The Muslim Criminal

Chapter 22 - Evidence

I'm all alone which is something I hate. I hate it because it lets my mind take control and make me think about things. My mind drifts of to what happened the day I got the papers signed.

I walked into the station where Chief was quietly working. Other officers were shouting at the prisoners. Being the dramatic me, I slammed the papers on the desk making him jolt up and look at me.

He shakes him head slightly.
"What's this?" He asked.
I take a seat.
"Read it and find out"

He looks through the papers and I watch as his expressions change. From him being confused and frowny to shocked with a hint of happiness.

"How did this-"
"See the thing is, Nuh cannot manage a business as well as it seems. He has people in lower levels check the minor contracts and he signs them without a second glance. When I take over I swear there is a lot of fixing to do"
"That's if you want to take over. I've told you many times Zayna, you don't have to go into business"
"I know. I just need to. It's for her"

"So. Are you going to sign?" I ask him.
He sighs deeply.
"It feels wrong"
"Why?"
"Because this is behind his back. I don't want this to happen like this. We need him to fully co-operate with this"

My body tenses.
"If it's going to be like that. Then why don't you just tell me that you don't want this to happen. I wouldn't have gone through all this"
"Zayna. You know it's not that"
"Then what is it. All my life I've been waiting for the day you become my dad, my legal dad so I can finally get away from that monster. But now when I'm this close to making that happen your not ready. And your scared"
"I'm scared because by law this is illegal and we could get in trouble for this"

I sigh and lean back on my chair.
A long pause comes between us.
"Fine. When shall this happen?"

We talk a bit more deciding what I should do. I also show him another paper that I got signed and he was very happy about that.

"So how was Daniel's birthday?" I ask with a smile.
"No need to fake with me"
"I just. I really wanted to be there, I know I can't which is one of the reasons I actually want to be back here"
"Zayna, pretty soon you'll be able to be with them whenever"
"In sha Allah" I say with a sigh.
He repeats after me.

After talking a little more I get up to go home.
Ibrahim was standing at the stairs when I opened the door.
"Why are you still awake?" I ask him.
"Just waiting for you"
"Really?"
"No actually I have a problem"
"Come on tell your big sis" I tease a bit.
He rolls his eyes and follows me into the kitchen where I make hot chocolate.

"There's this girl" he starts.
My eyes glare at him.
"I'm kidding, I knew you'd get angry" he smirks.
I roll my eyes.
"No seriously, I have a problem with my friends"
"What's up"
"Well, you know how I said Adam and Ayub are my true friends. I really care about them but it feels like Ayub has a problem he's not telling us. He keeps missing days of school and whenever he's here, he's always in a daze. I don't know what to do. I want to help him, but he's not saying anything"
"Want me to talk to him?"
"You?"
"Yeah, sometimes some people say their problems to strangers mainly because they feel like they'll never see them again. And if not then I can just tell him that I'm your sister and I mean no harm"
"I. I guess so"

I finish the last drop of my hot chocolate along with Ibrahim and we head upstairs. Another problem to deal with.

I can't help but think about how many problems I've seen, why is the world so... Confusing. It's like I'm the only one that sees these problems, everyone else either causes the problems or ignores them.

I can't fix everything I know that, but I feel like I've got a lot going on.
School work, homework, work work, Ibrahim, Chief, Rehab, don't forget eating. Yeah I've been forgetting to eat, I know it's awful! Anyways I also have my Islamic duties, I want to know more about Islam, I only know the basics because I couldn't learn much before. The main thing is my plans with Nuh. Speaking of, I have something to do.

I get out of my room after getting ready for work then knock on Amira's door. I hope I can do this without vomiting!

She opens the door looking the same as ever. Caked makeup and tight clothing. I'm pretty sure her blood circulation has stopped, but the thing is has she realised?

I smile at her and she looks too shocked to describe.
"May I come in?"
She opens the door wider and I enter her room. The scent of strong perfume hits me like a truck making me feel dizzy.

"Zayna, what brings you here?"
"As you know I've come to terms with Nuh and we have started a new leaf, since you are his wife I hope I can expect the same from you. I know we've had fights and arguments but I just want to say that you were right, I was wrong and I'm sorry for everything I did to hurt you. I just hope you can forgive me" I finish with an innocent look on my face. I feel sick!

I watch as her face melts, no not the makeup melting, her face melting as in she's falling for my act.

"Oh, I'm sorry too" she says with tears so I decide to bring mine in. She hugs me tightly and all I'm wishing for is a shower to scrub the germs off of me! My arms wrap around her even though I'd much prefer punching the living daylights out of her.

"You know I had a feeling that when you came you would ruin our lives, but a part of me said that you would fix us instead. This family isn't what it seems but you've already started to fix it"
"Really how?"
"Oh never mind, tell me what made you change your mind"

"Well Nuh did. He changed me, I realised that I really wanted his love

"Really? I know it may seem as if he cares but are you sure?"
"Why are you asking all this?" I ask casually hoping my eagerness doesn't show.
"Well, I hope I can confide in you?"
"Of course, you are my-" I stop myself. She shows a look of guilt.
"Is it ok if I still call you Amira, I mean-"
"Of course. I understand"
"Anyways, I wanted to say that you can trust me" I smile.
"Well, before Nuh seemed like he really cared about me. Like he realy loved me but now. He's very... Distant. He doesn't do all the things he used to" she looks at me and gives a nervous smile.
"It's silly, forget all this"
"No, it's not. I mean, I get it. Sometimes people change"
She smiles gratefully.
"I have homework to do" I lie, luckily she buys it.
"Oh ok. Go do your work"

You're not the boss of me!

I walk out of the room. This will be a breeze.