Our Journey

10. New Year

The chilly January air nipped at Aaron's cheeks as he stepped out of the mosque with his friends, his breath visible in the cold. He tugged his jacket tighter around himself and adjusted his beanie, feeling the comforting weight of familiarity that came with being with his close-knit group of friends. After the prayers, the usual chatter filled the air: jokes about the khutbah, some light teasing, and the occasional bit of banter.

But Aaron was distracted, his thoughts lingering on the same thing they had been for days now—Hidayah. The more he thought about her, the more his heart raced. He knew he had to talk to someone about it, someone who could give him some perspective, especially with the upcoming step he was considering. He had never asked for a woman's hand in marriage before, and he was uncertain how to navigate the whole process.

As they gathered around their usual café spot, Aaron found himself hesitating. His long-time friend, Imran, noticed immediately and raised an eyebrow.

"Everything okay, mate?" Imran asked, taking a sip of his tea and eyeing Aaron with a knowing look. Imran had been a source of guidance for Aaron over the years, especially when it came to faith, life decisions, and, more recently, this new chapter with Hidayah.

Aaron gave a tight smile, but his eyes were filled with uncertainty. "Actually, yeah, there's something I've been thinking about a lot lately," Aaron said, leaning back in his chair. "It's about this girl I've been getting to know. Her name's Hidayah, and... I think I want to ask for her hand in marriage."

Imran sat up straighter, his eyes immediately lighting up with interest. "Wait, Hidayah?" he asked, almost as if he couldn't believe what he was hearing. He had known Aaron was fond of her, but this was a much bigger step than he had expected.

"Yeah," Aaron said, looking at his friend earnestly. "I want to do things right, you know? But it's all kind of overwhelming. I've never really thought about marriage in this way before. And I don't know how to approach her family. She comes from a traditional background, and I'm not sure how they'll view me."

Imran nodded, a knowing smile on his face. "Of course, man. It's a big step. But I think you're a great guy, Aaron. If you're serious about her, then go for it. But—" Imran paused, looking at Aaron more seriously. "Have you spoken to her about how you're feeling?"

Aaron shook his head. "I've mentioned some things, but it's still kind of early. We've been talking and getting to know each other better, but now I'm at a point where I want to move forward and ask her family for permission. I've been thinking about it, but I don't even know how to do that. Especially since... well, I'm not from her background. I'm not Bengali, and I wasn't born Muslim. Her family might be more traditional, and I don't know what to expect."

Imran gave him an encouraging look. "Look, man, it's not about where you're from or the fact that you were born Muslim or not. It's about your character, your faith, and your intentions. If you're serious about her and you want to follow the right path, then go ahead. But you're gonna need to speak to her family, and you'll need to be patient. It might take some time for them to come around. Don't rush it, okay?"

Aaron nodded, though he still felt the weight of uncertainty on his shoulders. "I hear you. I just don't know what to do, man. I feel like it's the right thing, but I don't want to mess this up. And I don't want to put pressure on her."

Imran gave him a supportive smile. "It's good that you're thinking about this seriously. But you know what you should do? You should talk to her family. You've got to be honest with them, and you've got to show them that you respect their daughter. But also, you should take your time and ask them the right way. You can't rush into these things."