Chapter 82: "Fast it Forward"

Post your reactions as you read!😁

Zayn smiled, posing with yet another fan as the the warm breeze played against his face.

"Thank you!" the girl squealed excitedly after clicking their picture.

"Pleasure." Zayn smiled as the next one took her spot.

He was just outside the training grounds, in his car, taking picture with the fans that had been patiently waiting for him to show up. It had been a good couple of months in LA. They finished third on the table in the league, and he had managed to get a spot on the national side. With qualifiers going on, his match schedule had been unbelievably crowded. He was even rested for a few league matches to be able to play in the qualifiers for the national side. The hard work paid off however, and the team qualified second place in their group, for the Championship. With the final practice session just wrapped up, Zayn was looking forward to a rare break for a few weeks. After which, he was to rejoin the team to compete for the cup in Baku.

"Grace? Grace, one with me bro?" An impatient boy pleaded.

"Come on, then," Zayn titled his head towards him so he could click a selfie.

"Thanks bro! You're the man!" He shook Zayn's hand. "Hope to see you wreck it on the national side."

Zayn laughed. His phone rang. He picked it up when he saw Robert's name flash across the screen.

"Hey, champ! How's it going?!" a cheerful voice said, the moment Zayn attended the call.

"Assalamo'Alaikom," Zayn replied, smiling and putting a thumbs up for the next fan already standing by his car, phone at the ready for a quick selfie. "The usual. A little thirsty but going strong."

"Wa alaikom Assalam," Robert replied. "Bro, go easy on yourself. You don't want to end up pulling a muscle, at this point."

"Nah, I'm good."

"Arethas? This way, please?"

Zayn turned to the fan, sticking his head out a little so he could click a picture.

"So, do I have the honour of hosting the Iftaar of your full fast today?" Robert asked.

"No, I'll break it half an hour before sunset so it's not a full one, but almost there." Zayn replied. "Bee made me promise I'd let her host that feast for me, so."

"Oh man!" Robert protested.

"Yeah, sorry," Zayn replied.

"I was looking forward to it!"

"She insisted."

"That sucks," he complained. "She ruined it for me, man."

Zayn chuckled, not saying anything but calmly signing a poster of his, for a pair of boys. It was true that Robert had been really involved in helping Zayn get familiar with, and practice new rituals of his religion, but he could not bring himself to regret deciding to complete his very first fast with Salma hosting the break.

After all, it was her who had come up with a plan to help him get acclimatized to the practice of fasting. In one of their calls, she mentioned something about making up a fast from the previous Ramadhan. Zayn asked when Ramadhan was this year, and got a bit worried if he would be able to fast from dawn till dusk for a full lunar month. She suggested Zayn could start getting the hang of it by fasting a part of his day, starting at dawn, and gradually increasing the duration of the fast by half an hour, till he could fast a full day till dusk.

Zayn liked the idea and discussed it with Robert who set a schedule for him. Every third or fourth day, Zayn would eat before dawn, then continue without food and water for five hours, then five and a half, and when he got used to it, six hours, and so on, adding half an hour, every few fasts later. Robert had also advised him to practice his shortened fasts when he had no practice. However, Zayn figured he might have to fast on job during Ramadhan and decided to get used to strenuous exercise while fasting. Now, after months of practicing two or three days a week, Zayn was able to fast for a full day, but he kept breaking it half an hour before maghrib just so he could share the experience of his first fast with Salma.

Robert, quite understandably, was a little let down by his decision.

"Oh well, I suppose it's for the best." Robert sighed. "It's only fair that you let her have the honour of celebrating your first fast considering you won't be around her for your first Ramadhan."

"Yeah man, that kinda sucks for us," Zayn agreed, feeling deflated. "which is why this is special. She calls it Fast it Forward."

Robert laughed.

"I'm kind of bummed for missing 'Eid though."

"Ouch!" Robert cried. "I'd forgotten that."

"I didn't," Zayn replied. "I've made plans though."

"You flying back tonight?"

"Yep."

"Good luck bro," he said. "May Allah bless your journey ahead. Have fun."

"I plan to." Zayn laughed. "Ameen."

Saying there goodbyes, the two hung up the phone. Zayn smiled to notice a notification from Salma. He swiped and opened the reply to the message he had send earlier.

Zayn laughed at the explosion of confetti she had sent.

MyBee🐝: 🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳

MyBee🐝: This is awesome! Can't wait to see you!❤️

Zayn's smile widened at the little heart emoji in the end.

