My Heroine

Chapter 5- Unknown

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"I think it's too early to be accepting gift" Umma (Ummi's mom) scolded her. 

"Okay tohm, goodnight" and with that I sneak to my room avoiding Umma and Muhammad (Ummi's brother) because they would tease me and ask me how it went which I'm not ready to disclose.

Ummi buried herself in her bed with her blanket.

*****

I stare at Ummi's picture grinning widely, Mashaa Allah she is so beautiful. I smiled like a lunatic almost throughout the night.
I seemed to be too excited ever since I visited her.

I found out more about her, her family, friends, likes and dislikes, her perception in life and things she value so much....The more I got to know about her, the more I love her.

*****
The next morning, immediately after saying the Zuhr prayer, her phone began to ring. It was an unknown number. Damn, its a man! And honestly talking to him felt like cheating on my beloved.

He acted very matured but I wasn't ready to listen to him. So I sent him a reply through text message.
And for the rest of the day it got me wondering if he had actually read the message. I even brought out my phone to double check if I had sent to the right person.
"Shit shit shit, what's going on with me?"
I had a plan. I have to push him away but why does it seem as if I am bringing him close. "SUBHANALLAH"

As much as I tried to put the thought out of my head, it just wouldn't go away. And for some reason I didn't mention the incident to anyone.

Today feels like the end of a life time.
And that is all it began between me and the unknown caller (Barrister).

*****
The next morning, I woke up to a message from Barrister Umar asking if I could give him a chance. God knows I have a lot of things in my mind. So I just decide to get up and pray.
I prayed for a long time crying my soul out to the Creator. I never thought someone would ever be so important to me but today. Ya Ibrahim is all I want now, the one who saw all my flaws, yet called me beautiful. He made me accept myself the way I am.
I groan standing up with great effort and strength on how to deal with this situation. I thought to myself, putting a soft smile, reassuring myself on how to deal with the Barrister.

Suddenly there was a knock on her door, the door opened before she could sit up and Ummasalama came in. "Salamu alaikum" She came in smiling to her best friend . Ummi answered and she created a space for her friend on the light green sofa.

"May I know what's bothering little Ummi?" Ummasalama said bringing her out of her thoughts.

"I'm not little" she pout

"Okay I'm sorry princess Ummi"

"Now who said I'm a princess?" She smirked

I gathered all my courage and let her know everything. She felt pity for her dear friend.

Ummasalama and I talked for the rest of the afternoon in the living room. She convinced me to let me allow Barr. Umar the chance to see me. And she went ahead to stare at my ya Ibrahim's picture.
"Stop staring, it's haraam!" I said to Ummasalama, startling her and she fall to the ground.

"That's your punishment for staring at my....." I winked at her.

"Damnnn girl, you're so jealous" she winked at Ummi.

"I have to go. It's getting late." Ummasalama said at around five. Time flew very fast when I was with her. Hours were like minutes.

"Sure. Your parents must be looking for you."
We walked together to the front door, holding hands.

Later that evening, Umar called requesting to see me that very day.

"Okay, you can come after Magrib, because I sleep early so it's not a good advice to come later than Magrib, unless you want to talk to sleepy Ummi" I said boldly.

"Thank you, and I'm sure sleepy Ummi is very cute."