Since they were kids

Dress shopping for the Annual Hijab-ista 2008

Tasleemah's POV

"Soooooo, LETS GOOOO!!!!!" Dauriyah screamed at me moments after the dismissal bell rang. " Go where?" I questioned sarcastically mustering my amusement. "Come ooonnn, dahhh shoppingg" she responded exaggerating each word. "OK, Whatevz, if you insist" I responded sticking out my tongue playfully. "You told your parents already right?" she asked " Ofcourse, and they agreed. I told them that I'll reach home at the latest 4:30pm" "Okies, coolioss, my bro Fahaad will be picking us up soon so lets go to the bus stop and wait.... Umm, wait, lemme call him to confirm". She slid her hand into her pocket, took out the phoe and started dialing his number. "Asslamu alaikum, dont forget our plans, me and Tassie will be waiting at the bus stop" she said in one breathe and hung up the phonn. She grabbed my hand as we rushed to the bus stop and waited patiently for him to arrive. Not long after, he arrived, and we quickly made our way in the vehicle."Assalaamu alaikum" Dauriyah and I said in a chorus."Wa alaikumussalaam" he responded and without further adue, we began our journey to the Rx Shopping Mall. We instantly began chattering about the Annual Hijab-ista program which was just a month away. It was the main reason we decided to go shopping, as we wanted to look trendy and fashionable for the program. Moments later, we arrived. As I peered through the window to look up at the building, I was instantly is awe. As funny as it may sound, I had never been to a shoppig mall before, as I never really found much interest in shopping, whilst growing up as a tomboy. Faahaad eventually found a suitable parking area and parked and we momentarily made our way out. Dauriyah and I smirked at each other as we made our way inside the mall and Fahaad led the way. "Wow, this place really is huge" I gasped to myself. " I know right, lots of stores to check out" Dauriyah winked.

The first store we went to was Muslimah2Muslimah. I immediately fell in love. There were soo many outfits I admired that I had to contain my excitement. I picked up outfits to try on like a toddler grabbing candy in a candy store and rushed to the changing room as soon as it became available. I came out fully changed and admired myself in the mirror. It was a layered, mild green floral chiffon dress that had decorative blush laces stitched around the waist and at the bottom of the sleeves. The bottom halve of the dress flowed out majestically right down to the floor. It was the perfect size.

" Sooo, is that a yes to the dress?" Dauriyah cheered standing beside Fahaad. I was so shocked when I saw them. I had no idea they were there. " I would say that's a definite yes" Fahaad imputed   , smirking at the dress in admiration. I suddenly became shy as he made this remark and quickly hid my face to hide my cheeks that grew redder each second he stared at me. " Why are you blushing Tassie?" Dauriyah remarked, observing my face as my cheeks got even redder.Ahhhh, if I could just bury myself alive from all this embarrassment. "Stop blushing! Stop blushing!" I whispered to myself convincingly but failed miserably to keep a straight face. " Ah nothing, just really like this dress " I answered confidently, trying my best to brush off this awkward moment. "Well are you gonna buy it?"she asked. "Yupzies" I answered " Did you see anything you like?" I continued. "Like dahh, basically the whole store" she responded amused " But I like this the most" she continued, holding up a shocking pink dress against herself filled with silver beadings . " Wow, its nice so I guess we can go cash then" I said hestitantly as I suddenly felt the urge to go home to avoid close contact with Fahaad. " What's the rush? Its just 3:00pm and we haven't purchased any shoes yet" Dauriyah responded looking at me as if asking what's wrong. " Oh, yeah sure but let's cash this first" I quickly responded, ignoring her gestures. " Yupz I agree with Tassie" Fahaad said. "Ummmm, okay that's it I ain't going nowhere else to buy nothing I'm going straight home". I thought moving quickly towards the cashier.I purchased my dress and gave my salaams to them both. "Where you going?!" Dauriyah questioned sounding really concerned. " I really have to go now Dee I'm sorry" I said rushing out the store. " Wait Tass I'll drop you off !" Fahaad bellowed walking fast to catch up with me. I turned and saw him rushing towards me. " Okay, sure". I responded politely trying my best to avoid eye contact. "Yup we'll drop you off" Dauriyah echoed walking towards where the both of us stood awkwardly . Without further adue,we made our way out and into the vehicle. Yes, ahhh, I'm home. Fahaad trattled the vehicle in front of my gate and I cautiously jumped out of the van, clutching my schoolbag in oe hand and the dress bought in the other. i hastily clampered towards the front door. "Assalaamu alaikum guys, shukran for the lift" I said waving towards the van. "Wa alaikumussalaam" they responded in a chorus.I immediately turnt, shoved the keys in the door, opened it and went in, closing the door behind me with a sigh of relief.

