Chapter 11 : Can I Have Him?

                                    

                                          
Chapter 11 : Can I Have Him?
                          
"I'm sorry ladies. It's already 4.30. Time for asar*. May I be excuse?"
                          
Everyone nodded in unison. They seemed so eager for him to walk away. Once he enter the restroom for wudhu*, the girls started to chatter excitedly. I rolled my eyes.
                          
"He is so adorable."
                          
"Uh-uh. He seemed to respect others and he is such a soft-spoken man."
                          
"I wish my man is like him."
                          
After a few minutes I decided I better intervened before I grew bonkers with them praising Shah like a god. I cleared my throat and held Erma close to my chest. Erma giggled as the girls looked at me sheepishly. Then they bombard me with so many questions.
                          
"How do you guys meet up?"
                          
"Does he have friends as caring as himself?"
                          
"You are so lucky to have him," Melati sighed.
                          
I rubbed her back. "Everyone goes through a different phase of life. Believe me when I said one day, Allah will open his heart and eyes for you. All you need to do is hope and pray."
                          
Suddenly Shah appeared. He sat down next to me and smiled at me. "True. Well said."
                          
I blushed. I hate to blush, it will make my whole face go red. I lowered down my gaze and looked at Erma. I do not know why Shah makes my heart race like a train. Especially when he looked at me like he falls head over heels in love. Is he?
                          
Shah excused himself again and joined the uncles. He does not seemed awkward with everyone. He seemed to fit in just right.
                          
My mother glanced at me and indicate to the watch on her wrist. I nodded.
                          
I faced Rilla and smiled. "Rilla, we better go. Shah have an appointment later this evening. We must get going."
                          
"Now? It's still early."
                          
"I'm sorry. I do not want him to be late for his appointment. It's one of those big client. Wouldn't want to miss this opportunity for his company. Happy birthday to you again. May God blessed you and your family. And grant you with a good and long life. Amin."
                          
"Amin. Thank you Alysa for coming." She stood up and hugged me briefly.
                          
We said our goodbyes and Shah sent us home. He seemed to be happy as he chatted with Mama. Mama laughed at his jokes. I never see Mama laughed like that. She was always so quiet and seldom laughed. Mama seemed to like him too. Everybody does. Including me.
                          
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asar* = Asar is the afternoon daily prayer..  In my country we spell it this way.. in certain countries, it was spelt 'Asr.. It is the of the 5 daily prayers.. Just for additional information, our 5 times of praying will be Subuh (Fajr for certain countries), Zuhur (Dhuhr), Asar, Magrib and Isyak (Isha').
                          
wudhu* = abolution, it is the Islamic procedure for washing parts of the body using water, typically in preparation for formal prayer. The Quran says "For Allah loves those who turn to Him constantly and He loves those who keep themselves pure and clean." -Quran, 2:222. Wudhu is also required when handling and reading the Qur'an. "Which none shall touch but those who are clean." - Quran, 56:79