DEAR NABILA

CHAPTER ONE- To new begginings

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NOTE: The following words will be used across the book as you read. Here are their meanings.
1. Bismillah - (In the name Of Allah)
2. Alhamdulilah - (Praise be to God)
3. SubhanAllah - (Glory be to God) and Can also be used when something surprises or amazes you.
4. In Sha Allah - (By the will of God)
5. Masha Allah - Used in the context of when something good happens
6. Allahu Akbar - (God is the greatest)
7. Baraqa Allahu Feek- (May Allah bless you)

••••

"I don't want to travel to New York, yes it's beautiful but trust me, the crowd, noise, and chaos are just not for me and I would rather remain here," Nabila says, as she dips her biscuits inside her coffee. Jennifer looks at her through her laptop screen and shakes her head, "I'll never get used to that," she nods her head towards Nabila's hands and she chuckles.
"It's your dream to have your books published, isn't it? Then, New York is the best place for you, you cannot turn down this huge offer. You know I'm right and besides, that's just anxiety speaking. You've always wanted to travel the world or at least leave Abuja and visit other places and don't forget, you get to live with your best friend in the world so..." Jennifer trails, with her hands, folded.

Nabila knew she was saying the facts and might as well just accept it. She looked at Jennifer who was lying down on her bed and smiled. "You're a great friend" Nabila replied "Uh, of course, I am" Jennifer replied, waving her hair dramatically and Nabila laughed.

They met in elementary school when Nabila was still in California and immediately became friends the minute Nabila shared her lunch with Jennifer. Since then, they have been best friends. They kept in contact even with the distance and somehow it worked. With the help of video calls and voice chats, they made it look so easy.

It is Nabila's dream to have her books published and even rank as one of the best-time sellers. But the struggle is real.

As a Muslim lady in the western world, everything is difficult. From having people stare at you because of the way you dress, to people thinking you don't know what fun is because you don't drink alcohol or party. They choose to ignore the fact that fun is defined differently by people.

Nabila is the second child in a family of three. Her elder sister Nasiba and her younger brother Najim. Yes! Her parents named them that way. Her Mom is from California and her Dad is from Nigeria. Strange combo, I know. But they made it work. They met during their university days in Australia and after they got married, they decided to live in Nigeria.

Ahmed, Nabila's Father worked for a Newspaper company in the US for a while before moving back to Nigeria after he married Fatima. Fatima's parents were not very supportive or happy about it but after a few years, they had to accept things the way they are.

Nabila was 5years old when they moved to Nigeria and have been in Nigeria for 19 years, the whole family had traveled to California during the holidays 4 years ago to spend the holiday with Fatima's family. The holiday lasted 7months and that was when Fatima was pregnant with Najim, they ended up giving birth to him over there. After their return, they haven't been anywhere but in Abuja, Nigeria.
With their beautiful family in Abuja, a place where Nabila has known most of her life.

Going to New York is a first for her. Her first trip and first time away from her family.
One part of her is excited and eager to be there, and the other part is afraid of what the world outside her home will be like.
She knows one thing for sure, being who she is isn't going to be easy. But she got the job regardless, maybe the world isn't so bad after all.