Love Story Part 10 (Separation)

Doa when leaving home, say;

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ عَلَى اللَّهِ وَلَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ

(BISMILLAHI TAWAKKALTU ALALLAAHI, WALAA HAULAA WALAA QUWATAA ILLAA BILLAAH) "I depart with Allah's name, relying on Him. It is Allah who saves us from sins with His guidance (the ability to do so)." (Tirmidhi)

                The crowd nailed there eyes to the couple who made their way  through the aisle towards the dining table prepared near the 'VIP' guests. However, the man with the mic had his eyes glued on the bridesmaid with her beautiful greenish shiny dress & a scarf covering her head which made her appear like a swan who, gracefully went down the hall. "Psssst...", whispered loudly by the head staff, Shafiq's mother. Danial regain his focus & continued the ceremony with the recitation of the doa. "What am i doing? i thought i've erased her out of my mind, this is dangerous, i wanted to change. Well, this will be over soon, it has got to end", taking his time with himself while a good friend of the groom, Kamal took the stage for a while for the doa. "Thanks again for giving me the pleasure to give the doa. You're coming to my  wedding, right? It's next thursday, you got the memo, right?", "Kamal, i think i couldn't be there, my flight is tomorrow", "I see. Well, let's have fun today". 

                  The guests enjoyed the food which were served with 12 different dishes including 6 different deserts, thumbs up to the groom's mother's catering enterprise. They dined with their families, the children laughed with their relatives, the good neighbors pay their respects to the couple's parents, the friends of the couple gathered together, having photographs which a token of appreciation for the great memory, while the rest eased their farewell after being entertained by the musical band who made the ceremony a cheerful one. "Salam, how do i look? Not too flashy, right?", "Well, Amirah, it is kinda a bit flashy, but as long as you didn't stole the thunder from the bride, you're fine". She smiled trying to stopped laughing, "You still can make me laugh, are you also coming to Kamal's wedding? Are you still going to be the host there? If you are, then it will be boring to see your face again", he tried to join the laughs, but he just couldn't. "I got the offer, i'm going to Australia tomorrow, so...".

                     Both of them were left in silence for a while in the busy hall, trying to gather their thoughts, putting some phrases to say good bye. "Well, you still have your e-mail, if you still have the urge to open it that is, hope you can still keep in touch. At last, my friend's dream of studying overseas in engineering is accomplished mission. How long will it be?", "Em, 4 years i think, because i've done my pre-degree here, so it's not that long. Well, alhamdulillah i got sponsored for my course. If you come back, i let you all know, we can get together & catch up," she nodded with sparkle in her smile.  "Come on, you guys. Everyone's waiting to take a picture with the groom at the stage. Hurry up!", a man with his expensive high-tech camera hanging on his neck called with a joyful tone, gathering the friends of the groom to capture a moment of happiness inspired by their smiles.

                          Both of them swiftly took their places at the 10-meter long stage with the main star at the center, "Amirah, thanks for still believing in me, insyaAllah you'll accomplish your dream too", "Thank you, Danial....". "Alright, everyone look at the camera, say 'Cheeeeese'....", "Cheeeese", shouted all of them. At 11:30 pm, everyone emptied the building, leaving the host sitting at the couch at the spacious lobby accompanied by his cloudy head. "Good bye, Amirah. Salam". He mumbled alone with a mango juice on his right hand, stopping a habit which was drinking his favorite alcohol for more than a year because he was scolded by her for his misbehavior in a party last year. In another room, the young lady was sitting at her bedroom window, watching the rain started to fall, "Good bye, Danial. Salam". She waited for her eyes to get sleepy, not giving any effort to go to bed, thinking on what's planning for her tomorrow....... 

