Chapter 12. Two months later.
"Mama. You've got to be kidding me? Asking me about marriage? Why would you do that?"
I argued with her in the passageway.
"Don't you think it's time you settle down? Nuriyah you're 24 years old. You can't live at home forever", she crossed her arms and said.
"Exactly I'm only 24! How could you bring this family here without asking me?"
"Would you lower you your voice! They have come a long way. I'm only trying to help you".
She whispered since she didn't want the family she invited to see me, to hear us fighting.
"I can't take this anymore"! I said picking up my backpack.
"Where on earth do think you're going?!" She asked.
"To a place where people are actually interested in my life", I said storming out of the house and into the cold night.
I might as well look like black widow right now wearing my black leather jacket and smudged eyeliner along with my glum mood.
My phone rang. It was Aslam. I hadn't spoken to him properly and it's a shame that he has to call me just to spend time with me.
"Assalamualaikum", I answered the call.
"Walaikumsalam. How are you?" He asked his voice sounding so bubbly and cheerful.
I wish he could give me some of his optimism.
"I'm Alhumdulillah. How are you?"
"I'm Alhumdulillah. How have been holding up since Clara got promoted (past away)?"
He asked. "It hasn't been easy I miss her", I bit my lip not wanting to start tearing up in the middle alleyway.
"Hey,I know how much she means to you. I also know you have got a lot on your plate looking for a new job. But I also know you're one of the strongest people I know". He said to sympathise with me.
"I wish I had more of the optimism you have".
"Nuriyah. The other day you said you couldn't figure out what that German girl said. Well, I think she meant that Allah makes you fall down sometimes so you can catch sight of things you couldn't see when you were up".
"My brother always the philosopher" I said this was this was the first time anyone had managed to cheer me up this whole month.
"So I have to go hermana. Why don't we go do something tomorrow just you and me?" He suggested.
"I'd love that". I replied immediately. Nothing would truly make me happier.
"It's settled then I guess. I'll pick you up from home".
"Speaking of home I think I'm going to spend the night at Anne's", I said shifting my phone from my one ear to the other since it was sticking to it.
I had left my hijab at home and I only had my hood on so my curly red hair was blowing all over the place.
"What did you do this time?"Aslam who was still on the phone asked jokingly.
"Nothing! Mama has just taken things too far this time! She made me so mad I stormed out of the house".
"I have to go. Nabila is calling me. You can tell me all about what mama did tomorrow. Asalamu Alaykum".
"I wouldn't want to keep you from her any longer. Walaikumsalam" I said pressing the red button.
