The Halimi Sisters

Chapter 11; Helping Ikhlas

It's been about a week since I went through Auntie's old Nokia. I snuck into the attic a couple of times but I was too rushed to find anything special.

Jannat, Marwa, and Hawa all have a Quran competition today, and Khadija and I are too old for Quran Classes.

"Lina, Khadija! Stay with Ikhlas today, and help her babysit Malak, Sara, and Adam!" Auntie Hajar says as she closes the door behind her. 

I'm confused about why Sara doesn't take Quran classes, but it's none of my business. I hear footsteps come down from the third floor. That floor is usually dark and has lights on sometimes. A brown woman with curly light brown hair approaches the floor. She has many freckles and beauty marks, and she looks like she's about 25 years old. 

"Salam! I've heard of you, you are Lina, right?" She says.

"Yes..." I say reluctantly. "Who are you?"

"My Name is Ikhlas, and I'm Hajar's kids' babysitter. I live here on the third floor, but I rarely come out since her husband lives with her, and my floor has its own kitchen and bathroom. I've seen you go into the attic a couple of times, are you curious about something?" She responds in a kind voice.

"...." I hesitate to respond. "sort of?"

"You can tell me." Ikhlas says in a kind voice, "I know this place like the back of my hand."

"Do you know anyone by the name of Naima Ouali by chance?"

Ikhlas went pale, I think I might get some answers. 

"Yes." she lowers her voice to a whisper. "I know her very well."

"How exactly?" I need to keep pushing for an answer, because I know it will be hard to get Ikhlas to crack.

"She's my..." Ikhlas sighs and crouches behind the family couch. I crouch too. "I can't..."

"Tell me." I'll keep asking all day if she wants to pull this "I don't know" nonsense.

"She's my..." Ikhlas sighs again. My brain is sick of the gatekeeping. "I'm your sister."

"You're my WHA-"

Ikhlas holds her hand against my mouth, I continue yelling even though it's inaudible.

"Listen, I know this might sound weird. I'm only 19, so calm down. My name is Ikhlas Halimi. I'm not your only unknown sibling."

"Wait, how come I don't know you?" I ask.

"Remember when your parents told you they had a beautiful baby girl before you were born, who died during birth? You probably forgot. They mentioned it only once when you were 5 or 6."

It all clicked now.

"Well that's not true, I was stolen at birth. Stolen by Auntie. She used me as a maid, and changed my last name to her husband's."

Everything made sense now. However, Ikhlas didn't answer my question.

"Where is our mom, and what did you mean by other unknown siblings?" I ask in a frantic whisper.

Malak looks over the couch me and Ikhlas are crouched behind.

"What does Un- Noun mean?"