Second Chance

Epilogue

Epilogue

Shah's POV

I watched as a six-year-old girl played in the sand with her four-year-old sister. The girl had smoothed the sand to make a base while her sister were shoveling sand into the colourful container and pressing it on the base. They hold the container together and carefully took the container off. They had formed a turtle sand. One of them squealed in delight and hugging the other girl. When she let her sister go, she jumped up and ran towards me.

"Look! We made a turtle."

I smiled at Erma. "Yes sweetheart. It is beautiful."

Her sister left her things and come over too. "Papi, can we go play in the water now? It is so hot."

I turned behind me to asked for their mother's permission. It was not that I needed to ask, but it just feels right to do so. "Umi, can they play in the water now? Shasha is complaining that she is hot."

Their mother held out a tupperware consist of a sandwich to us. "Do you want to eat first?"

We shooked our heads in unison.

Her white shawl on her head was showing her hair, so I reached out and pushed her hair in under her silky shawl so they are fully covered. Since she gotten married, she have been wearing a head scarf to cover her head. It was not something that I had forced her into, but she insisted. Besides a woman body were only for her husband. I was glad she changed for the better. She started praying on time. She avoided looking at men. She only leave the house with my permission. She practiced Islam as it should be practiced. I taught her here and there. She even enrolled herself for short courses in Islamic Studies. I was so proud of her.

"Thanks love," Alysa smiled and put the tupperware down and beckoned her daughters over. "You can play in the water, but please be careful. Do not push each other. Erma, promise me you'll look after your sister."

Erma nodded, enthusiastic. She held Shasha hands and show it to Alysa. "I promise Umi."

"Alright then. Go have fun."

The two sisters skipped in joy to the sea. I sat beside Alysa and lay down on the beach mat, my head on her lap. She played with my hair as she keep a look-out for the two girls.

I watched her serene face and smiled. She was the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on. From the first time I saw her during my brother's wedding, I had fallen for her. Our mothers were friends so I had asked Mum a whole string of questions about Alysa. Mum knew I had feelings for Alysa despite us just met. All we had spoke of were salam, and our names. I did not managed to chat with her as there were so many family and friends to entertain. But I had watched her. Her smile and her laugh. It truly captivated me. Then I got accepted to study in London, I was skeptical to go. I wanted to stay for Alysa but I had to go.

Mum keep an update about Alysa to me during my time in London. When I found out she was pregnant and unmarried, I was shocked and heartbroken. I felt that I should have get to know her first before leaving for London. I should have made friends with her, then maybe she would not strayed so far away.

But I let it passed. I knew humans made mistakes. This was just part and parcel of life. We could plan, but it would never happen without God's willing.

Alysa turned to me and frowned. "What are you smiling at?"

"You."

Alysa lifted her eyebrows in questioned.

"Do you know I love you so much?"

Alysa smiled widely and kissed my forehead. "And I love you too."

______________________________THE END__________________________________