Aunt wasilah has been out of surgery for about an hour. The doctor have done a procedure on aunt wasilah. It will hopefully extend her chance at living. I sit in the chair by her bed side and hold her thin pale hand in mines. My uncles and aunts and cousins and every other family member has been by to see about her surgery. I'm hoping that she be ok and that this surgery is very successful.
"Isma'el baby?'' Ma says rubbing my back. "Your uncle Barraq said he's going to the masjid for dhur. You should go pray. I will stay by my sister side" Ma said reassuring. I guess she saw that I was nervous about leaving aunt wasilah. I got up and walked out the door. I met uncle Barraq outside in his dark green hummer.
"Salaam nephew" uncle Barraq pats my back as I buckle up.
"Salaam uncle"
"How's Wasilah?" uncle Barraq ask as he begin to drive.
"She was sleeping when Ieft but I think she's doing fine"
"That's good. Your uh grandfather wanted to see you before you leave"
"Inshallah I get to see him. Where is he staying at?"
"He stay with his self in a small house. We tried getting him to stay with some of us but he refused. He's stubborn for a 83 year old. I'm the eldest at 63 with 4 grown kids I keep telling him to move in with me but he refused. He just doesn't want to be with anyone else but himself. Mashallah he's doing great but he still need help"
"Yeah" we arrive at the masjid and every time I go I always feel at peace. I love being here.
Uncle Barraq parks then we get out the car. Uncle Barraq walks off when he sees one of his friends.
"Aye isma'el" Adam, aunt Muna 14 year old son calls out to me. I turn around and see him jogging towards me.
"Salaams little bro. How you been?" I give him a man hug and shake his hand.
Uh good I guess" Adam fixes his white kufi on his head and shrug.
"Is something wrong?" I asked.
"Well it's my mom" Adam keeps his head down and sigh.
"What's wrong with your mom?"
"She keep treating me like I'm a baby. I know I'm the last born but I'm not a baby. She won't let me go to Fiji with Nina and her husband. They invited me because they know I really like traveling but ummi is being difficult. Could you talk to her?"
"Inshallah but right now we got to pray dhur. The imam is calling the athan" I put my arm around Adam shoulder and we walk to the masjid.
In salat I give all my attention to Allah only. Everything else I pushed to the back of my head. We brothers stand foot to foot and shoulder to shoulder so shatan(devil) won't get between our salat. I pray that Allah heals my aunt and I pray that Allah protects my wife ,my family, my friends. I pray that I get to see my wife and my soon-to-be born baby. I pray for forgiveness and mercy amongst the people. I pray that Allah keep me on the right path. I never want to turn wrong. I always want to keep right and keep my faith in Allah.
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As salamu alaykum auntie Muna" I say as I give her a hug.
"Wa laykum wa Salam pumpkin. I missed you so much. I wish I could of went to your wedding. I was so busy with wasilah and my daughter wedding. I will inshallah make it up to you" aunt Muna hugs me tight and kiss my cheek.
"It's fine"
"So how's your wife and the soon-to-be born baby? Your mom told me about your wife being pregnant already"
