Chapter six: 'Ant Haqiqti.
(You Are My Truth)

Early in the morning after fajar prayers, I went downstairs and I decided to prepare breakfast. "Who is in the kitchen so early in the morning?" Hussein asked loudly. He came into the kitchen and stood at door looking at me, I noticed how surprised he was. "This must be a dream, Halaat in the kitchen cooking and actually doing something helpful. Let me go call Ummi she won't believe me if I tell her," he said sarcastically.

"Hussein it's not the first time I have cooked. Remember that day when Ummi was sick, so I made lasagna for dinner," I told him while frying the eggs.

"Yes Hala I remember, how can one forget the day they were poisoned? Hala if you call burnt lasagna food, I am worried for your husband..." he said jokingly.

"Shut up Hussein. It's not my fault the oven was broken how was I supposed to know," I reasoned out.

"Ya blame the oven for your horrible cooking skills..." he said while laughing.

Hussein sat at the kitchen table and we started talking about his exam and his career plan while I cooked. Believe it or not Hussein is actually considering being a doctor. After a while Ayat came into the kitchen she was awakened by the loud voices from the kitchen she said. Ayat came and sat in the kitchen with us, I was happy all of us together talking and making jokes. Later my mum also came and joined us in the 'kitchen party'. She was happy to see all her kids in one place. I too was happy. Alhamdulilah for my family. I do not know where I would be without them, they are the reason for who I am today.

I noticed it was seven o'clock so rushed to the bathroom for a shower, and wore my everyday outfit, jeans and a t-shirt with a plain closed abya and my black scarf.

Mother, Hussein and Ayat were having breakfast when I went downstairs. My mother told me she got a call from Khalo Fatma my future 'mother in-law'. I could tell she is pleased with Adam's decision, she also told me she is meeting her today to discuss the engagement and the mahr basically about the wedding. I kept my coffee in my plastic mug I bought from starbucks and left for work. I realized that going to work meant seeing Adam. Things were going to be different.

I got to work, parked my car, took my plastic coffee mug and went in the bulding. As I was coming out of the elevator, I bumped into a guy, I wasn't looking where I was going. And the worst thing happened, my coffee spilt on his thobe (muslim attire for men). I looked up to see who the guy was, it was Adam. He looked at me with his eyes narrowed, rigid, cold and hard. I drew in a deep breath, the burning long stare lasted for a while.

I couldn't tell if he was in pain or not, he didn't flinch nor move. I decided to remove a tissue from my bag, I handed him the tissue but he didn't take it. I moved closer to him and I started wiping the hot liquid that spilt on his thobe, it was the right thing to do, I think. He held my wrist and stopped me from wiping the stains. He walked away and left me speechless and anxious.

I went to sit at my desk and my hand started shaking. I couldn't control what had happened, why am I so clumsy? Just as I thought my day couldn't get more awkward. The secretary called me, she told me that the boss wants to see me. I walked through the hallway my hand shaking and my heart throbbing. I knocked on his door and he told me to come in.

"Assalam alaykum," he said casually.

"Walikum salam,' I replied nervously. Adam told me to sit, so I did. I tried my best not to make eye contact. A tear managed to escape from my eye and after that another one. I don't usually cry in front of people. But I couldn't help it, my emotions came into my mind like the waves meeting the land. I couldn't let him see me like this, he would know that I was weak. And I am not, I am collected and stoic. But Adam had a way of making me feel like I am under his 'spell'.

"Halaat why are you crying?" he asked confused.

"I am sorry about the incident that happened, I didn't mean too. I am so sorry," I said in a soft voice. Silence fall and my curiosity wondered. I look up and looked at him, I notice something. His face relaxed, he's almost smiling. His secretive eyes were almost smiling. Adam did look different though in a good way. I didn't know whether to be pleased by this or irritated. I wiped my tears away and looked at him strong and bold.

"Halaat I called you to my office because I wanted to ask you about the project. All is forgiven Halaat mistakes happen,"he said.

