Everything I Am

Chapter 3

We were finally on our way to the venue, a whole 6 hours of driving, most of our stuff were on a van going to the same place, we had all woken up before sunrise, we prayed and than we headed out, Uncle Muhammad said we'll eat breakfast on the way. Aunty Fayzah had fallen asleep along with Aisha and Imran as soon as we got in the car, Zayaan had plugged in earphones and his eyes were close, he probably also fell asleep.

"I'm really glad your parents let you kids come." Uncle Muhammad says.

"I still can't believe Aisha is getting married." I admit with a chuckle.

"Your father mentioned there was someone planned for you as well." Uncle Muhammad says. "Do I get a piece of the gossip? Who's the lucky guy? How long have you known him? Are you happy? Does he treat you right?" Uncle Muhammad asks in one breath and I would have laughed if all of it was right.

So i just hum in agreement. "He's a good guy." Uncle Muhammad glances back for a second before taking his eyes back to the road.

"I remember when I got married, technically I didn't even know my mom was searching for a wife for me, one day she just came to me and told me I was to get married during the following week, I felt my world crumble." Uncle Muhammad chuckles. "I can happily say I am glad for the way things worked out."

"It wasn't a love marriage?" I ask intrigued.

Uncle Muhammad shakes his head. "It is a love marriage now but back than I was ready to run away from everything. You may not see it but your parents care about you."

I scoff at that. "I have one month of freedom Uncle Muhammad. I had to bargain my way here."

"Do you want me to speak to your father?" Uncle Muhammad asks.

"It might be a waste of time." I say quietly. "But okay."

Uncle Muhammad smiles. "Well than, until than don't you worry about anything, put your trust in Allah and be patient my child." I smile and nod, Zayaan stirs a bit in his place and I wonder if he was actually not asleep.

A couple hours later we were stopping at a gas station with a cafe, Zayaan had woken up a few minutes ago, his hair is falling loose from his small bun so he ties it again, Aunty Fayzah, Aisha and Imran don't even wake up.

"Maybe you two should go buy some stuff to eat while I fill up, i really don't think they'll want to wake up now." Zayaan nods and steps out of the car and I follow from my side, he stretches his arms above his head and nudges his head for me to follow.
We walk in silence, him a few steps ahead of me, my heart beats loud enough I start to think he can hear me, I'm being stupid, this is stupid, I bury every other thoughts down and enter the cafe.

The smell of fresh coffee and pastries and the warmth inside the cafe has my mind go quiet, I take out my phone and take a picture of the cafe, maybe someday I'll look back and think about how peaceful I felt in this moment.

"We should order the tea first and than we can go get whatever else we want to eat." Zayaan suggests, I nod and we walk up to the counter.

"Hi, hope you're well? What can I get you?" The guy at the counter asks grinning broadly.

"Hello, we'd like to order 6 cups of milk tea." Zayaan voices. ""Takeaway."

"I don't want tea." I interrupt guilty.

"You sure? We still have 5 hours left in the car." Zayaan asks and the thought of having tea does sound appealing but I shake my head.

"I get squipish in car rides and tea doesn't help." I explain trying to keep my nerves buried, Zayaan nods and turns back to the guy whom was still smiling.