Loving You

Chapter 18 - Going home

After the Walima, we quickly decided to pray the evening prayers (Maghreb and Isha) before me and Ali went to my home with my family. I got into our family car and it brought back so many wonderful memories, it felt so familiar and homely. Ali sat down on the seat next to me in the back of the car and I laid my head on his shoulder, our fingers interlocked and his other hand stroking my back. He placed a small kiss on my forehead and smiled. "Darling you must be so tired. Close your eyes and sleep." I obliged and fell into a deep, peaceful sleep.

We got inside the house and my parents told us to go and make ourselves comfortable before my mum served us tea and biscuits. "Mum, this is our house too, just because this is my first time back home since the Ruksati doesn't mean that I expect to be treated different. Why are you making such a big deal?"

"Because meri jaan you are going away on your honeymoon soon and so, I want to spend as much time with you as I can." She Said giving me a big hug. "Great mummy, nice to know who the favourite is around here, hey." Abbas said sarcastically whilst sipping his tea, making us all erupt with laughter. We all drank tea and ate biscuits before me and Ali went to my room. Ali closed the door behind us. I began taking my dupatta, tika and hijab off.

"You know Ali, when I was younger, I used to think that we would sleep together in this room and I even used to put two pillows underneath my head to try and imagine what it would be like to lie down on my husband's chest." I told Ali. He gently chuckled. "You know I used to think that you would sleep in my Man United quilted bed and watch the footy game with me." I laughed. "In your fantasies, did you imagine that you would be married to me?" "No Ali.

Never did I imagine that my husband would be so handsome, so loving and care about me as much as you do. You are my dream come true." I said with all my heart. In that moment, Ali kneeled down, smiled and gently stroked my cheek. The pad of his thumb trailed over my lips. " And you are mine." He said as we kissed passionately.

"Zahra May I help you onto the bed." "Yes please, Ali." I said as I wrapped my arms around his neck and rested my head in the crook of his shoulder. He gently held onto my waist, picked me up and swung me around before gently setting me down on my bed. We began kissing passionately as I unbuttoned his sherwani.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door and Ali went to see who it was. He did up his buttons again quickly. He opened the door and my mum was standing there smiling."I'm sorry Auntie, to keep you waiting for so long." Said Ali sincerely. " Thats fine son, I understand that you both need your privacy. I hope that I am not interrupting anything." "No, not at all mummy." I said to my mum, blushing slightly . "Good, Ali, why don't you go and get Zahra some warm milk before bed." "Umm sure, sweetheart I'll be right back." He said as he left my room.

"My sweet daughter, I am so happy for you, Ali really cares about you. How do you feel?" "Mum, Ali makes me feel so safe and loved. I love my husband." "That's so good to hear MashAllah but honey, I wanted to talk with you about something?" I smile at her as she comes to sit beside me in bed though a part of me is filled with nerves. "Yes mum?" "Well beta have you and your husband umm well have you..." I blush bright red and look down kinda solemnly as I shake my head. "I'm too scared mum." She gently squeezes my hand as she grabs my dupatta from earlier and drapes it on my head, almost as if she were adorning me as a bride once again, admiring me, lost in thought as she says "Don't fear what God has made pure for you now, just be open with Ali be honest with him and take it slow, be careful with your body dear and the one who loves you will treat it with care. I'm so proud of you for finding someone who loves you so much. I was very worried about you but now I have no more fears and I'm so glad to know that you're in safe hands . I kmow that life is truly beautiful yet difficult but Ali is going to be there every step of the way so let him come a little closer to you. Anyway, I better go to bed now. See you in the morning, Zahra." "See you in the morning, Mum." Mum gave me a hug and left