The Perks of Being a Hijabi

Chapter Six

I woke up from a horrible nightmare where Samia tried to kill me and succeeded, and in the end Hussen was forced to marry her! Samia is my best friend, I just need to knock some sense into her, before my dream comes true!

Getting ready for school was a hassle, since all I could think about was Hussen and Samia's creepy text message.

I got ready for school and went downstairs. Ummi was making scrambled eggs for everyone.

"Hubibti, today I won't be taking you to school." Ummi didn't look up from the pan.

"Then who will?" I asked with a puzzled look on my face.

"Hussen, of course! He'll pick you up by seven o'clock."

After everyone ate breakfast, the doorbell rang. I opened the door to find Hussen waiting with his backpack and car keys.

"Come on, let's go Zainub!" We walked to his car and got in. The car ride to school was yet another silent and awkward one. Especially, since Maher Zain "Barakullah" was blasting in the car.

Hussen parked the car and we walked to class together. As we walked down the halls people stared at us weirdly and whispered things about us. Hussen didn't seem fazed by it, but it really ruffled my feathers.

"Hussen, why are those people looking at us like that? Do I have something on my face?" I let go of Hussen's hand to touch my face.

"I don't know why there're looking at us like that, and no you don't have anything on your face. You look perfect." Hussen held my hand tighter and walked to first period.

First period was horrible! Samia kept looking back at me with a scowl on her face. As Mrs.Donald, our teacher handed out papers, she noticed the grim faces Samia was making at me. So after class ended, and everyone left including Hussen. She told me and Samia too stay in.

"Samia, I've noticed that you've been giving rude looks to Zainub. Aren't you guys best friends?" Mrs. DDonald's brow wrinkled.

"We are friends, but Samia has been acting weird lately. And I have not a clue why." I tried to look innocent.

"Liar! you know exactly why I'm angry!" Rage burned through Samia's eyes. "you stole the man I love!" I was stunned by these words.

"How can you love someone you don't even know? All you've seen of him is his face! Ypu don't know the true Hussen!" I was ready beat Samia up, but Mrs. Donald held us back.

"So this is all about a darn boy?" Samia and me nodded our heads, realizing that our bickering was useless.

"This boy that I liked ended up asking her to marry him, I got really upset and kind of over reacted." Samia looked me in the eyes. "I'm sorry." I knew that these words were from her heart, I knew Samia ever since we were really young and I know when she truly means what she says.

"I forgive you! just don't do something like that again. O hated staying away from you." I got up from my seat and hugged Samia.

"You see, isn't forgiveness a beautiful thing?" Mrs. Donald joined the embrace.

The rest of the school day I went to my Biology class with Hussen and Samia, then I ate lunch with Hussen, then had fitness with one of my other friends Khadijah. Besides the little details, I had a really good day. Inshallah tomorrow will be the same.

On the way back home, the car ride was for once not silent.

"So you and Samia were mad at each other and now you guys are friends again?" Hussen asked as we turned into my neighborhood. I had explained the whole Samua and me situation, but I left out the part where she was in love with him.

"Yeah, that's basically what happened." We reached my driveway.
I opened the car door, took my stuff and gave Hussen a quick peck on the cheek.

"Asalamualakum Hussen!" I waved as he pulled up from the driveway. Hussen lowered his window and stick his head out of the window.

"Asalamualakum Zainub! I love you!" He waved as he drove away.

"I love you too..." I whispered as his car disappeared from view.

I walked into the house with a large geeky grin spread across my face. Ummi was on the couch dipping her tea and watching her Arab movies.

"Hubibti, Asalamualakum." Ummi patted the seat next to her as I sat down.

"Asalamualakum Ummi, school was great. Hussen, me and Samia all ate lunch together today." Ummi nodded her head slowly.

"Hubibti, I need to talk to you." Ummi looked worried. "Its about Hussen and your marriage." Oh no! what if Ummi tells me to call off the wedding?

"What is it Ummi?" I tried to swallow but there was a large lump in my throat.

"I think you two are rushing the marriage, take your time on this Zainub. If you rush too fast like this, you might regret what you did in the end." I thought about what Ummi just said. I guess she was right, it's only been a few months, and our wedding isn't until the end of this school year and that's in about five months.

You're absolutely right Ummi, I will tell Hussen this tomorrow."

"Wait!" Ummi pulled me down as I was about get up and leave. "I think what's best for you guys is that you have a short break from each other." What was Ummi thinking of?! This is the love of my life here, I'm not gonna leave him!

"I know what you're thinking hubibti, 'why is this crazy woman taking my fiancé away!'. But that's not what I'm doing, we need to do this the halal way from now on. No more interactions with Hussen for three months." I reluctantly agreed with Ummi. I walked upstairs and into my room. Now I just have to get through three months without Hussen, I've done eighteen years, I'm pretty sure I can do three months.