Two Hearts Apart

Chapter 17: Surprise

                                                                                        Note: A few years later

Zahraa scrambled to gather all her stuff before leaving, unconsciously going through the list in her mind. Purse in bag, check. Cellphone, check. Presents, check. Quickly, before leaving her bedroom, she glanced at her mirror one more time to make sure that her hijaab was perfectly in place. She hurriedly made her way to the front door, hoping that she hadn't forgotten anything. Her mother, Farida, was busy in the kitchen and stopped her as she hurried out.

"Relax" she said reassuringly "Miriam is not even here yet is she?"

"No" said Zahraa stumbling around with the presents. "She'll be here any second though- I just spoke to her now and she says that she's a few blocks away."

"So what time will Hafsah be there?" Farida asked."

"Well, we told Bilquis to hold her off for a while longer" replied Zahraa "but I don't know how much longer she'll be able to do that without Hafsah getting suspicious."

Zahraa, Miriam and a few other friends had decided to throw a surprise get together for Hafsah. Hafsah, married for 2 years now, was just one month away from giving birth to her first child. While Zahraa and Miriam had not been so close to Hafsah in high school, the three were now inseparable. Out of the confines of the restrictive high school atmosphere and the pressures that the teens faced, they had really actually come to appreciate and enjoy each other's company.

Since Hafsah had never been close to any of her family members, Zahraa and Miriam had gone all out in trying to make this time special for her. They had arranged a small get together between Hafsah's closest friends, made sure that her husband Suhail had made other plans, and ensured that the venue ( Hafsah's lounge), was well decorated and furnished for the event. Bilquis, another friend of Hafsah's had taken on the responsibility of keeping Hafsah out of the house. Everything was perfect- Until now. Now Miriam, who was on her way to fetch Zahraa, was 30 minutes late due to traffic, all the guests were awaiting their arrival, and Hafsah was getting extremely antsy to return home.

Just then Zahraa heard the sound of the hooter and immediately made her way out.

" Assalamu alaikum mummy!" she screamed as she ran towards Miriam's car. As soon as she entered Miriam gave her one of her 'chill out' looks to which Zahraa replied "Don't even tell me not to stress, we're already half an hour late!" Miriam knew better than to argue with an irritable Zahraa so she quickly got the car ready, waved to Zahraa's mother and drove off to Hafsah's house.

They were there in just 10 minutes and hurriedly set up all the final arrangements. No sooner had they arrived when Miriam's phone beeped with the arrival of a sms from Bilquis informing her that she and Hafsah were now headed home.

They had kept the invitation list small and intimate and had rearranged all the furniture in Hafsah's lounge. With comfy blankets spread out on the floor, tables spread with different savouries and snacks, one corner filled with all the presents and a big comfy chair for Hafsah to sit in; all the arrangements were finally done. Just then Miriam came into the lounge to get them all ready.

"Ok" she said. "Bilquis just sms'ed to say that they five minutes away. So it won't be much longer now. Everybody ready?"

Since they didn't all want to jump out and scream surprise at an 8 month pregnant woman, they had planned the perfect surprise. On Hafsah's arrival, Miriam would first go outside and present Hafsah with one present and a gentle surprise. Hafsah would be baffled to see Miriam there- after all, she was supposed to come home to her husband. Then slowly by slowly each one of her friends would each come out, ushering her into the house. This way, they thought, she would be afforded a gentle and subtle surprise.

When Hafsah and Bilquis arrived- ten minutes later, they all jumped up and prepared for all their roles. The plan went exactly as expected without any problems. Hafsah was graciously surprised, in fact, she actually began crying:

"You guys did all of this for me" she sobbed softly, "It's so sweet".

"Are you crying?" said Zahraa and Miriam in unison.

"Seriously Hafsah" continued Miriam, "It's just a silly little get-together, it's no big deal."

Hafsah, clearly hormonal, replied with a sharp admonition: "Of course it's a big deal, look at all that you guys did. There's food and presents, and food."

To this everybody laughed. For the past eight months Hafsah had been experiencing strange cravings and had been spending an increased amount of time eating. Her friends constantly teased her for all that she ate.

"Well then come and sit down already" Zahraa said excitedly. "For the next few hours we will be waiting on you hand and foot, just don't take us up on that foot offer ok? We've got all your favourites- there's even choc mint ice cream in the freezer, and we've got silly games, great presents and even better company."

And with that their little party got off to a great start.