Better Late Than Never

33

If Ayra had found Ayman leading Maghrib beautiful, it was nothing compared to him leading Isha and then leading Taraweeh. He made prayer feel like the best thing the world could ever have and it was easy to get immersed in the soothing way he recited while wishing he'd never stop.

He led them the entire eight raka'ahs and then through the three raka'ahs of Witr, his Qunut making her tear up at a point. When the prayer came to an end, she remained in her spot with her hands on her laps and watched as the men dispersed, giving her a good view of Ayman.

Just like her, he stayed seated on the imam's mat and a moment passed before he raised his arms, stretching. She watched Omar join him and then watched as Ayman held his Qur'an out for his father to see, tracing a verse with his finger while Omar listened, nodding before replying.

Ayra didn't know what was said but watching Ayman laugh with his head thrown back and Omar smile so wide that his dentition showed had her chest squeezing. For the first time, she found herself wondering what it was like to be a Bello; how they lived their lives, how they learned the things they knew, and how tight knitted they could be. She knew some aspects of what she wondered but she wanted to know so much more that it hurt.

The other ladies coming to sit around her took her attention away from Ayman. It was easy to smile and tell Aabidah and Amna that their meals were great and that she was definitely taking Ayman's offer to take some food with her home. She gave Ibtihaj the cookies she'd brought along too and when she said it wasn't much, Ibtihaj slapped her arm.

"No talk that thing again! Not much keh? Shey I have told you that the day I learn to make the cookies you and Aunt Salama make I will do thanksgiving?"

Ayra laughed with the others. "Sorry ma."

"Better." Ibtihaj then hugged the cookies to her chest. "I will chop this thing by myself. Adil will beg tire. I will not give him."

Ayra pushed herself off the prayer rug, noting that Ayman did the same in front. "Ibty, it's good to share."

"Tah!"

"I'm going to give Ayman his own."

Ibtihaj's face fell. "You and this Oga Ayman sha..."

Ayra chuckled but said nothing. She took her bag with her and stepped out of the mosque. The set up tables were still there and she helped herself with a bottle of juice, taking a sip while waiting for Ayman to step out. It didn't take long and she was glad that he was alone.

She smiled when he sighted her and she loved it a lot that he smiled back just as nicely as she did. Once his shoes were on, he walked over, towering over her the way he always did.

"Hey." He said. "I'm taking you home, right?"

She nodded, a little giddy. "I guess you are. I'm not in a rush to head back though."

It was surprising for him and it showed. "Really?"

She nodded again. "Really."

She reached into her bag and pulled out the pack of cookies. She then held it out towards him. "I know you said we didn't have to come with anything but Ummi and I made these yesterday and I wanted you to have some. I packed some for Ibty too but I've handed them to her. They're date cookies and they're nothing like the ones you served at Iftar but they're just as nice. I hope you'll enjoy them."

Ayman stared at the pack for a moment before he took it from her, his smile so much softer. "Thank you. I've barely finished the ones you gave me before. The ones in the hamper."

"Well, I've barely finished the ones you gave me too but you can't have too many cookies."

He laughed, nodding. "You can't. I'll enjoy these, Ayra. Thank you."