Guarding My Faith

eleven

The same old blank stares, confused expressions, and the same old glares. All coming from those who hate my religion or just me, as a human being. At first, I used to hate myself for following such a religion, astaghfirullah!

I'm so glad to have found such a wonderful friend, Sara.

Adam is back to college after his break and isn't going to be coming back home for another two weeks. Sara is also busy meeting up with her future husband and setting up dates so their parents can meet each other. So for the past few days, I have been coming home late with Yasmin. Sara comes home even later since she studies in a close-by library.

With Sara and Adam away from home, I constantly feel bored. There's nothing to do, except for studying and playing with Yasmin and her numerous toys. I think I've become tired of being Princess Elena's prince, Gabe.

Ding Dong.

My heart starts to beat out of excitement at the familiar sound of the doorbell. I run towards the door only to see that Daniel is standing there. His presence, I'm not sure if it's out of awkwardness or discomfort, is not so appreciated. I know we have a lot in common, with both of us being converts to Islam, but that's all.

"Adam isn't here," I begin to say.

"I know, he told me that you would be here." He gives me a soft smile and then hesitates for a second before taking a deep breath. "May I come in?"

"S-sure? Come in."

He steps inside, taking in the full view of Sara and Adam's house. Then, as if he suddenly remembers, he says, "As-salaam Alaykum."

I almost hit myself on the forehead. How could I forget such an important greeting? "Wa Alaykum as-Salam."

He takes a seat on the couch, looking towards Yasmin. He kneels toward her to take a good look at her face. "What's your name?"

Yasmin looks up from her toys to look at Daniel, screaming "Stranger danger!" as she runs towards me. She hides behind my legs and peeks out from time to time towards Daniel.

I sheepishly smile towards Daniel, being careful not to look him in the eye. But he's not looking at me, he's staring at Yasmin with a weird look. She suddenly glares at him and silently threatens to hit him with the doll she has in her hand, Gabe.

Her being so protective over me and Sara ever since Adam left has constantly made me smile on days I felt down. I'm sure her anger towards Daniel is from her heart and mind. She truly must not like him, for whatever reason it may be.

"Would you like anything to eat?" I ask him politely.

He removes his gaze from Yasmin and stares at me. He continues to stare until I feel uncomfortable. Shouldn't he be lowering his gaze? What is he doing?

"Did you need something to be coming over here?" I suddenly ask, getting annoyed.

He blinks once. Twice.

"I needed a favor from Adam, but he said I could wait here," Daniel says.

"Does that mean he's on his way here?"

He nods. What a relief. 

I sit on the other end on the sofa. While we wait for Adam, it becomes socially awkward again. I go through my phone, glancing at him once, and return to using my phone.

When I can't take the silence any longer, I ask him a question. "So? How do you know Adam?"

"We go to the same college," he answers.