Book II: My Muslimah, My Wife

Prologue

    Ayesha smiled gladly at the old shopkeeper as he placed all five books in a yellow shopping bag. He then turned to the cash counter and entered the amount preparing her receipt. The yellow digits on the counter read 48.60 dirham. She fished out her wallet from her hand bag and took out the amount paying it to the gentleman.

    She was glad that she hadn't walked into the chocolates isle at the supermarket last weekend resisting her cravings. If she had given in it wouldn't be possible for her to buy Ali his favourite books now. Plus it was Ali's birthday, they didn't usually celebrate but Ali always got a chance to pick his favourite toys or books. The kid mostly leaned towards books finding them more appealing unlike other children of his age. At first, Ayesha was afraid if her toddler son was growing up too fast for her liking but she soon began to notice how that was just how he was. A cute little bookworm.

   She turned around with a soft smile to hand Ali the shoppong bag filled with his favourite books, but to her horror she didn't find him behind her. It was as if he had disappeared into thin air as it was only moments ago that he stood right behind her engrosed in a spiderman comic book that he picked from the nearest stand. The bag dropped from her hands but she could care no less.

   She called out to him first gently and then shouting his name as the panick started to overtake her senses. Two other customers turned their heads up in shock from her shrill voice. Their eyebrows knotted in confusion but they didn't pay any attention busy with their own book shopping. She looked around in the small shop but he wasn't there. Her panick only got worse when the terrifying possibility crossed her mind.

   Kidnapped?!

  Her heart beated faster. Was her worst nightmare turning into reality? She reprimanded her negative inner voice. This was not the time to have a panick attack. Swiftly walking out the shop, not caring how she didn't shut the door behind her, she turned left where she had parked the car close to the vet's clinic. 

   As soon as her eyes laid on Ali, a feeling of relief washed over her but her relief was short lived when she noticed her son wrapped in the arms of a complete stranger. The stranger looked tall even when kneeling down next to her son. His strong build threatened her. The way his biceps flexed around her son made her fingers curl into fists.

    "Get away from my son!", she shouted taking the stranger by great surprise.

____

      Zaid let out a frustrated sigh. He was on the brink of losing his patience in this heat and over crowding. He reached for the air conditioner of the car and increased the cooling to 2. He wondered how long he would remain stuck in this wearisome traffic jam.

     Traffic at this end of the city always got worse on the weekends. Zaid leaned over the steering to have a look ahead. The traffic wound it's way down the road like an angry snake. Visitors from all over UAE and even abroad were now headed back home. So was the case with Zaid. Only, he could barely call that place home. How was that place even home when there was no family, no joy, he wondered. It was just an apartment, which was no more than a hotel suite to him. Always too clean, too organised.

     Zaid was on his way back to his apartment after visiting his family who lived in the heart of Dubai city. He missed his parent's place already. The joy in that house made it worthy to be called home. His brothers, Fahad and Imran were now married. Fahad even had a daughter who Zaid met for the first time since she was born. Her arrival doubled the joy for him. His younger sister, Mariam, who was more or less like his own child, remained the centre of his happiness. If it wasn't for the past, he wouldn't have to leave behind his happiness, his family.

   He was sure that as soon as he stepped into his apartment, he would be missing every thing about this place, apart from this Saturday traffic and blazing heat. He let out another sigh, this time weary and wishful. Turning his head to gaze out the window he saw a young boy exit a bookshop. His short dark hair danced in the slow breeze. His beautiful black eyes stared curiously down the sidewalk. Suddenly, a bright smile covered his innocent face as he noticed something. He took a few steps down the sidewalk and stood waving cheerfully at something. Instantly, a smile spread across Zaid's bearded face. 

    The boy searched something in the pockets of his blue knee-length shorts. He took out a fist full of candies and stretched out his hand. Zaid turned in his seat and looked behind. His heart almost jumped into his throat at the sight. Besides the vet's shop, a vicious looking dog barked at the boy from the window of a car. The owner was not seen anywhere near it.

     In a split second, the dog jumped out of the car through the half open window aiming his sharp teeth at the little boy. Almost by reflex, Zaid changed the gear before exiting his car. He reached for the boy's arm and lifted him up close to his chest. The dog missed him and stumbled hitting his head with the lamp post. Ready for a second attack, the dog growled at Zaid and pounced at him. He lifted his foot and shoved into the dog's face. 

     Soon, the owner arrived and took hold of the dog. It was hard to get a tight hold on him even for the sturdy owner. A mouth guard was tied around the dog's jaw and a leash fastened around his neck.

    
    "I'm so sorry. I hope you guys are fine. I turn my back for two seconds on this guy and he loses control. Actually it was my fault, I should've tied him up before leaving. Again, I'm so very sorry", the owner apologised.

    "Your dog almost bit this kid! You better be sorry for the rest of your life!", Zaid grew frustrated at the folly of the dog owner. 

    "Did he really bite your son? Is he alright?", the owner asked concerned.

    "He's fine now. Please take that dog away", Zaid turned away from him and looked at the child in his arms.

   The boy clawed on Zaid's shirt in his tiny grip. He shivered with fear. Zaid tried to soothe him by rubbing his back whispering in his ear that he was going to be alright.

     "What's your name? Where's you mom and dad?",  Zaid asked kneeling next to him after putting him down.

    "A-A-Ali. My name is Ali. I go to Al Falah Primary School. I don't have a daddy. Mommy is inside shop", Ali told him pointing at the bookshop he that came out from.

    Zaid stared at the kid for a second contemplating what he meant by not having a daddy. Was he an orphan? Did his father leave him? Or was he not here with him today? "Ok Ali. Let's get you back to your mom. You're going to be fine kid", Zaid gave the little guy a hug to calm him down before he meets his mother.

    "Get away from my son!", a loud angry feminine voice made him look up.

 
    Clad in a black abaya and hijab, a young woman strode closer to them with a frown on her face. She was short and thin but the anger in her voice gave off a strong vibe. Zaid quickly stood up holding Ali's hand. He saw a wave of fear cross her face but she soon replaced it with her strong resolve.

  
    "Mama!", Ali cried. Letting go of Zaid's hand he ran to his mother. Zaid couldn't deny feeling a little betrayed. 

     "How dare you touch my son?!", the woman stood a few steps away from him glaring hard.

     "I was just going to return your son to you ma'am", her dark eyes resembled Ali's so much. There was no need for confirmation.  

    "He was walking out here alone", Zaid stepped back trying to maintain a safe distance from Ali's mother who seemed like an angry lioness to him.

     Her face turned softer as she lost her frown and glare gathering what Zaid meant. She turned to her son who tugged at her abaya. "Let's go!",  she commanded taking his hand. She took him away telling him off for running away.

   
   What? No 'thank you'?!  Zaid thought but soon let that thought subside. He went back to his car still shaken by what just happened. He was glad that the traffic hadn't moved up yet. The childish faced woman and her son Ali consumed his thoughts for the rest of the ride. There were so many questions which he would never find an answer to but there was no use entertaining such thoughts. Unfortunately, he was able to push away the thoughts but not the memory of those faces. Those black eyes that looked afraid yet brave had a story to tell.