The Other

25

(Zulaykha)

I hop out of the shower as I throw my hair in a messy bun. I throw a white towel around my body and step out the bathroom to see Hana standing there.

I screamed, for she had startled me. I rolled my eyes and continued to walk to my bedroom. I closed the door and locked Hana out, but as soon as I turned around, she was standing right in front of me. I sighed.

"Hana..." I said. "There's this little thing us humans value... Yeah... It's called PRIVACY." I snapped.

Hana let out a laugh. "I'm sorry." she apologized. "It's just...my life is so different now. I almost forgot how it felt to do everyday human things."

I looked at Hana. I wanted to ask her something that I've been dying to ask, but I knew it was wrong of me to even think about something like that.

But of course, I just had to say it...

"Hey, Hana..." I spoke. "What's Allah like?"

Hana gasped and shook her head. Her eyes widened. "Zulaykha!" she yelled. "You know you're not supposed to be thinking that! I won't tell you that until you're in paradise, so get that thought out of your head!" Hana spoke as if she were my mother.

I sighed and pouted. "I know, I know, I know." I said. "It's just that...I'm so curious. Allah is the most beautiful and perfect being to ever exist in the universe!" my eyes were watering. I just love Allah so much.

I began to get dressed. I threw on a white shirt with a black abaya, black leggings, and my black and white huaraches. Simple.

I was going to head downstairs to get some breakfast when I had heard boys' voices downstairs. It was Ziyad, Yasin, and another boy.

I quickly turned back around to head to my room and throw on my favorite black hijab.

I then headed back down the stairs. As I entered the living room, I had caught the attention of the boy who Yasin and Ziyad were with. He just stared at me.

"Oh, Zulaykha, this is my friend, Mohammed." Ziyad introduced him.

I smiled and waved at Mohammed. "Asalaam alaikum." I said.

"Wa alaikum salaam." Mohammed said slowly. He looked as if he were dazed and confused or in a trance... What was up with him?

I entered the kitchen to make some toast and tea. Suddenly, Yasir had walked through the front door. Where was he? He looked at me with a worried expression.