A Muslim Girl's Smile (ON HOLD)

Temptations, Chocolate Fountains and Milkshake

~CHAPTER 7~

"M-Meelah! " I whispered. She looked at me questioningly, but I could not gather enough strength to speak. All I could do to make her understand why I was in such a trance was to point a shaky finger.

"Look Meelah, look!" I insisted. Jameelah raised her head from the paper she was holding and gasped.

"Oh.My.Allah. Chocolate fountain!" she squealed. "Let's go Amee."

Jabir too had understood what was happening. The three of us, running like maniacs, rushed to the chocolate fountain. We were quickly approaching our dream...Chocolate in abundance, flowing smoothly like a cascade...And then we would drink that creamy mixture, feeling it rushing down our dry throats, refreshing us. Such was the magic of chocolate. I grabbed a cup, paid for it and filled it with chocolate. I was about to bring it to my lips, when I felt my little brother's hand on my Jilbab. I smiled, and handed him the cup.

"Jabir, here you are. All for you." I said, grinning at his face. He looked at the cup, probably thinking if he would be able to hold it in his little hands. Jameelah, in the mean time, was already filling two cups.

"What is it Jabs?" I asked, kneeling down in front of him. He pouted, looking at the cup.

"Mee-Mee, I am afraid to hold it. Jabil doesn't want Mee-Mee to get angry but Mee-Mee will if chowcowlate falls down," he said. I leaned forward and pecked my brother's forehead.

"Let me hold it for you then. Mee-Mee is here to help you Jabs, not to scold you unecessarily," I said, bringing the cup to his lips. He drank the chocolate slowly, looking at me with those eyes that were identical to mine. Every time I looked at Jabir, I felt an undescribable feeling of pride, love and, in some way, strength. It was in times like this that I felt like a sister who would do everything she could to make her loved ones smile. A sister for Jabir, a sister for Jameelah, a sister for Sa'ad... The look in my eyes was one only loving sisters could understand. Jabir, I love you little brother, I thought.

"I love you Jabir," I said.

***

Mr Handsome's POV:

I observed her from far away. Somehow, during the last two days, I always ended up looking at her. Perhaps it was because of the fact that Sa'ad cared for her. What was even more amazing was that whenever I saw her, I would feel an overwhelming urge to protect her and to keep her safe. It's weird how I never felt that way before.

Today too she was impressing me with her actions. She was sitting on her knees in front of a boy. He must have been her brother, what with the identical facial expressions and the same features. I would say he was four years old. She smiled at her brother, a genuine and sincere smile that lit up her face. It was apparent in the way she looked at him that she loved and cared for him. She brought a cup she had been holding to the small boy's lips, and he drank whatever was inside. I wasn't the only one observing them. In fact, half of the boys present in the university were looking at her. Some of them were even staring at her. I cannot hide the fact that I wanted to kick these guys.

There again! Why am I looking at her? She is such a temptation! I even forgot I had to lower my gaze. Ameerah... I always forgot fundamental things when she was around. It was mind boggling how she could ignore the stares of everyone. She must be used to it... After all, she wore a Hijab, and so many people must glare at her everyday. I am surprised she had the courage to come to university, especially in here.

Wait a second, what was she doing in university? If she was going to study here, then I would be in serious trouble. A major distraction she was, and it would be very hard to focus. I just hoped we wouldn't have any classes in common. Not that it was likely, but you never knew what would happen with the new Principal. I heard he could mix third year students with new comers just to refresh our minds and to save money. Oh no, I was in third year, and Ameerah was a new comer. No... I was just overreacting. Everything would be alright by Allah's Grace.