Love Story Part 9 (The Last Rehearsal)

Abu Hurairah (r.a.) reported Allah’s Messenger (s.a.w.s.) as saying: “Charity does not in any way decrease the wealth and the servant who forgives, Allah adds to his respect; and the one who shows humility, Allah elevates him in the estimation (of the people).” (Muslim)

                     "Can you tell me why do i have to do this one more time?, with a small sign of regret in his face, the man with the tie at his right gave a giggle, "Danial, this is a rehearsal for the wedding party, & as a host selected by the groom himself, you should be honored. It's  not easy to see your best friend getting married". Without thinking, he grabbed the microphone &  babbling about some of the darkest secrets they kept for each other. The audience let the groom running for his life with their laughters, catching the culprit who's holding the microphone. Danial ran out the hall, trying to find a better hiding spot, suddenly, "Salam, Danial. Looks like you've been busy especially being one of you're favorite role, the man with the mic", "Amirah, good you're here, the flower arrangements are unsupervised. See to it that it is attended, thanks for your help", he walked pass her as if nothing happen. 

                 After solat A'sar, he went out with the group of waiters to finish the last touchings for the decorations. While the long walk down the corridor, he remembered the last conversation with her which was with Kamal also. "Salam, both of you. Thank you for everything Danial, because of your presence which we're destined to meet before this by Allah, i'm what i'm now. Thanks Kamal for the knowledge, maybe i will get through this test smoothly, InsyaAllah. See you both next time if Allah made it as our future. Salam....", he reminiscing the words which really gave some motivation to make his change, his hijrah a successful one. "Ok, now let's now gather our attention to the bride & groom which had just arrived with the recitation of selawat....", "Great, thats a good posture & tone of voice, just give a little deeper version of it, so that you get their full focus...", tips from the mother of the groom, Shafiq, made the host a temporary star. 

                       The day where it all began, everyone made preparations for the arrival of the guests, especially for the 'very important person', setting the tables by the reasonable-fee hired caterers, the PA systems by the hotel itself, & the host for the day. With the music which themed by classic malay songs, & some Islamic based rhythms, the hall was lively set up & the decorations made a great aura of malay culture. Everyone wore nice clothes, which none of them made any offensive appearance, while the the band which was brought in also insisted wearing a full suit of the malay traditional outfit. "Salam, wow. You look dashing, wearing the that  outfit, i kinda like the image you brought out with the keris at your waist, really traditional. Actually, who's party this is for?", "Salam, nice joke Amirah, well as the host, the green & the suit were requested by the couple themselves. So, do not criticize that much", smiles made a happy welcome for both of them.

                          "Doing this as charity? It's too much, you said you're going to give a little", "Come on, Shafiq, it's a gift because i didn't came for your recitation of your nikah, please take it, sincerely from my parents & i", with a smirk, he put the cheque into his hand. "Alright, but i will help you out for yours, ok, Kamal?", "Sure, buddy". The jubah clothing man moved across the hall to the given table where he sat himself with the groups of friends which were school-related people with the groom. "What do you know about the bride?", "Well she's also a medical student who he met on his journey there in egypt", "Wow, that's great, both doctors, sure lead a busy life", they talked their way through the boredom & took some pictures for making a chain of unforgettable memories. "Now, let's move our attention to the bride & groom........

                         

Love Story Part 8 (The Moment of Truth)

Volume 9, Book 89, Number 255: Narrated 'Abdullah:
Allah's Apostle said, "Do not wish to be like anyone, except in two cases: (1) A man whom Allah has given wealth and he spends it righteously. (2) A man whom Allah has given wisdom (knowledge of the Quran and the Hadith) and he acts according to it and teaches it to others." (sahih Bukhari)

                "Kamal, you're going out again? You're very busy man, even busier than the prime minister", cheerful atmosphere created by a joke of a mum of four stopped a walking man from heading out the door. "Just seeing a friend, i'm taking the 'Swift'", grabbing the key with haste, he went straight to the garage. Knowing at that moment of time, his watch had just passed ten minutes after the time he supposed to get his breakfast, but because of an urgent matter he needed to attend to, all scheduled activities for that day were just shown to the trash. "I hope you can make it....", looking repeatedly at the message that he received made him nervous as if this going to leave a memory in his life. "I hope everything's alright, is it my fault?.....", alone in the car with his twisted mind & his voice as the radio host for the day, talking about the connections for the past one month & what had to do with him in the middle, made the scent of the new morning fader into the intense situation.

