Our Fates: Book III of the Fate Trilogy

Ten: What Is This Woman Up To?

Assalamu alaikum, new week, new update.

Enjoy!

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"Hey Shukra, you have killed me." I place my hands on my head. Bushra bursts into laughter while the ode beside her just folds her arms in defiance.

"She was rude." She says, looking away.

"God save you that this is a video call, if not..." I raise my hand as though to slap her. She needs it.

"In summary, you have lost your first job." Bushra says, turning to her twin.

"Which kain, the woman didn't say that o."

"So the bad eye she gave you as you were leaving was what?" I glare at her. "Sha go back to Kauthar."

"No na," she scrunches her face, "That nonsense Salome will laugh at me."

"Hey God," I clap my hands in disbelief, "Is that even a reason? My friend, better get ready and go tomorrow. I will call her to give you back to sewing spot."

Shukra groans like the petulant child that she is, but says nothing afterwards. Better for her.

"Ehen, aunty Meena. How far your own job?" Bushra asks.

"Hmm, nothing yet o." I tell her, not that I have been actively searching. There's a new found laziness that even I can't explain. It's as if I have no energy to do anything other than sleep, wake up, cook, clean, watch TV, chat with Badr during his lunch break, and prepare myself for him before he returns. And then there's the tiny, wriggly thought about Nur, which only happens at night, when Badr is asleep.

"Maybe you're still trying to get used to the environment." Bushra says.

I smile and nod, "Maybe. But it won't be for long. I should be back in the zone soon, in sha Allah."

"Ameen." They chorus.

Some minutes after the call, I stand to stretch my sore limbs from lying for too long. The sitting room curtains are still closed due to the rain that fell last night, or maybe I was just too lazy to open them.

Shaking my head, I open the curtains and windows and rays of sunlight streamed in. As I prepare to sit back down again, I stop.

Why not go for a stroll today? The weather looks welcoming.

With a groan, I force myself into the room to look for a veil that matches my red gown. After settling for a white one and slippers to match, I call Badr to inform him. Unfortunately, he didn't pick. SO I send him a text, which he replies with thumbs up.

I step out into the warm morning. As usual, our estate is as quiet as a grave yard with a vehicle passing every few minutes. Clearly, a lot of people are at work, and even the few open shops and kiosks have just one or two persons inside.

It isn't until I reach the end of our street and cross over to the next that I begin to see more people walking about with bigger shops lining the street. But the one that catches my eye is a shop named House of Adorn. The building stands between a small mart and barber's shop, but its bright purple paint and neon lighted signboard makes it stand out well.

Without thinking, I go in. I gasp at the cold that greets me. Aren't they aware of the last night's rain? The main room is filled with racks and racks of clothes with people moving around, especially three girls in a purple and black polo shirt. I frown. So it's a boutique.

"Hello, welcome." One of the girls say to me, smiling.

"Yes, um, sorry, I thought this is a tailor's shop."