Reach

Chapter 5

AISYAH

"Just pick a book already!" Adam exclaims exasperatedly, putting his face in his hands as he slumps his body on one of the small chairs.

I ignore my annoying brother and continue turning the book over in my hands to read the summary. Does he not know that there must not be any rush or distraction from the sacred moment of choosing a book to buy? The book in my hand is Singapore's Lost Son by Kaiwen Leong, I had always wanted to buy one but never could find one of its kind in Toronto. I hear Adam groaning loudly before gasping and jumping to his feet. I decide to ignore the drama king and figure that it's an antic to make me give in. I put the book I had in my hand back into the rack and pull another one to read the summary. All of the sudden, I can sense the heat of a person coming close to me and a loud 'Boo!' rings in my ears, scaring the life out of me.

I accidentally drop the book from my hand and it lands on the floor with a heavy thud as I cover my face while screaming in fright and backing away. Loud laughters resonates around the bookstore and everyone turns to stare in my direction. I look up at the three figures hunch over laughing.

"Sara?!" I asks incredulously. Abdul Qawi is laughing along with Sara beside her. Adam is well over himself on the floor laughing.

"Oh my god. You gave me a fright!" I exclaim, putting a hand on my heart and feeling my pulse beating rapidly. My statement just makes them laugh harder.

I notice the workers is slowly approaching us hesitantly, as if wanting to give them a chance to stop before kicking us out. I shush them and smile apologetically at the workers. Five minutes later and neither of them stop. As a matter of fact, their laughter only got louder when I told them to be quiet with a worried look on my face. The worker politely asked us to get out and that slapped some sense into the three of them. We walk out hastily and I am fuming. I left empty-handed and I make this very clear to them angrily while crossing my arms.

"I'm sorry," Abdul Qawi says, still smiling. Both Sara and Adam nod alongside him.

"I will get you one at a different store." Adam says, chuckling.

I roll my eyes in response, slightly irritated. I grab the bags from Adam's hands and say coldly, "Don't bother." I turn around dramatically but not before noticing their exchanges of worried glances. I clamp my mouth so I will not smile and break character as I start walking away in no particular direction.

"Wait, Aisyah! We didn't think we were going to get kicked out! I'm sorry." Sara claims as she reaches for my arm and stopping me in my tracks. I turn my head, refusing to look at her for fear I might laugh at her desperate stance.

"We'll make it up to you! Don't spend the day being angry, please! I'll run in and steal the book for you, just don't give me your endless silent treatment please!" Adam says as Abdul Qawi nods furiously beside him. I am notorious for my silent treatment and Adam knows it because he had been the victims of the most of it and Abdul Qawi had witnessed it during the times he went over to our home.

I turn my head sharply to Adam and give him a look.

"Astagafirullah. Stealing is haram!" I say disapprovingly but the corner of my mouth turns upwards and they sigh with relief. Surely they did not think I would seriously be angry at them, right?

"I know, I just wanted to get a reaction out of you." Adam says, taking the shopping bags from my hands.

"Anyways, what are you guys doing here?" I asks Sara and Abdul Qawi, "And most importantly, where's Anas?"

I raise my eyebrows when Abdul Qawi looks at Sara with a knowing smile and Sara just have a big grin on her face.

"Shoppings and whatnot. I'll tell you where Anas is but first, let's get ice cream! My treat." Sara says, grabbing my arm and leading me to the nearest Baskin-Robbins. Laden with shopping bags, Adam and Abdul Qawi cheer when Sara said ice cream. Sara and I walk a distance ahead from the men, linking our arms.