A Muslim's Life

Chapter 1

Five Years Later

Chapter 1

Amna's POV

"Go on now, head on to school". I looked at her helplessly "But I can't leave you Gamma! Who will make you breakfast? Y-" My aunt looked at me, wagging her finger. "I am a grown woman, I can take care of myself but I'm not that old that you continuously call me your gamma. Were basically the same age hun!" Smiling, she put a hand on my shoulder, than in an instant I was kicked out of the house.

I looked around, pulling my scarf tighter on my head. Walking into high school was easy, trying to keep from running back out. Now that was difficult. They were all staring, all the way to the main office, their eyes still on the back of my head. I kept quiet, my eyes widening as a girl in long briefs? No, I think shorts is what there called came up to me. Was this allowed? I looked away as she tried to speak to me, unwilling for my eyes to see her. "So? Your the new girl right?" I nodded, still looking away.

"Are you cross eyed?" I finally looked up at her. Contacts for grey eyes, lipstick for better color of lips, unnatural red hair, tan from a spray bottle, forced arch on eyebrows and many other details. So with all that, she was pretty. But she was pretty because of her makeup, her hair dye, her parlor. Everything about her wasn't hers and as I looked around I realized that seemed to be the same with everyone. It was crazy the extent these people were willing to go through to look better, to gain attention.

Modesty was an alien word in their dictionaries.

"Anyway, I'm your student guide. You have Mr.Heath, classroom 23. Just get your books and follow me. Don't worry about being late, his class is right there" She took my arm and led me to the classroom. Not saying a word about the scarf that covered my head. I took my seat in the back, hoping he won't ask for me to introduce myself to the class.

"Well Good morning! It seems we have a new student, so Amna is it?" He had kind eyes, curiosity poured out of them as he stared at me. I sounded a quiet yes. "Why don't you introduce yourself to the class? Go on than, don't be shy". I got up slowly, gulping as all eyes landed on me. "Um I'm from Saudi Arabia-" before I could even finish, whispers emanated from around me. "Terrorist". "Killer". "Murderer". "Settle down class, why don't we begin today's lesson".

After that, throughout the day, not a word registered in my mind. The lunch bell sounded and I got up slowly, in no rush for hiding in some library and eating alone. My scarf covered my face too, not just my hair. Only thing you could see were my grey eyes. I was at the door now, when someone grasped me by my arm. I tugged "What do you think your doing?". I was alarmed. It was a man, I knew that. Truly despicable creatures. "Let me go!" I was a riot now, causing a scene in an empty hallway. I really know just when to take my time with something don't I?

He was silent the entire way as he dragged me along out of the school premises. The principle stood there, simply watching. I begged her with my eyes to help me, yet my mouth couldn't form words. Finally he came to a halt at his car. I had yet to see his face, I couldn't give image to an assured nightmare. I couldn't deal with that. No more. "Get in" he couldn't have said it harsher, not even waiting for me to respond and pushing me in.

I shrieked, truly afraid. He came in next, locking all doors. My chin gripped, I was forced to look at him. I was silent as I tried my best not to stare. He was utterly enchanting, green eyes like emeralds, a very fit body- I really need more self control. I was truly doomed as I gave him another glance. "I can't take you seriously in that head dress, now can I?". I pushed away from him "S-stay a-away". Like anyone had listened to me before. I scoffed at my stuttering voice, who would actually take me seriously when I sounded like that. He reached forward and pulled my headdress off.

I was crying now. To me, it was like ripping off my dignity. "Give it back! You have absolutely no right-" I was no longer a stuttering fool. "I have every right. You are under my custody now". My sobbing quietened as I looked at him in utter disbelief. "You should be locked in a padded room for deranged thoughts like those. I am not and I repeat not an object of ownership and if you really want to amuse yourself with thinking so, than hear this. I belong to my aunt, in her custody". He laughed, one of his hands tightly holding mine, the other brushing away a nearby strand.

Please let it be from fear that my heart beat sped up.

"Your really amusing. But nows not the time to talk of that. You have grown quiet beautifully don't you think so? You must praise God every time you look in the mirror-" I interrupted him, smacking his hand away from my hair. Because of him, it seemed as though I had painted my face with my aunt's beet red nail polish. "Explain yourself first, do with useless flattery later" I hissed.

He chuckled quietly "You are my fiancé, now do you want a week at your aunts? Or shall we return to my place immediately? I would like it if you wore the head dress around other men but please do not test my patience by wearing it in front of me. I will not have it and neither would your father-". I smacked his hand away once again as he reached for me "You don't know my father-" Before I could finish, a paper was flung at my face. Two, one a letter and the other being a contract.

Dear Amna,

I need you to listen well and for me, be the intelligible and obedient daughter one last time. Forgive me for my leave so abruptly. There was an orphan we had met, maybe you remember him. He had green eyes, do you remember going to school with him? You forgot all about us whenever he was around. Well, we're sorry and hopefully you will forgive us when we meet but we had lied. He is not dead, he had run away to America and we couldn't bear to hurt you with news as upsetting as that.

Too late, I had fared with far worse. A lot worse, if only you were here now.

You are promised to him, and I swear I will never ask anything of you again but be with him. Be the faithful, desirable, beautiful and obedient wife we know you to be. Bring him back to us, he's lost and he's forgotten god. Thank you my dear, my love for you is infinite, and only will death do us part.

Love, Ali and Laraib

There was no denying the letter was theirs and I withheld the tears sure to come at night. The second was a contract, and I was repelled by everything on it. Basically saying his word was law and the consequences of disobeying him. I was astonished and angry. I crumpled up the paper and threw it at his face, viciously taking my head dress and putting it on and than turning on him angrily. "Your Walid-?" He shook his head "My new name is Preston Leonardo".

My mouth slightly opened in disbelief, not that he could see. Thanks to the scarf "Walid, are you out of your mind? My father and mother are dead and why would they arrange me to marry you? You, the person who ran away from the very people who took so much time to care for you. I won't accept this and I certainly will not accept you after what you did to us. To me". I yanked on the door handle once more. He put his hand on mine gently "It was your fathers last wish. You must listen, as for the contract. Again it's not your choice, I will go to extreme measures if I have to, but you will sign it".

I was trembling to control myself from crying again, glad my expression was hidden from him. "Also I change my mind, I will pick you up after school and you may say goodbye to your aunt. Leave the head dress when your inside our home. Okay?" I only managed a soft sob "No..No! I won't say goodbye to Gamma, I won't leave with you and I will not sign that ridiculous contract or agree to this delusional marriage. Walid, if you want me to have any respect for you, even after what you did. Forget this and let me be". I was sobbing again.

"I'll just drop you at your aunts now. Use your time wisely, you have till your school day would end. Be ready". He again reached for my head dress, throwing it blindly behind him before starting the car. His car was very nice, much like his fairly expensive clothes. We stopped at my aunts home and I almost sprinted out as he unlocked the doors but the steel grip on my arm once again managed to stop me.

"Goodbye love" he said softly to me, letting me go. I barely managed a weak nod.