As the imam made his rounds around the mosque he noticed a young woman in the corner fidgeting nervously. She looked tired but also confused. She kept staring at her lap and he was pretty sure she was picking at her fingers. A sign of anxiety. He continued his walk, nodding and smiling at other people that were sitting or passing by him. Eventually he made his way to the girl.

“Are you alright my child?” He asks kindly.

“Oh…sorry…didn’t mean to bother you.” She said getting up.

“No, no, it’s alright. You are always welcome here.” He smiles.

“Well please don’t be insulted but I haven’t been to mosque in years…lately I’ve only gone to eid mubarak prayer with my parents. I’m not really sure what to do.” She admits.

“Dont be afraid. The mosque is a place to clear your mind and be at peace.” He says. “I am imam ahmad. ” He says holding out his hand.

“zara ariffin.” She says and shakes it. He feels warm and sturdy.

“May I sit with you Miss zara.” He asks.

“Oh yeah sure.” She nods giving him room.

“You look troubled my dear. Is something bothering you?”

“Just going through some things I guess.” She shrugs. “Just kind of feel like I’m going through the motions of things…like I’m just here so what?” She explains.

“I like to believe that everyone is here for a reason. However, I’m very much aware that not many people like hearing that.” He says truthfully.

“Yeah…sorry I’m one of them.” She admits.

“Dont be sorry. In these situations it is always best to be honest.” He encourages.

“My therapist recommended I go to mosque…since it’s something different to try. I’m not even islamic. She blushes slightly. The imam can’t help but chuckle.

“As I said you are still very welcome here ” He smiles. She lowers her head for a moment, picking at her fingers again.

“I feel like I’m helping everyone but no one helps me.” She whispers. “I just don’t know what to do right now.” The imam looks at her sadly. The world can be a cruel place for the young these days.

“I wish I could give you the right answer.” He says sincerely.

“Will…will praying help?”

“If you believe it will help you then yes.”

“But what if I don’t know how to pray?”

“There is no right or wrong way to pray. Just close your eyes and say what you want in your mind.” He explains. “Here…I will pray with you.” He gently takes her hand. She closes her eyes and squeezes his hand. He waits patiently with her. After a few minutes she opens her eyes and they’re a little watery. He smiles and he wipes her eyes.

“Thank you imam.” She says wiping her eyes.

“You’re very welcome. I would suggest that you make solah. It’s a way of empowering yourself and your prayer. ” He adds. She nods and heads over to the mosque. She carefully solah and pray for a few moments.

“Thank you imam.” She says and smile at him.

“You’re welcome.” He grunts slightly in surprise. “ if you ever need to talk I’m usually here until six most days.” He adds.

“Ok…thanks…I guess I’ll see you later.” She nods before she leaves. The imam would be happy to listen if she returned.

She did come back about two weeks later. ahmad had been coupled up in his office most of the day doing paperwork. He decided to get up and stretch his legs. He found her solah and pray again.

“Ahhhh, Miss zara.” He smiles and heads over to her.

“Good afternoon imam.” She nods.

“How has everything been going?” He asks politely.

“Im doing alright.”

“Just alright?”

“It’s complicated.”

“Would you walk with me please?” She nods and follows him to a nice garden at the back of the mosque. “Still having trouble with things?”

“Yes, I’ve just been feeling so tired lately. Sunday I barely got out of bed.” She says sadly.

“Sometimes that’s what people need to do. After all Sunday is a day of rest.” He says trying to get her to laugh. It does make her chuckle. “Do you have anyone else?”

“No, I haven’t had a relationship in a long time. What about you if I may ask…or are you…you know?” She blushes.

“I have had relationships in the past, yes.” He smirks in understanding. “Some people choose to follow those commitments and others don’t. There are many imam who are married and have families. I, myself haven’t had a relationship for many years.” He says.

“How do you handle the loneliness?”

“Mostly through my work here at the mosque. I take great pride in my work.” He says proudly.

“I’m not handling it well. Sure I have a few friends but it’s just…not enough I think. I get nervous about dating too. I just don’t feel like I’m enough.” She admits.

“My dear you are enough and anyone who doesn’t think so is an idiot.” He winks and it makes her giggle again.

“I do like coming here. It helps me clear my head. It helps me focus again.”

“I am very glad to hear that. I’ve come to learn that while many people come here for answers sometimes they just need someone to listen.” He says kindly. zara blinks back a few tears as she smiles. “I would like you to do something for me.”

