Converting to Islam

Chapter 2

Quickly, I stop the video, close the tab and turn towards Tyler.

He steps towards me uncertainly and demands from me, "What was that?"

"Nothing much, just browsing the internet," I answer casually, looking at the floor.

His tone rises, "I know that you were listening to some Arabic thing that Muslims listen to!"

"I was just curious, no big deal."

"Excuse me! Don't act as if nothing has happened! If you want to waste your time watching philosophy videos then look up things about Christianity!" He was shouting now; though he wasn't very committed, Tyler was a Protestant, and was extremely racist towards Islam because of nowadays' media.

I turn towards him and my lips pierce into a straight white line. I start to shout back at him, "Who are you to tell me what to do? How dare you even enter my room without knocking? Who the hell do you think you are? Get out of my house!"

Tyler looks regretful for a moment but then his expression changes back to anger. His nose scrunches and he throws my phone onto my bed, before saying, "Fine," and slams the door as he gets out.

I can hear the sound of his feet against the marble stairs, and the cry of my mother, questioning about what has happen. The door bursts open again and my mother rushes into the room, with a frown on her face.

"Amber! Do you have any idea what you are doing? Why did you fight with Tyler? Do you not know how important your engagement is?" She says the words urgently. Of course. Tyler and I's engagement will bring prosperity and wealth to the family which is why I must always always try my best keep him happy and bla bla bla. If dad wants to have connections with Tyler's wealthy and successful dad so that they can have partnership together why the hell does he have to ask his daughter to do it for him? I am sick of it; why should I marry because of dad's work? Marriage is supposed to be because of love, not wealth.

I turn my back to my mum and cross my arms, "He was getting involved in things that were none of his business."

"Look I don't care why you fought, just apologize and fix it!"

With that she walks out my room, and leaves me grimacing at the thought of apologizing to Tyler because of something that was his fault. I don't know why but the words he said had made me really angry. What's wrong with Islam? I have the right to do what I want and he has no right to stop me.

My eyes close as the sound plays through my head again. It was absolutely beautiful.

One week since my fight with Tyler passes, and one week since I listened to that video. My curiosity got the better of me and recently I have been researching about Islam, which I find quite interesting. I am planning on trying to read bits of the Quran maybe.

On the other hand, my relationship with Tyler remains the same - neither of us had the guts to apologize and we went on not speaking to each other for a whole week. I often feel his gaze on me as if he's waiting for me to say sorry so the fight will all be over.

However, as much as I hate to admit, I do feel quite lonely without Tyler. And no, not just because I have to drive myself home from school, but because I miss his deep green eyes glued on me, and those moments when we kissed... Though I still have many doubts... Is this really love or am I missing something?

I this week I have experienced strange things. The thought that God is real feels strange; this warm feeling spreads through me that feels as if I'm being watched and protected. Through what I had read, God seems amazingly kind. Someone who would forgive if you repent. Someone who would see the good that you did even when no one else could see it. Someone who gave you purpose in life: to serve him.

I shake my head at the overwhelming thoughts. The thought was always on my mind. God. I wanted to know more about whether or not he existed.

I sigh. I look up at the professor as I realize that class is starting. I notice Tyler, who is sitting beside me, fidgeting. Behind Tyler is Lacey, who I notice has her eyes glued on him dreamily, until she catches me looking at her suspiciously and smiles to suggest innocence.

Finally classes end and I eagerly walk towards my Porsche. Lacey and Rebecca walk either side of me, with Rebecca rambling on about their so called 'problems'. I try my best to ignore her. I mean seriously, stop moaning about your dad not letting you date some guy because it's called being a pedophile if you're 20 and he's 15.

Something pulls on my hand. I turn around to see Tyler, his hand gripping mine. His gaze avoids my face as he mumbles, "Come on Amber. This is getting ridiculous. I miss you."

I smile before I can stop myself and decide to accept his apology. He grabs my face with the warm palms of his hand and places a kiss on my lips.

When our lips part he looks into my eyes and whispers, "You're beautiful." I notice this warm feeling spreading through my limbs as he says these words. However, this time the warm feeling is different. It lacks something. It's not the same as the feeling I have when I think of God.

My thoughts are interrupted by Lacey's nasal voice, "Finally you guys made up! If you didn't do it sooner or later, I would have taken Tyler for myself!"

She said the words playfully, but I narrow my eyes at her. Tyler just laughs it off.

"Hey, do you mind if I visit your house this evening? I have something important to tell you," Tyler looks at me, waiting for an approval.

His words surprise me. What could be so important that he couldn't just tell me now? Without too much questioning I agree and we drive home separately, since I already had brought my Porsche.

When I finally reach home I spend the evening studying and also some time researching more about Islam, for questions constantly flooded my head. It is at 8 pm that Tyler knocks on the door of my house, ready to tell me what was so important.

Opening the door of my house, I see Tyler standing there with a big smile on his face, his green eyes sparkling enthusiastically. I step outside so we can take a stroll in the garden of my mansion, they way we always would. After moments of silence he finally stops and turns to me.

"Amber, darling, we have been together for 2 years now and it's time that our relationship grows further."

What could he mean by that? My eyes are glued to his face, waiting anxiously for him to just say what he wanted to say.

"I have already gotten the permission of both your parents - they were more than happy to accept."

"Accept what?"

"Me and you moving in together."