Open Eyes

Chapter Two

Chapter Two

"Ladies and gentlemen," Sarima said, imitating her father's voice to the best of her ability, "my son and the future of Omar Foods: Saleem Omar." She turned her head slightly, just enough to see his face and she couldn't stop smiling as she saw his smile.

"So how does it feel to be the future CEO of one of the most successful halal food companies?" she asked him, looking over and reaching her fist towards his face, pretending as if she was holding a microphone. Her brother lightly pushed her hand away before returning it to the steering wheel as he continued to look at the road. She laughed.

"You know, I'm really happy for you Saleem," she told him, honestly.

"It feels good hearing you say that, you know? I might want to keep hearing it," he told her, his smile never wavering. Sarima rolled her eyes as she looked back towards the road, remembering how her brother seemed to have the biggest ego.

It didn't take long before they finally reached their house. She opened the door and got out of the car just as one of their workers went to Saleem and took the car keys to park the car.

The two siblings walked inside and as soon as they entered, Sarima could no longer endure the pain as she removed her high heels.

"You have no idea how good that feels." 

Saleem rolled his eyes at her before they walked towards the living room where their parents were sitting. She noticed that her mother was engulfed in a show while her father was busily scrolling down the screen of his tablet.

"You're finally home," their mother said. Sarima walked towards her and sat down beside her.

"Remind me why you asked me to tag along with him to that restaurant," she said to her mother. Her mother rolled her eyes at her.

"What's so bad about celebrating your brother's new position?" Aliyah asked, standing up to hug Saleem. She kissed him on the cheek several times before he gently pushed her away.

"I'm so proud of you, my son." Saleem couldn't hide his elation as he smiled at his mother upon hearing her words and kissed her on the cheek, surprising her.

"Thanks, mom." 

Sarima couldn't remove the smile on her face as she watched their exchange.

* * *

The next morning, Sarima was awaken by the sound of her phone vibrating on her bedside table. While half asleep, she reached over and picked up her phone to find that it was time for Fajr [1]. She smiled to herself as she sat up in bed and listened for any sign of her family members being awake. And when she didn't hear anything, she stood up, making sure to put on her slippers before quietly sliding out of her room.

The first place she went was her brother's door. She stood behind it and placed her ear close to the door. She stayed silent for a few moments as she listened for any movement and when she didn't hear any, she smiled and walked towards her parent's room.

When she didn't hear anything there, she tried to calm her quickly beating heart before walking to the head maid's quarters.

She knocked on Ms Nouri's door exactly three times before she waited for the door to open. And once it opened to reveal the elderly maid, she couldn't keep herself from smiling.

"As salaamu alaykum[2], Ms Nouri," she greeted her. She watched as the elderly woman smiled back and replied to the greeting before stepping aside to allow her to enter.

"Did you already make wudhu[3]," Farrah Nouri asked as soon as Sarima entered. She shook her head.

"Not yet." The maid nodded before allowing her to use the washroom.