Divine Affinity

Somewhere in the clouds

Eventually, it was 5am, my favorite time of day. A time somewhere between light and dark, a few moments before sunrise. It was the time I spent in morning fajr prayer. There's something so breathtaking about bowing before your lord, you feel intense peace and contentment like no other. A few minutes after prayer, I was greeted by the beautiful sunrise. Rayhaan on the other hand, went straight into bed after praying. It was as if he was among the living but barely alive.

Our flight to Turkey (then Persia) was in 2 hours. I felt rather excited about this journey I was about to embark upon. I had never left Italy nor had I ever travelled by airplane. Of course, I had no one to share my excitement with so I simply smiled to myself as we began to board. The flight attendant escorted us to seats J1 and J2. "Please fasten your seat belt madam," she instruced before moving on to tend to another passenger. I took the window seat as Rayhaan sat beside me. I began to latch my seat belt but failed miserably. This belt seemed impossible to latch! I could feel Rayhaan's eyes on me, judging. "What's wrong, ?" he asked. "I think this seat belt is broken, it won't close!" He suddenly leaned over taking the belt in his hand for a brief moment and click! it was on. Rather embarrassed, I turned to look outside the window.

"I've actually never been on a plane before," I eventually blurted out. "Never? " He looked utterly shocked. "Nope, never." "Well you better be prepared, it usually does about 5 loopdy loops in the air..." I felt my heart do a loopdy loop and screeched,  "WHAT?!"   He gave the slightest laugh, I'd never heard his laugh before, it was quite the harmony. "Please don't enhance my panic attacks." His laughter continued for a few more seconds before dying down (to my dismay).

Suddenly, the airplane began to move, making sounds that vaguely resembled a hungry gorilla. As we began to take off I had prayer on my lips and my fingernails sunk into the skin of Rayhaan's arm. My eyes remained closed until silence filled the air and only Rayhaan's slight voice touched my ears, "We're in the air, look".  The sight was enough to make me squeal. We were literally in the clouds!

"Are you okay now?" realizing my hand still rested on his and quickly removing it I replied,  "Yes I'm okay thanks. Sorry about the nail marks."

"No that's okay, flying can be nerve wrecking." Not wanting to go back to awkward silence, I decided to attempt continuing the conversation,  "Were you afraid the first time u flew?" He turned a little to face me, "Actually, I was 5 and my first reaction was 'Look mum, the earth is falling! ' " Laughing at that image, I saw his stormy eyes simmer for a moment. He continued,  "Listen... I know this isn't easy,  for either of us. And I know I haven't exactly been uhm accommodating... but maybe we can try and be friends." I couldn't help but give a slight smile. "Friends, that sounds good." The remainder of the flight went smoothly with a word or two of conversation. It was very slight progress but progress non the less. I turned to enjoy the view outside the window, with the seed of hope planted deep within.