Until I Met You ✔️.

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بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

AMAN.
Algiers, Algeria.

"Aman," Ommi yells from outside my bedroom. "Yes, Ommi, I'm coming. I'm trying to get my hijab pinned." I answer back, "Be fast. We need to leave for the mosque soon. We can't be late on the first day of taraweeh. You know how your father feels about being late to the mosque for salah."

"Yes, Ommi, I know," I reply, coming down to stand next to her by the door. Where's Aamir?" I ask, "Aamir is already in the car with your father. Now come on, we need to go," she adds, dragging me out the front door.

My tiny family, I love them so much. Aamir is my only sibling and is older than me by seven years; then there's Ommi and Baba. I do have a large extended family, though, with lots of cousins, some whom I love and some whom I dislike because of their mannerisms. They are turning into those aunties who love gossiping.

I love it here in Algeria during Ramadan. You can feel the happiness and excitement of everyone during this holy month, and the dedication and love that comes forward to do more is within everyone. The streets filled with smiles and whatnot.

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The funny thing is that even though Ommi rushed me out of the house, we got to the mosque early and had to wait a bit, so I decided to pass the time by reading the Quran. The Qur'an is really a blessing from Allah to mankind, and I believe every Muslim should treasure this book more than everything.

Taraweeh started fifteen minutes later, and the qara'a of the person reciting the Qur'an is Mashaa Allah, elongating the verses where he is supposed to and stopping where to stop. I've been coming to this mosque with Baba for as long as I can remember, but I've never heard this particular person's voice.

After taraweeh, everyone starts filling out of the masjid as fast as they came in. I pick up my bag and follow after Ommi. "Abnati, do you know the person who led the salah today?" Ommi asks on our way to the car. "No, Ommi, ask Aamir; I'm sure he knows the person," I say, distracted.

We all file into the car, and Aamir pulls out of the parking lot. Once home, I take off my hijab and head for the dining table for more food. After filling up my plate, I sit down and start to devour Ommi's special dish.

"Ommi, Baba I need to talk to you, please," Aamir announces halfway through our food. "Yes, Abni, go ahead," Baba says. "Uhm, I got set up to meet this girl through this halal dating app. I registered, and I wanted to tell you that I want us to sit and talk with the girl as soon as possible, insha'Allah," Aamir says, shying away from Baba's eyes. "Mashaa Allah Aamir, may I have her wali's number so we know when to set up a date for us to meet with them insha'Allah?" Baba decides.




"Yes, Baba, insha'Allah," and the table falls silent again. "Aamir, is the person who led the salah today new?" Ommi asks, "No, and yes, his name is Naeem. He used to live here with his parents but left the country three years ago to further his studies. We did study dentistry together though." Aamir tells Ommi, "Mashaa Allah, he has a really good voice." Ommi adds, and we all nod.

After dinner, we pack up everything and wash up the dishes before all retiring to our rooms. I wake up for Sahoor six hours later, refreshed and ready for another day of fasting. I have a few pieces of dates and some oatmeal before taking some water.

After subhi salah, I remain seated to read my Adhkar, and Aamir remains seated too. "What's the girl's name?" I ask, "Her name is Nasreen." He smiles, and I giggle. "Look at you smiling at the mere mention of her name already." I tease, "Yes, Aman, I own up to it." He smiles, standing up to kiss my forehead.

"Oh, and I almost forgot there are a few programs that are going to take place in the masjid, and I was wondering if you'd want to volunteer this year too." He asks, "Yes, I will be going to the mosque early today insha'Allah to write down my name," I conclude. "Mashaa Allah, may Allah bless you," he prays before disappearing up the stairs.

****

I walk into the mosque on time for Asr', and I met up with Fatima, my best friend; we've been together since childhood, and I love her so much. "Asalamu alaikum, Zara," I giggle, hugging her. "Wa'alaikumus salam, Aman."

"Are you here to volunteer too?" I ask, "Yes, of course I want to spend every day with my best friend and the cute children here." She smiles. "Fine then, let's go get started. I have to leave early because I'm helping Ommi in the kitchen today."

After Asr, we are divided into groups of three, and I'm in charge of the kids who are practicing for the up-coming muqabala, and they are all so cute, Masha Allah, I can't.

I help Aamir's friend find his way around the masjid.
Though when he mentioned Naeem at the table yesterday, I wasn't expecting someone like him.

I leave the mosque around six p.m. to go help with iftar, and immediately I step inside the house. I spot my grandparents in the sitting room. "Asalamu alaikum hafidati, long time no see."

Lahaula wala quwata inabillah. Why are they here this early into ramadan.

Assalamu alaikum lovelies, just finished up the first chapter and I hope you all enjoyed it. See you next week. Much love💌.