C H A P T E R    S E V E N T E E N: BEING NORMAL AGAIN

Alima Ahmed

I don't know what to think about all that happened. After the wedding I was with Harun when Omar called and told us to come to the hospital. She got hurt because of me, if I told her and Amira to leave with me then none of that would've happened. But I know that there's another reason that this happened.

"Hey," Harun said as he entered our apartment. "How's your day?" I asked my husband as I stood in front of him. "It was okay. Alima," He hesitantly took a step closer to me. "There's something I need to tell you. It has to do with Bayan."

Bayan? What could he tell me that had to do with Bayan?..

Bayan Ameer

"Omar, I'm okay." I said for what felt like the hundredth time today. It was his turn to watch over me and he would not stop asking if I was okay. I love that he's concerned for me and everything but I'm tired of reassuring everyone that I'm fine. "Okay, I'm sorry. It's just last time I wasn't here for you, you got hurt." He responded as he ran a hand through his hair.

I let out a sigh and laid my head against his shoulder. "That wasn't your fault." I replied. That wasn't anyone's fault but Josh's and he's going to get what he deserves. "How about we do something today?" He suggested, shifting himself so that he was now facing me. "Like what?" I asked, arching an eyebrow at him. "How about we go to the movie theater?" He said as he sat up and looked me in the eyes. I smiled at him and nodded my head. It'll be fun to just get out of this house for a while and spend time with him. Whenever I'm around Omar I stop thinking about my problems and all the things wrong in my life.

I just keep reminding myself how lucky I am that Allah sent someone like him to me. There was a reason our parents thought we'd be a good match. That's why we should never question them because they do know what they're doing. Even if at times it may seem like they don't, there's always a method to their madness.

"Okay." I nodded my head and got my crutches.

"Great! You're going to have a lot of fun today." He exclaimed reassuringly.

* * *

"You sound terrible!" I laughed at his horrible singing. We were in his car listening to My Hero by Harris J and he's totally messing up the chorus on purpose. I know he only did that to make me laugh which it did. "Ouch." He put his hand on his heart. "I actually thought I was X Factor material!"

"Yeah actually you are. I'd love to hear what Simon Cowell would say about you!" I couldn't control my laughter at this point. "Please, Simon Cowell can't even sing himself! How could he judge me?" He responded, with a chuckle.

"I wish he'd hear you say that."

I always used to be intimidated of Simon Cowell even when I was little, when he was still a judge on American Idol. That man is just so brutally honest. He doesn't beat around the bush which could be both a good and bad thing. "I'm glad you're laughing and smiling again." Omar said with a smile spread across his tan features.

"How could I not laugh and smile around you?" I responded as I rolled the window down. It feels good to feel the nice breeze against my skin. I don't feel caged like before, I feel like I could finally breathe again. "You know before all of the craziness happened that day, you said you loved me." I smiled at the memory. I remember how my heart literally stopped the moment he said it to me. And you know what's the best part? We were already married so it was completely halal. Not many people could say that they're truly in love with their husband or wife.

"I meant it and if my memory serves me right you said it too."

"I meant it as well," I confessed once again. "I love you." The words felt so right coming out of my mouth. Once there was a red light, he turned to me and planted a kiss on my lips. It was soft and quick, but sweet. This is the first time we ever kissed! "I love you too." He looked me deep in the eyes and planted another kiss on my lips.

He quickly pulled away and focused on driving once again. I on the other hand couldn't seem to concentrate on anything. Tracing my fingers on my lips, I felt a pang of guilt hit me. This isn't my first kiss... I always wanted to save my first kiss for my husband but that was harshly taken away from me. Josh kissed me that day because he knew he could. He took it from me without my consent. "What's wrong?" Omar asked worriedly. I shook my head at him and stared out the window. "Nothing I was just thinking. So what movie are we going to watch?" I tried to change the subject which luckily worked.

"Actually, I lied to you. We aren't going to see a movie." He gave me a guilty look. "So where are we going?" I replied with confusion laced in my tone. If he wanted to take me somewhere then he should at least tell me where. "Sorry I can't tell you. I guess you'll have to see for yourself."

Okay now I'm really curious as to where we're going. Ugh why couldn't he give me a straight forward answer!? He knows I hate surprises. Whatever, I know he won't say anything until we get there. Why does he have to be so stubborn?

* * *

"Okay come on." He helped me out of the car and on my feet. We were at the public park and surprisingly there were a lot of people here today even though it's the middle of the week. "So are we having lunch at the park?" I asked while grabbing my crutches.

"Not exactly." He had a mischievous look on his face. "Come on there's a specific part of the park that is set up for us." We started walking until a group of people were seen gathering around where we were supposed to go. It wasn't until we got closer that I noticed these people were my friends and family. I turned to Omar with a questioning look. "Omar what's going on?" I demanded. Instead of answering me right away he told me to continue to walk towards them. "Bay!" Amina ran to me making everyone else look our way.

"Finally you guys are here." My dad walked up to me and gave me a kiss on the cheek. "What's going on guys?" I'm so confused right now. Why can't anyone answer my question!?

"Bayan we all love you and we just wanted to let you know that you have us. You have me, your parents, siblings, and friends. We're going to help you through this. Josh is going to be put away for a long time." Omar replied as he wrapped his arm over my shoulder.

Amira and Alima came up to me and both gave me hugs. "No matter what happens we have each other okay? No matter what." Amira said as she wiped away her tears. "And whenever you're going through something tell us okay!? I didn't like hearing what happened from Harun. I wanted to hear it from you!" Alima added looking more pissed than sad. I should've told her what happened, I owed her at least that much. I ruined her wedding day! The one day when she was supposed to look back at and love every moment of. Now what will she think when she looks back at that day? She'd only remember her best friend getting beat up by the guy who sexually assaulted her.

"I'm sorry Alima." I cried. "I'm so sorry." I couldn't stop myself from letting the tears fall. She must hate me the most out of everyone else. "Don't be sorry stupid! What do you have to be sorry about!? Huh!? It wasn't your fault. So don't you dare apologize." She hugged me tighter.

After our little crying session I went up to my parents and gave them hugs and kisses. Allah knows how much I put them through these last couple of weeks. He knows how many days I kept them up at night because they were so worried. There's no way I could ever thank them enough for all they've done for me. "I love you guys so much." I said truthfully. "Not as much as we love you beti." Ma kissed me on the top of my head like she always does. I then walked up to Abdullahi, Mohamed and Amina individually and gave them hugs as well.

"Now let's get this party started!" Abdullahi hollered, grabbing food from his trunk. The men laid out the picnic blanket and brought out the food while us women sat down and talked. It feels so nice to just be here with the people I love and enjoy spending time together.

It feels great being normal again.

SO SORRY FOR THE LONG WAIT! I HAD EXTREME WRITERS BLOCK FOR THIS STORY SO I DECIDED TO TAKE A BREAK THEN GO BACK AT IT WHEN I KNOW WHAT I WANT TO WRITE. I AM NOW ABLE TO SEE WHERE THIS STORY IS GOING! ANYWAYS I HOPED YOU ENJOYED THIS CHAPTER!

STAY

QURUX

MY

QURUXLEYS

MWAH!!:)