THE UNLOVED WIFE

37. THE REAL REASON

Assalamu alaykum to team Zamir, team Zemuel and team Zaaron. ^___^

36. The Real Reason

Amir's POV

By the time, I was at the first sujud, I heard a slight movement from the back. Somebody left the prayer that instant even after the congregational salah was not yet finish. Wait, I should not be bothered about it. Maybe one of the men passed wind (farted) or wanted to relieve himself. And so I continued leading the prayer.

At the last sujud, I invoke to Allah (s.w.t) for the protection of the Zamboangueños. Whoever the terrorists were, I pray that they see the wrongness of their action and not hurt anybody. After all were done praying, I still sat there and made dhikr, in deep concentration.
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Aaron's POV

Astaghfirullah, while I was about to go down and make sujud, I felt myself wanting to pee. The air con is in full blast and I really didn't have a choice. And so I left my prayer mat and made way to the comfort room. I knocked first and somebody knocked back. Knowing that the others are with Amir, I was sure that it was Zai who was inside.

After waiting for few seconds, she came out and just passed by me. She did not even look at me which did not bother me at all. She was lowering her gaze the way a real muslimah should. Darn it, still admiring an undivorced woman who is still madly in love with her husband. Ya Allah, help me. I shook my head and went right in.

I was looking for a Qur'an to recite quietly as the others prayed. I headed near the counter area and reached out for the highest shelf to get the Qur'an. I was about to get it when I saw Lemuel and Lando got up from praying. They were going towards my direction.

"Can I have a Qur'an too?" Lemuel asked, while getting a stool chair and sitting beside me.

"Uhm I'll have the English translation Sir," Lando said looking a bit shy.

I got two Qur'ans and gave to each one of them.

"What Surah?" Lemuel asked.

"Al - Kafiroon," I suggested.

He nodded and I began the recitation. It all soothed our senses. The night was wrapped with each one of our voices, giving a soulful recitation. Amir soon sat beside us after he did his dhikr. He recited Surah Ikhlas five times. This made me think where Zai could be. Knowing her, my guess is she's by the sleeping area, quietly and lovingly listening to my bestfriend. It felt comforting and sad at the same time.

Indeed, the heart is an irony. It gets hurts because the one it chooses to love cannot love it back but it also feels a certain joy that the other person is at least loving someone else so much. I shook my head, feeling some wetness in my eyes. I pretend to be sleepy and wipe my eyes.
Prints Perfectly is just a small shop. We all would have to bear being at a near distance to each other.

"Alhamdulillah. So I guess, we all should try to get some sleep," Amir remarked.

"I'll keep watch Sir," Lando said, standing up.

"No, we'll take turns. Only Beautiful .... I mean Ms. Zai would sleep the entire night without anyone of us disturbing her," Lemuel dictated.

The sound of his voice sounded like a warning and a reminder, which shouldn't be since it's all pretty clear to us who is Zai's husband.

"We just recited Allah's words. And the people out there are scared of ruining peace in the city. The terrorists are desperately trying to bring war. Now, this place, this shop, our shop, is our silent sanctuary. My wife needs me and I will go to her right now. I will take watch at midnight. Assalamu alaykum," Amir said, who stood up, returned the Qur'an back to the shelf and disappeared behind the door.