Black Silk

CHAPTER 4

This chapter is dedicated to shxmnx_

NADIA'S POV

I woke up to my alarm buzzing like it had a personal vendetta against me. I wanted to throw it across the room, but I knew that wouldn't be very smart. I forced myself to sit up. Time for Fajr.

Dragging myself out of bed, I headed to the bathroom and made wudu — the water was so cold it felt like it was piped straight from the North Pole. Perfect start to the day, I thought sarcastically, wrapping my jilbab around me and beginning my prayer.

After I prayed, I jumped back into the bathroom for my skincare routine and a hot shower to unfreeze my soul. Once I was done and wrapped in my towel, I opened the bathroom door — and nearly screamed when I saw my mum sitting on the edge of my bed.

"Salaams, Nads," she greeted with a smile. "How was your night?"

"Wa alaikum salaam, Mum. It was alright... I could barely sleep though," I mumbled, rubbing my eyes.

"Aww, nerves kicking in already?" she teased gently. "Anyway, I came to tell you that you should ask your boss if you can take a few hours off today. Maybe half the day or just four hours."

"Okay, will do, insha'Allah. What time do I need to be back?"

"Be home by one or one fifteen. They'll be arriving around two, insha'Allah."

She stood up and walked out of my room, leaving the door wide open. I sighed. Why does no one in this house know how to close a door?

After drying off, I got dressed in a crisp white oversized shirt, black jeans, and my white Air Force 1s. I wrapped a black scarf neatly around my head, then grabbed my small Louis Vuitton handbag and tossed in all the necessities.

Downstairs, the usual morning chaos was unfolding. Mum was in the kitchen making breakfast while Dad sat at the table with the twins, halfway through their cereal.

"I just hope I get at least a C in maths," Nusaybah said, talking with her mouth full. "Everything else I think I'll do okay in."

"Insha'Allah," Mum called from the kitchen. "Oh, and Nads, can you drop the girls off on your way today?"

"Yeah, sure — but I'm leaving in like five minutes," I replied, sliding into a chair.

The twins bolted upstairs to get ready.

Dad turned to me with a grin. "Hey, buba. You good? Excited for today?"

"I don't know," I shrugged, stirring my Cookie Crisp cereal. "I'm okay, I guess."

He laughed and reached over to pinch my cheek — then shamelessly tried to steal a spoonful of my cereal. "It's gonna be a good day, insha'Allah."

Three minutes later, the twins came crashing back down the stairs, backpacks flying.

"We're ready, let's go!" Iman beamed.

"I'm sitting in the front! I said it first!" Nusaybah announced, racing ahead.

We all laughed as I grabbed my keys.

"Okay, okay — salaams, Mum, Dad," I said, opening the door.

"Wa alaikum salaam, baby. Drive safe," Mum called after us.

We piled into the car. Everyone clicked their seatbelts.

"Do you guys wanna go to Starbucks and grab a doughnut or something?" I whispered, glancing at the clock. If I dropped them straight to school, they'd be way too early.