Again Shauqina

Chapter 22- Of dreams and doves

Ramadhan was approaching in a few days' time. The new term had begun and though things are still tough on the Literature side, some things have settled down pretty well. The third term was always the shortest one, with the finals looming somewhere in the fourth term so all of us were mugging it up this time around. The notable different was Sammy—he was put on probation as a Student Councillor and he actually said he was glad, for that position did bring added stress on him.

On the home front, Zack was still my tutee for Malay Language and Aunt Sumaiyah became a familiar face in our home. Another who also made himself familiar to the family was Zahid. It first started with the durians but then the fruit gifts grew to include rambutans, dukus and even jackfruits. My family got along fine with both Zack and Zahid although both had characters as different as the sun and the moon. Zahid was always relaxed and fun-loving whereas Zack was more uptight and serious minded. In terms of character, Zack must surely be the more stubborn of the two.

As for Zafirah, I met her for our last weekly get-up before Ramadhan. That day, the super-charged Zafirah was more bubbly than usual. We had just ordered our food when she pushed her hand phone towards me.

'Eat your hearts out, Miss Hafeza! This happened just yesterday.'

I was used to Zafirah's sharing of photos and news. Like I said, she was a walking grapevine. I smiled and casually looked at the Facebook page she had opened, expecting some online boutiques with huge discounts on dresses and such. However, I found myself staring at the photographs of a Muslimah, apparently on her engagement day. There were photos of her and her family, of her engagement ring—a shining one-diamond beauty and also of her with her friends. She had simple make-up on and I was admiring the lovely pink lace gown she was wearing, her light pink hijab and matching lace shawl placed elegantly over her head. There was a photograph of her and her fiancé—he looked much older than her, tall and with a gentle smile. I was still staring at the Muslimah in the picture when that smile, those lovely eyes with the long-lashes and those long, delicate fingers made my eyes grew wider. I knew this lady! I then looked up at Zafirah.

'Zafir!!! This can't be—Rahimah?'

Zafirah was enjoying the shock she had caused. She nodded away and kept smiling gleefully. 'Na'am ya ukhti! Yes, yes, my dear sister! Our very own Miss Perfect!'

'Oh! Why is she always one step ahead of us, Zafir?' I said ruefully. 'Who's her fiancé? But, why now? At this age...she is in the same school as you right?'

Zafirah nodded her head knowingly.

'Her fiancé is five years older than her! He is not from the madrasah and in fact, has gone to Australia to continue his studies...he wanted to feel safe that nobody will kacau her, you know, 'potong jalan'...so he 'cop' her first...reserve her lah! Like reserving a seat here in this hawker center! Like tying her feet first so she cannot run away! Like—' Zafirah can get carried away with the similes.

'Okay, okay! I got the picture! Lucky her...' I sighed, still admiring the photos.

'So, when is your turn?'

'What do you mean?' I asked nonchalantly, taking a sip of my cool, pink bandung drink—a concoction of fragrant, rose syrup and milk, so heavenly on a hot afternoon such as that day.

'The madrasah fraternity is very small, and very close Eza...everyone knows about you and Zahid—and Zack,' Zafirah said softly, her demeanour serious.

I almost choked on my drink.

'What do you mean the madrasah fraternity? Everyone knows? Zack and Zahid? What do you mean? This is fitnah! The worst slander ever! Astargfirullah!'