A Muslim Girl's Smile (ON HOLD)

Just Like a Family

This chapter is dedicated to all my friends. May Allah bless you all and keep you happy. And also a big big big thank you to my besties and awesome sisters Zeen, Mehzu, Zahraa and Bee, not to forget Rouzainah, Shaïmaa, Husnah, Haadiyah, Ayesha, Zaahirah, Azraa, Awaken12, HijabIsMyRight, fery_princess96 and to all my wattpad sistas... Jazakumullah Khairan from the deepest of ma heart. :)

~CHAPTER 9~

"Mee-Mee, where are we going?" Jabir asked, looking at me with big, expectant eyes. I smiled at him as I closed the last button of his white shirt. He looked so cute in it, especially when he grinned and his dimples appeared.

"Well, Jabs," I replied."Do you remember Sa'ad?" He nodded eagerly, breaking into a wide grin.

"We are going to his house," I continued." You will meet his Mummy and Daddy there, and so I want you to be on your best behaviour, just like the good little boy you are. Okay, sweet?"

"Yes, Mee-Mee, Jabil will behave like a good boy," he told me, nodding to himself. I kissed him on his left cheek and went to pack the chocolate pie I had prepared earlier. My mother's words echoed in my mind. Don't ever go to someone's house empty-handed, she used to say. My parents used to love my pastries, but the chocolate pie had always been their favourite. Just as I was about to put the last piece of pie in the box, my phone started to vibrate. I grinned as I saw the caller's name: Meelah.

"Assalamu Alaiki", she said, sounding a little nervous.

"Wa Alaiki, Meelah,"I replied." We are leaving the house in a second."

"Well, Dad asks you if you want to come with us," she informed me. I thought about it for a second but ended up deciding to go on my own.

"Jazakillah, Meelah, but I think I will take my car," I replied.

"You're sure?" Jameelah insisted.

"Yup," I said, trying to sound as cheerful and as convincing as I could. It actually worked, because Jameelah gave up and instead said:

"Be careful when you drive, and take care of yourself."

I smiled, touched by how much she worried about me. If anyone was to be considered as my sister, then it would certainly be Jameelah. As always, I felt a pang of guilt down my heart for not being as good-no scratch that, as perfect- a friend as Jameelah was. Instead of voicing my thoughts out loud, though, I replied, as casually as I could:

"In Sha Allah, I will. Oh and Meelah, I love you as a sister for the sake of Allah."

We said our salaams to each other, and hung up before we would end up getting overemotional and bursting into tears.

***

I held the door to the passenger door open for Jabir. He quickly got inside the car and fastened his seat belt. Remembering to put the child lock, I closed Jabir's door. He stuck his head out as I got into the car.

"Ready?" I asked.

"Yes, Mee-Mee," he replied, putting his head back inside. I recited the duah for travel and started the car. Throwing a quick glance at my outfit, I smiled. I found it perfect. It was subtle and modest, and yet I found it beautiful. The emerald green Hijab I wore played with my eyes, giving them sparkles and tints of green and gold. It felt so good to be behind the wheel, feeling the wind whoosh against my face, my Hijab fluttering in the wind. It gave me a sense of freedom, almost as if I were a bird flying in the blue sky, just flying away, bearing no direction in mind. I was escaping from all the worries I felt, all the anxiety, all the stress, all the tension...