Barakah

- Souvenir

22:6:2022.

Pn: I've been writing exams ( I'm still writing them:( ). That's the reason I've been gone so long. This chapter is 9240 words. I hope it makes up for three :).

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Barakah

The sun stare was furious. Overawing the naked eye but his stare on her was most gutting.

Near the edge of warm waters, she could hear its songs. A soft rhythm of white noise that drilled far up her head. The sudden feel of soft fabric brushing her legs made her notice her choice of attire with relief. The white smocked dress suited the heat, the vibe.

Breeze was a scarce, sneaky thing despite the richness of green. Trees had them cornered but the heat was vain and conceited. Adjusting her floppy straw hat a little out of her face to test out sky gazing. The weight of the sun once again making her readjust the seating of her cap.

"We should have checked the forecast before planning this." He came beside her, his frame towering over her appreciably. Naturally, his statue was disciplined. The image of a man that was achieving recognition as her protector.

From her peripheral vision, she noticed his own attire properly. A blue shirt and khaki shorts. Not a doubt in her mind that Farouk fussed over blue being the only acceptable color he'd wear for the day because his father was wearing blue. She didn't mind it at all. She loved the color blue. She just loved pulling Farouk's leg as well.

"It'll get better with time, give it an hour at most." She didn't know for sure but she hoped so since it was a bit well over noon time.

"Oh, I don't mind at all, I'm saying it for you," The chuckle he let out was a deep, hearty sound that soared into her chest, "The heat's only gotten to you. Look at everyone else. They're too immersed with activities and company to care. Loosen up." He took a step nearer, until their arms were brushing and gestured she looked back with him.

She did and worry troubled her brows, "I should've applied more sunscreen lotion on Farouk today."

It was part of her now, to look for Farouk first in everything. Ibrahim and Farouk were chasing Aisha, Tasneem and Fadimatu. She didn't have to look right at him to know he was pulling a face.

"He's under the shade Amal."

"It's still not good for him."

"It's not going to kill him either and look at how much fun he's having with his aunties and uncle. You're the only one here that's not presently living."

She looked into his straight face with a raised brow, "And how are you presently living?"

His hair was cut short in a low-cut and he wasn't a man that kept a beard. He maintained a short stubble instead. His features bought out in a harshly striking way.

"I'm getting a good tan of course. Being light-skinned has gotten me called a 'pretty boy' an awful amount of times back home. And I personally don't know if the woman I pine for isn't into men with richer melanin."