A Dozen Roses & A Plastic Ring

8

"Do you like my brother?"

"What?!" I was so startled, I accidentally choked on my drink.

Zaynab began to laugh. "Are you okay?"

"I'm okay," I managed to say after awhile. My throat was burning.

"So do you like him?" She repeated.

"I'm marrying Amir," I stated.

"That's not what I asked," she raised an eyebrow.

"No," I said slowly. "I don't."

"Mmmhmmm," she sipped her drink clearly not believing me. "Of course you don't." She winked.

"Let's watch a movie!" I changed the subject.

Throughout the whole movie, Zaynab was still watching me. It was unnerving. At least she wasn't still crying about that boy anymore.

|-|

"Zaynab get up! We're late!"

Zaynab told me last night she wanted to accompany me to my class. I had agreed of course. Hopefully this will cheer her up.

Zaynab turned away, "mm leave me alone! I'm tired."

"Zaynab. I will pour ice water on you!" I warned.

"No!!" She immediately stood up. "I'm awake! I'm awake!"

I smirked. "Good!"

"I'll be downstairs waiting for you, so hurry up!"

I laughed, watching her wobbling out the room to the bathroom clearly still tired. I went over to my dresser and grabbed my white hijab, than I headed downstairs where Mama was eating breakfast.

"Asalamu alaykum Mama," I greeted her.

"Wa alaykum asalaam," she replied. "You're late for class!"

"I know. Zaynab and I stayed up last night and I forgot to set an alarm."

Mama shook her head, "Is she still sleeping?"

"She's in the bathroom getting ready. She's coming with me to my class."

"Asalaamu alaykum," Zaynab came down at that time.

"Walaykum asalaam," Mama and I replied.

"Hurry up and eat girls!" Mama brought us our food.

|-|

"Zaynab! Pick up your feet! Come on girl!" I yelled behind me to Zaynab who was very slow.

"I'm trying!" She whined. "I don't run! I'm out of shape!"

"Yeah well me too, but that's not stopping me!" I laughed as she almost tripped.

When I finally reached the door of the class, I could hear a male voice speaking.

"...was his favorite."

"Wow I want to be like her!" One of my students was saying as I walked in.

Hisham was sitting on the rug in front of the classroom holding kids in his lap as he spoke.

I was definitely not expecting this.

"Um..."

"Miss Sheikh!" They all ran up to me as I walked in. "We missed you! We thought you were sick!"

"No, I'm sorry guys," I apologized. "I overslept."

The kids all shook their heads at me, making me laugh.