“Sure.”

“When you have time make a list of all your accomplishments, big or small. Take as much time as you need with it. When you’re done I would like to read it.”

“A list…hmmmm.” She thinks for a moment. “I think I can do that.” She nods.

“You just might be surprised at how long it gets.”

Xxxxxxxx

zara came back the next week all excited. The imam was talking with some people so she waited patiently. He soon came over to her and was happy to see that she was smiling.

“I did my list!” She said proudly.

“Wonderful! Come on, let’s go to my office.” He says. He closes the door to give them privacy as she hands him the paper.

“Hmmm let’s see…” He playfully puts on some glasses and it makes her laugh. “You own a house!” He gasps immediately. “How old are you." “23…I got it three years ago.” She blushes.

“Miss zara that is truly amazing. I really mean that.” He insists.

“Thank you imam.”

“Oh and look you even painted it and decorated it yourself.” He adds excitedly.

“The magic stuff doesn’t bother you?”

“My dear I would like to think my views don’t date back to the old ages.” He jokes.

“Sorry.” She squirms slightly.

“Own a car…good…work full time…such a pain isn’t it.” He teases making her laugh again. “A four year degree, that’s excellent!” He says. He compliments almost everything on the list and it means so much to her. She really needed to hear this.

“I was surprised at how much I came up with.”

“I understand. You never really see it until it’s written right in front of you.” The imam smiles. “I love it feel free to add more as time goes on.” He says giving it back to her.

“You really helped me a lot…I can’t thank you enough.” She admits.

“I am just doing my work.” He smiles as he squeezes her hand.

“I should get going.” She blushes as she stands up.

“Please feel free to visit again.” He says following her.

“I will…ummm…actually I did want to ask you something.” She says hesitantly.

“What is it?”

“Ummmm…could you maybe come over next Sunday for dinner?” She asks nervously.

“I’d be delighted my dear!” He smiles. He’s surprised at how his heart flutters slightly too.

“Great! I was hoping to cook you a nice good Chinese meal.” She says excitedly.

“delicious! You make this old man feel young again.” He laughs. He grabs a notepad and pen. “Here, give me your address please.” He says. She writes it down along with her number.

“You do have a phone don’t you?” She teases.

“No, I still get my letter from post.”

Xxxxxxx

Next Sunday zara was so nervous for the imam arrival. She used her father recipe for the soup and salad. She even baked some biscuits too. She wasn’t sure about dessert so she chose something simple; chocolate chip cookies. The kitchen smelled heavenly by the time five came around. She was getting the dinner table all set when the doorbell rand.

“Coming!” She called out and hurried to the door. It was a little surprising to see the imam out of his uniform, but to her he still looked very handsome. He wore a nice neutral grey suit with a pale blue button up shirt. She was also surprised to see a small bundle of flowers in his hands. “assalamualaikum.” She smiled quickly letting him in.

“waalaikumsalam Miss zara.” He smiles and gives her a squeeze at the shoulder. “These are for you.” He adds handing over the flowers.

“Why thank you so much.” She blushes. She can’t remember the last time she got flowers. “Also you can call me zara.” She chuckles.

“Well in that case you may call me ahmad. As you can see I’m out of uniform.” He smirks. She saw some curls in that short grey hair of his that was slicked back a little. She could smell some nice cologne on him too. He was still wearing his ring.

“Please sit down, can I get you anything?” She asks as she goes to grab a vase for the flowers.

“No thank you. Just some water please.” He says. “It smells wonderful.” He compliments.

“Thank you. It’s my father recipe and yes he is Singaporean. My mother was Malaysian.” She answers.

“Ahhh, quiet a match.” He says.

“Yes they were. They were married over thirty years.” She says.

“I am glad to hear that.” He says.

“Thank you.” She nods. She fills the vase with water and puts the flowers in. She smells them and hums softly. “The flowers smell beautiful. Thank you so much.” She says.

“You’re welcome. I handpicked them from the mosque garden. The best flowers in town.” He chuckles proudly. She wants to hug him so badly, but she just giggles instead. She gets him a glass of ice water before she gets the rest of the food on the table. “I hope you’re prepared to take home left overs.” She says as she sits down.

“It wouldn’t be Sunday dinner without making food for an army.” He laughs. zara lets him get his food first before she gets her own plate.