I walked in my bedroom, threw my schoolbag and dress on the floor, and sunk myself into the bed. "I'm so pathetic" I screamed. I acted so immature. "Am I developing a crush on Dee's brother? This is insane!" I said in disbelief. "What am I going to say to her now?..... Ahhh, shes gonna be curious as to why I acted so suspiciously". All these thoughts rushed in my mind like lightening. I became flustered and confused as to what my next move should be. My final conclusion was to pretend that nothing ever happened, and just tell her that I really needed to go home. Yes thats my plan. Minutes later, I slid into a light doze. 

Fahaad's POV

I layed lazily on the bed reciting Qur'aan, waiting patiently for the clock to strike 2:30 pm. This would be the time that I would go and pick up my little sister and the friend she always talks about, Tasleemah. After hearing her name only a billion times, I can honestly admit that I became quite curious as to who she was. I've heard so many good things about her from Potassium. My favourte Maher Zain nasheed "Barakh Allah" started playing on my phone. It was Dauriyah calling me to remind me of their plans. " Assalaamu alaikum, dont forget our plans, me and Tassie will be waiting at the bus stop" she said in one breathe. Before I could respond, she had already hung up. "This little rascal is so demanding" I giggled, as I got  off the bed and reached for the van keys on the dresser.  I rubbed some itt on my shirt, went through the door, got in the van and began my journey to Sameeyah Islamic school for girls. Within minutes, I arrived and trattled the vehicle infront of the bus stop scanning  it to see if I could spot them. " Oh, there they are" I could recognise Dauriyah and seeing that the girl in the pink kimar was so close to her, I could assume that that  was Tasleemah.  I drove right infront of them and they came in and gave their salaams. I quickly responded  and we were on our way.

At the mall, it was basically a blurr for the most part, as I'm a guy, hence, I hate shopping. I was just there as their protection and to chauffeur drive them, and I really didnt mind. The first store we went in was Muslimah2Muslimah. I wandered nonchalantly in the store with my hands in my pockets when suddenly, my eyes caught a girl in a floral green dress. She looked breathtakingly beautiful. I suddenly felt really shy and awkward. As hard as I tried to, I could not move my eyes from her. I became lost in thought when suddenly I heard a voice beside me "Sooo, is that a yes to the dress?" Dauriyah cheered. Oh my, I had no idea she was right there. Did she notice how I was looking at her friend? I had no idea that it was Tasleemah. " I would say thats a definite yes" I added coyly trying to look as calm as possible. "I saw", Dauryah whispered to me. I froze. " Please don't tell her"  I whispered back to her. " We'll just have to see about that" she winked back at me moving towards Tasleemah.

The evening went on with my eyes refusing to move from Tasleemah. "Wow it's nice, so I guess we can go cash then" I heard Tasleemah say to Dauriyah. She really looked as if she was becoming  uncomfortable. " Jeez, she must think I'm a freak show" I thought feeling deeply embarassed. "What's the rush? Its just 3:00 pm and we havent bought our shoes yet" Dauriyah responed. " Yeah, but lets cash first" Tasleemah said hestitantly. " Yupz, I agree with Tass" I imputed trying to make the situation less awkward put apparently it probably just made it worse.

In no time, Tasleemah was ready to go home. I offered her a ride and we went on our way. " Shes ever going to want to see me again"  I sighed to myself as we dropped her off and cotinued our journey home.

*One month later*  

 '' Tassie! Sup girlie!" Dauriyah sang skipping towards me nonchalantly. ''Assalaamu alaikum" I responded with a smiling face mirroring her mood. Dauriyah was such a jovial and outgoing person that I sometimes found it quite difficult to keep up. Being the tom boy I was for all of my childhood, and having her as a friend was now becoming my transitioning phase from this boyish persona. "Walaikumusalaam" you ready to go?" she asked. "But ofcourse! hahaha look at all the efforts we've made, buying, plannig and preparing our outfits! I cant wait to flaunt it, I've never felt so girlie in my life, its a wierd yet pleasing feeling" I squeek. I felt so eager and excited at the same time. Who knew that going to an all girls islamic school had so many up-sides to it. We even had a events calender which i taped on my bedroom door to ensure that I never miss one. "Okay, hold your horses chica!" she resonded laughingly "Come on lets go, we can't be late". she grabbed my hand as we made our way to the school bus, gave our salaams to Br. Suhaib and quickly secured our seats beside each other. On our way, the dress shoppig day flashed before my eyes. I could remember Fahaad stareing at me  and I instantaneiously started to blush. Should I tell her that I like her brother or will it be too wierd. Anyways, I'll decide eventually. Hijab-ista here we come!