"Arethas, could you please sign my shirt?" a small voice requested. Zayn turned away from his phone to see a kid, around seven or eight, offering him a sharpie.

In his side mirror, he saw a bit of a crowd gathering next to his car. Zayn had not realized more fans had started waiting up on him to give them an autograph, or click a quick picture.

"Sure." Zayn smiled at the kid, grabbing the sharpie as he stretched his shirt between his hands.

"Grace, a picture, please?"

"AZG! Please, please, one picture!"

"A quick selfie with me?!

"Please, sign my cap!

"Appreciate it, bro!

Around eleven or twelve pictures later, Zayn posed with a relatively older fan. The hooded man with a cap removed his shades. The striking grey of his cold eyes looked at Zayn through the screen of the phone, making his insides tremble with shock and fear.

"It's time," he said, turning his phone off to end all pretense of being a fan. Leaving in his wake a cold sense of forboding, the spy disappeared into the small crowd, disappearing just as suddenly and unexpectedly, as he had arrived.

***

"No, Alley, thank you so much but I really can't stay," Zayn said apologetically.

"Of course you can!" Aliya dismissed his refusal. "Don't give me any of that. Come on, let me show you to your room."

She walked away, as if, Zayn not following after her was not even a question. He looked at Salma for help, but she just shrugged, grinning.

"No one wins against her," she muttered.

"What about your dad?" Zayn asked, shifting his eyes towards the Green Coat desperately.

"Legends say, he's only ever lost to her," Asim added.

"Dang!"

"Zayn, Come over here," Aliya called from the foyer, standing by a doorway to the right. "Come on."

Feeling flustered, and increasingly out of place, Zayn sighed and walked towards his future mother-in-law with a snickering Asim in tow. Zayn had just dropped by to see Salma. Just to spend some time with her, see her family and discuss about the fast the next day, mostly. Salma had already told him she would fast with him, but he had no idea her whole family would join in for a voluntary fast. The moment Zayn announced his intention to leave, Aliya had jumped in to make him stay. She insisted Zayn spent the night over at their house. Zayn declined the offer but he soon found out the older woman was more determined and stubborn than he was. She would not hear of it. Long before Zayn could put up a good resistance to her forced hospitality, he was shown into a guest room, and provided with a fresh towel, pajamas, and a small bag with toiletries that he would need.

"Mum went shopping earlier," Asim explained when Zayn tried to rake through his brain to come up with an excuse good enough to decline her hospitality without offending Alley. "She made a list of things you would need but if she has missed anything, yell at Salma –"

"ASIM!"

"Me," Asim corrected, wincing at the heated glare his mother shot at him. "Call me. I'll be at your service. Ow-"

Asim massaged the spot where his mother had smacked him upside the head.

"I'm so sorry about this dunce," Alley said apologetically. "You can always come to me. I think I have everything in place but there's a feeling that – I knew I'd forgotten something!" She jumped into action as she noticed something missing. "I'll get you water and a –"

"Mum, relax!" Asim interrupted.

"I am relaxed! It's something called making the guest comfortable, but you wouldn't have heard of it!"

"As you can see, I'm her favorite child." Asim smiled at Zayn.

"You little –"

"This looks comfortable, don't worry," Zayn intervened as Asim jumped away from his mother's reach. "Everything looks good. Please don't bother yourself."

Zayn had figured he had no choice but to stay the night over. The dear old lady had everything covered and quite frankly, Zayn was touched by her meticulous planning and determination in preparation to host him.

"It's not a bother," she replied with a kind smile. "I'll go get the water. It's your first fast tomorrow. That's huge!"

Asim laughed at his mother's excitement and followed her out of the room. Zayn did not know how to react. He thanked Alley again, once she brought back a jug of water and a clean glass, and watched, as she checked everything one last time, feeling a little embarrassed by her kindness.

"Towel, slippers, water. . ." she muttered to herself before turning to Zayn. "There's an extra pillow in the cupboard and a comforter too –"

"Alley, it's all good." Zayn reassured her. "Seriously, I feel better provided for than I am at my own place. Thank you."

Alley gave him a warm smile.

"It's nothing," she replied. "You make yourself at home and have a good night's rest."

With that, she left. Zayn let out a sigh, falling back on his bed.

What just happened?

