Our Space

Chapter 33

Sami drove to Radia's parents' house, desperate to see his wife again. A couple of months back, he'd planned to let Radia stay at her parents' house while he went for I'tikaf(1) during the last ten days of Ramadan. However, he got the job as an Educational Psychologist and he had to begin his training. As I'tikaf was no longer an option, Radia and Sami decided to spend a few fasts separately with their parents.

Radia stayed a couple of nights with her family and reluctantly, Sami did the same. Sami had been staying over with his parents and sister. His dad was visiting and Radia was constantly texting Sami, encouraging him to bond. What better time to bond than in the blessed month of Ramadan? Feeling as if he'd bonded enough, all Sami wanted to do was go home with Radia.

When Sami got in front of the flat in which Radia's family lived, he got out of the car and tried to slow down his steps as he made his way to the door. He hopped from foot to foot as he waited for the door to open after having rang the bell. Uncle Irfan answered the door. They greeted each other with a salaam and a handshake.

Sami was led to the back of the flat, through the kitchen and towards the tiny backyard where Radia and her sisters were. When he was told they'd be outside, he'd imagined the sisters sitting around, talking. Instead, he got to the door to see Radia and one of her younger sisters kicking a ball to each other, making sure to keep it in the air and avoid the ball touching the ground.

"Eleven, twelve, it touched the floor!" The youngest sister exclaimed. Sami still got confused with their names.

"That's your fault Madia," Radia said in anger, kicking the ball with full force towards Madia. Madia dodged the ball and it hit the wall near where Sami stood, making him jump. He was thoroughly impressed in the power of Radia's shot.

"Sami! Asalamu'alaykum," Radia said, walking towards him. Sami tried to hide the sheer joy he felt at being acknowledged and seeing Radia's face light up the way it did.

"Wa'alaykumusalaam. You didn't tell me you were pretty good at football," Sami said, aware there were people around listening and watching them. What Sami really wanted to do was sweep Radia in his arms, tell her how much he missed her and then mention how he was impressed over her football skills.

"This is nothing. You should have seen me when I was younger. I used to tackle guys and boot the ball to the other side as I, Radia Irfan, am a proud defender. Well, was. My favourite player used to be John Arne Riise. I once nearly scored the same goal as Riise. I would have called it The Radia Rocket. You know, after The Riise Rocket, when he scored that legendary goal against Man United."

"Only you would talk about this. I can barely remember who Riise is."

"Riise! The Riise Rocket! That ginger defender who used to play for Liverpool! Someone help me out here," Radia said, turning to her sisters.

"It's a Liverpool thing. Liverpool fans tend to hold onto the past. You win, you bring up Liverpool's history. You lose, you bring up Liverpool's history. Our Radia's no exception," Sadia explained. Sami remembered her name because Radia mentioned her most as the chatterbox with whom she had to share a room with.

"Well, our past is better than Arsenal's. The other day, I read how Arsenal sounds almost like two words for a backside." Radia laughed at her joke and Sami shook his head in amusement.

"Hilarious. Now go inside, you're going to make yourself hungry. We still have three hours until iftar.(2)"

"I'm still not fasting. Have two days left then I'll get back to it, in'sha'Allah," Radia prayed. "But yeah, let's go inside." Radia lightly pushed Sami into the kitchen.

Sami sat for a while with the family, waiting until Radia said she was ready to go. He'd been craving the comfort of being at home with Radia for their flat was no longer a home without her.