Rendezvous of a hijabi

Chapter 14• Warm and Fuzzy

A lump formed in my throat, preventing a stream of tears and sobs to flood out.

I felt Faisal's grip tighten on my hand, I hadn't even realised he was holding it.

Hooyo's eyes flickered open slowly, causing my breath hitch up.

"Mamaaa!" Maya shrieked excitedly, bounding to her side.

A smile blossomed on her shrunken face and she outstretched her weak arms to embrace her daughter.

My eyes stung, nevertheless I urged Maya to be cautious.

"Aah Safa, always worrying aren't you," Hooyo teased, "Don't be afraid, come and hug your Hooyo."

Her eyes suddenly shifted to Faisal, and down to our intertwined hands.

I wrenched my hand from his grasp as if it were burning coal.

Now my mother was smirking, great. I was going to get hell when she came out.

"Is that Faisal?" She grinned, "Mashallah Habo, you have grown up. The last time I saw you, you were running around with Safa and Hamza playing games."

She smiled fondly as Faisal turned from shifting awkwardly to warming up to her.

My mum had that effect on people, her kind, benevolent and funny nature are one of her best traits.

An hour passed, and we were all perched on the end of her bed filling her in on everything she missed.

"-and then Hooyo I scored the goal from the other end of the pitch and everyone was screaming and cheering," Hamza recounted animatedly, "I'm a legend,"

Me and Hamda rolled our eyes at our egoistic brother. If his head grew any bigger it could fill a small country. 

Faisal laughed and clapped Hamza on the back, "I saw, it was actually mad, watch out Messi,"

My mother chuckled, the mirth in her eyes glowing, "Now Maya, what did you get up to?"

Maya writhed energetically in Hooyo's embrace, "At school I was voted class president because I had the best hair and I was a good class helper,"

"I didn't know they had class president in Kindergarten, at your age I was drinking out of milk cartons and chilling in the sandpit," I laughed ruffling Maya's hair, I could see why she got it- her hair was beautiful.

After praise from Hooyo, Maya was delighted and began droning on about all the acts she did after being elected. We all zoned out at that point.

"I love your mom," Faisal whispered into my ear. I would say his breath tickled me but I was wearing a headscarf so let's say it did theoretically.

Grinning I said, "She's amazing, I missed her so much. And if you think you love her now one day you should come and try her cooking,"

"Are you already bringing me to the mother," He gasped theatrically, "If you wanna take this to the next level then I'm down baby,"

I groaned and swatted his face to turn around and tune back into the conversation while his belly laugh vibrated the bed.

"I just got my grades this semester and I got 3 As and 2 A*s," Hamda smirked at Hamza, "Let's agree on something bro, revision pays off,"

Hooyo applauded her, "Mashallah Hamda, I know one day you are going to be a top doctor and live in a huge house. Maybe I can stay with you if I'm lucky,"

I wanted to crack up, how many times have I heard the doctor speech when I did well in an exam.

"Errrr man you are such a nerd," Hamza snickered, interrupting her, "No wonder you have no friends,"

She batted her eyes innocently, "Mom I'm sure he told you his grades were amazing too," With that she whipped out a report card from her bag.

Faisal whistled lowly and I burst out laughing.

"Hamda you are officially my favourite sibling,"

Hamza's face went ashen and his gawped, "You snake! That was meant to be in the bin,"
Realising his slip up he clamped a hand to his mouth and groaned.

"Bin?? Ah let me see that," Hooyo wrenched the report from Hamda with new found strength, "D...C...D...B...E. E? You stupid boy, if I see grades this bad again your going back to Somaliland for a very long time."

Hamza screwed his face at Hamda in anger, I knew he'd kick off later. It was his own fault for acting like a little shit.

"Are you still doing those tutor sessions with Safa, Faisal?" Hooyo enquired.

"Yes Habo, they are going great,"

He wasn't wrong, for the past weeks, we'd meet after school in library on Wednesday's and Thursday's. It was fun because we mostly just hung out and laughed but he also managed to teach me a lot too. My grade in Maths sky rocketed thanks to him.

I couldn't help but resent the idea of Hamza coming to join us. I brushed off that feeling to the back of my mind. These thoughts were really confusing me.

"I'm not going to third wheel with them two, no way," Hamza whined gesturing to me and Faisal.

"Third-wheel? What does that mean, waryaa?" Hooyo asked.

My face burned and I gave Hamza a sharp look meaning
I wouldn't hesitate to slap him up later.

"Third-wheel means to learn in a group. I just thought it wouldn't be as beneficial then to learn one on one," Hamza covered up smoothly in our aid.

I felt Faisal breathe a sigh of relief behind me.

"Hamza do you even know what beneficial means?" Hamda quipped, brow raised.

We all started laughing as the air of awkwardness thinned away.

"Sorry for his delusion, he shouldn't have said that," I mumbled to Faisal.

He smiled but it didn't quite reach his eyes, "It's cool Safa,"

A blonde nurse poked her head through the door, "Visiting hours are over guys. Please say your goodbyes,"

We all groaned and each of us kissed her mellow cheeks and hugged her gently.

Even Faisal, which made my heart feel all warm and fuzzy.

Weird feeling that is. Ew.