Shirk in Disguise

Chapter 30

Since the mini-brawl between the two erstwhile close buddies, they'd been walking on eggshells and were quietly avoiding each other. Though living in the same room, each kept to herself. It was their biggest fight yet. They'd had their little tiffs now and then but they usually made up almost immediately.

One day, about a week after the brawl, Azeema was sitting on a bench in the legendary 'Gossip Corner' of the ABU campus when she spied Bilqees heading in her direction. She was waiting for her new friend and course mate, Sumayya, who'd gone to the library to quickly pick up some books after extracting a promise from Azeema to wait for her. The girl was one she liked spending time with. They sometimes had enlightening discussions too, about the Divine Order of the Universe and the Purpose of Existence.

Sumayya was one who was really passionate about her beliefs and ideals. When speaking about such things, her eyes would light up and she'd go on and on, not showing off her knowledge but with a depth that sometimes struck Azeema, who, despite having a similar experience in her early childhood with her father, felt that she could only have the peace of mind to contemplate on the wonders of the Universe and its Creator when her goals were met and her hunger satiated, oblivious to the fact that the type of worldly hunger she had could never be satiated except with the sand of the grave. She however thought Sumayya's company to be more welcome than Bilqees's toxic one.

Azeema, despite her usual good nature, wasn't one to easily forget any wrong done to her. To her, it was Tit for Tat. She wasn't easily angered but in the event of such an occurrence, she usually took things a little farther than necessary. Therefore, when she saw Bilqees coming towards her that day, she quickly frowned and turned to face the opposite direction.

Anger is like a disease, a raging fire that consumes without mercy, a door to other vile vices. Good Muslims are not supposed to go three days with malice in their hearts against their fellow Muslims. In fact, it's highly advisable to always go to bed at night with a free heart and a balanced account. But sometimes, some people fail to implement that and suffer the consequences.

"C'mon Friendy, I'm not used to us being like this..." Bilqees began as she caught up with Azeema.

Still not saying anything, Azeema grudgingly looked up with a raised eyebrow as if to ask, What the hell do you want?

"I'm so, so sorry!" Bilqees apologized in her best pleading voice.

It took a while for Azeema to cool down. After Bilqees's non-stop apologies, she finally decided to forgive her. "It's alright," she simply said.

"That's my friend!" Bilqees said excitedly. "Here's a little something for you," she continued, handing a tissue-wrapped substance to her friend.

"What's it?" Azeema asked curiously.

"Open it and see," Bilqees replied with a grin.

Azeema proceeded to open it carefully. To her delight, it was a fairly large piece of traditionally made toffee, her favorite. She made as if to start eating it right away but on second thoughts, she offered some to Bilqees.

"No, it's all yours," Bilqees declined generously with an encouraging smile.

Happy with her little gift, Azeema ate it all, praising the delicacy in the process. Even though the toffee was cheap and simply made, it was really delicious.

The two friends sat in silence for a few minutes. Azeema was savoring the taste of the toffee while Bilqees just watched her with a smile on her face. Since their fight, she didn't get the opportunity to meet alone with Azeema until then. Azeema was always asleep before she came back from her exciting nights and always managed to leave for classes even before she woke up from her slumber.