I sat quietly in the car, feeling the air grow warmer as my face began to flush.
He was still bidding everyone goodbye and explaining the situation.
The car door opened, and he sat down. He left his coat in the back seat and rolled up his sleeves, revealing the veins along his arms.
I had so much to explain, but I couldn't get a word in.
He began driving, his focus entirely on the road.
Oh Allah, please spare me some courage.
I glanced at him, and his face had returned to its usual aloof nature. I had the chance to see so many new expressions from him this evening.
"Umm..." I voiced out.
"Yes?" he replied softly.
My heart rate increased once more, and I clenched my coat. With whatever courage I had left, I cautiously opened my mouth.
"Why were you sorry?"
He paused, not a single word leaving his mouth.
His silence led me to look at him, and I saw an unfamiliar sight.
He was frowning.
He noticed my stare and spared me a millisecond-long glance before uttering,
"I didn't stand up for you."
Oh...
He was sorry for that?
I sighed softly and breathed out.
"Please do not fault yourself for that. I'm rather thankful that you hadn't butted in."
He gazed down briefly before looking back at the road with a simple nod.
"Is that so."
I hummed in response and drifted off to look out the window. The night was still young. Dozens of people wandered through the streets, and even children played around in the park.
Out of nowhere-
"D-do you pray Tahajjud?"
His stutter caught my attention.
"Yes."
He took a moment and pressed his lips together before speaking again.
"If it is alright... we can pray together..."
"???"
He was asking me to pray with him?
The silence grew longer. My thoughts had stopped backing me up, and I began to panic. It was too much for me to process all at once.
Yet, I needed to give him an answer.
"O-okay."
His pupils wavered, unable to stay still, before eventually returning to the road. He took a deep breath and began tapping the steering wheel with his fingers.
And I was left there, overwhelmed by emotions I could barely bear.
I wanted to run and hide beneath a blanket.
Twenty-four years of being single could do so much to a person. It was daunting and unfamiliar. I was experiencing emotions like these for the first time.
Please, I just want to hide from this world.
It was confusing.
Why had he suddenly asked me to pray with him?
On the other hand, it was also a blessing in disguise.
I had always heard compliments about the way he led prayers, but I never had the chance to witness it myself.
Some girls would even go to the mosque where he prayed just to catch a glimpse of him and listen to his voice.
Must be tough being popular.
I mean, I wouldn't know.
On one side, my worries played out, while on the other, my curiosity spoke to me.
A ride that may have appeared as silent as the night was actually the loudest it had ever been.
My head felt like it could burst from all these continuous thoughts. It was like a boxing match, one thought after another, striking me relentlessly.
I needed to tell Naima and Ireen about this later...
He parked the car and got out, taking his suit along with him. Both of us walked into the elevator. Fortunately, it was spacious enough for us to maintain some distance.
Before entering my room, I remembered that I hadn't asked when he was planning to pray.
As he walked toward his room, I called out.
"Um... when are you planning to pray?"
He stopped in his tracks and answered simply before closing the door behind him.
"At 3."
That was abrupt.
For some reason, he had returned to his cold and distant nature.
Does this house have some sort of magic?
I thought while observing the house with a suspicious expression.
Although night had fallen, sleep refused to come. I tossed and turned on the bed, unable to even close my eyes, and before I knew it, it was already three in the morning.
Five minutes before three, I had finally dozed off.
Knock. Knoc
Knock. Knock.
"Aaaa... A-Ariya?"
Eh?!
I immediately jumped out of bed, and without thinking twice, rushed to open the door.
As I flung it open, I realized it was already too late.
My hair?!