Perfectly Imperfect

Part 2

After a long and satisfying nap, my mother came knocking on my door, again telling me about the Quran class she had put me in. "Samirah it's almost time for Maghrib, and your class is right after! Get up, get ready, and your father will take you to the masjid with him inshallah". I dragged myself out of bed rubbing drool off the side of my cheeks, and began to put my black jilbab and hijab on, once again. I glanced at my clock. It was 7:53 pm but felt earlier in the day. Time was flying before my eyes, I took my Quran off the bookshelf and placed it in my bag, then slowly made my way outside to the car.

"So Samirah", my father said while pulling out of our driveway in our brand new SUV, "You're 18 now you know, have you thought of marriage yet"? He always spoke in a monotone voice and never had any expressions on his face most of the time. "Marriage?" I then repeated. It was something I thought of all the time and often found myself daydreaming about these days. "..nah I haven't really thought of it much" I replied in a low voice, I never really like speaking to my father on topics like this. One thing always lead to another with him which always left me feeling uncomfortable. I mainly preferred to keep conversations short and sweet with him. "I find that hard to believe Samirah, that you haven't thought of marriage". There was then a long awkward silence in the car. "You know, you're a very beautiful young girl with lots of knowledge of your deen. Because you are now of age there will be many suitors approaching me for your hand, and..." I knew where this was going and I didn't feel like going through these car moments with my dad again, so I quickly budded in this time. "I know dad.. I know".

Right after Maghrib prayer, I went looking for the room the imam announced the Quran class will be in. I circled the area twice put couldn't find room 232. I became frustrated and thought about just going back to the masjid to chill until Isha time. The thought of nosey mothers sitting there made me change my mind quickly and I decided to look just once more. While I made my way to the front of the hall, I saw a brother who seemed new to the masjid, looking for a room too. Possibly the same room I was looking for. I passed by him about 3 times in the hallways in my effort to find the class. Something about him caught my attention which was rare for me, all the guys at this masjid seemed so alike, too alike even. But this one seemed different. We crossed paths once more and this time I was for sure he caught a glimpse at me, he then slowly walked my direction looking down. " Salaams sister, do you know where room 232 might be?" His voice was soft, very deep, and a bit reassuring. It had a bit of a Latin accent on it. " I.. I'm actually looking for the room myself" I said nervously, I had a bit of shakiness In my voice I tried to control. " Oh alright, thanks" he said. As he walked away my heart was beating faster then its normal speed. Did I speak too fast? Did I sound weird?

I eventually found the class at the end of the narrowest hallway. He then walked in moments after I arrived. The class seemed to be small. Around 7 others attending the class with the majority being men. I took my quran out and silently began reviewing my new memorization. I then learned his name was David but preferred the teacher to call him Kareem. Sounded as if He was just learning the Arabic alphabet. The teacher often said "Good job!" Or "Mashallah" To him while Kareem went over what he had learned. "Only 1 week and you've learned the alphabet fluently! You'll probably be able to finish memorizing the Quran in no time" brother Sameer told him. Kareem then thanked him and made his way back to his seat.
Right at that moment I had second thoughts of attending the class, I knew at that moment Id enjoy coming,