Perfectly Imperfect

14. Are you stalking me?

I started to see Harim more often now that he knows where I work. He'd come in the store sometimes with other friends, but often by himself, starring at me the whole time. Even my coworkers started to notice. "Girl I think he likes you. He's been coming way more often ever since the day he first saw you working here" Andrea would tell me. My other coworker Sam would always grin at me when Harim walks in the store and our manager Marianne would just laugh. All this was making me feel more and more annoyed with Harim. How come he couldn't just leave me alone? But as the weeks went by, I found myself  having a completely different view of him than I originally did. The more I saw him, the more I tolerated his presence, and from toleration, I soon found myself liking him? Or maybe not. That was way to strong, and he still was a jerk. I came to the conclusion that I was developing more physical attraction towards him. I hated that I felt this way but it was only natural. The more I saw him, the more I realized how beautiful he was. I knew I had to put a stop to that and often lowered my gaze when he came to the shop. But one thing I couldn't put a stop to was my thoughts.

After work, me and Andrea headed towards a sushi joint in the mall. We both ordered California roll and she as usual added an excessive amount of ginger to each piece of sushi. Something I could never do. "So what's the deal with you and Mr. Fine Guy". That's the nickname she gave Harim and I roll my eyes every time I hear her say it. "Nothing is 'the deal'. He's just a stalker" I said taking a bite of sushi. I think I put too much soy sauce. "Well if I where you I would definitely be entertaining that she said" there was a long pause, and then we both broke out into laughter. "You don't understand. I tell you all the time my religion doesn't allow that!" I said nudging her leg. I love telling her about Islam any opportunity I can so she doesn't wonder why I can't do some of the things she can with no limitation. I try to justify the rulings to the best of my ability so she doesn't think Islam is anything harsh. But Fortunately Andrea is a very open minded individual. "Well I'm just saying is all" she said taking a sip of her Pepsi through a straw and looking up at me. We talked a bunch after that then she told me she excused herself to go use the restroom. While I was waiting for her return. I saw Harim to the corner of my eye. This was starting to get a little, no VERY out of hand. I'm guessing he was there the whole time and waited to make a move. As expected I saw him walking towards my direction and I quickly grabbed my phone in hope of looking occupied. I prayed Andrea would hurry up and come back, but knowing Andrea she probably would entertain the situation making it a lot worse. Looks like I'm on my own for now

"Are you stalking me?" I asked as Harim made his way to my table, pulling up an extra chair for him to sit on. He smiled and ran his hand through his jet black hair. "Stalking you? no I would never!" He looked at me and I could tell he was thinking of something to say. I planned on making this conversation as awkward as I could so he'd eventually feel uncomfortable and leave me alone. I was trying to avoid him for my own sake. The last person I'd wanna feel attached to was him. " I've been seeing you around a lot these days" "'oh really? I wonder why" I replied with a straight face. Tell me something I don't know. "Well I think you're very beautiful MashaAllah, and I would love to get your number, maybe take you out sometime. I was dying of laughter in my head. A non Muslim asking me out? I can accept that they just don't know any better. But a Muslim boy who went to an Islamic school majority of his life asking me out? Now that's hilarious. You'd think he knows better than to ask me. "Are you seriously asking me out? You do know that's not allowed in Islam right?" I asked just to make sure he wasn't going crazy. Another one of his surprises. "Cmon!" He says laughing. "Its okay God forgives you know" I was dumb to think that question would make him feel uncomfortable and want to leave sooner. It only brought more conversation to the table. " I mean so many people today do it and  young bad comes from it at all. Look at your best friend Samirah and my cousin." That was the worst example he could've ever gave me. They definitely don't look like the ideal couple to me and I'd be damned to have a relationship like hers. "Their relationship isn't a good example, and anyone else who does the same doesn't have an excuse." I said folding my arms. To think how common it is for  Muslim youth today to think this way was crazy to me, yet normal. It's more of a challenge to find the youth who doesn't think of it in this way. "But that's your girl" he said scooting his chair closer causing me to shuffle farther. "I don't care who's my girl, it still doesn't make it right." Just in time for Harim to open his mouth, Andrea comes back from the bathroom with the hugest grin on her face. "So y'all talk?" She says sitting back in her seat crossing her arms. I could tell this was entertainment for her as she knows how uncomfortable I was. "Y'all would make such a cute couple you know" she adds in. " I know right? Tell that to your girl though" Harim says slipping a piece of paper to me than getting up from his seat. "Anyways, I'll see y'all ladies later". He then makes his way out the cafeteria. " Ooooh girl you better call that boy tonight! She says completely forgetting our lesson on how Muslims shouldn't be doing these things. I make my way up from my seat and checking my watch. It's was almost time for my shift to start again. I slide her the piece of paper while picking up my MK bag. "Nah I definitely won't be, but you should".