36 : The Wind of Ramadan

88 8 2
                                    

A cool breeze swiftly passed the high skyscrapers. All the christmas decorations, stars, trees were hung down as the celebrations passed. It was mid february now, even though it was hard to realize. It was like saying goodbye to a lost past and welcoming a hopeful future. After all, who knew what the year would bring?

Maryam sighed at her History of Architecture textbook. Finals had started and she was doing all it took her to finish successfully. It was her final year after all, she kept reminding herself.

Fatima came bustling into the room, shaking Maryam out of her thoughts.

"Hey, guess what? Ramadan's starting tomorrow!" She said excitedly to which her friend smiled. Then she remembered, "That means there's be Taraweeh today."

(Taraweeh : special voluntary prayers performed by Muslims after the Isha prayer during the month of Ramadan)

Fatima did a little twirl, "Yay! I get to choose a abaya now!" And with that, she went rushing into her closet.

Hearing the click of many different hangers inside the closet, she could sense that her best friend was having a great time. She felt happy for her.

Ever since Daniel’s encounter at the apartment, Fatima didn't seem to act the same way as before. Most true evidence of this would be the selling of that apartment. She didn't like going in there anymore, she had said firmly. Her whole wardrobe changed. For a girl who wore sweaters and jeans all through college, she switched it to the newest silky abayas, invested in new hijabs and more long skirts. Maryam also knew that the reason Fatima was determined to wear an abaya was because Daniel didn't use to like her in them.

The girls had dinner in their own room.  Fatima cooked them both instant ramen and Maryam brewed some coffee. They figured it was best since they had to stay up anyway.

After dinner, Maryam got ready for the prayer. She and Fatima were dressed in modest but pretty abayas, Fatima sporting a deep maroon shade while Maryam went for a black one.

By the time they had reached the mosque, Isha prayer had already started. They quickly wore their socks and joined the congregation.

The imam was reciting the final verses of Surah Fatiha. Maryam soon found herself forgetting about everything and concentrating in the verses.

As soon as they did salaam at the end of the fourth rak'at, Fatima turned to her and said, "Okay, I know people say he is good, but I didn't know he was this good."

Maryam didn't say anything for a while as she made dua (prayer). After rubbing her palms over her face, she asked Fatima.

"Who are you talking about?"

"The imam, of course."

"Who is he?"

"Wait, you seriously don't recognize the reciting?"

"No..what are you.."

Thats when it occurred to her.

Zaid.

It was Zaid's voice.

How could she not notice?

Nobody could really blame her since his recitation had changed a lot since they were back in highschool. It was beautiful. She whispered a masha Allah,  silently.

They did eight raka'ats of Taraweeh later that night. By the end of the eight, Fatima sighed, "I'm going home." But Maryam firmly held her hand, "We'll go after the final dua."

Fatima made a whining face at her as she stood up again.

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Zaid covered his face as if he was praying. But in reality, he was shaking. It had been a while since he stood as an Imam. Ages before he recited with a mic. But he tried to push aside that fear. He wanted to enter this Ramadan with new resolutions.

𝐙𝐀𝐈𝐃 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐘𝐀𝐌 ~ 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐈𝐑 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘 ♡Where stories live. Discover now