manal | achraf hakimi [COMPLETE]

.4

NOTE
i didn't make it clear in the last chapters. an abaya is a long robe like covering muslim women wear over their body while a hijab is a head covering.
whenever we see manal in this book, and iman as well, they are both wearing it.

17/12/2022

[ 1482 words]

—

half a year later

—

'manal.' iman said to her friend as they walked from their morning classes to manal's house.

'hmm.' manal replied back, kicking a stone out of the path. she had to get home because she was having guests of her own. her mother was ill and that meant the responsibilities were hers.

'why do you not like achraf? i need you to become my sister in law.' she asked nonchalantly, as was her habit. she rolled her head to the side to get a better view of her friend. this time, both of them wore headscarves and long robes.

manal almost tripped over herself at the mention of her bests friends cousin's name. iman reached forward to catch her from falling.

'are you alright?' she quickly asked, feeling coy seeing the reaction she gave.

'yes, i'm fine.' she didn't avoid the question from before. 'iman please, why are you even thinking about this? we're only 15!'

'manal, come on, have some pity on the man. last time you didn't come to play and he was acting moody the entire time.' iman complained, trying to convince her friend. she always knew manal was the more mature and reserved one out of the two of them. she was more traditional. she didn't want to date, or see people. it may feel like iman was the dominant friend, but it was a dynamic that manal was comfortable with.

'habibti, his behaviour is not my responsibility.' she said, raising her eyebrows as if proving her point. 'besides, shouldn't he have better things on his mind, like football?'

'aha! so you have been keeping up with him.' manal didn't give a reply. it was common knowledge that achraf was in the real madrid academy. she knew iman only said that to rile her up.

they now stood outside manal's house, and manal gave a warning look to iman, telling her to drop the subject.

'we're not done.' iman defeatedly said, huffing. achraf had begged her to try to get manal to meet him this time. and she wasn't about to let her brother down.

—

manal sighed as she realised she'll have to go to the well. the tap at home was not working properly and her mother had asked her to go. she got the big container to take when sufiyane stood in front of her with big innocent eyes.

'what is it?' she asked. she knew what he was going to say so she just decided to continue her packing for her mini trip to the village well by the stream.

'can i come with you?' she quickly nodded, earning a big smile from him. he was less than half her age, almost 7 years old. he happily put on his shoes and she held one of his hand while keeping the container in the other.

she thought about taking something lighter to carry, but she'd rather have one trip than two.

biting her lip and reciting a quick prayer, which sufiyane copied with a lot less fluency, they left the house.

—

'sufiyane. promise me you'll behave near the well. you know how scary it is bubs.' she pinched his cheek as the boy nodded, understanding his sister. 

she huffed, putting the container on the ground next to the well. this was going to be hard work.

she put the bucket down and slowly lowered it in.  the sun was high in the sky, reaching zenith and it was getting hot real quick. summer in morocco was not a joke.