"Shukran and I am done with the project ," I said while standing up.

"Aietann binafsik ya Halaat (take care)," he said.

"W'ant 'aydaan(You too)," I replied. I wonder why he tells me "take care" lately, was this his way of showing gratitude and affection. Adam almost smiled today it wasn't a perfect smile but he did. I returned to my desk and started working, Jamila talked non stop on how excited she was about the wedding. I told her about the almost smile incident she didn't believe me.

At lunch time I returned at home. I greeted Ayat who was in the living room watching her Turkish television show and went to my room, my mother was at Khalo Fatmas discussing the wedding I believe. I had a presentation tomorrow so I needed to prepare the power point and practice. While I was doing my work, I couldn't help it but think of Adam and his 'almost smile'.

My feelings for Adam are like temperature. Attraction is warm, curiosity warmer. Hate can torch but it can also freeze. Love... well that's a temperature better left under neutral.

An hour passed and I was still working, Ayat and mother came into my room.

" Assalam alaykum Halaat, " my mother said excitedly.

" Walikum Salam Ummi,"I replied.

"I went to Khalo Fatms place and we discussed when the engagement day should be, and we decided on this upcoming Saturday. What do you think?"

"Ummi that's fine," I replied.

"Jayid (good)," my mother said, "Call Khalo Maraiam and tell her about the news also call your cousins and Halaat we will go dress shopping tomorrow after you come back from work In sha Allah," my mother ordered. Khalo Mariam is my mothers only sister. She lives in Dubai and she has five children.

"Ummi did you forget Halaat works with Adam, they will see each other everyday," Ayat said.

"What's wrong with that?" I asked confused.

"It's not good if he sees you everyday, he must not see you until the day of the engagement and the day of your wedding," mother said.

"Ummi but I have presentation tomorrow," I complained.

"Halaat please listen to me, you can't go it's the right thing to do, I know it is hard for you, you have to work but please endure this until you get married. I will call his mother and explain he will undertand I am sure," My mum kissed my forehead and left the room and Ayat followed her. I sure will miss Jamila's jokes and Adam's secretive, mesmerising grey eyes.

Adam'S POV.

Halaat spilt coffee on me today. Yes it burnt me, it was really hot. But I couldn't let her see that I was hurt. Halaat tried to wipe the stains from my thobe, but I couldn't let her do that, it was an accident.

I called her to my office so I could see her. looking at her made my heart smile. Who cares about a project when a beautiful soul is standing in front of  you. I noticed her silent cry. The reason behind her tears was because of the accident that happened. But her vulnerability made me almost smile, honestly there was nothing to cry about, accidents happen.

I have feelings that are not visible, I do things to prevent myself from being miserable, being honest with her is what will make it believable my feelings may not always be reachable. Halaat my wife...

My mother asked me when I wanted to have the engagement ceremony. I told her to pick the date, knowing my mother she will arrange for the day as soon as possible.

When I reached at home. My mother was talking on the phone. I went to sit in the living room, after my mother finished on the phone she came and sat next to me.

"Assalam alaykum," I greeted my mother.

"Walikum Salam abni alwahid(my only son)," my mother replied happily and kissed me on the forehead,"Halaat's mum and I have decided to the engagement ceremony, this upcoming Saturday."

"Okay Ummi," I replied.

"You have to go buy an engagement ring. Mina and I will go with you to the jewellery shop and help you choose," My mother said.

"Sure Ummi, where is Mina?" I asked.

"Mina went out with Jamila and her kids to the mall."

After talking to my mum, my father called me to his office and we talked about the company and the wedding. He gave me advice and also made jokes. Talking to father was enjoyable, I liked talking to father. He is very wise and very funny. Jamila gets her humour from our dad. Later that day my mother told me she got a call from Halaat's mum saying that Halaat wouldn't be coming to work until after the marriage. Upon hearing that news I went to my room.

I won't see Halaat for a month or two, that made me feel strangely angry. I won't be able to see her kind brown eyes. But it will be worth the wait I thought...

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