Perfectly Imperfect

13. Gym Day

"Girl you are so lucky you got to check him out... And check him out!" Andrea was teasing a couple minutes after Harim had left the store. "But you have to agree with me, he's beautiful isn't he?"
"No not really" I answered. And by that I was talking about his attitude. Nothing was beautiful about it. Yeah it's nice to be good looking, but when your attitude is crap, there really isn't much left to adore. I thought to tell Andrea about what he had told me, but knew she probably would just laugh and joke about it with me for eternity. "I can't wait until he comes back to shop at Key West. I know it won't be long" she said smiling up at the ceiling. Why is it always the good looking ones who end up being the biggest jerks?

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It was Sunday morning, and as usual, I woken to the sound the the two roosters I call my sisters Jameelah and Laila. I became aggravated, and part of me wanted to burst in their room and yell, while the other part is just too lazy. I try going back to sleep but it just wasn't one of those days, so I forced myself out of bed.
My dad was already down reading the newspaper and drinking his morning coffee, while my mom was outside watering the plants to her fairly new garden. I made my way to the kitchen helping myself to jam on toast, then placing my plate next to my father. "SalamuAlaikum baba" I said. I never really talked to my father that much but recently a lecture that I had been listening to recently made me really want to improve my relationship with my father. He smiled and I could tell he wasn't expecting me to accompany him this morning for breakfast. "WaAlaikimSalam Samirah, how are you this morning?" He asked placing his newspaper down and picking up his coffee. "Doing well, Alhamdulillah, although I couldn't sleep because of those two bird children of yours" I said taking a hit into my warm toast. He laughed and then told me to have patience and they will eventually grow out of acting that way. Little does he know I'm praying to getting married soon so I wouldn't have to wait until they "grow out of the phase". I smiled and piled up my second piece to toast. God this was so good. "So how are you doing in class with brother Sameer?" He asked. "Pretty well, my review is much stronger now Alhamdulillah." "Well that's good, keep up the good work and you'll be finished in no time" he said. A couple moments later my mom comes in the room with fresh garden dirt all over her hands as she made her way towards the kitchen sink. "Great news Samirah. You're grandparents from Chad will be coming in 2 weeks!" They are looking forward to seeing you!" The news lightened up my morning. I was really looking forward to seeing the grandparents I haven't seen in so long. Finally, all of the people I care about the most will be under one roof. " that's great! I'm looking forward to seeing them both!" I replied. Only two more weeks.

"And then he goes, 'try not to run away next time when you see me'". I was on the phone with none other than Samirah and she was in complete tears laughing the whole time while I'm telling the story of my recent encounter with Harim. I was so shocked, let alone embarrassed when I had known that he saw me go to the back because of him. I don't want him feeling as if I'm intimidated by him at all. I just don't want to deal with him. Can you let a girl live! After talking about that situation, Samirah began telling me more of her plans for the 'getaway' she was so excited about. "So where going to go to this restaurant it's only a few minutes away, and then get a massage back at the hotel on Friday". It seemed like so much fun and I actually couldn't wait to go and spend time with all my friends. I was looking forward to spending time away from my family and just relaxing. I guess I deserved it after all.

I came home just in time for Maghrib prayer after working out for 2 straight hours with Andrea at the gym. She wore a cute and simple Nike black sports bra with matching leggings and look absolutely bomb in the workout outfit. She attracted much attention from many people at the gym and I had wondered if I would feel as free to do the same if I didn't have Islam restricting me from exposing myself to the public in that manner. Sometimes I really do wonder how I wouldn't be been within Islam. The things I would and would not do. I know for a fact Islam has safe guarded me from those things because I do know that if I didn't have fear in Allah and the last day, I wouldn't hesitate to do some things myself.