***
It's Summer break and I'm so glad to take a long rest- I need it. Today's Friday, and I'm preparing for Jumuah. While I'm out the door, I receive a text from Bushra:
B: Salams, Sup?
Me: Nothing much, just getting ready for Khutba.
B: Yay! Meet you there!
I feel so uplifted and excited.
***
After Khutba, I meet Bushra and we exit the Masjid together. "So how's Summer so far?" "Fine, Alhamdulillah."
"Ready for 10th grade?"
I grin. "Totally."
We step down to the sidewalk, but Bushra suddenly stops.
A gasp.
"Rani, look."
I spin my head around, swiping my vision this way and that to catch the object that caught her attention. A breath pauses at my throat. I have to fan my face with my hijab.
Is that?...
"Assalamualaikum, Rani. This place is amazing! I'm looking forward to learning about-" His muscled arms wave back to the Masjid behind us, and he settles those beautiful eyes to mine. I swoon, then look down bashfully.
"you."
Oh, did he really say that? Bushra smiles, then squeezes my hand, but my soaring heart flies and my mind imagines.
Maybe he's interested in Islam.
Maybe he'll understand it and think differently about it.
Maybe he'll-
My smile stretches so wide I could swear I feel it reaching the Nile.
Kyle, he's here. At the Masjid!
I want to say something. I squeeze Bushra's hand.
A joyful sigh escapes my lips, but all I manage to stammer is "Walaikumassalam."
~
YOU ARE READING
Just Another American
ספרות לנערותYoung Muslim American girl Rani faces the struggles of being strong in her faith while enduring harsh judgments about her religion. Rani tries to keep the two problems at bay, but the chance is either or.
