The Perks of Being a Hijabi

Chapter Sixteen

My wedding is in two days.... I sat up in my bed, my hair stuck out at odd angles. My wedding is i two days..... I thought again. I quickly did my Saturday morning routine. (Brush teeth, wudu, pray Fagir)

When I got downstairs I realized we had company, just great! I went on my tippy toes to see who these intruders were. It was Hussen and his family. My family and his sat around our breakfast table laughing and smiling. I wanted to join them, but I soon realized I didn't have my hijab on. So I rushed upstairs , wrapped a real scarf loosely around my head and headed downstairs.

"Look who decided to join us! The beautiful bride!" Hala Zaria jumped out of her chair beaming at me as I strolled I to the kitchen. Right away I noticed that Baba wasn't at the table with them. My smiled dropped from my lips.

"Where is my Baba?" I tried hard not to let my voice crack.

"I thought you knew," Hussen piped up. I wanted to slap him for talking to me and acting like I knew everything that happens I this house! I barely know anything anymore!

"Well, I obviously don't know, that's why I'm asking!" I glared at him harshly. I became satisfied when my glare made him shrink down in his chair.

"Where is he?" I snapped at my family, anger rose into my voice. My best friend, my refuge wasn't here!

"He's at the hospital," Ummi looks at the ground shamefully.

"How can you leave him at the hospital and not stay the night with him?!" My voice rose into a yell. "He is your husband! At least be there for him!" I wanted to do something for my Baba. I stormed upstairs, grabbed a random colored cardigan and skidded downstairs. I flung the front door open.

"Habibti! Please don't go!" Ummi and the everyone else ran to the door to get me back in the house.

"How can u get married when my father is ill?!" Tears sting the sides of my eyes. I took the car keys from the hook and slammed the front door shut. I ran to my car, I heard my mother, my mother in law, Hussen, Asim, and my father in law yelling for me to come back. But I ignored them, my Baba needs me, I needed my Baba.

I drove the cad like a madwoman, racing the car down the streets to the hospital that held my father hostage. Once I reached the horrid place I parked my car and ran to the front desk. The secretary was blonde with glasses over her brown eyes.

"I need to see Omar Ahmed! Please," I begged the secretary.

"Alright he is in room 205, and I'd like to know your relation to him," she typed down my answer (daughter). Before she could say "have a nice day" I was already running toward the 200 wing of the hospital.

200, 201, 202, 203, 204...... 205! I finally found my father's room. I approached the door slowly, contemplating weather I should do this or not. The door knob twisted and I pushed the door open.

____________________________________________________ I hope you liked that cliff hanger! Sorry it's so short! I just have a lot of school work to do this week. I hope you all have suggestions on how to make my story better!
Okay, should I add translations for all of my non-Muslim readers?? Or nah? What do you guys think will happen to Zainub's Baba? Is Hussen and Zainub's marriage going to last long? Stay tuned!
Peace out!

-Sumi_Love