Reach

Chapter 4

AISYAH

One hour left until my meeting with Abdul Mateen and I have not pick an outfit that feels right yet. Therefore here I am, going back and forth between standing in front of the mirror holding up an abaya and searching for another one in the closet when it does not appeal to me. I cannot even seek for my mother's help because Abah, Ummi and Aleesha wanted to go to Nenda's house earlier than us. I already broke down twice when I tried on two abaya that did not look right. Don't get me wrong, I have been blessed with more abaya than I need but I have not found the abaya to wear for this occasion.

Adam does not understand my struggle which is why he is currently sitting on my bed, watching my frantic demeanor with amusement clearly shown on his face. I want to hit the smirk off his face so badly.

"Astagafirullah Al Azim! What a mess!"

We both turn to look at Afeeya who have her hands on her hips entering my room. She is already dressed in a light pink abaya with a dark grey shawl. I can only manage to give her a guilty smile before plunging into my closet continuing my hurried search.

"She wants to impress Abdul Mateen hence the mess." Adam retorts as Afeeya stands next to my closet looking at the pile of abayas on the floor. I emerge from the closet with a wooden hanger on my hand, flinging it around in rage and frustration.

"Do you want me to hit you?" I shout as I wave the hanger around him. He squeals and hides behind Afeeya who is looking at the mess thoughtfully.

"I have a black abaya I never wore before. Very simple but with the right hijab, it will look good." Afeeya beams before running out of the room, I assume to grab the abaya. Adam looks at me skeptically as if questioning Afeeya's sense of style.

"At least she's useful being here. Unlike you."

"What? Do you want to wear my thobe, is it? I'm sure Abdul Mateen would love to see you in my kurta." He replies sarcastically, walking out of my room. No doubt getting dressed with no problem.

I sigh looking at the mess around my room and start to hang the abaya I have rejected onto my closet. Seconds later, Afeeya walks in my room with the abaya.

"Before you say anything, try it on first. I know it looks too simple but I have the hijab for it." She push the abaya in my hands and walk out, closing the doors behind her.

I start to understand the skeptical look Adam was giving me. Afeeya have handed me an abaya that merely flows down the length of my body with no special details to it whatsoever. It's comfortable, I will give it that but other than that, it looks too simple for an occasion like this.

"Can I come in?" Afeeya asks, her voice muffled.

I tell her to come in and she walks in with a hijab in her hand. She orders me to sit down on the bed and starts fixing the hijab for me. I can't exactly see the hijab but from my vision, I catch a glimpse of gorgeous arrangements of sequins on the front of the hijab.

Taking about fifteen minutes and nearly three breakdowns in her part, she finally allows me to look in the mirror. I nearly applaud her work if it was not for Adam knocking annoyingly loud on my door.

I face the mirror again when Afeeya walked towards the door and to say the least, I am impressed. I look effortlessly sophisticated. The simple black abaya paired very well with the sequined elegant black hijab by giving it a canvas so it does not look too crowded. The way Afeeya styled the hijab, it was no wonder she nearly teared the hijab apart as it is intricately pinned. Right when I turn to thank Afeeya, Adam walks in and exclaims a long amazed 'Wow.' I was pleased with his reaction until his big mouth opens to say,