Jannah. [SEQUEL TO DAWUD]

Chapter 3 - Coffee and Confessions

In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

If the time of prayer has been called and you haven't prayed before reading this, please do so.

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Mariam's P.O.V

It was early in the afternoon, only an hour after Dhuhr, and Abdallah and I were sat in the parking lot. He drummed his fingers against the steering wheel as I played with the fabric of my abaya. It was Sunday and the sun was gleaming right above our car, causing heat to pull the beads of sweat from our skin. 'What should we do now?' My husband asked me, looking in my direction. I turned my head and smiled at him. His light skin seemed to glow alongside the sunlight around us. His dark eyes studied my expression and then shut slowly as his lips formed an innocent grin. 'I love seeing you smile. I haven't seen it for some time.' Abdallah whispered. I reached over and grabbed his right hand. Bringing it over to my lips, I kissed it tenderly.

'That's because we've been fighting for months. Now that I think of it, I'm glad it happened.' I confessed. Abdallah's eyebrows pulled together in confusion, giving me the incentive to explain myself. 'Of course, we shouldn't have fought. It was sad and discouraging at times Abudi, I know. But at the same time, we were learning about each other's boundaries. We were pushing one another to the edge just to see how far we could go. By arguing constantly, we began to understand each other.' I said. I pressed his palm and traced the lines within it with my finger. 'Now I try to dry the washroom counter every time I make wudhu and you know better than to leave your notebooks in the living room.' I added.

Abdallah began to laugh. 'You're right, Mariam. May Allah forgive us and keep us together in this world and the next, Ameen.'

'Ameen.' I said. 'Now what do you say we visit Jannah and Dawud?'

I knocked on the apartment door, careful not to tip over the tray of iced coffee we bought. After about two weeks of separation, I refused to visit my sister empty-handed. It was narrated by Abu Huraira, reported in Al-Adab al-Mufrad 594, that the Prophet Muhammad (saw) said: "Give each other gifts and you will love each other." And so, I tried my best at balancing these cold drinks, knowing well that Dawud and Jannah shared a love for cold coffee. I couldn't help but catch their laughter as they joked with one another on the other side of the door. Their relationship was so beautiful, Allah Yubarik Lahum (May Allah bless them). No longer than a couple of seconds passed before Dawud opened the door. 'Assalamu'Alaykum!' Dawud shouted. He smiled brightly before greeting us. I watched with a huge smile as he grabbed Abdallah and pulled him in for a hug... which slowly turned into a short-lived wrestling match. Jannah appeared shortly after throwing on a hijab and abaya. I could tell it was done in a rush, given that her headscarf was messily wrapped on. I couldn't help but laugh as she raced towards the door.

'Mariam!' She shouted, jumping into my arms. I fell back and bumped into the walls of the apartment. We laughed hysterically. My mind traveled back to when we were kids, where Jannah and I would rarely ever hug. My mother's dictator-like rearing stripped us of the desire to show love to one another until we became women. The coffee wobbled in my hands before Dawud took ahold of the tray. He smiled at me, placing a hand on his heart. This was a noble thing he did upon meeting family members of the opposite gender that he could not hold in an embrace. I wrapped my arms around Jannah's middle, breathing in her familiar smell. Like always, she smelt like home. Not our old house, not our mother, but the sentimental-home in which we built for just for ourselves. 'I miss you.' Jannah whispered.

'I've missed you.' I replied. Dawud led Abdallah in. Jannah, turning to see this, fixed her hijab. I laughed at her as we followed them into the apartment. Abdallah set the baked goods on the dining table as Dawud set the beverages down. 'Happy birthday, Dawud.' I whispered, causing him to blush. Abdallah repeated the words too.

'You guys, I cannot thank you enough for what you've done for me.' He said, throwing an arm around Abdallah. 'I was speechless upon finding out... subhan'Allah (Glory be to Allah).' I watched as he struggled to find the words. 'I didn't know whether to cry, laugh or just sit in disbelief.'

'He did all three.' Jannah teased, squeezing my hand.

We sat at the table, drinking cold coffee and eating the beautifully decorated donuts. I caught the way Jannah and Dawud both reached for a glazed donut but pulled their hands away as they watched the other. 'Take it, Jannah.' Dawud told her. She shook her head and ushered for him to take it. They played this game for some time until Jannah grabbed the donut, pulled it in two and gave him half. 'May Allah reward you, Habibti.' He said shyly. I looked over at Abdallah who observed this as well. It was then that he ushered for me to break the news. I shook my head. We played this game until we caught Dawud's attention. My brother-in-law looked at us funny, getting Jannah to look as well. 'What is it?' He inquired.

I covered my face, clutching my stomach for support. The warmth emanating from my belly gave me all the strength needed to muster up the words. 'Well, Alhamdullilah, both Abdallah and I have graduated from university.' I began. 'And, as you know, he's got a job with the government which pays him more than enough.' I added. 'Allahuma Barak (God bless), of course.'

'Mariam, stop rambling!' Jannah groaned.

I glared at Abdallah, who was smiling at the scene in front of him. He sat up straight upon making eye contact with me. Clearing his throat, he prepared to drop the news. 'Alhamdullilah, after three years of marriage, Mariam is pregnant.'

Jannah screamed excitedly, jumping out of her chair. Dawud, startled by her outburst, choked on his cold drink. My sister froze, walked over to her husband to see if he was okay, and then returned to shrieking ecstatically. Abdallah and I laughed, holding our faces out of embarrassment. 'All praise is due to Allah, Lord of all the worlds.' She said with quivering lips. Jannah reached for my hand and knelt down. Her hand cupped my throbbing belly as she cleared her throat. 'May Allah grant you pious offspring that will bring you two nothing but goodness upon goodness.' She whispered.

'Ameen.' Dawud said, inhaling and exhaling slowly, trying to regain his breath. He smiled to himself, looking down at his hands.