The Perks of Being a Hijabi

Chapter Eight

87 more days to go, I thought as I devoured my cereal.
"Slow down fatty! You'll choke!" Asim looked at me with disgust.
"Leave me alone scrawny." I retorted back with my mouth full of milk and cereal. When both me and Asim finished our breakfast, we said goodbye to Baba and waited in the for Ummi to come and drive us to school.
When I got to school all of my dearest friends were sitting on the benches waiting for the doors of the school to open.
"Asalamualakum Zaria, Khadijah, Garo, and Samia!" I gave each of my friends a hug.
"I seriously can't believe you're getting married!" Garo hugged me again. "You too Khady!" Khadijah joined our group hug. RINNNNNGGGGG!!! The loud school bell blared and we all walked into the school for first period.
First period, was well, awkward. Hussen sits right in front of me, and I couldn't stop my urge to poke his sides, or talk to him, or even hug him. Unfortunately, I couldn't do either of those things because of Ummi's three month separation.
"Miss Ahmed! I would really appreciate it if you would pay attention." Mrs. Risemiller glared at me. Everyone in the class turned to look at me, even Hussen. I felt my face get hot with embarrassment. And that's when I thought it couldn't get worse....
"Actually Mrs. Risemiller, Zainub isn't a 'Miss' she's a 'Mrs'. Isn't that right Zainub?" This girl really bugged me! Before I could answer Mrs. Risemiller interrupted me.
"That's enough Stephanie." Ohhhhh, so her name was Stephanie! I suddenly felt dumb for not knowing her name all this time.
After first, second, and third period, I made my way to first lunch. I bought my lunch and sat down at the table I always sat down at. Garo, Zaria, and Samia were all already there. Hussen used to sit with us, but he was now sitting with some other guy friends. Suddenly, Stephanie and her group come over to our table. This time with Stephanie's boyfriend. I'm pretty sure her boyfriend's name was something like Josh or George. Josh/George kneeled in front of me. WHAT IS GOING ON????!!!!!
"Zainub Ahmed, will you marry me?" Wait what??!!
"Who do you think you are? I'm already engaged! I don't even know who the hell you are so get out of my face!!" My yells must have attracted a crowd, because people began slowly crowding around us. My friends looked shocked at what was happening.
"What's going on?" A familiar voice pushed their way through the crowd. That voice belonged to Hussen. My Hussen.
"This kid is asking me to marry him! And he won't listen when I say that I'm married to you Hussen!" Tears threaten to spill out of my eyes.
"What are you talking about Zainub? We've been together for three months!" Josh/George looked around at Stephanie's group.
"What!?!? You've been with Stephanie for three months! I'm not allowed to date, it's haram! And I don't even know your name you freak!!!" I wanted Hussen to hug me and tell that I'll be alright instead of standing there stunned.
"Why are you lying to everyone Zainub?" Stephanie stepped in front of her "boyfriend". "We all know that you guys have been dating in secret." Stephanie sneers at me.
"Is this true?" Hussen looks at me with so much grief and so much pain in his eyes.
"No! Hussen why would I lie about this? Don't you trust me?" Hussen looked at me one last time, he shook his head and pushed out of the crowd.
"Look what you've done Stephanie!" My friends all glare at Stephanie as she smiles sickly back at them.
"That's a rap! You did great babe!" She had planned this all! That little butthole!
"Stephanie! Get your damned butt back here!" I screamed at the top of my lungs.
"What do you want?" Stephanie smiled sickly again.
"I want an explanation! Why does it satisfy you when my life is in ruins? Why would you ruin a perfectly built engagement? What did I do to make you hate me so much?!" Tears were streaming out of my eyes this time, I couldn't hold them back. I choked on my tears and just sat down sobbing.
Everyone in the lunchroom glared at Stephanie and her little cult. Before Stephanie could say a word to me, I ran out of the cafeteria with my friends running behind me. I just ran, not knowing were I was going, not caring were I might go. Some how I ended up in the girls bathroom. As I sobbed my friends hugged me and comforted me. Alhumdulillah I had these kind of friends, Alhumdulillah that they cared about me. Garo called
Ummi, and asked her to pick me up. I thanked my friends and left with Ummi when she came.
The car ride was silent. But when I got home Baba was waiting for us. He looked a lot better than before Alhumdulillah.
"What is it Zainub?" Baba and Ummi and me all sat down on the couch. I told them everything that had happened. And that I wouldn't be getting married anymore.
"Don't say that. Hussen is just angry, anger dies down soon. He will forgive you when he knows the truth. Right now, he is blinded with lies." Baba pulled me into a hug and stroked my aching head.
Inshallah, with the help of Allah Hussen will forgive me, and everything will go back to normal. This was just a test, I thought to myself as I made wudu to pray Asr.
After I prayed Asr, I took a long nap. While I napped, I had a dream. In my dream Hussen was wearing a black suit, his usually messy hair was neatly parted. His smile was the most beautiful thing in the wedding hall. walking down the aisle was my four bridesmaids, my sweet little flower girls, and my beautiful mother. After they reached the podium, I walked out of the door with Baba. I looked gorgeous in the white wedding dress, my face shone with health and happiness. I never reached the podium where Hussen, my bridesmaids, my mother and my flower girls stood. Before I could walk to Hussen, I woke up. Exactly when I woke up, my alarm clock for Maghrib screamed. I prayed Maghrib in my room, then I walked downstairs. When I was about half way down the stairs, I heard voices. Hala Zaria and Amu Usman are here! But where is Hussen? Oh! I remember what happened at school, and my heart fills with sorrow again.
"We've tried to talk to him, but he won't listen. He keeps locking himself in his room and crying." Hala Zaria looked worried in the dim light of the living room. I couldn't bear eavesdropping about my fiancé, so u ran back upstairs and stated there until Hala Zaria and Amu Usman left.
I couldn't seem to focus on my homework, because all I could think about was how Hussen would see me now, I wanted to know if he would ever forgive me for something I didn't even do. I prayed Isha, and made another long dua to Allah.
"Ya Allah!" Teara already started to pour out of my eyes. "Help me through this rough time with my spouses. Bring subur (patience) into the heart of me and my spouse Oh Allah! Only You can bring good upon me, only You can solve my problems! Ya Allah! Bless my marriage, bless it with many years, and children, and glad tiding. Let my husband understand and forgive me Oh Allah! Ameen!" I sat there, on the prayer may crying and praying. Praying to end my crying, and crying to fulfill my praying.
I brushed my teeth and settled in my cozy bed. I pushed away my thought of Hussen, read Ayatul Kursi and slowly slipped into a peaceful sleep.