Home is where freedom rings

Chapter twelve | strength for both of us

I woke up sweating and gasping.

nightmares. I closed my eyes for a second desperate to forget the terrors of the night as I looked at the clock it was 3:00 am. I threw my blanket on the floor, and went to the small kitchen

mama was coughing. worse than ever, usually Mama gets sick like this year round and Baba always helped her, he always gave her strength to hold tight, unfortunately for both of us I'm not Baba.

I made her soup yesterday, but she couldn't take a bite of it, I felt like crying as she coughed violently until she fell asleep. all she did the past few weeks was sleep and for once I didn't know if she would get better

at this point I'm going to go to the pharmacy and get some medicine, I tried multiple times but Mama refused, the few seconds she was awake she told me not to waste money and she would get better and I shouldn't worry

'too late for that' I mumbled as I threw on a jacket, and as I put on my hijab and shoes I grabbed whatever little money I had and rushed to the 24-hour pharmacy a few blocks away

the cold breeze hit my face the second I stepped outside, if it weren't for the circumstances I probably would have noticed the dark city with street lamps like stars, or maybe I would have noticed the mother cat as she carried her baby scurrying together as they fell asleep

but I was too busy crossing the road, no one stopped for me of course, and even at 3:00 am you wouldn't believe how many people drive as if they are 37 minutes late.

as I finally reached the pharmacy I could collapse from exhaustion, I hadn't slept at all the past few days, and running into the crowded street was probably more dangerous than I thought. but I'm here now and that's all that matters, as I walked into the pharmacy I felt a sense of accomplishment until I saw familiar blonde hair and cunning determined eyes

Sarah Grace Lore.

the same girl that tried to humiliate me in front of the whole class.

out of all the people living in America, I had to run into her... looking like this

when she saw me I felt so humiliated, I came just to get medicine, I'm not going to talk to her, and if she tries to talk to me I'll ignore her. ill just ignore her,

I put on my headphones- I try not to listen to music so I put on some Quran, and just waited, ignoring her was probably the smartest thing I've done all week, after she tried to talk to me a few times she gave up and just cast me a dirty look.

once the medicine arrived I thanked the pharmacist and paid, I never knew medicine was this expensive, I could barely afford it, well I hope it helps

as I left the pharmacy it started to rain, scratch that it; began to pour I cursed at all things bad, of course, it began to rain when I was in my pajamas and freezing cold, without a car or anything warm on me, of course.

I wanted to faint, but First I couldn't afford an ambulance, secondly, that would be embarrassing and I'd already embarrassed myself enough.

the walk wasn't far, but it felt like an eternity and a day, I have already accepted that tomorrow I would be sick, I looked down, my clothes were soaking, and I felt like just giving up and sleeping on the cold bench

But just as I was about to take another step into the road a car pulled up.

His car.

Omer rolled down the window "Khadijah?! What the hell are you doing? Get in!"

I looked at him in shock. I blinked a couple of times, but he just sighed and gave a hurried smile

I hesitated. His car was new and my clothes were wet "Won't I ruin the car?" I mumbled but he just stared at me and mumbled "Khadijah, if you don't get in you'll catch a cold, I'm surprised you haven't already, please for the love of god, come in, there's nothing here that is worth ruining your health for"

That made me feel worse, but I got in away, as soon as I entered the warm car my shivering stopped

"What brings you here at 3 in the morning?"

I could barely speak "Mama" I breathed, my voice hoarse and raspy "She hasn't been feeling better, I didn't know what to do, I'm so sorry for making you come out here at night but I didn't know what to-" I paused looked at him and tilted my head "wait how did you know where I was?" confusion evident in my eyes

Omer sighed and looked at me, his lips thinned "I-" he paused "I made Khala some lentil soup" he admitted "I heard her coughing and then as I was about to knock I noticed that you weren't home, so, of course, i assumed you'd be here and you were" his beautiful brown eyes piercing my own "you shouldn't have done that Khadija" he sighed "it's dangerous here, you are a young woman and you are alone and shivering" he turned his attention back to the road "next time tell me, or tell Tasneem if you're shy and I'll get the medicine for you" he promised

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak but i still mustered a "shukran" My voice was soft, and quiet as he pulled the car into the parking lot

he opened the passenger door for me, his gaze on the floor I looked in horror when I realized his car seat was wet

"dont" his voice was calm and quiet and respectful "it's just a car seat. it'll dry" he said firmly a soft smile on her lips

despite being soaked and cold as i walked back into the small apartment, I couldnt help but feel warm inside.

Arabic glossary:

Khala: aunt
Shukran: thanks/ thank you