Veil of Lies

Shared Secrets

★ Innessa

Finally we reached Antalya. We travelled by air and Nazli's seat was besides mine so I wasn't that bored during the journey after all. Our hotel was a tall and huge building from where the view of the ocean was clear. I actually had no complaints. Although total 480 something people came in the company trip, it was a surprise how Mustafa managed to arrange a trip for his company considering the total number of us.

We came here for a week and we had free will to go wherever we wanted. Of course we didn't had to go out of city or cause trouble anywhere in the city. Besides from that, we were allowed to do anything. ' Isn't that great? ' was what I thought to myself when I first heard about it from Hira.

Despite these activities, I remind myself from time to time the purpose of coming here. Mustafa is a difficult one so I haven't got anywhere in my mission yet. It's already been a month. But hanging out with Nazli and Hira makes me genuinely smile; they are my first friends after all.

You know what? At this point, only hearing those silly of Hira and Nazli makes me forget my mission. It is so stressful sometimes because I have to complete my mission but can't betray them either.

The hotel which we were staying in is amazing I must say, maybe the reason why it is rated 5-stars. It is called Oz Hotels Side Premium. A large swimming pool outside, an immense dining hall, beautiful ceilings and decent arrangements. Even the restrooms and bedrooms were over the top. It is surprising for a CEO to care about his company so much that he chooses such an exquisite place to stay.

Nazli, Hira and I decided to get that room which'll have two or three beds so that we can stay together. Appearantly, Nazli requested Emir to already book one beforehand for so we wouldn't face the trouble to find one.

When Nazli opened the door, she ran and threw herself on one of the beds.
" I am exhausted! " Nazli claimed while harshly removing her scarf from her head and throwing it somewhere on the bed.
" How pretty! " I claimed while looking around the room.
" Exhausted? Flight was just of 1 hour and 25 minutes! " Hiranur said as she started removing her covering.
" Almost two hours! " Nazli sat up straight while her chocolate brown hair continued coming down til her elbows.
" Oh Nazli! You have really pretty hair. " I said with genuine acknowledgment and approached her.
" Thank you Katrina. So are yours! " She smiled at me. It was then my gaze darted from Nazli to Hiranur. It was then I was taken by shock.
" Hira... your hair are stunning, you're beautiful."
I said as I continued admiring her long, wavy brown hair which came down til her hips. Not only that, her facial harmony was making her look drop-dead gorgeous. Her hair weren't straight and indeed thick which added the spark to it.

" Thank you! " Hiranur smiled widely at me. Afterwards, she approached her suitcase and taking out her essentials and few clothes.
" It's my first time seeing your hair though... but they are really pretty. Why do you cover it then?" I questioned with curiosity written all over my face. Hiranur frozen at first, looked at me and just gently smiled.
" It is a commandment, that's why. "
" They are beautiful so shouldn't you show them off? "
" I can not allow random strange men on the streets or on social media to look at my beauty. And besides, I don't intend on disobeying my Lord. " Hira simply said this and continued doing what she was doing.
" This is her nature Katrina. You can't make her do anything which is against her beliefs. " Nazli claimed from behind while still laying down on the bed.
" Then people who want to obey their Lord cannot be made astray by anybody? " I questioned as my gaze went from to Nazli to Hiranur again.
" If they wholeheartedly obey their Lord and fear him. If they have been guided by Allah himself, then nobody has the power to astray that person. " Hiranur told me in a calm voice as she walked up to the dressing table and started brushing her hair.
" What's up with you Katrina? It's unusual for you to ask such questions. " Nazli asked with an interested look in her face and smirked at me. " Getting interested in Islam? "
" No. I was just curious. " I said, lowering my voice. But who knew? That I truly was beginning to get interested in Islam.