Reach

Chapter 3

AISYAH

I sit on the avalanche of bags containing my unpacked clothes worth of three years in my bedroom at home. I will myself to look at the mess that I have yet to clean up which is why my parents made me stay in Afeeya and Aleesha's bedroom for the time being.

Initially, I had intended to donate most of my clothes because I lose the desire to wear them and I had actually been looking forward to going to the donation centre today after my "relaxing day" with Adam but I guess we humans only have the mere power to plan and the fact of the matter is that only Allah The Almighty can determine whether we execute it successfully or He have better plans for us for He is The Most Knowing and The Best Planner.

I truly wish I can cry to emancipate all these confusing feelings in tears but a certain part of myself is sighing in relief. When there was that part of my soul that crumbled to pieces when I registered what Ummi had said, I was disregarding that small part of myself that was celebrating the possible end to my loneliness.

Three years in Canada with friends that come and go, and only being able to visit my family occasionally, had left me desiring perpetual company and more than once, I had wish I have a certain someone to be with. I groan at my train of thought. Where am I going with this?

I admit I do not know Abdul Mateen as much as I wish I do but unquestionably, there appears to be something pleasing about the mystery. As opposed to Adeel, whom I had known since my childhood.

Actually, he was friends with Adam and often came to our house. My family grew to be friends with his family owing to Adam and Adeel's closeness. My mother would invite them over during Ramadhan and Eid yearly. So I developed a crush on him ever since I could recognize romantic feelings, that being 11 years of age. It took eight years for him to notice and reciprocate my feelings. As soon as I turn 20 years old, Adeel and his father, Uncle Ibrahim met with Abah to officiate the relationship. I was beyond happy. The happiest I have ever been in my twenty years of life.

Little did I know, Allah had better plans for me.

Two months after the engagement, every single hope of getting married with the man that I claim to love for years diminished just like that. Adeel's mother, Auntie Raihan had came uninvited to our family gathering in a vulgar manner and to everyone's horror, had accuse me of the unspeakable. She stood furiously in the living room of Ummi and Abah's house demanding to see me.

My aunties dared to approach her and try to calm her down but like a mad woman, she was screaming as loud as her lungs allowed her. Upon setting her eyes on me, she darted towards me and had to be held by her husband and Adeel who was distraught.

She had hysterically screeched out a string of incoherent words and I only managed to understand that she was claiming that I had cast black magic on Adeel. I was in a profound state of shock as to why such idea would come to her.

"Astagafirullah Al Azim, Raihan!! Remember Allah! This is not a joking matter, calm yourself down!" Ummi had shouted as she held my arm, keeping me a good distance from Auntie Raihan. I was deeply rooted to my spot and too speechless to speak.

"Oh, I know this is not a joking matter." Auntie Raihan laughed darkly, "That excuse of a human being dared to lure my son and then cast a spell on him to impregnate another woman!"

A murmur of "Astagafirullah Al Azim" resonated around the room as Adeel looked down in shame. However, Auntie Raihan remained as adamant as she was that it was my doing. I shook my head because I did not want to believe what she was saying was true, the fact that Adeel had sleep with and impregnated another woman. As if being betrayed and cheated on was not enough, being accused of committing a deadly sin had successfully engulfed my lungs and so my ability to breath faltered.