of the time!" Ayman asked.

"I want to eat junk and watch movies! My favourite thing to do". "Ok cool! We'll do that then". Ayman pecked my temple, I turned into a tomato! "oooh is Ahlam blushing!". Ayman pinched my cheeks. Curse my stupid red cheeks.

We had arrived at the airport, Ayman didn't want to pay the ridiculous parking fees so we were, just going to say our goodbyes and leave them at the terminal. Ayman was loading ummi and abba's luggage onto the trollies. I pulled ummi into a hug. She then whispered into my ear. "Beta take care of yourself okay! and have fun get to know each other as much as you can over these weeks. You wont get this time back when you both are busy at work!". "I will ummi, enjoy your time in Pakistan". I kissed her cheek. I seriously couldn't have gotten a better mother in law she is the sweetest, most understanding person. Alhamdulillah i'm blessed.

"Beta come, take a little walk with me. Okay so I haven't really had much of a chance to speak with you properly, but I just wanted to say take care of Ayman because although he seems normal to you on the outside. There's a lot of emotion behind that facade of his. Show him what it's like to be loved and taken care of ok beta!". "Uncle I had no idea, what happened with Ayman". I questioned. "Beta that's not my place to tell you, learn and get to know each other and Inshallah all will be revealed".

I had all sorts of thoughts running through my mind, I wonder what had happened to Ayman. I really want to know and help him heal, but i'll let him take his own time and tell me how he feels whenever he feels comfortable.

With our final goodbye's said, me and Ayman made our way home! "Do you want to grab a takeaway or something! "Yeah I guess so, what do you fancy?". "Pizza hut seems like a good option right now!". Ayman said. "Yeah I think were deffo going to need pizza as a morale booster after the movies that I make us watch!".

We had settled into bed with our large box of pizza and I had just set up the laptop. I put on my favourite movie miracle in cell number 7. To be honest I just want to see Ayman's reaction to the movie. My face was on Ayman's chest, i'm pretty sure his shirt was wet with my tears. I heard sniffling, I looked up to see Ayman crying. Awww bless him!!. "Ayman awhh I didnt expect you to cry!". "To be honest i'm shocked at myself for crying, I never cry I usually tend to keep all of my emotions bottled up until I explode! This movie has made me feel soo many emotions at once. One thing that this movie has taught me is that, I want to be the best dad ever like him. Honestly I know the movie is only fictional but it shows that although he's got the mind of a child, he would literally walk to the ends on the earth for her. Inshallah I aspire to be a baba like that to our children!

"You know i'm here for you right? I'm your wife, I want to be your support system! It's okay to breakdown once in a while and let all of the emotions run free! I want my arms to be your safe haven jaan, dont keep things bottled up, talk to me and Inshallah it will make you feel better too letting all of the emotions out.

"Yeah I know! Okay enough of that mushy stuff, get ready we need to be out of the house within the next half an hour!, we need to take the train to our date. I know you'll enjoy it because your baba has told me your dream date ideas!". "Ooohhh look at you mr investigator!, I better get ready".

Hmmm I wonder where he is taking me! I decided to wear a navy blue abaya and a khaki hijab. I put on some light foundation. Just some concealer, a bit of contour and some nude matte lipgloss. I looked at myself in the mirror. Meh that looks fine I said to myself. Its going to go dark within the next two hours or so anyways!

Ayman was dressed he looked drool worthy. He was wearing a black hoodie, black jeans and a beige overcoat. "Take a picture it'll last longer". haha how cringe Ayaman caught me ogling him. "You look very handsome today Ayman". "Nobodies beauty could compare to yours meri jaan".

I know compliments make people feel good about themselves but for me it makes me cringe, like I don't get what Ayman sees in me i'm just your average old plain Jane. I think Ayman could see the wheels turning in my head. "Whats going on in my wife's mind". Ayman asked. I contemplated whether I should tell him.

"What do you see in me I don't get it how am I beautiful, I'm far from it. Look at me I'm boring and ugly".

"Don't you dare! Ever say that to me again, your the most beautiful, kind, caring soul I have ever come across. You are beautiful inside and out! Why can't you see your beauty I don't get it. You have the most stunning, alluring hazel eyes. That I often find myself getting lost in. Your not only offending me by say that but your insulting the creator in Surah Tin it states "We have indeed created man in the best of moulds". You are beautiful meri jaan don't ever question it okay! I hugged him tight.

"Now come on, we're gonna get late. And we need to walk it to the train station as well!". We had got onto the train! I wonder where he's taking me. "Where are we going?". "Not telling you it would ruin the surprise then".

We had got out of the train at Camden station, seriously where is this guy taking me. We're in the most sketchiest part of London. What could there be to see here. Ooh we came to a park called primrose hill. Woah I really CBA to walk up that I thought to myself!

"And we are at our destination milady! We have to walk up that if you want to see the beautiful views!". "Okay let's go! We've literally got an hour before sunset".

One hour later I couldn't believe my eyes subhanallah the view was extraordinary! I absolutely love the sunset and I don't really like places with a lot of people so this was such a thoughtful date idea. "Awwwhhh Ayman!! Can anyone get cuter than you. This was such a well thought out date!, you make me feel like the happiest woman ever!! And don't even get me started on the view Subhanallah I have never seen a sunset soo amazing!".

"Well the view isn't as beautiful as my view!". I looked to see Ayman staring directly at me. "Ohh Ayman why do you have to be soo corny!!". Ayman was staring at my face, no my lips I knew what he wanted to do. "Can I?". He spoke in a gentle manner. "Yeah".. he closed the gap between us and captured my lips in a sweet kiss. Woah is that what is felt like . He pecked my lips once more before letting go.

"Come on let's get going! I have booked a reservation at a restaurant". "Nooo I want to stay I love it here, it's beautiful". "We'll come back again inshallah! I have other beautiful sunset places that we can tick off the list as well".

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