                    "I hope i'm not late, why does this always happen to me? Can i do it in front of him? I don't know, I hope he's there", mumbling anxiously  while the words were clearer in her heart. The young woman rode on her automobile, taking a risk which she wouldn't had taken in her past. "He's going to be there, you got to go, Amirah. If you think it's worth it, then, go with no regret....", her friends' advices were ringing along with her heartbeats. "Oh, no. Where's a free parking when i needed",  she was lost, scouting around while continuously keeping an eye on the time. Taking her time at the elevator, she managed to arrive in time, suddenly, her breathless steps to the restaurant were stopped by the presence of a guy at the opposite side of the table. "I'm too late, he's going to ruin it", sight of hopeless filled her heart."Thanks for coming here, i was not sure you're going to come after the last incident, which i'm terribly sorry", the man with the grey-bluish shirt nodded, sincerely as a sign of apology.

                "It's ok, actually i'm kinda worried that i have given any harm because of my ow actions. I think i who should apologize", "No,no, it was my foolishness. Actually Amirah & I were childhood friends since kindergarten, since her parents moved here 15 years ago. We were close, i was there when she needed me, but it was just when we started going to different classrooms in high school that made feel like i need her more than she needed me actually. However, i didn't say anything because if i let it out, i know she would scold me and we would be arguing instead of making her smile, i made her cry. She never had any occurrence with other guys except me, especially when i always tried to protect her from them, although not all of them were 'bad' ones, i realize i was dragging her back instead of pushing her to the top". "I see, well, i've seen a lot of situations involving relationship, but yours are a bit complicated. Actually, i didn't catch the connection why i'm here in the first place", he took Kamal hands with tears dropping to his hands. 

                 "Please, i need to change myself, this change is not for her but myself, being in this misery made me look into the things that i had lost, & i had gained. I want to become better so that i can find my happiness without hurting others' quest for theirs. Can you help me?". With the grasp of his brother's hands, "Absolutely, i will help you. The first thing you must do is forget about her & focus on your true lover, Allah al-Merciful. If you can control yourself towards her, then, you can see her but you must be strong & don't let yourself to the Devil. Actually, i have a book that you could relate to, 'Hamka: Tenggelamnya Kapal Van der Wijck'. If you think you have the urge to change then go live your life with no regrets, fill your moments with the benefits of the world & the afterlife....". The intensity of the room grew as their meeting were interrupted by the sound of footsteps coming from a red high heel shoes which made both of them paused..........     

Love Story Part 7 (The Friendship)

On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:  

         The gates of Paradise will be opened on Mondays and on Thursdays, and every servant [of Allah] who associates nothing with Allah will be forgiven, except for the man who has a grudge against his brother. [About them] it will be said: Delay these two until they are reconciled; delay these two until they are reconciled.

It was related by Muslim (also by Malik and Abu Dawud).

           
              "It's been 3 years since our last boys out, we really had fun back then, so how's egypt? Doing well with medicine?", " It's been that long? Wow, medicine took it's toll, but it really change me, i'm not that lazy boy you used to hang out with, I think,". Words of joy is replaced by laughter from the undergraduates' giggling. "What about you? I came late at the reunion, you still making a fool out of yourself for her, are you still in love with her?". The exhausted guy who once acknowledged as a carefree guy in high school, filled with problems that couldn't stop bothering him,"No comment, you heard it before, you still giving me a question mark on the topic?", "Sorry, i didn't realize you would bring it till now, like i said before, she doesn't love you, there are other fish to catch. Nowadays, the fishing rod is automatic, you don't need to care about catching one, but rather how to grap hold of it once she's in your hands". 


                     That night, Danial kept on thinking what's there to change to get her back, making his sleep delayed from midnight till dawn. His eyes turned red, tiredness was his starting facial expression of the day, making the rest of the day look blurry. "Yo, bro, did Shafiq came yesterday? You invited him to the football match tonight, right? Because i don't want this  extra ticket going to waste, he's here just for the summer break, so, let's give him a good time". Danial just mumbled some words signalling 'no problem', although his mind was nowhere in the room. He's trying to solve a love affair which resembled two circles that never intersect. The closer he  got to her, the further away she was, the solution was he needed a bridge for the two circles, persistent he was. 

                  "Thanks for the call, it's been long since i got to see a football match which not related to egypt, very excited, Hey, what's wrong?", he dozed off, still looking into the past, seeing a chronicle series of events which putting him & Amirah as the romeo & juliet, "You'd never understand, you only see yourself, not others...." her voice saying those words made a whole in his heart, "Could it be that i'm just not good enough for her? Why did she say that?", speaking to a mirror in his mind, showing a creepy sight for the man standing beside him, as if he was in another dimension where time stop moving. "Salam, Dan, are you here with us?", "What?! Oh, sorry. I was thinking about upcoming semester", his sight was brought to the player whose skills with the ball were his signature out of the field.
             
                    "That was a good game. Well, see you all at college", "Wait, you're going back already?", doubts were shown on his 'normal' behavior. "Dan, can you give me a ride home, after all, you're going to pass through the bus station, right?". Both of them set sail to a destination, but their hearts didn't cross each other. "Dan, you know that we've been friends since primary, right? You told me everything, now there are doubts about myself keeping a secret? Come on" insisted Shafiq with a concerning face. "I know what to do, i'm going to change, but first, there's something i need to level with the guy, that's all", Shafiq just nodded, proving his understanding of the situation, "You know, i still got time before the break ends, maybe i can help". Danial smiled, with a low & soft tone, "Thank you, bro". "Now it's my turn to tell a secret, I'm getting married next semester........

Love Story Part 6 (The Fine Line)

Bukhari :: Book 1 :: Volume 1 :: Hadith 1Narrated 'Umar bin Al-Khattab:I heard Allah's Apostle saying, "The reward of deeds depends upon the intentions and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended. So whoever emigrated for worldly benefits or for a woman to marry, his emigration was for what he emigrated for."

            "Em, salam. She's waiting for me? Where?", a well-dressed young woman moving swiftly from stall to stall, in search of the desired target, with her high heels, she stopped in front of 'Life & Culture'. "Yes, Amirah. You're here, let me introduce to you my date, this cute girl, Sarah", the girl was shocked seeing a man who's in his 30's but having a high-schooler as a girlfriend & without awkwardness between them. "Ha,ha,ha. I'm not a girl anymore. I'm a lady, you would never have a real girlfriend if you act like this, bro". With that, there's a sign of relief, making her chest less heavy, "Is this your sister? She's pretty, seeing her brother not that bad himself", the man laughed, "Obviously, my act kinda dull, but yes, she's my going-to-seat-for-PMR sister. Well, she thinks she's older than she looks, for me, she's just a sheep with me as a shepherd. Guarding her from the wolves of the world" 

                "Salam, is this the friend you'd be talking about? She's quite lovely", the shopkeeper moved out from the register & prepare tea for the guest with the help of the two siblings. The two of them talked for a long period of time, sharing experiences between them, giving advice while the other accepting her flaws. In the  mean time, the other two sneak out & got themselves a couple of ice creams. "She's okay, you're going to make her your 'close friend'? Or do you have someone in mind? Anytime soon you'll getting married, & i'm alone with the boys back home", "You're a bit over your level when it comes to this. She's nice, but with her stage, i'm not sure i can help her move closer to Allah, i'm not that strong yet. Marriage, well, it's too soon, although some of my friends had already engaged themselves, but i really don't know about myself".

