Alan [A Muslim Story]

Chapter 3

I stuttered when I was asked about the model's condition, but Maryam was quick to cover it up for me and say it was for a more realistic purpose since some water molecules are present in the real theoritical idea or something, I couldn't hear it well as I was busy staring at her. She's wearing the pink hijab, the one she wore when we first met. She looked so beautiful. I wouldn't say she's a barbie material because her face doesn't attract me that much, it was something in her attitude I believe. She just makes my life a little less shittier by watching her speaking Chemistry fluently.

"Alan!" I snapped out of my thoughts because of my friend's voice. We are currently hanging out in his fathers' famous bar.

"I was in boarding school for a week and you already got yourself into weird shits," Jared laughed. He was forced by his father to go to the boarding school after he commited his 37th delinquency in his 5th school of the year. He is my childhood best friend and people always wonder why would a good boy like me befriend a scoundrel like him. But that's just us, we can never be separated. Plus, he has always been my partner in crime.

No shit I didn't, she got herself into me.

Did she?

I told him that she is not my type and it's really hard to date someone like her.

He replied by saying yeah right and handed me a shot. I took it but hesitated to drink, as I could hear Maryam's voice ringing in my head, telling me about why she detest liquor. This is nuts. I can't do this anymore. I can't be falling for her. I'll just take this as the side effect from the breakup. I put it down and head for the door.

"Hey Al, where you going?!"

"Home, I'm not feeling good," I told Jared and went to the beach. Santa Monica is quite nice at night.

It's almost 3AM, which means 15 hours has passed since the last time I talked to Maryam. What is she doing in my head? I couldn't stop thinking about her, despite knowing that she lives in a different world compared to mine. This is worse than love between the poor and the rich, the common people and the royals.

Jared is correct. I've gotten myself into something real weird.

I tried to close my eyes, lying on the back seat, not even planning to go home. Just when I was about to sleep, my phone rings. I pressed decline but in a few seconds another call slide in.

It was Maryam. I answered to hear her crying and pressuring me to come over. I quickly start my car and drive to her place to see cops surrounding it, some were already in the house.

My heart skipped a beat when I was trying to call her, with my shaking fingers. I can feel my heartbeat accelerating with an amazing speed. I can also feel adrenaline pumping out of the adrenal gland.

"Where are you?" I asked as soon as she answered.

"I'm across the street, nearby an old couple's house, with a hoodie." I turned my head towards the specific direction to quickly catch a glance on her. I rushed towards her and ushered her to get in the car.

"What was that, Mar?" I asked.

She was stunned by the nickname I gave her but answered my question anyways.

"My host parents were killed. And it's all my fault. I couldn't tell the police because they won't believe me," I almost got us into a car crash when I couldn't control the steering.

"I'm sorry for being too blunt, but I have no one else, I called your mother and she said you still haven't come home, so I called you,"

"Why would you call my mother?"

"I don't want to make it sound so urgent that I have to directly call you," she said.

"Is this not urgent?!!" I nearly died from being so worried of you, why can't you understand?

I brought her to my house and decided to sleep in the living room, while she sleeps in mine. Luckily, my mother took her time to clean my room, something she only does when she's happy.

I talked to her before we went to sleep. Apparently, she was not ready enough to fill me with the truth.

While I was lying on the couch in the living room, I saw a book, a familiar book. The book which basically helped us to bond. I opened with disinterest, flipping through pages but paused to read a page.

It says:
This world will eventually die, just like the people around us. When there is life, there is death, except for Allah Almighty(God). To live in it with a better way, make everyone around us, whom we love, as our worlds. Our small little worlds, which can be combined to form a big one. A home. Cherish every moment we have in this world with out little worlds, don't keep your ego too high because everyone will be gone, your little worlds will leave, and spending every second of their lives with you could be the only happy moments they have in life. Have empathy.

Rather than being complex and extremist-oriented, the book is rather simple and encourage a lot of great manners.

I almost fall asleep when I was awaken by a hand lightly shaking my arm, which is covered beneath my blanket. I opened my eyes to see her full face, staring down, telling me to wake up because my mother told her to.

"What is it, mom?" I asked.

"I'm leaving early tomorrow, and I wanna cook now, yes at 3AM, but I thought you might wanna suggest what you wanna eat because last time I made an early breakfast I found it with the trash," I was almost furious but I quickly told her I don't care, for real this time.

I heard my mother telling Maryam that she doesn't have to help before falling asleep, for real.

I can feel the sunlight trying to penetrate through my eyelids as I pulled my blanket over my face.

"Alan!"

"Whaatt..." I asked the person, I couldn't pinpoint who.

"You need to wake up,"

I opened my eyes the slightest bit to see her on her knees beside the couch.

"I need to tell you something. I'm not an exchange student,"

My eyes, involuntarily went wide open.

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Author's note:
Assalamualaikum and Hello my readers! Please please tell ok me if you don't like actions, because that's how the story will grow up. It's very important, thank you for reading.