reciting the Holy Quran

I was absolutely bored yesterday. Nothing to do at all. Zilch. And this was at work. ( i have noticed people have been giving me fewer and fewer jobs to do now. Perhaps due to the fact that I will be off for 3 months anytime soon) :S

I could read and learn more about my field of work during this vastfully free time, but I was in no mood to entertain all the thick info compact books. Hence, I decided to read the Quran from the internet. The internet is a lovely platform to do/read/watch anything you like, and I am truly thankful to Allah for bringing me into this world of the technology era.

http://www.oneummah.net/quran/

That was the website I went to yesterday.

As I was reading with my quiet voice, the cleaning lady came into my office to obviously clean the floor. I was surprised to find myself automatically stopped reading Surah Maryam outloud! The cleaning lady is a non-muslim, but my reaction was unplanned. It was an automatic response.

Was I ashamed to be caught reading the Quran during office hour?
Was it out of respect to the non-muslim cleaning lady?
Was I ashamed to be seen reading the Quran altogether?

I myself am not sure of the answer. Perplexed by my own reaction.

Whatever the reason was, I am regretting it today. If I were to continue reading the Quran, perhaps, it was a chance of hidayah for this lovely cleaning lady, and she perhaps would want to learn more about Islam. I have missed a chance of da'wah, and I might never get this chance again.

Anyhow, I am praying so that my delivery is a smooth, not overdue, noncomplicated one, and my child is healthy and safe, and the labour pain is bearable (hu). Amiin.

"And the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a palm-tree: She cried (in her anguish): "Ah! would that I had died before this! would that I had been a thing forgotten and out of sight!"
But (a voice) cried to her from beneath the (palm-tree): "Grieve not! for thy Lord hath provided a rivulet beneath thee;
"And shake towards thyself the trunk of the palm-tree: It will let fall fresh ripe dates upon thee.
"So eat and drink and cool (thine) eye. And if thou dost see any man, say, ´I have vowed a fast to (Allah) Most Gracious, and this day will I enter into not talk with any human being´"

(Surah Maryam: 23-26)