It was a little hard to believe that he was at Salma's. The thought had just hit him and it left him dazed. Not too long ago, he would not even be tolerated to appear on their doorstep. Now, he was graciously welcomed to spend a night, and was being pampered and taken care of like a royal guest. A chuckle left his lips.

"Odd," he whispered.

His phone beeped with a text. Zayn pulled it out and unlocked it to see a text from Salma.

MyBee🐝: Try to get some rest. Suhoor here is a bit earlier than LA.

MyBee🐝: Goodnight❤️.

Zayn smiled, typing a response.

Zayn: Aw man😔, I was hoping we could sneak up on the roof or something.

Zayn laughed to see her response.

MyBee🐝: 🤦🏻‍♀️

MyBee🐝: You can sneak up on the roof in your dreams.

Zayn smirked as he replied.

Zayn: Oh, I intend to😏

Zayn: Sweet dreams, my baby Bee🥰.

Zayn laughed, knowing that if he raced up stairs to her room, he would find her blushing upon reading his words.

MyBee🐝: Sweet dreams

Realising the exchange was over, Zayn tossed his phone on the bed and decided to get ready to go to sleep. Salma was right. He was feeling exhausted and he had to catch up on his sleep to be able to wake up for his predawn meal.

***

Suhoor, it was called but in Salma's language, the meal taken before fajr prayers was called Paish Mané. Zayn was woken up for Paish Mané by a soft knock on his door. He stared at the faint silhouette of the door groggily and turned sides. The bed was nice and warm, the soft pillow snug and he was sleepy. He had every intention of just going back to sleep when someone knocked on his door again, this time, a little sharply.

"Zayn?" Mr. Rahman called. "Son, do you want to fast tomorrow?"

Oh, the fast. . . Zayn forced his eyes open.

"Yes, Mr. Rahman, I'm up," Zayn called back, his voice thick with sleep.

There was a pause.

"Are you sure, son?" the man asked kindly. "If you want to sleep, that's –"

"No, no!" Zayn sat up straight. "I'm good! I'm up!"

Cold attacked him, almost pushing him back on bed, but Zayn fought against it and pulled the comforter away, instead of pulling it back up. He lowered his legs, and hurried and stretched.

"Alright then," Mr. Rahman replied. "Join us in the kitchen when you're ready."

"Yes, sir," Zayn said quietly.

Zayn has had many predawn meals before, but this was different. As he sat in the warm kitchen, together with the rest of the family, it felt surreal. Paish Mané at the Rahman's was a very foreign experience but strangely heartwarming one too. In the death of the night, while everything outside was quiet and still, the whole family had gathered in the kitchen for a meal. Zayn felt oddly at home around these people, and yet the whole experience was so new and unfamiliar.

"Salma pass Zayn the omelets."

"Zayn, you want another slice?"

"No, I'm good thanks."

"Asim, pass the honey."

"More tea, son?"

The family continued dotting on him, but not in an overwhelming way, rather, in a very subtle manner. Everyone was just casually making sure he had, and was offered what he might want. Zayn could not explain what he felt. He had never been part such a spiritual exercise, never as one of a family. The whole practice, and the collectiveness of it, was pure, exotic, intimate, sacred, and yet, so familiar and normal, at the same time.

After the meal, the whole family prayed fajr behind Mr. Rahman. Then, they went back to sleep till it was time for work, or school. Asim, Zayn and Salma left for the campus, while Mr. Rahman went to his office.

As Salma and Zayn were leaving together, Alley made sure to remind them to uphold the spirit of the fast, not just spend a day without food and water. Zayn asked Salma what she meant.

"It means you two can't kiss today," Asim muttered under breath, snorting as he got into his car.

Salma face-palmed.

"It means I can't smack him today," Salma returned, scowling at him.

"Did I lie though?" Asim grinned cheekily, before hooting the horn and driving off.

Shaking her head, Salma sighed and got into the car with Zayn.

"What was he on about?" Zayn asked as he took a seat behind the wheel.

Did she really have to get stuck in a car alone with Zayn with a question like that?

Salma felt her cheeks burn but she maintained her calm, and explained.

"Fasting basically means to control your inner self, called nafs," she began. "Not eating and drinking is one aspect of it, but avoiding lying, backbiting, anger, judgement etcetera, is the essence of it. Practiced in its true spirit, fasting gives us better control over our self and our animalistic desires. One becomes a better, more disciplined person, as a result."

"Okay, but he said –"

"And yes, that mean no kissing!" Salma said quickly.

