Flawless love

Chapter 2 : Aaliyah

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Its a Friday morning, and I woke up at 5:00 AM feeling exhausted from the previous day. I hadn't even gotten up for tahajjud today. Today was the day I would be opening my own mall. It had been two years since I closed my clothing company and decided to create a mall where people could come and buy my dresses.

For the past two years, I had been working on building the mall in the center of Mogadishu city. It was a massive undertaking, filled with challenges and setbacks. However, my determination and passion kept me going. The mall was not just a business venture for me; it was a symbol of my resilience and the fulfillment of a lifelong dream.

After a few moments of feeling proud of myself, I got up to perform wudu and pray the Fajr prayer. The quiet serenity of the early morning added to my sense of calm and gratitude. Following the prayer, I read Surah Yasin, which is one of my favorite surahs in the Quran. Its verses resonated with me, reminding me of the power of faith and perseverance.

After completing the recitation, I recited the morning adhkar (أذكار الصباح), seeking blessings and protection for the day ahead. It was a habit that grounded me, connecting me to my spirituality and reminding me of the greater purpose behind my endeavors.

Once I finished my morning religious routine, I proceeded to do a 30-minute workout. Taking care of my physical health was as important as nurturing my spiritual well-being. The exercise helped invigorate my body and clear my mind, preparing me for the busy day ahead.

With my early morning routine successfully completed, I began preparing breakfast for my family. As the eldest daughter in the house, it was my responsibility to take care of them. My older sisters were all married, some living in Mogadishu, while others resided abroad. As is customary in Somali households, I prepared laxoox, kibis, and canjeero - all variations of liver and tea. The aroma of the traditional dishes filled the air, evoking memories of family gatherings and shared meals.

After a few minutes, my family joined me to have breakfast. As we ate, my parents and siblings congratulated me on my success. Their support and encouragement meant the world to me. As the second youngest daughter, my parents made numerous dua mm me, praying for my continued success and happinessa. Their unwavering belief in me fueled my determination to overcome any obstacles that came my way.

My father then started a conversation with me, his face adorned with a playful smile. "Aabo macan, wakhtigani maad isla-hayn waa markaad guursan lahayd," he said. "My daughter, don't you think it's time for you to get married?"

"Aabo, maya wali kama fikirin," I replied, laughing at how my parents playfully side-eyed each other. "No, Dad, I haven't thought about it yet."

Next, it was my three younger siblings' turn to chime in.Hamda said, "Aaliyah, you should think about marriage. I want to be a bridesmaid for you."

Ahmed chimed in, "For me, I just want to eat and have fun."

The youngest of the siblings spoke up, "I just want to stay in your house." Everyone laughed at his adorable comment.

"Okay, I'll get married because of that, but not now," I responded, playing along with their conversation. The thought of marriage had crossed my mind, but my focus was currently on establishing my business and achieving financial stability.

After breakfast, we all got dressed for the opening ceremony and headed straight to the mall. The anticipation was palpable as we approached the grand entrance. Hopefully, many of my customers had already arrived, eagerly waiting for the opening party and the discounted dresses. Offering discounts was necessary for the opening ceremony to attract more customers and create a buzz around my brand.

An hour before the opening ceremony, I received a call from Abdi, my elder brother. He was a constant source of support and guidance throughout my journey.

"Salam alaykum, princess," he greeted me.

"Walaykum salam, Aboowe," I replied.

"I'm so proud of you, Aaliyah. Finally, you are living your dream life."

"Thanks, love. It's all thanks to you. You've helped me a lot throughout this journey."

"Yusuf wants to say congratulations to you," Abdi added.

"Who's Yusuf, love?" I asked, curious.

"What? My best friend! Don't you remember? I told you about him."

After a few seconds, I heard a different voice calling my name. "Aaliyah, I'm Yusuf, Abdi's friend. Congratulations on this great success."

"Oh, well, thanks, Yusuf," I replied, still intrigued by his voice. I couldn't help but wonder what he looked like, considering his voice was so captivating. It was the hottest male voice I had ever heard – deep and sweet. I found myself looking forward to the opportunity to meet him in person and learn more about him.

After a minute of being lost in thought about Yusuf's voice, I snapped back to reality when my father called me over to introduce me to some of his friends. They were influential figures in the community, and their presence at the opening ceremony added an air of prestige and importance to the event. I exchanged warm greetings and engaged in conversations about the future of the mall and its potential impact on the local economy.

As the clock ticked closer to the official opening time, a sense of excitement and nervous anticipation filled the air. The doors of the mall were about to swing open, revealing the culmination of years of hard work and dedication. I took a deep breath, reminding myself of the journey that brought me to this moment.

Finally, the moment arrived. The ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the official opening of the mall, and the doors swung open to welcome the eager customers. The sight of people pouring in, their eyes filled with curiosity and anticipation, brought a surge of joy and satisfaction. It was a testament to the vision I had pursued and the dreams I had dared to chase.

Throughout the day, I greeted customers, answered their questions, and watched as they explored the various sections of the mall. The joy on their faces, the excitement in their voices, and the compliments they showered upon me filled my heart with happiness. It was a validation of my efforts and a reminder of the impact I could make on people's lives through my business.

The day passed in a whirlwind of activity, with customers making purchases, enjoying the discounts, and expressing their satisfaction. The opening ceremony was a resounding success, exceeding my expectations. It was a day filled with laughter, shared moments, and the forging of new connections.

Finally, after an exhausting day and all the work at the mall, I returned to my safe place, "my room." In a hurry, I performed wudu and started my Dhuhr prayer. The tranquility of the prayer helped wash away the fatigue of the day and restored a sense of peace within me. After finishing the prayer and thanking Allah for this success, I hopped into bed, ready to take the most peaceful nap in the afternoon.

As I closed my eyes and drifted into sleep, my mind was filled with images of the smiling faces, the bustling mall, and the words of encouragement I received throughout the day. It was a day that marked the beginning of a new chapter in my life—a chapter filled with endless possibilities, challenges to conquer, and dreams to fulfill. And as I embraced the warmth of the afternoon nap, I knew deep in my heart that the journey had only just begun.