𝐄𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐑𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐬

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫. 1

بسم الله

The sky dimmed in all shades of orange and yellow with a soft breeze circulating the air. Soft chatter and laughter were audible through the street. The aroma of kahwa and luqaimat wrapping the air. Fatima left the flower shop with a rose bouquet in her hand. The trees swayed, and the air began to cool slightly as the athan echoed through the streets, welcoming people to go pray. Fatima walked to the masjid, relieved that salah had arrived.

Fatima's safe place was the masjid. The peace it filled within her and the instant calm that embraced her due to her Creator is what relaxed her soul. Maghrib salah went by fast as she remained reading Quran and dhikr. Her phone buzzed as she finished the ayaat she was reading, answering her phone.

"Yes, asalaam alaykum," she said, waiting for a reply from the other end.
"Walaykum salaam, Fatima, where are you it's getting dark," her brother asked sternly.
"Oh, sorry, I completely forgot the time I'm at the masjid. I stayed a bit after maghrib salah and got carried away." she says, getting up and putting the Quran back on the shelf.
"Stay there. I'll come pick you up. I'll be there in a few minutes, " he said, not wanting her to walk home in the dark.
"Okay, I'll wait for you asalaam alaykum," she finished cutting the call and going towards the mirror beside the shoe rack, fastening her niqaab, waiting for her brother to arrive.

She returns to the musallah waiting as she hears a beautiful voice reciting the Quran. A soft yet deep voice that echoed by every ayah through the masjid. Her stress from the week disappeared as if they never occurred as he recited each ayah. A sense of ease filled her heart. The recitation of the Quran soothed something within her. Something that she may look forward to to listen to once again.

Her phone rang as her brother arrived. She leaves the masjid as the voice continues to linger in her mind.