Looking for her

Chapter 4 : Me? Steward?

I finally bought my tops. Forever 21 had some few modest tops, islamically appropriate and still following the tendency. Marilyn Monroe used to say : "your clothes should be tight enough to show you're a woman but loose enough to show you're a lady" I should add at this " but looser than tight especially if you are a Muslim woman".

I won't say I don't follow the trend, it'd be a lie. I follow it because I love shopping that's all and I still wear modest clothes, islamically appropriate, not so tight, and not so attractive. As for me, trend and Islam aren't two different concepts. You can follow both of them only if you know the limits Islam gives you.

I also bought what Ali wanted, a suit jacket. It took me a good hour with the girls to find THE suit jacket. It may JUST be a suit jacket, but it IS a suit jacket, and to find THE one among a lot is a good exercise of patience. I now, understand why he wanted me to buy it, because he didn't know which one to buy. Adding at how indecisive person he is.

We get back home at around five, we prayed Zuhr (the second prayer in Islam) in a masjid(mosque)of the city, and it was almost time for Asr (third prayer). I slowly but surely made my way to my bedroom holding a good dozen of shopping bags. I was tired, how can we be so excited by shopping knowing how tired we become after? I slumped in my bed, looking at the ceiling for a minute.

I didn't share my room as the other do. Being the eldest have its good sides telling the truth. Many paintings were hung on the walls. Brushes could be found everywhere in my bedroom, on my desk, my bedside even on my closet (the new ones that I didn't use yet). I also had my own faucet since I painted and washed my brushes.

Painting was a real passion for me because it helped me express myself. It helped me draw my thoughts, my dreams, and my desires. I began painting at the age of ten, I used to paint a house, and people all around wish I guessed were my parents. I began painting my desires at first, which meant having a family. My drawing then evolved by the years and I began painting landscapes, flowers and mountains. More mature themes, I've always drawn to move on but not without a tip of nostalgia concerning my childhood. My masterpiece was a sketch of the orphanage I have drawn two months ago. It was hung in the hall so everyone who entered would see it.

I remembered how hard I've worked on it, thanks God it has been designated as the winner of the drawing contest. I wanted to show them that even if without parents, without a real family, I could express myself and have a little place in this big world.

I sighed and sat on my bed. I just remembered Aunty Ruqaya wanted to see me. I prayed Asr and made my way to her office not without a tip of enthusiasm.

"You wanted to talk to me Aunty? Sorry if I'm late there was some problems on the road back" I asked, sitting on the chair in front of her.

"It's okay sweetheart" She poured me a cup of tea and gave me some Oreos. Sweet of her but she knows how I love them and she only gave them to me because of one reason: she wanted me to do something. She looked at me drinking and lay on her chair keeping carefully watching me.

I hate when people stare at me eating so I put my cup on the table and said,

"What am I supposed to do Aunty?"

She raises an eyebrow and smiled. "If it was not you, I swear I'll give him the punishment of his life. But the problem is, it IS you but still show me a little of respect young woman please."

I lowered my gaze and she continued.

"You were right, I need you for something dear. You know Zahra Ismail."

"Yes of course, she is the founder of the orphanage." Where is all that about? I wonder what she's going to tell me, I'm a little scared telling the truth.

"Exactly, she'll come next week Insha'Allah with her husband and her son. Unfortunately, Jamal won't be here to welcome them in the entrance and to take care of them as he usually does. So I wanted Ali and you replace him for that special day. I already informed him and so I'm informing you too."

I opened my eyes widely, surprised. So that was the reason why he wanted a suit jacket.

"Hum...ok but what am I supposed to do? Why are they coming anyway?"

"I organized a reception. Don't remember? I told you about it a month earlier I think. It'll be a charity reception and a good opportunity to build a reputation with the non-Muslims." She explained me not with a tiny bit of excitement in her tone.

I remember now the day she told the entire orphanage. I was having exams so I haven't paid attention to it. The mayor and a journalist will come too, as she said a good opportunity for the orphanage.

"Ok but what am I supposed to do?"

"I need you to welcome Zahra and her family when they'll arrive and to constantly be on their side."

"I see, I'm going to be like a servant or steward?"

"Yes something in that kind"

I nodded and smiled, that was okay for me as long as the children let me do my job. She nodded too and added,

"I chose you because I know you are the only one able to do it habibti." I smiled and ate the last Oreo.

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