Veil of Truth

Chapter 5

She woke up to the sound of the alarm ringing at 4 in the morning. After getting out of bed, she went through her morning routine: performing her prayers, reciting Surah Yaseen, and doing some meditation. By the time she finished, it was already 7 AM, so she started preparing breakfast for herself and her parents.

Yesterday had been a wonderful day for her—she had finished her finals and, on top of that, her parents had surprised her with a visit. She still couldn't figure out why they had kept it a secret from her, and it bothered her. She decided that today, she would talk to them openly about it.

She finished preparing breakfast by 8:30 AM and called her parents to join her at the table.

"As-salamu alaykum, Mama, Baba. I hope you both slept well," Amina said, greeting her parents as her mother opened the door with a warm, beautiful smile.

"Walekum As-asalam," her mother replied, still smiling. "Yes, beta."

"Breakfast is ready," Amina announced, a hint of excitement in her voice.

"We'll freshen up and come out shortly," her mother said, stepping back to give her space.

"Hmm, come quickly! I'll be waiting," Amina said, her tone light and playful.

"Yes, Amina," her father replied from the other side of the room, his attention briefly on his phone. He looked up and smiled at her before returning to his device.

Amina began setting the dining table, arranging the dishes and cups carefully. She then took a seat, waiting for her parents to join her. By this point, she had almost forgotten about the mysterious boy from the party. Her mind was focused on her parents now and the conversation she was planning to have with them later.

Soon, her parents came into the dining room, sat down, and began their breakfast. They engaged in light conversation, asking her about how life had been for her lately.

"So, how are you adjusting to life here, Amina?" her father asked, taking a sip of his tea.

Amina smiled. "It's going well, alhamdulillah. I'm getting more comfortable with everything. The classes, the routine... it's all falling into place."

Her mother nodded, looking at her with concern and affection. "And how is your friend Layla?"

Amina's smile widened. "Layla is doing great. We've been spending a lot of time together. She's a big support, especially with everything happening at school."

Her parents listened intently, exchanging a look of approval. "We're glad to hear you have a good friend like Layla," her father said, his tone reassuring. "It's important to have someone you can rely on."

Amina nodded, but the conversation still lingered on her mind. She felt like there was something her parents weren't telling her. But for now, she pushed those thoughts aside, focusing on the breakfast and the moment with her family.

It was Amina's day off, and she decided to take her parents around London to show them the city. They visited many famous places, enjoying the sights and sounds of the bustling city. The last stop of the day was one of London's largest shopping malls. Amina wanted to pick up a few things for herself and for her parents, especially with her graduation day fast approaching and the start of her foundation year next month.

As they walked through the mall, Amina was busy looking at some items when she suddenly spotted her best friend Layla. Layla was with her mother, Mrs. Sarah. Amina smiled and walked over to greet them.

"Assalamu alaykum, Aunty, how are you?" Amina said, her voice warm as she approached Mrs. Sarah.

"Wa alaykum as-salam, beta. I'm fine, alhamdulillah. And how are you?" Mrs. Sarah replied with a smile, her tone kind. Though she was originally from India, she was fluent in both Hindi and English. Her husband, on the other hand, was from London, so Layla had grown up speaking mostly English.

"I'm doing well, alhamdulillah," Amina said, then turned to Layla with a grin. "It's so good to see you!"

After exchanging pleasantries with Layla and her mother, Amina decided to introduce her parents to them.

"Mama, Baba, I want you to meet my best friend, Layla, and her mother, Mrs. Sarah," Amina said, gesturing to her parents.

Her parents smiled warmly. "It's a pleasure to meet you both," her father said. "Amina talks about you often."

Layla's mother smiled back. "It's nice to finally meet you. Amina has been such a wonderful friend to Layla."

Amina's mother nodded, returning the smile. "It's always a blessing to see our children make good friends."

As the conversation continued, Mrs. Sarah's gaze softened as she looked at Amina with pride. "You know, you're really lucky to have such a wonderful daughter," she said, turning to Amina's parents. "Amina is not only beautiful on the outside, but her inner strength and faith are truly remarkable. You've raised her well."

Amina's parents smiled warmly, their faces beaming with pride. Her father nodded. "We are indeed very blessed, alhamdulillah."

Amina felt her heart swell with gratitude at Mrs. Sarah's kind words, but she also felt a little shy. "JazakAllah khair, Aunty," she said softly. "I'm just trying to do my best."

Mrs. Sarah chuckled gently. "Well, you're doing more than your best, Amina. You're setting an example for others to follow. It's not easy, but you make it look effortless. You're a blessing to your parents."

Amina's mother placed a hand on her shoulder, her voice filled with love. "She truly is," she agreed. "We are proud of her, not just for her achievements, but for the person she is inside."

Amina's heart fluttered, touched by the praise. She glanced at Layla, who gave her a supportive smile. It was a moment of deep appreciation, and Amina felt thankful for the people around her who saw her efforts and supported her.

"Alhamdulillah, I'm so lucky to have you all in my life," Amina said, her voice filled with sincerity.

"May Allah always bless you, Amina," Mrs. Sarah said, her eyes twinkling with warmth. "And may He continue to guide you on the right path."

"Ameen" Amina said, with a smile.

Mrs. Sarah, seeing the warmth between the two families, smiled at Amina's parents and then, with a kind and welcoming gesture, said, "You know, it would be lovely if you could come over to our house tomorrow. I'd love to host you for dinner and have a proper chat. Please, bring Amina with you as well."

Amina's parents exchanged a look, a bit hesitant at first since they had only just met. Her father cleared his throat, then responded politely, "Oh, that's very generous of you, but we don't want to trouble you. We've only just met today, and it feels a bit too soon."

Mrs. Sarah smiled gently, understanding their hesitation, but she insisted, "Please, it would be no trouble at all. I would really love for you to come over. It's just a small dinner, and it would be a great opportunity for us all to get to know each other better."

Her mother hesitated for a moment, then smiled faintly. "Well, it's very kind of you, but we've only just met. Are you sure it's not too much trouble?"

Mrs. Sarah reassured her with a warm smile. "Not at all, it would be my pleasure. I'm really looking forward to it. It'll be a nice evening, inshaAllah."

After a moment's pause, Amina's father gave a small nod, deciding it was a kind offer they couldn't refuse. "Alright then, if you're sure, we'd be happy to join you tomorrow evening."

Mrs. Sarah's face lit up with a bright smile. "I'm so glad! We'll prepare a simple meal, and I'm sure it will be a lovely evening."

Amina's father smiled back, "Thank you for your generosity. We look forward to it."

Amina's heart warmed at the exchange. She couldn't wait for tomorrow's dinner. It would be a great chance to spend more time with Layla and her mother, and she was excited to see the bonds of friendship and family grow stronger.

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