Ayesha and I had called a truce after the talking to we got from Nana.

We were in her room, just having completed the Fajr prayer, waiting on Nana who was going to spend some time this morning to correct our tajweed as we read the Qu’ran.

“I find Fajr so calming, said, Ayesha as she threw herself across her bed. I had developed a habit of going back to sleep after Suhoor but I soon realised how much more productive I was after I stayed up to pray Fajr, read Qur’an and then get busy with other tasks. Early to start and early to bed makes so much sense now.

“Ayesha, Nani shared a story with me once. She said that Nabi, peace and blessings be upon him, advocated an early start, a midday nap and then an early night. Now I understand why.” Ayesha agreed with a slight nod of her head as she closed her eyes and began to snore gently.

I had been a rebellious child and now I regretted some things I had done. I felt sad that I had played truant from madrassah and when I did attend, I hardly paid much attention. But, I had begun learning again. For some reason, I had thought that men were supposed to follow the sunnah and it didn’t apply to females. Nana soon corrected that when he found out I was clueless due to my missing madrassah. But all is not lost, for Nabi, peace and blessings be upon him said: “The most beloved of deeds to Allah are the most consistent of them, even if they are few.”  

Marriage may have eluded me but the failure had opened my eyes and heart to see the light and began to really assess my life goals.

Suddenly, Ayesha jerked away and sat up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. “Aysh, do you remember how Nani would always tell us not to marry for status or looks or money because it could all be taken away with the blink of an eye?”

My sister was listening with a faraway look in her eyes as I recounted the talk Nani had given to us both shortly before my engagement. She said to work to better myself and my observance of Deen and to marry someone who would be my companion on my journey to attain Jannah.

“Yes, and we laughed at her saying she was backward!”, said Ayesha, almost as if she was reliving that moment.

“Well, Aysh, I suppose I should come clean and tell you that I called off my wedding to Muhammed because he made it clear he wasn’t interested in practising the Deen. It scared me to think that I may follow him, and so I made the choice to get out before it was too late. I pray for him, that he may return to the right path.”

I was surprised when my sister, looked up at me with tears in her eyes and then reached out to envelop me into her ample bosom. “Wow, I’m proud of you, big Sis.”

“So, Ayesha, please don’t bring it up with Mom and Dad. I think it’s best to leave this as it is.”

“I felt a hard pinch on my arm as Ayesha hissed out to me, “Really now, why would I do that?” “And you really know how to spoil a perfect moment!”  We both fell into fits of laughter. Just then Nana arrived for our lesson.

I missed having heart-to-heart conversations with my sister. Squabbling and arguing may be the norm with us but deep down we both know that we can always share ideas, feelings and concerns with each other. This is one friendship we will work on nourishing it, as it comes with the major reward of upholding the ties of kinship.