"There's a lot of switch-hitters in the Muslim community, hell, some of those same Muslim brothers preaching against gayness in the West are hooking up with other guys when they think no one is looking," Shukri Ismail said haughtily, and everyone sitting inside the forum stared at her. In a room packed with avid listeners, Muslims and non-Muslims alike, the diminutive, curvy young Somali woman had a way of commanding everyone's attention.
"Thank you sister Shukri, unfortunately, we're out of time, we have to close the discussion on gender, sexuality and Islam on this note," said the mediator, a young Pakistani brother named Saif Khan. Shukri shot Saif a look, and the bearded young man flashed her a fake smile, and then he closed the meeting. People immediately began filing out of the room, and Shukri paused, searching the sea of faces for one in particular.
"Salaam," came a deep, masculine voice, both thrilling and startling the hell out of Shukri. Turning around, Shukri found herself beholding a vision of masculine beauty. Standing six feet three inches tall, Moses "Musa" Jacobson cut an intriguing figure. Clad in a black leather jacket over a dark purple silk shirt, black tie, black silk pants and his trademark black Timberland boots, the Chicago-born international student looked dapper as usual.
"Walaikum As Salaam, brother," Shukri replied, beaming at the handsome, lofty brother. Musa looked at her and nodded gently, with his hands folded before him. Shukri, who normally wouldn't touch an unrelated male, as per the strict Islamic rules which she followed, nevertheless broke protocol by hugging him tightly. Surprised, Musa nevertheless hugged her back and smiled at her.
Musa met Shukri Ismail during his first semester in the MBA program at Carleton University. The five-foot-five, curvy, brown-skinned and dark-eyed, Hijab-wearing young Somali-Canadian Muslim woman had become his best friend and confidante in the year that followed. Even though they came from different worlds, Musa and Shukri got along famously. Sometimes, he felt like they were true kindred spirits...
"Always a pleasure to see you, my sista, you were on fire up there," Musa said, admiration all over his handsome face. Shukri's heart skipped a beat, and she nodded, then let him go. The two of them filed out of the meeting room, located on the seventh floor of the Dunton Tower edifice, the tallest building on the Carleton University campus. They made their way to the elevator, and, gentlemanly as ever, Musa waited for Shukri to step in, then followed suit.
"Well, I couldn't have done it without you, Musa, last night's revelation was shocking, but, ahem, interesting, to say the least," Shukri said, biting her lip. Ever since last night, Shukri had been wondering how to best approach a certain subject. Musa looked at her and grinned, and the two of them rode the elevator down. They emerged onto the quad, where frosty winds greeted them, courtesy of the Ontario winter.
"You've always been a good friend to me, Shukri, I wish Jenna reacted the way you did," Musa said, sighing, and he quickly walked the steps leading to the Mac Odrum library. Shukri smiled as Musa held a door for her for the second time that afternoon, and they went to their usual corner inside Starbucks. Once there, they draped their coats over the backs of their chairs, sat down and had themselves a nice chat, like old friends.
"Are you alright, Musa? You look like hell," Shukri said tenderly, and Musa leaned back on his chair, and sighed deeply. There was a haunted look on the Chicagoan's handsome face, for a brief moment, then it vanished like ice in the sun. Musa paused, and stroked his goateed chin. When his eyes met Shukri's, the enigmatic young man was smiling once more.
"This hasn't been the best of days," Musa began, and he looked at Shukri in a way he never had before. The young woman looked at him attentively. Last night, as they sat inside Oliver's Pub, Musa dropped two bombs on Shukri. First, he told her that he and his girlfriend Jenna Greenbank were having problems. Oh, and those problems stemmed from Musa's revelation of his latent bisexuality.
"Musa, you're the best man I know, if Jenna can't appreciate that, then you don't need her in your life," Shukri heard herself say, and Musa looked at her, and smiled faintly. Shukri looked back at Musa, wondering what was going on in that handsome head of his. Charming, smart, outgoing and yet taciturn at times, Musa was a veritable mystery to her and a lot of other young ladies on the Carleton University campus...
