SARAUNIYYA: Heartstrings

Chapter 8

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Finally being finished with our midterms felt like way more of an achievement than it actually was. Particularly because we were jubilating not over how good our grades were, but instead over the mere fact that we would not have to bother with exam stress for the next half of the school semester.

With our academics thankfully becoming less demanding for us both, Fatima- Zarah and I quickly returned to our regular leisure-filled schedule.

"You see the way it got more hectic this second year, it'll get worse again when you go for summer break and come back, mark my words." Zainab snapped her fingers, before swiftly returning her hand to the steering wheel of her car. It was the same car as Imran's Mercedes Cabriolet, only in a different exterior colour -white.

It was our first time hanging out with her since the night at their house, and much like the Zainab we'd first met, she was back to her friendly and kind self. I wondered how long she would stay that way this time.
"Haba, what sort of prayer is this?" Fatima-Zarah complained as I cackled away in the backseat behind them. "No o please, we don't want. It's already too bad as it is."

We were on our way to Hans and Rene for ice cream, where we hoped that Fatima- Zarah's wild cravings would be satisfied once and for all. Our ice cream run lasted an hour in total, and afterwards, Zainab decided to invite us over to the house.

"I don't have a swimsuit here, not even a single one," I warned after Fatima-Zarah brought up the idea of us having a swim date at the backyard pool. Both Zainab and Fatima-Zarah eyed me.

"We could definitely all wear the same size, and I own tons of swimsuits." Zainab said, "Let's go upstairs. You could both have one of mine each."

Despite Zainab's persistence, I declined and simply reassured her and Fatima- Zarah that it would still be much fun with me sitting poolside while they splashed around.

"If I wasn't a heterosexual woman I'd legit just propose and start a family with you, right now, Faati." Zainab blurted out with her eyes glued to Fatima-Zarah's body as she joined her in the pool. I laughed. It was obvious that her statement was no more than an overly dramatic compliment.

"Zee weds Faati." I joked along, and Zainab chuckled. Fatima-Zarah too. Their splashes in the pool were loud.

"Speaking of weddings..." Fatima-Zarah started, pausing to swim closer to us. "My uncle, Mahmud's dad -he called my line today."

"About what?" Zainab blurted immediately.

"He definitely won't be able to say the actual reason. He just pretended it was to exchange greetings and hear from me." Fatima-Zarah responded, and I shook my head, feeling disappointed at the situation as the memory of Fatima-Zarah's proposed marriage to her cousin freshened in my mind.

"I know you guys have your own perception of this whole thing, but this Mahmud guy, could he actually be that bad?" Zainab joined in. I shifted my focus to her.

"You don't even know him." I blurted, and she shrugged. "What do you mean?" "Well, I know of him." She said, "And, I know what he looks like. Some might be of the opinion that he's quite desirable, you know?"

"Yes, but don't you think she should be the one desiring him for herself and not everyone else?" I answered, trying my best not to sound defensive. The irritation which I felt had started to seep into my voice. "It's almost purely political now, and this is her life we're talking about."

"I'm just saying. It's only a bad thing because she currently dislikes it, you know?"

Zainab replied, "If she didn't, I'm sure she'd be jubilating."