Life Under the Hijab | ✔

{1} Family Issues and Unexpected Visitors

Zaynub Khalid

Beep Beep.

That was my phone alarm, alerting me that class was over. Biology class was definitely one of my favorites, no matter how annoying it could get.  I couldn't wait to go home. Amu (mother) said that we had visitors coming. She said it was a surprise I was excited. 

I got into my car, but instead of going home I went to Starbucks. Normally, I wasn't the biggest fan of coffee, but my last class had completely drained my energy. In fact I was ready to go home, fall on my bed, and not wake for an eternity. I was that tired. 

While I was drinking my coffee, my phone started beeping. I pulled it out and saw I got a text from my older brother, Amir.

Zaynub,

Hurry up! U need to come home instead of drinking coffee! We have visitors so hurry up, nimrod!

-Amir

How did he know I was drinking coffee? I shook my head, amused. Siblings had a bond like no other, especially my siblings and I. They knew me too well. Amir was twenty-five. Luckily, he was married to an amazing girl, Noorah. She was only twenty though, but she was carrying my brother's child. 

She and Amir have been married for one year now. Amir was really handsome and smart. No wonder he ended up with a cute girl like Noorah. Those two were currently living with us since Amir couldn't find a good house to buy. Personally, I thought he just really loved his family to move out.

Then there was my little sister, Hajar. Hajar was twelve years old but she was really pretty. She had flawless skin and long, silky black hair just like I did. She was the only one in our family that had hazel eyes. I was extremely jealous of them as a child. 

 She recently started wearing the hijab (headscarf). I remember when I first started wearing it. I was bullied for a while but it soon stopped. I hoped that would not be happening to Hajar. She deserved better than to be treated like that.

As I made my way back to the car my phone started ringing. I rolled my eyes, if that was Amir again, I was going to give him a piece of my mind. I answered my phone, but as soon as I was about to open my mouth to say something I heard sobbing. It was Amu.

"Amu, what's wrong?" I asked.

"Y-Your uncle i-is getting b-beaten...  " she sobbed.

"What? Why?" I asked furiously.

"T-They wanted him to give t-them money. My cousin hired people to h-hurt him. N-No one can help him," she cried.

"Stay strong Amu, I'm coming home," I tried to reassure her.

"T-that's not all."

"Hold on I'm coming home right now. Amu, all you can do now is make duaa to Allah and ask Him to help uncle," I told her.

With that said, I rushed home. I had forgotten my keys so I started knocking frantically, completely forgetting about our guests. After the third knock. the door opened to reveal Hajar. Her eyes were red and puffy. It was obvious that she was worried about our uncle and the Muslims in Bangladesh. 

She stepped aside to let me in. I heard voices in the living room, so I rushed there. As soon as I walked in, I swore my jaw hit the ground. The one person I despised was standing in front of me. Zakir. Zakir Khan.

* * * *

Zakir Khan

I almost smirked at her reaction, but I decided against it. Man, Zaynub changed a lot. She wasn't that awkward nerd in the corner anymore. She got really slim and beautiful. Her eyes were a warm chocolate color. I could get lost in them. 

Her lips were plump and pink. Her skin had a beautiful island glow to it. Wait, what's wrong with me? I shouldn't be thinking like this. She probably hated me for what I did to her. I wouldn't blame her if she was. I was a terrible person back in high school.

When we were in high school people actually thought I was a cool guy. I started acting like an arrogant jerk around Zaynub and one day I took it too far. I called her fat and ugly just to be deemed 'cool.' I regretted that day so bad. 

To this day I still begged Allah for forgiveness. I thanked Allah everyday for leading me back on the straight path. I couldn't imagine the pain I caused Zaynub.

Zaynub finally snapped out of her shock and quickly put on a fake smile.

"Assalamualaikum," she said.

"Waalaikumassalaam," my family and I greeted.

Zaynub's uncle was getting beaten by his cousins because they got greedy for money. There was also a massacre going on in Bangladesh and it was happening near the place our families were in. Obviously they were worried. That's why I came here and another reason which my parents refused to tell me.

I was the oldest in my family. I had three sisters, Laila, who was one year younger than Zaynub. Deeliyah, who was fourteen and Khadijah who was twelve.

"Okay, Zaynub and Zakir. We would like to talk to you both in private. So boys and girls could you give us some privacy," my father politely asked.

Everyone nodded and left. After the door was shut our parents turned to Zaynub and I.

"I assume you both are wondering why you're here," Zaynub's father stated. "Given the current situation, I'm afraid this announcement cannot be delayed."

We both nodded. Then it was my mother's turn to speak.

"Zakir you have reached the age of marriage and so have you Zaynub," she says gently.

I'm not quite sure I like where this is going.

"We would like you two to consider marrying each other," Zaynub's mom interrupted as she wiped her eyes, her husband's hands on her shoulder.

"What?" Zaynub and I said at the same time.

"I can't get married now Ma, and even if I do at least let me choose my bride," I pleaded.

"I agree with Zakir. Can we have a choice on this?" asked Zaynub.

"Alright, we'll let you chose but we would like you two to marry each other. Forget about the past. You both have changed so just think about it alright. And may Allah guide you two to make the right decision," my father pleaded.

Zaynub and I mumbled an "okay." With that we both left the room.

I took a glance at Zaynub and noticed that her face was expressionless. I wondered if we ever could get married. I mean it was hard to refuse our parents when they asked us something like that. It would make everything awkward if we didn't go with it. Would Zaynub accept me as her husband? I shrugged, never in a million years.