Flawless love

Chapter 1 : Yusuf

⋆ ˖   ݁ 🦢 ݁ ˖ ⋆

a rainy day, and it's 04:40 am when I woke up to pray the Fajr prayer and begin my daily routine. It had been a month since I last saw my friend, Abdi, so I decided to meet up with him on this Friday morning.

After performing the Fajr Salah and reading a few pages of the Holy Book, I got up to take a shower and prepare for the gym. It had been a week since my last visit, and I missed the feeling of pushing my body to its limits, striving for strength and self-improvement.

Finally done with my workout after an hour at the gym, on my way back, I passed by a flower shop. The vibrant colors and delicate fragrances caught my attention, sparking a desire to bring joy to my loved ones. I couldn't resist buying some flowers for my sisters and mom, knowing how much they appreciated such thoughtful gestures. As I made my purchase, I secretly wished that one day I would be able to buy flowers for my future wife as well, imagining the joy it would bring to her heart.

I reached into my pocket to grab my phone and called my forgetful friend, Abdi, to remind him about our meeting. Within seconds, I heard his voice on the other end of the line. He greeted me with "Warya setahay," knowing that those were the only Somali words I knew. Abdi and I became close like blood brothers during our first year of university. Despite him leaving his country to pursue his dream of becoming a pilot, we remained connected till this day, bound by more than blood.

After reminding him about our meeting, I hung up the phone and continued my way back home. As I arrived, I entered to give the flowers I bought to my siblings and my beloved mother, who always prayed for me to find a wife soon, as most mothers do. But beyond my mother's wishes, I genuinely desired to experience love and find a wife of my own. I wanted someone who would understand me, support me, and share the journey of life with me. After that, I requested my sister to prepare breakfast for me, savoring the simple pleasures of a warm meal in the company of family.

Once in my room, I began preparing for a shower and my meeting with Abdi, as well as the Friday prayer. After the shower, I put on my favorite white thobe, a gift from my mother from Mecca. The flowing fabric and intricate embroidery reminded me of the spiritual significance of the pilgrimage and the blessings I carried with me. I didn't have the energy to style my hair, so I simply tied it up in a bun, embracing a casual and effortless look.

A few minutes later, my sister called me to inform me that breakfast was ready. I went downstairs and sat in front of the Gado-gado bowl, my favorite dish. The blend of flavors and textures delighted my taste buds as I savored each bite. Without wasting any time, I started eating while searching for an Islamic podcast to listen to during my meal. I sought knowledge and inspiration, finding solace in the teachings that guided my faith. Eventually, I settled on my favorite podcast, Yaqeen, immersing myself in the enlightening discussions on spirituality and personal growth.

With a feeling of contentment in my heart and a satisfied appetite, I finished the whole bowl easily. Finally, the time had come to reunite with my best friend, Abdi, after such a long time. I went to the kitchen where I had left my keys earlier and set off from the house, anticipation coursing through my veins.

I went to a coffee shop to meet Abdi, and then we planned to go to the mosque together. As I entered the coffee shop, I saw Abdi waving at me from a corner. His infectious smile mirrored my own as we hurriedly moved towards each other, embracing like long-lost brothers. The warmth of our friendship and the shared history between us enveloped the air.

"Salam alaykum, Abdi," I greeted him, the words carrying the essence of peace and blessings.

"Wa alaykum salam, Yusuf. Glad to see you again," he replied, his voice filled with genuine joy.