Jannah. [SEQUEL TO DAWUD]

Chapter 27 - Vanilla Chai

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.

***

Jannah's P.O.V

I hurried outside, squinting past the thick snowflakes dropping from the grey sky above. All praise is due to Allah and Allah alone. I completed my last exam of the semester and it didn't go as bad as I had feared. Dawud made sure I slept well last night instead of staying up and pulling the all-nighter I wanted to. I'm glad I listened. I don't know what would've happened if I wrote the exam with a wearied mind.

I could now see his black and shiny car swerving around the curved sidewalk towards me. The wheels crunched the snow below them gently. I couldn't help but smile. His presence alone caused my heart to flutter. I adjusted the straps of my backpack and trudged towards him through the snow, hauling my heavy boots with every step. I pulled the car door open and was hit with a gust of heated air and the sound of the Quran playing from the stereo. He turned it down a bit as I slid into the passenger seat.

'Assalamu'alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu.' He greeted me, leaning over to kiss me on the cheek. He wore a bashful smile, not letting his lips stretch far enough to reveal his perfect teeth. His curly hair bounced off his shoulders as he pulled away, watching me carefully with his green eyes. He wore his black cap backward, just the way I liked. I took note of his fleece shirt and jeans, wondering why he wasn't wearing his jacket. He turned away from me, getting pink in the cheeks. I spun around to toss my backpack onto the backseat and found his jacket sitting there next to a bouquet of flowers. I pretended like I hadn't seen anything, but my heart was beginning to beat like a drum.

'Wa alaykum salam wa Rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu, Dawud.' I replied. He began driving out of the school parking lot.

'How did it go?' He asked me, biting his lip. I laughed, causing him to peel his eyes from the road to look at me. 'What?' He inquired, amusement laced in his tone.

'You're acting strange!' I told him, just as amused. He rolled his eyes and turned left, onto an unfamiliar road. It was the opposite direction of our home. 'Dawdie, where are we going?' I asked, putting a hand on the dashboard.

He shook his head and asked his question again. 'How did your exam go?' Dawud insisted.

'It went well, ‏Alhamdullilah. Allah made it easy for me.' I told him with a smile, sinking into my chair. He grinned. 'Now can you tell me?' I pressed.

'What would your pretty little head like to know?' He chimed. His voice always sent shivers down my spine. Both deep and soft at the same time. It was like a song and only my soul knew the melody... as corny as that sounds.

'The location you are currently driving to.' I answered simply. He nodded.

'Look ahead, baby.' He cocked his chin upwards and right in front of the car was no other than a drive-thru sign. 'Coffee time!' He shouted, pumping his fists in the air. I threw my head back, laughing at how silly he looked. 'I thought you might be in need of a little boost of energy. You've been studying so hard.'

I rubbed my forehead and let out a sigh of admiration. 'It's the little things you do that show me how perfect you are.' I whispered inaudibly. He turned to face me and frowned.

'I'm far from perfect.' He whispered back, pulling down his window to order. Cold air flooded the car.

'But you're perfectly perfect for me. And that, my friend, is incontestable.' I told him, unbuckling my seat belt and leaning forward to kiss him. His warm breath met my lips as he closed his eyes.

'Hi, welcome to Tim Hortons! What can I get you today.' The speaker blasted. The two of us jumped in surprise.

'Erm, Hi! C-can I gr-grab a...' Dawud blinked a few times, trying to clear his thoughts. I couldn't help but laugh and lean over his lap towards the speaker.

'Hey, can I get two medium white hot chocolates? And can I get a chai tea bag in each cup?' I requested. Dawud gave me a peculiar look upon hearing this strange concoction. 'It's really good.' I assured him.

'Sure, that'll be $3.75. I'll hand them over to you at the next window.'

Dawud stepped on the gas and stopped just behind the SUV ahead of us. He removed his hands from the steering wheel and grabbed my own.

'Anyways...' He whispered, licking his lips. Dawud was getting closer in proximity and I could now smell the light scent of my favorite cologne. He only wore it on special occasions and he was well-aware it drove me crazy. 'Now, where were we?' He asked, sliding a hand around my waist. He smelt like everything good, pure and manly. Just a little bit in the crook of his neck and the collar of his shirt was enough to cloud my mind completely. 'I think you were trying to give me a ki-'

There was a loud honk behind us, causing us to jump up again in surprise. We took note of the empty line ahead and saw the long line of cars behind us waiting to order. That SUV was long gone and we were causing a hold-up. 'Sorry!' Dawud shouted from his window. We both laughed, slightly annoyed but humoured nevertheless. After we paid for the drinks, Dawud slipped the steaming beverages in the two cupholders between us. I studied him as he inhaled the delicious smell.

'Do you smell the vanilla and chai?' I asked him. He nodded with an excited smile. 'When will I ever get tired of you?' I questioned unintentionally. Dawud's eyebrows pulled together in confusion as he asked me what I meant. I raised my hands up in defense as I explained. 'I don't mean it in a rude way, Dawdie. I meant quite the opposite actually...' I mumbled, embarrassed. He was quiet, intent on listening to me ramble like an idiot. I seemed to be good at that kind of stuff. '‏Alhamdullilah, it's a good thing. Don't get me wrong.' Dawud turned right and began driving again. 'I guess I'm a little scared of falling out of this..' I motioned towards the space between him and I. 'This world where every time I'm with you, life is perfect. Absolutely perfect. I hang onto every word you say and even the small act of you blinking those breathtaking eyes makes my heart throb like it's the first time I'm seeing you. Am I making any sense?' I rubbed my forehead. 'Like... I'm scared that we're still in the honeymoon phase.'

I looked ahead and noticed the familiar streets around us. We were heading home. Dawud was still quiet, thinking deeply like he always did before speaking. He always chose his words carefully. I admired that about him. 'Can I promise you something?' He asked. There was a slight glimmer in his eyes. I nodded. 'I promise to do whatever needs to be done to keep it like this. I'll do whatever it takes to be the guy you've always wanted and dreamed of.' He told me with a strained smile. 'Allah knows best if I'm even capable of doing that but...' Dawud turned left into our apartment parking lot and drove down the tunnel towards our tiny parking slot. 'I'm never going to stop trying.'

My throat tightened as I turned away from him. I didn't want to cry. I didn't want to ruin the moment. Instead, I held his hand and told him I loved him. More than anything in the world.

'I love you too, Jannah.' He replied, laughing. I unbuckled my seatbelt and grabbed the drinks. 'Hey, can I ask you to head straight into the apartment? I grabbed something heavy earlier today and shoved it in the trunk. You can take the drinks up, though.' He added timidly. I raised an eyebrow at him but complied. He was up to something.

'You got it.' I said. With the drinks in hand, I shut the car door and walked up to the elevator. The doors pulled apart with a strained wheeze, just as they always did. I stepped in and watched my husband go to the trunk of the car and slip his arms in. And then the elevator doors sealed shut. My hands were growing cold with anxiousness. I closed my eyes as I stepped out, attempting to calm my nerves. The closer I got to our apartment door, the more I convinced myself that whatever Dawud was planning, it was with him in the parking lot. Not here on the fifth floor.

My key slipped into the door and I twisted it with ease using my shoulders to push the door open. I nearly dropped the drinks at the sight of what was in front of me.