The Last Prayer

Chapter Eight

Chapter Eight

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I've always loved romance novels. Rami used to always make fun of me whenever he saw me curled up on the couch with my nose deep in a book. I didn't really care about what he said, the stories were always filled with perfect people and happy endings. But now, the tables have turned, now, Rami was living that perfect romance that I had fantasized about my entire life. Well, almost perfect.

I was sitting upright on my bed reading my new favorite romance novel, I couldn't really focus on the book, though. My parent's bedroom was right across from mine, and each and every word they spoke was perfectly audible.

"I still can't believe that Rami is getting married," I hear my mom say. "He has no idea what he is doing." A pregnant pause followed after her words.

"Let him do what will make him happy." My father said, and before I could listen in onto the rest of the conversation, the door of their bedroom was slammed shut, leaving me in complete silence once again.

I was already distracted enough and I knew that I wouldn't be able to continue reading my book, so, I got up and headed straight for Salma's room. Her room usually was left gaping open, but this time it was closed, just like every other door in the house. I slowly rapped my knuckles against the wooden door and awaited an answer. After a few seconds the door swung open to reveal my older sister, towering over me with tired eyes and wild hair. Salma stood at about five feet and six inches, she was tall enough to be a short model.

"What?" She asked. Without answering, I shrugged my shoulders and pushed past her and into her room. Her room was also the complete opposite of mine. Piles of books and carelessly thrown clothing littered the floor. I had to watch my step as I made my way to her bed and plopped down.

"I couldn't concentrate on my book, what's your problem?" I asked as I folded my hands across my lap.

"I was job searching, again." Salma gestures at the laptop sitting on her desk with several craigslist ads pulled up. "I just can't seem to find a job suitable for me, even if it's going to be temporary." She sighs and falls into her chair and runs a hand through her thick hair.

I tell Salma everything, and she tells me everything as well. We're like each other's therapists, free of charge. And since I tell her everything, I tell her all about what happened at school. How I had made the mistake of not eating breakfast, or even taking time to take a swig of water, and how my anemia and caused me to be sent to the nurse's office. I leave out the part about me fainting in class in front of everyone and having a boy catch me. My entire family was set on believing that I only fell in love with boys in books, and I wanted it to stay that way. I didn't need them trying to set me up with anyone.

"Wow, that must have been a really rough day." I nod, my mouth dry and exhausted from telling my tale.

"What about you, an thing special happen to you this week?" Salma shrugs at my question, her eyes almost look sad. "Well, my best friend is being taken away by some strange girl that I don't think I even like." She said it so fast, I was barely able to process her words.

"I thought I was your best friend," I say with a fake pout in attempt to my her smile. But Salma only cracks a crooked facial expression that I wasn't able to recognize. She was being a little over dramatic and selfish about the whole Rami-suddenly-getting-married-to-a-random-girl thing, but being dramatic and selfish was something that ran deep within our veins, so I couldn't blame her for being like this. I scooted closer to the edge of the bed and placed a hand over hers. "Hey, it's going to be okay." I reply, conjuring as much hope as I can into my eyes. "Maybe you become friends with Yasmina in the near future." She gives me a smile of gratitude as she pulls her hand away from mine and returns it to the keyboard of the laptop. Salma begins typing rapidly with determination written all over her face. It was obvious that she wanted to be alone, I walk out the door and close it behind me, making as little noise as possible on my way out.

As I headed down the hallway into my room, I stopped by my parent's bedroom and ever so lightly placed my ear on the door. Silence. Complete and utter silence. I was hoping that they hadn't finished their conversation and I could listen in. In that house, no one told me anything, so I have to find out myself. There's a saying: "If you want anything done, do it yourself." I live by that motto. Can't ask for a glass of water without someone mention "You have legs too", so why cause the fuss when you can do it by yourself?

My mind was still buzzing with activity as I dragged my lazy limbs into bed. I knew that I wasn't going to be sleeping anytime soon. So, I turned the light back on and continued reading my romance novel. In the book, a young girl lived in poverty her entire life until one day she stumbles upon a boy that just happens to be a prince. It's unrealistic, I know, but the impossible story plots make the stories almost irresistible. I guess you could say that it fuels me with hope, that maybe one day I'll find the perfect man and live a perfect life.

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"Guess what, guys?" Yasmina raised her hands in excitement as she jumped in front of the television screen. I was watching a very important news report about a puppy being found in a gutter while eating my third bowl of Cheerios.

"What?" I said lamely through a mouthful of cereal and milk. She then shoved a magazine into my face. The image in front of me looked like it was straight from a fairy tale. Elegant flowers and white gazebo right smack dab in the middle of it all.

"This would be perfect for the wedding venue!" Yasmina exclaims, her excitement sucking the desire to live right out of my body. I internally roll my eyes and nod as she continues to babble on and on about how perfect the wedding would be.

I glance up from my empty bowl of cereal and at the clock that reads 6:45. Time to go to school and be away from the wedding planning for six hours. I hurry out of my seat at the table and begin stuffing things into my backpack. It was finals week, and I would be texting all day today. Woohoo.

"Don't forget about the Nikah next week." Yasmina yells out then door whilst I head out toward the bus stop. I nod in acknowledgment and give her a wave. How could I forget about the biggest thing that has ever happens to my family? I actually was excited for the Nikah, especially the after party. There would be henna, dancing and food, delicious food. A Nikah is the marriage ceremony, where the father gives away his daughter to the groom and they exchange dowries and do other religious things.

When I got to the bus stop I was the only one there yet. I stuffed my hands into the pockets of my parka and pray for more students to arrive. I hated being alone at the bus stop. Another one of my irrational fears. The weather wasn't too bad that day, just a little chilly and barely any sunshine. Just the way I like it.

More people begin walking toward the bus stop, smiling at me or giving me a small wave, but that's about it. In this town, no one talks to nobody, we all keep to ourselves.

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Hello everyone! I hope you all are having a great summer vacation right now. And I also hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Don't forget to vote, comment and follow! :)

-Sumaya