There was an awkward pause filled with a pin drop silence. Salma could feel Zayn's eyes on her as she looked straight ahead. Blood crept to her cheeks.

The heck did you just say?

"I mean, avoiding – avoiding intimacy is a part of it," Salma struggled. "It's not prohibited per se, so long it's just a, you know, just a kiss – a quick peck on the cheek, or –"

Salma froze. Her stupid blabber was cut short by Zayn quickly swooping in to give her a quick kiss on the cheek.

"Like this?" he asked.

Salma swallowed.

"Yes," she said robotically. She could see Zayn trying to suppress a laugh in her periphery. It made her think he already knew everything and just wanted to see her get flustered. "Can we please get going now?" she cried.

Zayn laughed.

"Of course," he replied, putting the car in drive.

The rest of the day went by in a blur. Strangely enough for Zayn, now that he had the intention to complete his fast, he felt more hungry and thirsty than he did when he was just practicing back in LA. While going back, he let Salma drive them home, because he felt drained and wanted to doze off.

"This kind of reminds me of us starving back in the forest," Zayn said with a faint smile.

Salma chuckled.

"I'd forgotten you had started practicing so early on!" she joked.

Zayn smiled lazily.

"How much time is left?" he asked.

Salma checked the time.

"Almost two hours," Salma replied.

Zayn sighed in exhaustion.

"Just go to sleep when we get home," Salma said. "I'll wake you up for Iftaar."

"The feast?!" Zayn asked, sounding delighted at the prospect of it.

"Yep," Salma replied.

"Perfect!" he replied. "Do you guys have a name for it, of do you call it Iftaar like everyone else?"

"We call it Roja Maté, which literally mean fast break."

"Break fast reversed," Zayn observed.

Salma laughed.

All kinds of delicious aromas wafted towards them when they came home. Alley and Anne had completely thrown themselves at whipping up all kinds of dishes for a scrumptious Roja Maté feast. Zayn felt his mouth water. His stomach grumbled loudly. He did not think he would be able to sleep, but once he hit his bed, he went out within minutes.

Roja Maté was one of the best experiences of his life. He was pleasantly surprised to see Salma's uncle and aunt join them for the feast. Even more shocking was the fact that they were fasting too.

"Sorry we couldn't join you for Paish Mané," Anne apologized as everyone took their seats and she helped Alley distribute the dates. "It's prophetic custom to break the fast with a date," she informed him as she offered him dates, "but you can help yourself to anything you wish to start with."

Once it was time, everyone broke their fast and the usual, make sure Zayn is offered and has all that he wants, custom repeated itself. Everyone, young and old, would be throwing sneaky glances at his plate to make sure it was full, and offering him whatever they were getting for themselves.

"Nah, I'm good thanks!" Zayn refused a fourth helping of the finger-licking good lasagna. He would have had more but his stomach felt like it would burst. "Can I have a bit more of that juice, please?"

Asim was quick to grab the jug and pour him some.

"You sure you don't want more of this?" Salma asked him as she started clearing away the table.

"Tell you the truth, it's so delicious I want to eat it all but I feel like I'm about to explode," Zayn told her quietly.

Salma suppressed a giggle.

"I'll save you some for later, then," she said.

"I'd love that." Zayn grinned at her.

Salma continued loading the tray. Zayn helped collect the empty glasses as he saw Asim and the adults do their bit to clear the table and start making arrangements for maghrib prayers.

"Hey Bee," Zayn said quietly, stepping closer to Salma. "Where's Sterling?"

Salma glanced at him sideways, raising a brow.

"You expected him to show up?" she asked.

Zayn shrugged, taking a seat.

"It's a family event, isn't it?"

Salma smiled, somewhat.

"It is," she agreed. "William went fishing to Tanta Bay though. That's how he usually spends his weekends."

"In Tanta Bay?" Zayn asked, astonished by the news.

"Yep!" Salma replied, heaving the tray laden with dirty dishes. She did not notice the frown knotting Zayn's brow.

Why would Sterling make frequent weekend trips to Tanta Bay?

Zayn quickly got to his feet and approached Mr. Rahman, who was spreading the prayer mats in the sitting room.

"Mr. Rahman, can I please have a private word with you after prayers?"

Author's Note:

So, Zayn just finished his first fast 😁. What y'all think?

What do you think Zayn wants to talk to Mr. Rahman about? And do you reckon Will was in Tanta Bay?

Vote, comment and share!☺️

Drop by my Patreon.

Lots of love

J.