Serenity and Smile

chapter 11

She sat in the last row while her mother was still praying just in front of her. It was her mother's idea to attend Isha prayer in the mosque. She sat in the corner of the room with her legs folded, looking at her brother, who was playing with other kids. She smiled and then sighed. She looked around; the room had walls covered with white paint, and a wall of white cardboard was separating it from the men's prayer room, while the white LED lights illuminated the space. It wasn't as large as it could have been, she realized.

She sat there wondering about her life and how things were going. She made friends, she saw stuff that she shouldn't have, she got bullied and guy who helped her happened to be connected with her new friend circle. She thought about Suhail after so long. " It was him that day?". She didn't get the time to react to their semi reunion because of Ali.

" Ali, what happened to him at that day?" She asked looking at Ali who was still playing with a group of kids he meet few minutes ago and yet he fit in so quickly and naturally.

" Ali ". She called him after the prayers was finished, their mom was busy meeting with other ladies while she was putting on her shoes.

Ali came, beaming with excitement. His eagerness caught her attention, and she asked, "What's got you so thrilled?"

"Promise me you'll get me whatever I want, Sis?" asked the 12-year-old boy.

" Ok but What's the big deal?"

"Yusuf told me about this awesome Syrian restaurant near here! They have super yummy food and a cool shop with Syrian stuff!"

" Oh , Really? " she inquired as if she couldn't believe what she just heard.

" Yes. Pls I am hungry and we have to go there, pls don't say no", he pleaded

" Ok ok , but how are we gonna buy stuff I don't have money on me now".

" We can ask Mama and that will do , actually you can do it ". he said smiling cheekily.

This brat . Ayesha had urge to say no but she was excited as well but asking their mother and convincing her was way more difficult than going to the shop.

" Ok , I will ask but What if it won't worked out the way you are expecting it to be and what if she doesn't have any money on her right now."

" It would work out have faith in me " he said while making a fist with his right hand.

" About the money you don't have to worry. She has it ".

" How do you know? "

" Because I slipped her wallet in her bag ", he said with a smirk plastered on his face.

Ayesha was surprised once again with her very own brother.

She wanted to give him a pat on the shoulder but now was not the time.

She turned toward her mother who was busy talking to her friends and hesitating, she walked toward her while her brother followed .

Ayesha approached her mother with a reluctant heart, Ali following behind with small steps. When they got close to her, she was alone with this aged woman to whom she was bidding goodbye, her back facing them. When they got close enough, their mother turned around to face them.

As she looked at them in confusion, her eyes shifted between them.

"What is it?" she asked.

"Well, the thing is..." they spoke in unison, then stopped, looking directly into each other's eyes.s
Their mother got more confused, a crease forming in her forehead .