BROKEN

Our Deal

"Fuad?"

"Yeah, it's me." he said.

"How are you here?" I asked.

"I'm on winter break and Tasneem and Naima told me about what happened." he explained. I looked around, Tasneem was standing in the corner of the room smiling.

"How did you get in here, didn't my mom see you?" I asked.

"Don't worry about that." he laughed.

"Fuad, how have you been?" I asked.

"A lot better alhamdulillah." he sighed and smiled. "I've really adjusted to life in New York. I'm happier, my grades are good, and I've gotten better with the religion."

"That's good. I'm so sorry for-" I began to apologize.

"I'm not here to listen to you apologize. I'm here to make sure you're okay." he interrupted.

"I'm fine." I lied.

"If you say so." he shrugged. "I'm sorry about your loss, may God have mercy on your brother's soul and may He grant him heaven."

"Ameen." said Tasneem

"Ameen." I said.

"So you two just sit in here all day and talk?" he asked.

"Yes, everyday." Tasneem said.

"Is it okay if I join today?" he looked at me.

"Sure." I said quietly.

"Tell us about New York." said Tasneem.

"It's loud. It made me miss quiet and boring Ohio." he laughed. "I've grown to enjoy it though." He went on and on and I quietly listened to him speak. He stood up and paced back and forth. I looked over at Tasneem, she seemed like she stopped paying attention a long time ago. But I listened attentively until he was done talking. I didn't realize how much I missed the sound of his voice until I went months without hearing it. He talked for a good hour and then looked at the time on his phone.

"I told my mom I would be home soon. I should probably get going." My heart sunk, a part of me didn't want him to leave.

"Will you be back?" I asked. He looked at me and then over at Tasneem.

"Tomorrow inshaAllah."

---

I woke up the next morning and got dressed again. I did my makeup and sat on my bed. I waited for them to come. Fuad came on his own.

"Where's Tasneem?" I asked.

"She's probably running late."

"How does my mom let you in my room?" He never really answered yesterday.

"Can you keep a secret?" he asked.

"Of course."

"Okay." he smiled. "Tasneem told your mom that I'm the only person that can get you out of this room."

"And my mom listened?" I asked.

"Why are you surprised?" he asked. "Your mother loves you, she'll try anything to make you happy."

"That's weird."

"How is that weird? My mom would do the same for me."

"Your mom hates me, doesn't she?" I asked.

"Why would my mother hate you?" he asked.

"I hurt you. She probably asked what happened to me after the picnic."