The Anthem of the Rebels | ✓

[5] Causing trouble always comes easy

Chapter Five

"Rumaisa- the Women Circle head rejected my idea," Amal said, sinking into her seat.

"Why?" Sana asked, and Amal shrugged.

"Says that we can't bring politics into the mosque magazine. She said she supports it- but they have a strict non- political policy."

Sana nodded, Hussain glanced at Amal, folding his newspaper in half, "You don't have to write necessarily about politics to get your point across," he said and when Amal blinked at him, he sighed and went on, "You can write about the importance of Justice in Islam, and happen to give examples of injustice within our country..."

 Hussain broke off, smiling innocently at Amal who had straightened up in her seat. "That's perfect!" she exclaimed, her eyes lighting up, and Sana raised a brow, eying her husband and her daughter as she shook her head with a smile.

As Amal finished with her breakfast, discussing passionately with her father of how she could somehow get the Shahid Raza case into the mosque magazine, Sana observed her daughter. When Amal was about to get up, Sana leaned forward in her seat. "Amal," she said, "You've been doing istikhara for the last couple of days, haven't you?"

Amal paused, slowly turning to meet her mother's gaze. