A Heart's Safe Haven

6: Meeting an old friend

Dedicated to @booohh

for the lovely comments she left on the previous chapters. And it means a lot to me that such an awesome writer is reading my work :DD

"Say, 'O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah . Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful."

The verse easily flowed out of Isa's mouth and he shook his head in wonder at the beauty of it. It was one of his most loved verses of the glorious book of his Lord and he could spend hours just reciting it and contemplating on its beauty.

Sighing, Isa lifted his phone up from the wooden table he had placed it on earlier. After checking the time -one minute left for ten- and his WhatsApp for any new, interesting messages, he placed the phone back on the table.

His eyes wandered around the relatively empty café and he drummed his fingers on the table impatiently. Just as he was starting to get restless the café door swung open and he turned to look at the person who just entered. Isa smiled widely at the sight of his old friend and he stood up to call him.

"As'salaamualaikum warahmatullah Ishmael!"

Ismail looked towards him and grinned back.

"Wa'alaikumus'salaam! Long time no see, Jesus!"

Both men laughed loudly and Isa sat back down as Ismail joined him.

"So Ishmael, how are you? I've not seen you in quite a while now. I think it's been at least two months since I last saw you," Isa mused.

"I'm good Alhamdulillah. Yeah, it's been quite a while. We need to get together more often, but sometimes life gets too busy. In fact I've got some good news to share with you. I've been meaning to tell you it since a few weeks, but like I said life gets too busy sometimes." Ismail's eyes were lit with happiness and Isa leant forward in interest.

"Go on, what's the good news. Your eyes are getting all starry now so I'm really curious," Isa joked.

Ismail rolled his eyes, but then his expression turned serious.

"You know Jesus, however grateful I am to Allah, I can never be grateful enough. First He guided me to Islam through you. And now He guided my sister to Islam through me. My sister converted Isa. She converted. She's a Muslim now. Subhanallah. I would've never thought this possible a few years back, but it was written. Alhamdulillah, Alhamdulillah, Alhamdulillah." Ismail's voice had started out loud and clear but now it was a shaky whisper. His eyes were glazed with unshed tears.

Isa shook his head in wonder and he felt his heart go out to Ismail. He was like a younger brother to him. He met Ismail around the same time he met Maureen. Ismail used to be Jake then. Like Maureen his parents had died when he was a little baby and he had no living relations who wanted to look after him. Ismail and his twin sister Jade were both in the same foster home as Maureen. Ismail and Isa developed a fast friendship and whenever Ismail felt stressed or in the need of advice he knew that the person to go to was Isa.

Ismail slowly developed an interest in Islam and Isa was more than happy to introduce him to it. Ismail reverted to Islam a few months after Maureen and Matthew's marriage. However, Jade was not very happy. Unlike her twin brother she had little interest in religion and she was more rebellious and outgoing. That's why it was a big surprise to Isa that she had converted. He had heard little about her in years, but Ismail used to always tell him to pray for her guidance.

"Now that is some good news, Ishmael. Maa shaa Allah. I would've never thought it possible a few years back either, but Allah is truly the best of planners. I never even knew she was interested in Islam. Give me the details," Isa ordered, his interest sparked.