Fire Meets Ice

22

     I know....I know, I have taken too much time off and I am sooooo sorry for that :(
     Hey beautiful readers, I hope y'all are doing well? I hope y'all had a wonderful Ramadan and Eid.
      I will be more frequent with my updating InshaAllah, and remember Ramadan has ended but not Islam.
   I hope you enjoy this chapter and remember to vote and comment. ❤️

    It has been a month since Aaliyah had an encounter with her boss, after that she tried as much as possible to keep their relationship purely plutonic she really didn't want her poor heart to suffer when he eventually announced or introduced his fiancée to them all. She ran her fingers through her hair as she scrolled through her phone.
     A smile appeared on her face when she saw her brother's picture with his wife who was glowing even when pregnant. Her bump was beginning to become obvious and Aaliyah could not wait to hold her niece or nephew in her arms.
     Sighing lightly, she threw her phone on the bed and walked to her wardrobe.
    Just then her phone rang, she grabbed it and the screen showed her brother.
    "What is it Mally ? Why are you calling me so late in the night?" Aaliyah said with a smile. 
    "Silly girl, I just want to know what you plan on doing tomorrow?" He asked.
     "It's Sunday tomorrow and as usual sleep and watch Netflix." She answered.
      "Why would you do that Liya? Are you that boring now? It's your birthday tomorrow and you're going to be sleeping" He sounded disappointed.
   Aaliyah almost slapped herself on her head, it was her birthday tomorrow, just why did she forget? But then again birthdays weren't her things. Celebrating birthday every year was something that she had outgrown.
     "I had forgotten about that and you know how I feel about wasting money on celebrations especially birthdays" She added.
    "Like I care what you think, I sent you some money go get yourself something nice to wear".He instructed.
    "Aren't you just the sweetest brother in the world?" Aaliyah said smiling widely.
    "Yeah yeah I know that. Now go to bed good night"With that he hung up the call.
     Aaliyah smiled at her phone, she read the Quran for a while before going to bed.

    Aaliyah smiled happily like a child as she walked out of the mall with bags in her hands, she had spent a lot of money on new abayas that were so beautiful, she just couldn't look away and She also had her hair washed and styled. It was currently a few minutes to six as she was leaving the mall and she couldn't wait to get her tired body in the shower for a hot bath.
     There were no cars parked outside her house so she guessed her mother had gone out. Even though it hurt a little that her mother had forgotten to wish her a happy birthday, she just accepted that somethings just grew old.
    With a sigh, she struggled to unlock the door with the many shopping bags in her hands. Finally succeeding the door opened widely as she walked into and closed it behind her. Just then the light went on. "Surprise!!!!" She almost screamed as people filled her living room clapping and rushing to hug her.
    As the shock began to wear away she slowly started to recognize the people in her house, some of them were her cousins, then her friends, her brother and his wife were here. And one particular person caught her attention, her heart skipped a bit as their eyes held each other, he looked good in the black throbe  he was wearing.
     "Happy birthday my sweet baby, I can't believe how fast you have grown" Aminat said wrapping her arms around her daughter's body.
     "Thank you mummy" Aaliyah hugged her mother back, just when she was thinking her mother had forgotten about her birthday, she was busy planning a surprise birthday dinner for Liya.
     "I bought a beautiful dress for you, it's on your bed you should go get dressed" Aminat said to her daughter.
     Aaliyah rushed upstairs to dress followed by one of her cousins who was a makeup artist, she sat quietly while her cousin painted her face.
    "I am all done, you look so beautiful. MashaAllah, I will head back down to finish the preparation" Her cousin said.
    "Thank you love, you're the best" she hugged her cousin before the girl walked out of the leaving Aaliyah alone.
    She stared at herself in the mirror and couldn't believe her eyes, the white dress was sitting beautifully on her body, The dress hugged her upper part while the rest was flowing down her waist, she couldn't even begin to talk about the makeup. It was beautiful she looked like a princess.
     Wrapping a black scarf over her head she walked downstairs back to the living room.
     "Waw Liya, you look less ugly" Malik said with a smirk on his lips.
      "Not as ugly as you though, you should be grateful to Maryam who is going to be giving you beautiful children" Aaliyah retorted.
     "Ouch, you hurt me sister" He faked a frown placing his hand over his chest.
      "Whatever" she rolled her eyes at him. " How are you doing? It's been a while" she asked.
      "Better than before Alhamdulilah, how have you been lil sis. I have missed you" He threw his hands and hugged her tightly. "Happy birthday princess"
       "Thank you big bro, that's enough now. Don't suffocate me" Aaliyah joked as she slapped his arms lightly.
    "Sorry to interrupt, good evening" They pulled away as they looked at the person in front of them, Skyler was smiling lightly with flowers in his hands.
     "Good evening to you man, you both can talk I have to go check on my wife" Malik patted his back gently as he walked away.
     "Happy birthday Liya, I bought you this" He said softly handing her the flowers.
     "Thank you Skyler, it is very beautiful" She collected the bouquet from him and her finger brushed his slightly and that mere touch sent shivers down her spine for a few seconds and she was certain he felt it too from his intense gaze.
     He cleared his throat before looking away from her,  "I have been thinking about this for a long while and I think I had found peace with it and any more time delaying is dangerous, tomorrow I plan on going to the mosque". He said
    Aaliyah was surprised by his words. "Mosque? Oh that's wonderful to do what? If I may ask".
    "I am going to the mosque to take my shahadah, I feel I am ready to take this step with my life and become closer to my Deen". His confession surprised Aaliyah greatly that for a few seconds she was utterly speechless as she stared at him with wide eyes,who would have thought that her arrogant boss Skyler would one day become Muslim.
     "That is wonderful to hear Skyler I am really happy for you, May Allah bless you and make it easy for you". She said finally finding her words.
    "Ameen, Thank you very much. I would like to meet up with you tomorrow evening if you don't mind." He asked rubbing his fingers together.
     "Well...., that's fine with me" Aaliyah answered with a smile.
     "Alright thank you, I will come get you again if that's okay with you". He asked
    "It's no problem Skyler, just send me a text when you are ready". She said.
    "Alright, Thank you very much". He let out a sign as he smiled at her.