Two-Faced

Limited Time

I'm going to live with nano. I'm going to live with nano. I'm going to live with nano. I repeated this statement over and over in my head. But this can't even happen! The last time nano saw me I was...I was...well...different.

~•~

After thinking for a few hours, pondering over different things, I developed a plan. I could stay like who I have become over the past few years...or I could change for nano...and become the Muslim she has hoped I would become. I am only fourteen, but this is probably the toughest desicion I will ever make in my life.

"Aaliyah, dear," says Aunt Tameera.

I am living with my aunt, her husband and their ten kids. I can't stay with them, because of all the kids they have. Living with nano would be the more reasonable choice and I know I need to think of others in my decision.

"Yes, Auntie."

"You're probably wondering when you're going to leave?"

Funnily enough, I was.

"Yes, Auntie."

I don't know why I kept saying the same thing to my aunt. It's like my creativity was zapped out of my soul ever since I heard the morbid news. Whatever. I'm going to move in with nano anyways and I guess that's going to restore some of my happiness...or so it's supposed to.

"Well do you want to finish grade eight?"

I do. I really do. I want a perfect last two weeks with my best friends, before we...I mean I go a separate way from them all. I think of all this.

But I only ask one thing.

"Why can't nano come here?"

"Your nano has adapted to where she is living. Aaliyah, she is growing old now and a change of environment won't help her health. And besides, I think that you should have a change of living and way of life."

"Okay, Auntie."

I left the room and went outside to the front porch. I'm going to finish eighth grade at least.
While I was sitting on the porch, I realized I had a text from Kate.

Kate: Al, what happened? You okay?

I didn't know what to reply. Breaking the news to my best friend that my parents died. Why couldn't she get the information elsewhere? She was still typing and when she sent her text I saw that the last text was from Literacy class.

Kate: Aaliyah, I am so, so sorry. I just heard about your parents and it must be hard for you to take this all in all of a sudden. Where are you right now? Do you want me to come over? We got homework which I was supposed to give to you...but never mind about that. Tell me if you want me to come over, or what okay? Just remember that I'm always here for you no mater what.

This message made me cry. I don't usually cry, and these were silent tears. Just a few streaming down my cheek onto my chin.

I didn't reply to her text, rather I just went inside the house and upstairs to the room I was staying in. I am close with my cousins, but I wasn't feeling it at this time.

~•~

I changed into some sleeping clothes and removed my makeup. It was a mess anyways after the horrors of today. Feeling depressed, I went on Twitter and scrolled through the latest tweets.

There wasn't anything interesting, so I went on Instagram and liked some photos...photos about death and depression. I thought it would make me feel better, but it really didn't. I still didn't show my emotions on the outside though.

Khillat came into the room scrolling through her phone.

"Hey Laila baji...look at th-"

She stopped in the middle of her sentence when she saw me sitting in her room. She started backing out, when I called out to her.

"Khillat! Come here, show me!"

She hadn't quite closed the door yet, but she was reluctant to come back in.

"I want you to talk to me," I said. "I'm bored!"

She had a confused expression on her face. It took me a moment to realize why.

My parents died today and all I can do is say that 'I'm bored.'

"Don't worry I'm fine," I said.

She came in and showed me a cool website that she found where you could make posters. Khillat was into typography and stuff like that so I think she really liked it. She had already made 3 posters.

"Hey, do you want to talk?" I asked her.

"Sure, what's up?"

I took a deep breath then started.

"I'm leaving your house in 2 weeks and going to live with my nano across the country. But like, last time she saw me, I was just starting middle school. I was innocent and different. I was my nano's little girl. Now, I feel like she's going to be upset with me. I don't know what to do."

Khillat stayed quite for a few moments, then replied.

"Aaliyah, I wish I could help you, I really do. But unfortunately, this is your life, not mine. I can't tell you what to do. You need to make the decision. Do what your heart tells you what's right. But make sure that whatever you do, it makes you happy. I think that you've had enough to process for one day. Sleep on what happened today, and maybe you'll feel better tomorrow. I'm going to leave you now, so find some sleep, okay? I'll see you in the morning."

She kissed me on the cheek and left the room.

I went to sleep with thoughts swirling around in my head. At least it was Friday and I didn't have to face school and weird questions tomorrow.

~•~

Nano = Maternal Grandmother
Baji = Older Sister

~•~

Sorry for the really late update! This past while has been CRAZY! I'm really sorry for updating late, but here's the new chapter, I hope you liked it;)

Aaaaand some people told me that they didn't like the format to be centered...maybe I'll change it but I don't know yet...I like things being centered but I sort of agree that it's kind of annoying because in normal books it's not formatted center so...

Also, WHO IS EXCITED FOR HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD?? I am TOOOOOOOOO excited!!! But there's more than 5 months left!! I just want it to be realeased RIGHT NOW!!

Anyways, I promise the next update will be some time this week...I promise;)