As the weeks went by Liya and I got pretty close. Aaliya and I met on some weekends but we both had much work to do. She was doing really well at chef school. With the help of Allah I too was doing well. My lecturers often complementing my work. I avoided Zaid at all costs and kept our conversations to basic. We were approaching our final examinations and I placed all my time and energy into my studies. A week before exams began I decided to Stay a bit late to study. Liya was a great study mate as she was equally motivated. She didn't have a car and I promised to drop her off. I left the library a bit early to pray and made arrangements for Liya to meet me at the car. As I walked to my car I noticed a bunch of flowers on the bonnet. I looked around and saw no one. The card read "a rose for every day that I regret what I did to you. I'm sorry." Just then Liya came. Liya was the only person that knew about Zaid. I showed her the note. Liya spoke first "very cute idea to apologise but this seems to be a pattern right?"
She was right. Before I drove off I saw him running toward the car. "May I speak to her for a minute?" he asked Liya. She nodded.
"Please don't brush me off. What I said that day was totally out of line. I honestly don't know what came over me. You are beautiful the way you are. Actually you more than beautiful. You are precious. I care for you more than you think."
He spoke carefully choosing his words. His tone was soft.
" You really hurt my feelings. If you care for me then how I dress should be pleasing to you. My scarf is my Muslim identity. It's what makes me so I am. " my voice remained steady.
" Non of the females in my immediate family wear a scarf so for me it was different. I do accept you and how you dress." he whispered
" I guess it is hard to accept something you aren't use to. I promised to drop Liya off at home so I rather get going."
"Sure sure. Drive safely and I'll call you later." He winked and walked off
YOU ARE READING
From We to Me...
EspiritualLife has its challenges. Society has is norms. Stereotypes have its belonging. But what happens to us? Follow Faatimah Zahra on a journey in discovering herself and what she wants. Evading the norms of the world in order to follow her dreams.
