StarCrossed

Chapter 1

Aiiiiiiirah! Wake up, you lazy girl!" I heard Ummee shout, but instead of getting up, I sunk deeper into my duvet, trying to drown out her voice and go back to my amazing dream—a dream filled with Nutella. Unfortunately, that dream was already snatched away.

"Ummee, I'm up!" I groggily mumbled, hoping she would believe me and leave. But I was so wrong. Suddenly, I was pushed off the bed, hitting the floor with a thud.

Okay... there goes my dream.

"Airah... You need serious prayers. At your age, I have to wake you up?" Mum said, shaking her head.

I groggily got up from the floor, looking like a zombie. (Trust me, I once looked in the mirror immediately after waking up—you'd believe the zombie part.)

"That's because it's too early, ummee! It's advisable to sleep for 12 hours, but I'm sure I just slept for four or so," I whined, pouting.

"Stupid girl. It's advisable to sleep for eight hours, and I'm sure you've been sleeping for more than twelve. You've even destroyed the alarm I put on your drawer."

I remembered hearing some noise while I was sleeping but couldn't remember what it was. So that was the alarm.

"Ummee, why would you put an alarm in my room? You know I hate them."

"Ya Rabbi! Just get ready and come downstairs. Abba's waiting for you."

Oh Allah, I totally forgot! Abba said we were going out today to collect some credentials for an interview next week.

I rushed into the bathroom, took a quick bath, brushed my hair and teeth, then threw on a peach sleeveless gown, a black blazer, and a peach scarf.

I rushed down the stairs, almost tripping (yeah, I'm clumsy—sue me). When I reached the living room, I saw Abba reading the paper.

"Ina kwana, Abba?" I greeted.

"Abba, I'm late. I told Ummee to wake me up early but she didn't."

I'm definitely my daddy's pet. He doesn't see most of my faults. I know he knows I'm lying, but I know he'll just agree with me anyway.

"Don't mind her, my darling. She's just jealous we're going out without her. Eat something, so we can go."

I smiled widely and headed for the kitchen, where Ummee was making coffee, which I knew was for Dad.

"Yum, Ummee! All this for me?" I motioned to a pile of pancakes with strawberry whipped cream. My stomach even grumbled at the sight.

"Keep your lazy hands off my pancakes. There's more batter, make your own," she snapped. "Lazy girl. Should I follow you to your husband's house and make you breakfast?"

Knowing Ummee well, I knew she wouldn't give me any of the pancakes, so I did what I had to do. I snatched two pancakes and ran to the living room, right next to Abba.

"What happened? Why are you running and eating like a starved beggar?" Abba asked, looking at me. I couldn't say anything, as my mouth was full, so I pointed toward the kitchen, where Ummee was coming out, spatula in hand.

Abba looked from her to me, and then we both burst into laughter. Ummee tried to reach for me, but Abba hid me behind him.

"Habaa, Airah's Ummee, what did she do again? This jealousy will get you nowhere," Abba teased, trying (and failing) to control his laughter.

"Jealousy? I'm trying to catch a thief, and you're in my way. Please step aside, let me get that girl."

As she argued with Abba, I ran for the door, yelling, "Abba, meet me outside!"

I love my Abba and Ummee more than anyone in the world. They are my everything. They love me just as much as I love them. We are a middle-class family, not lacking anything. I just graduated from Hydeville University. It's our normal routine for me and Abba to team up against Ummee. Abba pampers me so much that Mum started complaining, but it was too late because I had already gotten used to it before she started trying to set me straight.

By noon, we had collected the credentials and were heading for the office of one of Abba's friends, who was helping me get a job at the company I was interviewing with next week.

"You don't have to worry, my friend. She will surely get hired with these credentials. They'll know she'll be an asset to them," Abba's friend assured him. My heart leapt with joy hearing those words. Will I really be working at my dream company? Ya Allah, please make it happen.

We were driving home when Abba spoke.

"Eyes... right."

I looked to the right, and there it was—my dream company. RK GROUP OF COMPANIES was boldly written across the top of the 15-story building. I sighed, hoping this would be where I'd be spending half of my days in two weeks.

"Assalamu Alaikum, Ummee," I said, entering the living room, where she was watching a Turkish drama.

"Waalikissalam, pancake thief. How was your day?" she answered, not looking my way.

"Haba, Ummee! I was so hungry! I could have died before I made my own pancakes. Besides, you taught me that sharing is good, while stinginess is bad. You should be an example to me, you know?" I pouted, trying to sit on her lap, but she pushed me off.

"I also taught you that stealing is bad, didn't I? And as big as you are, you still want to sit on my lap? Shame on you."

I laughed and sat on the couch near Ummee, placing my head on her lap.

"Ummee, you know I love you, right? And I'll tell you a secret—I love you more than Abba. But if you tell him I said this, I'll love him more. Besides, he won't even believe you, so don't even try," I told her.

I heard her chuckling before she asked, "Where is he?"

"He went to the Masjid. He should be on his way back now," I replied.

"Oya, tashi kiyi sallah (go and pray). Then come down, eat dinner, and tell me about your day."

I stood up and headed for my room to do as she said.

******-*-
So done. First chappi is up. I hope you enjoyed it. Please give this book a chance. I promise it won't disappoint you. For now
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