The Imperfect Whispers

CHAPTER 7: REVERSE

As much as Arfah and Khadijah wanted to go home, they still had two more days to complete their project. They were in the woods while they listened to their instructor as he explained wildlife skills, the precautions and how to get out in case of emergency. "Since you guys are done with taking the precautions and surveying the place, I think it's time for us to take a break and it seems we're all exhausted" Lifeguard Arjit spoke in his thick Indian accent.

"So Khalid" he stopped as everyone turned around to face Khalid who stood upright "I think it's time high time we distributed the stuff we have brought" Khalid nodded. Arfah and Khadijah shook their heads in dismay. He was good at showing off.

"Why don't we meet in the camping site? Let's go" He said as he took a step forward while they silently followed him.

Arfah admired nature. She looked at the tall trees that made the forest seem like in the movies. The daylight escaping from the little spaces the leaves didn't cover and the sound of muddy sticks as they snap when they match them, everything was just an emblem of beauty. She listened to the birds far away as they chirped and some little insects which crawled to avoid being stomped on. It was music to her ears.

They reached the camping site after twenty minutes of trekking. It was exhausting but fun as they stopped by to take pictures of the beautiful scenery. They really enjoyed the place and immediately they finished eating around the campfire, Arfah and Khadijah went back to their room to finish packing for the next day and have a chitchat.

Arfah was packing when her family picture fell right in front of Khadijah. She raised it up out of curiosity. She recognized only her mother.

"Arfah"

"Uhm?" she said while folding her jilbab.

"Is this your dad?" Khadijah pointed at Dr Adab's.

"Yes?" she simply said.

"But why haven't you ever spoken about him?" Khadijah asked slowly as if she was afraid of breaking a glass.

Arfah slowed her pace as she turned to took at her father's face smiling at her. "He's not with us anymore" she said in a bare whisper.

Khadijah didn't want to ask again even though she didn't understand what that meant.

"And this?" Her index finger pointed right at Adda Ruqayya's photo. Arfah shook her head at Khadijah's silly drama.

"I don't know" she said mockingly as she zipped her bag. Her phone immediately vibrated and the devil's name came up. Arfah hurriedly walked outside with a wide smile not after Khadijah smiling devilishly at her.

"Arafy babe" Suhayl said playfully which made Arfah smile even wider.

"Tsoho old man" she copied, in his tone.

Both of them burst into fits of laughter. "How are you?" he asked.

"I'm fine"

"Masha Allah"

Few seconds went by and none of them spoke. They didn't know what to say. "How's work?" Arfah finally said while breaking the silence. She heard Suhayl sigh. "What's wrong?" she asked with a sudden frown on her face.

"Nothing. Everything is fine"

Arfah remained silent. "Okay, okay. It's hectic and some of the people here are annoying" he said finally as he swung on his chair.

"Wait, are you in still in the office?"

He ignored her question. "When are you returning to Kano?" he asked.