The Dangers of Islam: The Terrorist

Chapter 20: Warriors

     Dawood awoke slowly and winced as he sat up. He rubbed his eyes and looked at his clock before rubbing his head and getting up out of the bed. Dawood yawned to his heart's content before making the bed. He was about to grab a set of clothes out of his drawers when he heard Khadijah giggling in his bathroom. Dawood shook his head before yawning again, and shuffled off towards the bathroom. Khadijah knew she wasn't supposed to use his bathroom since Dawood was paranoid about her slipping and falling on the marble flooring. At least in her bathroom, he had placed small pink grips every few inches so when she got out of the bathroom, there was little to no chance of slipping. "Khadijah, how many times have I told you to-," Dawood began, but stopped as he opened the door and felt his mind going blank.

     "Good morning!" Khadijah grinned with a mouth full of toothpaste. "Ahh!" Dawood cried out and slammed the door shut as he tried to shake his sleepy mind awake. There was a woman in his bathroom and she wasn't Khadijah. Well, Khadijah was there, but there was a full-grown woman standing next to Khadijah wearing pajamas. Both of them were in pajamas. What was happening? "Well, that's just rude," Khadijah sighed as she opened the door. "You're not supposed to scream, Baba." "Dawood?" Iman called out softly as she looked at him with a smile. "Forgot we got married, didn't you?" Dawood blushed as he shook his head and quickly grumbled, "Good morning." "You FORGOT?" Khadijah cried out in shock, "Baba, you FORGOT? Yesterday was an awesome day and you FORGOT?"

     Dawood sighed and nodded before whispering, "Yes, I forgot. I've woken up alone for the past five years, Shehzadi. I'm tired and I forgot." Iman smiled and shook her head before returning to brush her teeth. Khadijah sighed before nodding and returned to brushing her teeth as well. Dawood noticed that both of his sinks were in use and tried reaching over Khadijah to grab his own toothbrush. When he realized that Khadijah had no intention of leaving Iman's side, Dawood reached around Iman to grab his toothbrush. Iman inhaled sharply as she felt Dawood standing behind her and unconsciously held her breath. "What are you doing?" Dawood whispered and smiled as Iman let out of a whoosh of breath before whispering, "I have no idea." "See? You're just as awkward at this as I am," Dawood smirked. "I'll have you know that my interactions with men have been limited to saying hello and scurrying off in the other direction," Iman said before rinsing her mouth and watching Khadijah do the same. "Come here, honey. You have toothpaste on your face." Khadijah shook her head as she said, "It's okay. Don't worry. I got it," and with that she wiped her mouth with her sleeve. Iman winced and turned to look at Dawood who nodded as if approving of Khadijah's actions. Iman glanced back at Khadijah and proceeded to use a damp towel to wipe off the little girl's face. Khadijah's eyes widened in wonder as Iman gently wiped her mouth and cheeks before placing a gentle kiss on the five-year-old's cheek. "There," Iman smiled. "You're all set." Khadijah blushed violently and dashed out of the bathroom while yelling, "Noooo! You can't see me like this!"

     "Khadijah? D-Did I do something wrong?" Iman asked as she began to follow the little girl, but felt Dawood's large hand close around her wrist. Iman flinched to which Dawood looked at her in confusion, "Did you think I was going to hurt you?" Iman gulped as she shook her head and forced herself to smile, "No, no. I was just surprised." With that, she quickly left the bathroom. Dawood turned the faucet off and dashed to the bedroom door, to block off Iman's hurried exit. "Dawood," Iman whispered in surprise as her husband stood with his back against the closed door. "THAT'S a look of surprise," Dawood said as he pointed at Iman. "What you did in the bathroom is what we call a flinch. You thought I was going to hurt you. Why did you think that?" "I-," Iman began, but shook her head before quickly saying, "I should check on Khadijah. I think I upset her."

     "She's embarrassed because you kissed her cheek," Dawood said offhandedly. "She's fine and is probably listening to our conversation with a glass against the door." With that, Dawood gave the door a light kick and heard Khadijah cry out, "Ah! My glass!" "See?" Dawood smiled. "Tell me why you're afraid of me, Iman." Iman gulped as Dawood's piercing blue eyes stared into her own chartreuse ones. "We didn't really get to talk last night with Khadijah insisting on sleeping with us," Dawood shrugged. "I'm your husband, Iman. You and I didn't make this decision lightly. As my daughter has pointed out time and time again, I like you. I care for you, even if I didn't realize it myself." Iman fought her inner demons as Dawood walked over and held her hand. Iman watched once Dawood turned her hand over and looked at the thick scar that ran down her wrist to her palm. "Is this why you flinched?" Dawood asked softly. Iman wrenched her arm out of Dawood's grasp and said, "I can't. It's too soon, Dawood."