                         "Okay, it's was nice meeting you, does your mother like headscarfs? Well, if she does, i have a variety of colors, well, you said she just got back from Haj, maybe she had in mind with some of the designs i got based on Egyptian patterns. Would you like to see it?". For the young woman who never had any intentions about wearing it herself, felt a little interested with it, seeing Sarah wore it with full of grace. "We're back, wow! You look beautiful Amirah, it really suits the dress", "Actually i'm trying to find the right one for my mother, she's head size is not that different with me. I always see how my mother wears it, but this is my first time wearing it myself, so please don't laugh". Kamal walked in & his pace were getting slower, with that he paused, amazed with a graceful swan in front of his eyes, "Emm, it's look great, i think your mother will like with your choice, nice color indeed. That's why it's perfect for you with the course you're taking". "Thanks....", she took it off & headed to the register.

                     "'Thanks for the ice cream, it's a bit hot this time around", "You're welcome, but brother always said that in Russia, it's cold enough to make an ice cream in that instant, that's winter. In summer, bathing twice a day feels not enough". They all laughed, while sitting in a restaurant near the parking lot, "About before, so you're saying you don't want to marry in this near future?", "Wait, what are you both talking about?", he smiled with a little tremor in his heart, "Well, my sis, asked me  about couples & marriage, for me, couples doesn't exist, there's only friends & wife, nothing in between. In my opinion, there's only love after the sacred bond, before it, it's just false dreams & promises which hardly ever become true. In my state, it's better for me as a medical student to marry early before I graduate, so that there's no complications in my housemenship, which will be the peak of my busy days". "I see,.........    

              

Love Story Part 5 (The Romeo)

“A strong person is not the person who throws his adversaries to the ground. A strong person is the person who contains himself when he is angry.” (Saheeh al-Bukhari)

            A man strolled by, leaning on a pillar, "Why are you here? Are you coming because of him?", "What are you talking about? I don't even know him, he's just the organizer of this reunion, apparently he invited me", "I recognize that look you gave him, the same look you gave to me when you ask me out last 3 years. Now you're looking for another one". The man stared at her eyes, showing the anger from the disappointment she slammed at his face at New Year, when she ended their bond. She turned away, facing the crowd, to the people that have no regret in their faces, looking to the world as platforms to success, for her as another stage to be humiliated. "Where are you going?", "Don't worry, i'm not gonna hurt him, just want to see his face up close".

              "Hi. I'm Danial, maybe you don't know me. Well, i'm not as famous as you, but i would like to say that if you do anything to Amirah, you better watch your back", "I'm sorry? Did i do something wrong?", he laughed out loud making them the center of attention, "You think with your family's wealth, your rank as a oversea student, and  that disgusting face which they say as 'good looking', you  think you can get whatever you want? Life is fair, and you will  not make it look bad". Everyone was shocked of his statement, you can feel the heat flowing in the air, making an intense situation for the victim of Danial's unpredictable anger. Suddenly, the girl with the green dress moved through the busy crowd and stoped him, "Enough! You should not be here, i've told you the reason we broke up, it's because of your insensitive self & ego, i can't take it anymore. Go home! I don't want see your face anymore!". He took his leather jacket & stormed out, making a cheerful party to a silent one. 

               "What did he know about her? Nothing! I knew her since the first day of primary school, i've been there for her, looking out for her, seeing her cry, i can't breathe, seeing her smile just making me the happiest man on earth", he kept saying in his head, trying to see what she saw in Kamal that he doesn't has. "When we were small, I would be there if she run away from home, I always be there. Arrrrgh, why him!" Being at the gym & giving all out with his punches, made him calm down for a while, replacing his mind with the feeling of pain in his body. Joining the boxing club encouraged him to train hard & discover his new talent in the sport, which caught Amirah's eyes. "Am i that cold? Everytime i'm with her, didn't any my emotions even touch her?", "Salam, Dan."........

