BETROTHED

ONE

بسم الله الرمان الرحيم

In the name of Allah, the most-beneficent, the most-merciful.

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Amna's POV

I had another sleepless night.

Well, not exactly sleepless as I just opened my eyes but you get what I mean.

Waking up on my praying mat is becoming a daily occurrence. With me being in my last year in secondary school I have to buckle up if I want to study abroad. Although I have excellent grades, I still have to take some extra courses before I apply to [name of uni] where my dad studied. I sat up and stretched my arms murmuring duas under my breath. I folded my hijab and praying mat before I took a shower. After doing my morning routine of skin care and tiding up my room, I brought out my school uniform, and arranged my bag, basically I got everything ready for school. I plugged out my phone from the charging spot on my desk and walked out.

I knocked on Ummah's room and entered with salaam. As I already know she's still on her praying mat doing her morning dhkir.

"Ina Kwana," she smiled and patted my head.

"I'll go make breakfast," I told her and went to do just that. I switched off all the hallway lights and the ones around the house.

Breakfast meals are my favourite meals to cook, because they are fast and easy to cook. 20 minutes later, I covered the pan of scrambled eggs and plantain to keep it warm and went to wake up my nine and seven year old sisters.

"Za Ku tashi ko sai na zuba muku ruwan sanyi yan zunnan," barging into their room I announced. If I don't threaten them, they will be dragging it until they're late to school. [Wake up before I pour cold water on you right now].

"Haba Yaya ke đan barmu mu yi bacci kađan mana," grumbled Intisar. I told you they will try to convince me to let them sleep more. She's nine and the grumpiest girl ever, but she's still a kid. [Come on, big sister, let us sleep a little now].

"Will you get up and take your bath? Kun san abunda zai faru in kuka makara," [You know what will happen if you are late].

Intisar grumbled some more but I just glared at her. Islaha on the other hand, gave me her sleepy smile that will melt anyone's heart which I returned and entered their bathroom, Inty right behind her. I made sure to check if they're doing what I asked and reminded them to pray the Fajr prayer.

Ummah will soon be ready for work so I went and made some oats for her and packed some leftover dinner for her. I also packed some for Intisar and Islaha. By the time I got everything ready, it was almost 6:30 a.m. and I need to get ready as well. I plated my sisters' breakfast as I heard the muffled opening and closing of their bathroom. I went to get ready as I have to be in school by 7 o'clock.

A new term had started again earlier in the week, that's why I'm dedicating my time to pray Tahajjud now before things get more serious and I don't have the time. Quickly gathering my things, I won't have time for breakfast so I decided to skip it but has already packed it for me.

"I knew you would forget to eat," I grinned and thanked her.

"Take care, Allah ya kiyaye," [May Allah protect you].

I waved and pulled Issy's hand. The driver dropped them at their school first and they both hugged me before going. I told the driver to speed up, its 5 minutes to seven. Luckily, I made it on time. After the assembly was conducted, I searched the crowd, looking for my best friend. As if she sensed my gaze, I saw a hand waving at my direction and I knew it was her, she came to me with a wide grin. A typical bubbly girl who might be a bit crazy and wild sometimes I am too but I love her nevertheless.