The Perks of Being a Hijabi

Chapter Five

"Salam?" Hussen was calling me.

"Zainub? Alhumdulillah that you picked up the phone." I felt just so weird and awkward talking to my future husband. Hussen was officially my fiancé, our Nikkah was just last week.

"Oh Salam Hussen."

"Zainub, I know this might sound cheesy but, I couldn't stay away from calling you. I know you want to do this the halal way and all, but I've got to see you!" I could hear the desperation in Hussen's voice. "Could I maybe take you out to lunch?" Lunch?!?

"Umm, why not!" I answered.

"Okay, I'll pick you up after Asr, okay?"

"Okay hubibi." saying "hubibi" never felt so right.... *sigh*

I waited until Asr to pick my outfit. I chose a coral pink shark bite dress, a white collared shirt, a salmon colored hijab and a pair of white heels. After I prayed Asr, I told Ummi that I was going somewhere with Hussen.

I opened the door, and there he was, the love of my life: Hussen.

"Salam!" Hussen wore a crisp pollo shirt and khakis.

"Salam, so where are we going?" I asked linking my are into his as we walked to his car.

"That's a secret hubibti." Hussen opened the passenger door for me, what a gentleman!

The entire car ride was quite and awkward, we exchanged a few words but that was it.

"Here we are!" I look out the window to see a very fancy restaurant called Hungry Eyes. This same restaurant just happened to be my favorite halal restaurant.

"Hussen? How did you know I loved this place?" excitement bubbled inside me.

"Let's just say I know you better than you might think." He chuckled. When we got out of the car I hugged Hussen tightly.

"I'm really starting to love you." I whisper in his ear as our hands lace into each others. We walked up the steps of the restaurant.

"Asalamualakum! Table for two?" The waitress gave us a menu and led us to a table.

"Oooh! Can we please order this?" I pointed at a picture of chicken kabob on the menu.

"Anything for my beautiful soon to be wife." Hussen cooed. After we ordered our food and drinks we chatted for a while.

"So Hussen, my Ummi told me you already bought us an apartment?" I placed my face in my hands.

"Well, your Ummi told you correct!" He reached over the table to hold my hand, I blushed and giggled.

"You're such a flirt!" I say through giggles. Then the waitress brings our steaming plates of delicious Afghani food. As I'm about to take a bite of the chicken kabob my phone rings. It's Samia, I frown.

"Um, Hussen I'll be right back okay?" Hussen nods his head because he has his mouth full of basmati rice.

"Asalamualakum Samia, why are you calling?" I make my voice sickly sweet.

"Zainub, you better watch yourself! Hussen is my man, and I won't let you take him away!" Is this girl crazy?

"Samia, what are you saying? How can he be your man if he chose to marry me? He loves me, he doesn't even know who the hell you are!" I snarl into the phone. "You were my best friend, now you're betraying me because of a man? Do you even know how low that is? Hussen and I will be married soon and there's nothing you can do about!" I hang up the phone, I'm breathing hard and my face is flushed when I walk back to our table.

"What's the matter hubibti?" Hussen's brow wrinkles in worry.

"Nothing hubibti, let's just eat, okay?" Hussen nods his head reluctantly.

After the dinner Hussen drives me home and walks me to the front door.

"Asalamualakum my love." Hussen raises his hand and stokes the side of my cheek.

"Wa alakumusalam my hubibi." Hussen's face slowly inched closer and closer to mine, soon we were so close that our noses were touching. I stood cup on my tiptoes and your lips met. Hussen's hands rested around my waist, and my hands were wrapped around his neck.

"Ahuthdubillah!" a yell ripped through the air making me jump away from Hussen. We both looked around dumbly. Asim was standing right in front of the door smirking.

"Can't wait to tell Ummi and Baba what you just did." I couldn't believe it! That little snitch!

"Excuse me? This is my fiancé, I can kiss him as much as I want and it's none of your business you little snitch!" Asim looked stunned as he backed into the house.

"Wow, you really have guts. That's one of the reasons I love you so much." Hussen took my hand in his, he kissed my hand and walked back to his car. I walked back inside the house. Before I closed the door, I watched Hussen drive away.

As I walked up the stairs I noticed Ummi and Baba silently talking in the living room. I could barely make out the words.

"I just know that this marriage will be a successful one!" Ummi quietly clapped her hands.

"Don't forget to say Inshallah Najma," Baba said smiling.

I ignored the rest of their conversation and continued going upstairs. I entered my room and closed the door shut, as I did that my phone vibrated. There was a text message on the screen that read "Stay away from Hussen, he's mine!" Ughhh! I thought, it must be Samia again. How was I supposed to face her tomorrow at school? That was all I thought about as I made wudu.

After I finished making wudu, I prayed Maghrib, praying to Allah that Samia would open her eyes to the fact that I was marrying Hussen not her.

After I prayed Insha, I slept a fitful sleep, thinking of how I would face all of my other friends and Samia, especially Samia! As I slowly slipped into sleep I realized that the people who judge me for getting engaged at a young age will be the people who are jealous.