 

Love Story Part 4 (The Meeting)

Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wasallam) said: “Allah has written for the son of Adam his inevitable share of adultery whether he is aware of it or not: The adultery of the eye is the looking (at something which is sinful to look at), and the adultery of the tongue is to utter (what it is unlawful to utter), and the inner self wishes and longs for (adultery) and the private parts turn that into reality or refrain from submitting to the temptation.” [Sahih Bukhari]

                    "Alhamdulillah, i can still drive this car, but being at my right side is kinda weird. Well, i'm not going that fast, so no worries, right?", a habit of talking to oneself was a natural thing for the man at the steering wheel, moving pass the neighborhood with his old nationally made car. "Piiin!Piin!, Move faster, old man", suddenly a fast moving car filled with girls cut his path, making an impression as they were late for an important meeting. "Wow, they really are aggressive here", he didn't mind the attitude, adding to that, their car were quite heavily tinted, so faces were not recognized. "Did you see that man with the glasses? What a snail, no wonder he's using that hunk of junk, right Amirah?", "What? sorry, i didn't see his face. Are we there yet?", "No, dear, is going to be a 10-minute journey, so, not in this nearest time. Besides, there's a heavy traffic near us, so i think we're gonna be a bit late", with the voice of the three girls in the car made the sound of the radio undetectable. "Amirah, why are going to this reunion again? Didn't we always see this people at the neighborhood, the mall, the college, & before, you didn't have interest in this sort of meeting. Why now? Is there someone you want to see?", "Oh!Oh, is he there? You want to go & patch things up?", both of her friends made her more nervous than ever.

               "No, i just want to see my old friends, that's all. They're your friends also, right?", with that she made her statement & a silent face. "Hello, bro. Everyone's there already? Or that's mean i'm late. I know the coordinator should be early, but i woke up late, not use to the different time zone. I know it's already 3 days being here, but give me some time", he laughed out loud in the car alone, making jokes with the person on the phone who happened to be his best friend & assistant in the reunion. "Great, I'm here, oh, i'm so late", he parked the car, & rushed to the 3rd floor, where a crowd of people who were in their 30's making conversations at the food court. "Salam, to all, sorry for being late, apparently russians are used to be late. Thank you for being here, enjoy the meal at the food court, which is self service, & let us be reunited", they laughed along with applause, making an end of the organizer's speech. 

              "Alhamdulillah, you did it again, you organized another one, although it's always a big gap to the other one, you always busy, going places, with your study as a medical student, doing charity & services, you're really unbelievable", Othman, the once student leader of their respected school, giving his respect to a future doctor as they say. "Thanks a lot, i appreciate it. Anyway, is good to see u all here again, making this meeting an eventful one. Actually, i've invited a friend, Amirah, do you know her?", with confusion in their eyes, they pointed to a girl wearing a green dress with jeans at a table near the corner. "O, my God, that guy that stood up back then is the man that i said before, now i think he saw our faces. Wait, he's coming this way, act natural", " Wait, the organizer? What's his name?", "Shut up, act natural", by a few inches from the table, the man put up his right hand, "Salam, Amirah, is it? I'm Kamal, we spoke on the phone, thanks for coming. Sorry, i'm late, the busy streets, got to make use to".

                           She stood with a tremor in his hands, "Salam, it's good that you made it, actually we're not that close back then, because you're in the 1st class, & i'm in the 3rd, so we kinda...", "She's now in college, doing a degree in fashion you know, very creative, she a great designer at that", she pinched the girl next to her with small grin on her face, telling to back off. "Alhamdulillah, that's good, well, i can see your outfit is very striking, just that,........, I mean, it's okay. Well good luck with that, i think i have a friend that works in fashion, she's now have her own boutique. If i get her number, i'll send it to you. Enjoy the party", "Thanks", the smile she made was printed in his head for no reason, making him panic & ran from the scene of the crime. "Was that a sparkle?..........