Home is where freedom rings

Chapter eight | Ashamed

Khadijahs Pov

"AND YOU SLAPPED HER? THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE?" The principals yelled at me, we were sitting in our office, Sarah was sitting next to me, playing innocent but in the corner of my eye I swear I saw a smirk, Omer and Kyle were leaning against the wall. And they called mama

I disappointed mama, she told me a few days ago, she told me to stay quite, to fight them with the silent treatment and I did the opposite

That's the only reason I felt ashamed

"As someone who represents the community of Muslim women a lot others including myself think of the hair as a private body part, by her trying to remove my hijab she is trying to remove my clothes so I don't see why I am getting punished for defending myself while she not only embarrassed me in front of the whole school but she disrespected my religion, Ma'am with all due respect why am i the one in trouble, you teach us to be strong yet when a Muslim women defended herself from someone clearly trying to oppress her you shut it down" I said effortlessly, I raised my brow

She took off her glasses "Khadijah dear I agree with you, Sarah will be equally punishment but we don't encourage violence in this school and you need to respect that"

I guess that was fair as long as me and Sarah get the same punishment, but I was still thinking about explaining my situation to mama

"A month of detention. Both of you" she said signaling us out of her office "and I'll be meeting with both of your parents"

I bit my lip as we all went out of her office, I didn't even look at Omer as I went to the bathroom- it would be embarrassing to run in front of Sarah and Kyle and Omer, so I just turned the opposite way and once I was out of eyeshot I ran to the bathroom but then I realized that it would be filled with people and all I needed right now was to be left alone

I regret the slap. I brought shame to my mom, to my father, to my religion, now everyone will think of me as violent, I'll fit the stereotype. I don't like this. I should have just shut up, she wouldn't have pulled my hijab fully anyways

I sat under the stairs in the dark corner, I felt a teardrop fall from my eye, I might be considered dramatic but seriously, I wasn't even an American citizen I have to play good girl, silent, listening, and understanding

"Khadijah?" A voice asked, I looked up and saw a familiar pair of beautiful brown eyes

"Just leave me alone tasneem" I mumbled covering my mouth with my sleeve

"What's going on why are you sad?" She asked sitting next to me, "is it because of that rat Sarah? Oh c'mon don't listen to her! She's just McDonald fries gone cold, Wallah don't waste your time on shit"

"It's not about sarah- it's about mama. It's the first day and I already brought so much attention to myself" I said between tears "she told me- she told me and I disobeyed"

"Hababti" she says "Yallah don't be sad! I'll get you coffee plus, I found the soccer auditions and you can go shove the soccer ball up kyles ass"

I laughed, "you are too funny Wallah " I laughed softly

"Say Mashallah idiot I can't lose this beautiful intelligence and wit, anyways come! I'm sure your mom won't mind once we tell her that Sarah was being a complete idiotic piece of shit"

She grabbed me up and looked in disgust "ew the tears aren't giving bad b energy let's go to the bathroom and freshen you up"

In the bathroom we put on lipgloss and I put a bit of Kohl and I wiped the tears off My face, and we'll that caused a big difference

"Oof were late-" Tasneem said looking at her watch, "I promise I'll get you the caramel coffee after school, but right now we have to get to our last class"

I didn't realize I was in the principals office that long

"Fine" I shrugged "text me after school!"

As I was going to class I bumped into something- no someone. I looked up and realized it was Omer.

"Are you alright Khadijah? You've been out of class for some bit"

"Yeah me and tasneem were just touching up in the e bathroom" his eyes traveled to my kohl, and he nodded but as I was about to walk away he said "don't worry Khadijah, I told your mom it was my fault you slapped her, no need to be sad, Yallah smile it's sunnah"

I looked at him and realized he was waiting for it, I smiled and then he nodded his own smile tugging at the corner of his lips

"Thanks Omer, you didn't have to"

He didn't rely, and nodded respectful As his hands signaled to the door and we walked in

Arabic glossary:
Wallah: I swear by god
Hababti: my love
Mashallah: what god has willed
Kohl: ancient eye cosmetic (The prophet SAW used it)
Sunnah: traditions/ practices of the prophet SAW