The New Old World

Chapter 1 Kimmy's Story in New York City

Waking up to someone shaking my shoulder I groaned internally, what now! My eyelids fluttering open as I stared straight up from my cot and met kind eyes of an older women and she was wearing a hijab almost matching mine. Saying something in Pashto I shook my head at her groggily wiping the sleep from my eyes.

Huh? I shrugged and yawned, massaging my shoulders I got up from the horribly uncomfortable makeshift bed and inwardly groaned again. Stretching my arms above me my back did the whole crackle snap whatever. I looked at the woman seeing her grimace then quickly a fake smile was plastered there.

Its not that I dont know very much of the Afghanistan language she just went to fast for me. I remembered when my parents always forced English on me as a child and everyone just assumes because of my skin color and appearance I know the language by heart.

Ah just English then? she nodded her head a bit too long well I was wondering if you would join us for morning prayer? Umm dawn is almost here. She smiled and pointed into the receding darkness across the stadium windows. I could just make out the warm orange glow coming from the periodically place lanterns illuminating hundreds of other people snoring or just waking up around us. It was also way to hot in here I could feel my body damp from sweating in my sleep

Of course, I would love that rubbing the sleep from my eyes again I faked my smile, I kind of didnt want to, Id rather have gone back to sleep, but I knew my parents would frown upon me not doing my prayers even if they arent here. I looked back at my classmates and chaperons still sleeping snugly, if not, tossing and turning. I decided against waking one of them up to let them know Ill be gone for a while; besides Ill be right back after a bit.

Whats the point theyll most likely still be asleep by the time I get back, and even then, its not like well be doing anything I briefly thought before I smiled and walked behind the women. These last few days everyone had been getting cranky more and more often as were not even allowed outside much have space to play or move around.

We arrived to find other women and girls setting up blankets on the floor to be more comfortable in their prayers. Then there was the sudden cry of a baby somewhere and someone having a coughing fit. It wasnt a very peaceful place to pray but they were working with what they could manage, I guess.

Damn I said under my breath I forgot to bring my blanket now is my time to escape and say I must get one and never return. Yes!

What was that sweetie? said an elderly woman walking up to me handing me a small blanket as her eyes fluttered dramatically.

Oh, nothing and thank you so very much I tried smiling politely in a sing song voice, did she read my thoughts or something? But I knew she heard the damn and she knew that I knew and threw her nose up and huffed before turning away and rolling her eyes. I smiled suppressing a giggle from my devilish damn.

Oh, that was nice of her said the women who lead me here as she came up beside me.

Oh yes very nice of her rolling my eyes at the woman walking away I gave her the finger under the blanket in my hands thats for being all high and mighty. I got ready for the start of the prayers thoughts flooded my head I never asked the women her name I looked at her and she flashed me a smile that was rude of me, not asking, but then again she didnt even introduce herself so its rightly her faultI think, she suddenly nudged me very closely yes? Can I help you I stated as she smiled brightly?

Would you like us to go around you? So, you can adjust your hijab I mean? she pointed to a lock of hair sticking out I had barely noticed before.

I quickly blushed as the girls around us, surrounded me in a circle making sure I wasnt seen as I readjusted my hijab. This is what I get for wearing it all night, and besides its not like its the end of the world if it falls off or if I just simply take it off. Probably shouldnt say that since were technically in the aftermath of the end of the world.