Jannah. [SEQUEL TO DAWUD]

Chapter 25 - Pregnant-Zilla

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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Jannah's P.O.V

Dawud and I were back in our home city. The familiar sidewalks were now coated with a thick white blanket of snow. The trees were stripped of their leaves and granted sleeves of white. It was finally winter. The recollections came to mind almost immediately, filling my mind with the events of just a year ago. I looked up at my friend Muna, who was typing away at a report with her eyebrows furrowed with focus. 'Remember last winter?' I asked her. She looked up from her laptop and paused to think for a moment. 'Remember the basketball game?' I added, hoping to ignite her memory.

She started to laugh joyously, with the apples of her cheeks growing red. 'Of course! My question is, were we watching the game or the players? It's that I can't remember.' Muna joked. I giggled, glancing past her. We were studying in the cafeteria, a tradition of ours since we started university. It was the opposite of quiet, but we liked it that way. The bustling atmosphere gave us no other choice but to focus.

I pulled out my textbook and opened it up to where I last placed my bookmark. Muna smirked. 'What are you smiling about?' I challenged.

'You're finally back.' She teased.

Dawud's P.O.V

I rolled my chair over to my desk and reached for the ringing telephone. 'Hello, this is Dawud Muhammad. How can I help you?' I answered. I took note of the slight stillness on the other line.

'Hello, Dawud. This is Henry Sacks. I visited your bookstore not too long ago.' The familiar voice spoke.

My heart skipped a beat. 'Yes! I'm so glad to hear back from you.' I attempted to sound collected and professional, so I sat up straight and took a deep breath. My heartbeat was doubling by the minute.

'Well, as you are aware, I had been visiting a few of the Canadian book store branches for our Annual Book Store Awards.' He explained. I gulped. 'I was in search for the most organized, successful and hard-working branch. And although these qualities are crucial to the success of a company, it was the flow of chemistry and flexibility that I had secretly searched for as well.'

I sat there, not sure what to do. I didn't want to move, breathe or blink. I was afraid I'd ruin the moment. So I continued to sit there, frozen, feeling like a statue.

'Dawud, not one branch had the same energy, kindness, and welcoming aura as yours. In all my years of work I've never seen such happy employees.' I clutched my mouth in shock. 'I'm aware your father left the business in your hands. What a wise decision that was.' He added. I waited for the next line. The line that would change everything.

'Mr. Muhammad, you've won first place in the CABSAs. The Canadian Annual Book Store Awards. Congratulations.'

Jannah's P.O.V

I walked into the bookstore and thanked Abdallah who held the door open for me. My parents trailed closely behind. 'Jannah, are you sure you don't want help with that?' Abdallah urged for the fifth time.

'I'm fine.' I repeated, struggling to carry one of the three cakes I worked so hard to bake. It was enormous. And I was tiny. 'Focus on pregnant-zilla, older brother.' I joked, receiving a slap on the arm from my mom. 'It's true!' I defended childishly, heading into the warehouse. My sister had been complaining about how sore her feet were the entire ride from her apartment to the bookstore. I advised Abdallah to carry her around bridal-style but was shut down by his quick protest. It was all very amusing to tease the two of them. Abdallah fired back occasionally but Mariam couldn't respond because she was always out of breath. Ha ha ha.

We arrived with cake because the bookstore was having a party to celebrate their success. A week after Dawud received the special news, here the employees were, wearing beautiful clothing that showed the cultural diversity amongst them. They populated the warehouse in numbers. It was a new experience seeing them in clothes that weren't typical company uniforms! They brought their children as well, who ranged from children to young adults. I set the three cakes on the table and inhaled deeply. My father patted me on the back. 'Dawud is lucky to have a wife like you.' He said.

'I am.' My favorite voice vocalized from behind. I stepped away from my father and took Dawud into view. He was walking down the stairs that lead up to his office with a big grin. The crowd clapped and cheered for him as he pulled me in for a tight hug. 'Thank you, Jannah.' He whispered before walking into the dimple of the crowd. 'Assalamu'Alaykum!' He shouted gleefully. The crowd replied, radiating the same energy. My husband looked down shyly. 'By the will and mercy of Allah, we have succeeded in being the best book store in the country.' He announced. 'I'm so pleased with the work you all have done. I wouldn't be standing here if it wasn't for the unwavering support and encouragement coming from your end, you guys.' He told them.

'It was all you, Dawud.' One of the older women replied, rocking her baby between her arms lovingly.

'All I've done is schedule pick-ups and drop-offs. Oh, and answer calls.' Dawud joked. The crowd erupted with laughter. 'Akhlaaq, you've been my right-hand man. Thank you. 'We all turned to look over at my best friend's husband, who now that I think of it, was also my husband's best friend. He grinned shyly and pulled Muna closer to him. She wore a pleased look on her face. Akhlaaq's mother who I hadn't seen since his wedding gave him a peck on the cheek. He was celebrating this moment with the two most important women in his life.

'Anyways, enjoy yourselves and have fun! I was told that the cake was made by the best baker in town.' Dawud said. I covered my face with embarrassment as everyone began conversing with one another. My mother tapped my shoulder.

'Jannah, you look beautiful, you really do, but why is your hijab so long?' She inquired, scrutinizing me. 'And quit smiling so much, you should have some shyness.' She added unnecessarily. I looked at my father who sighed. My mother raised her hands innocently. 'It was just a suggestion!' She defended.

My father clicked his tongue with displeasure. 'We talked about this.' He warned. I looked back and forth between the two, not sure what to do. I was still getting used to this new co-parenting thing. For years, they couldn't stand each other and now they were married. It's funny how life works. 'Don't be picking at the little things she does. She doesn't like it.' My father continued. I used this chance to sneak away from the two and seek refuge at the dessert table.

'Salam.' I heard a voice speak. I glanced up and locked eyes with Laith. My eyes shot back down, suddenly fixed on my plastic plate. I grew red with embarrassment and surprise. A year ago, he was twisting my wrist at the basketball game. And now? He was celebrating one of Dawud's happiest moments alongside the rest of us. I was glad he was here, it's just that his presence would take some time getting used to.

'Wa Alaykum Salam.' I replied, shuffling down the table. I tried my best to focus on getting my favorite treats on my plate, instead of the sweat now forming on my forehead.

'It'll take time for her to get used to things. You and I were on bad terms for so long, you know.' I could hear Dawud explain to him. I looked over at the two of them watching me.

Muna appeared next to the bowl of chips and sent me a look. 'Laith and Dawud, huh? They look good together.' She joked. I threw my head back with laughter. She always knew how to ease my nerves.