Better Late Than Never

55

When they returned from the mosque in Haven Estate, Ayman was told Ayra was waiting for him in the second living room and that she was alone. His immediate smile and the way his eyes brightened excitedly had those around him laughing. He pushed his stole in Ricky's hands, left his phone with Adil, and all but skipped in the direction of the second living room.

Ayra, who'd been standing in front of the family portrait, turned with a wild heart when the door went open. Her smile was instant and her heart got even wilder. She blushed too, watching as a smiling Ayman stepped in and closed the door behind him before he walked over.

"Hi." Her voice came out slightly breathless and she didn't think anyone could blame her; not when it dawned on her that they were alone and they could do whatever they wanted without having to hold back like they usually did.

Ayman stopped right in front of her, realising the same thing too. It did no good to his poor heart. "Hi." He reached out for her hands, needing to hold them. "I got so excited when they told me you were here alone."

The pink hue on her cheeks darkened and her small laugh had his whole heart. She looked away for a moment, needing it for her cardiac health and for her sanity.

"It took some effort but," She brought her eyes back to his. "I wanted to be with you alone for a little while, before the excitement and craze of the dinner." She gestured towards the coffee table. "I wanted us to have some pudding too. Ummi made them earlier and I told her I wasn't leaving for the reception if I didn't have some. You also love Ummi's puddings so..."

Ayman knew it was a miracle that he was standing still because the urge to bounce on his feet, to show how excited he was to have her as his, was strong. He took her other hand in his and nodded. "We'll have it before we leave In Shaa Allah. I just need to hug you again first."

She laughed and nodded. "Go ahead, Asķim. I'm all yours."

Giddily, Ayman did exactly what he wanted. He pulled her into his embrace and held her against him, savouring how easy it was; how natural it was. He shut his eyes and inhaled deeply. "You smell really, really good, Ayra. I'm so going to plan towards both of us having incense baths at least every day."

She laughed against his chest. "I'll like that. I'll bathe our clothes with incense too. Do I get to play with your hair and your beard?"

"Something you've already stated you'll do?" He chuckled. "I'm all yours, Leilani. You can do whatever you want to do with me."

They hugged for a minute longer before they pulled back slightly, keeping their arms loosely wrapped around each other while staring at themselves. Ayman reached up to softly cup her cheek, loving every bit of their married life that had only just began.

"Wallah I don't think I said anything apart from Alhamdulillah and Shukran Ya Rabb when supplicating after Maghrib." He told her. "I don't even think I know just how grateful I am that we're here; that I'm your husband and you're my wife, and that I have you to hold, to love, to cherish, to adore, to do everything with, for the rest of our lives In Shaa Allah."

Ayra's smile was warm albeit small. "Until death do us part like they say in the books and the movies?"

He scrunched his nose and shook his head. "La, we're more than that."

She raised a brow. "Oh really?"

His scrunch relaxed and he nodded, his smile returning. His eyes shone brightly. "You and I are more than the cliché 'till death do us part'. You and me? We're a fid-dunya wal akhirah team. So it's not until death does us part, Ayra. It's until Jannah reunites us In Shaa Allah."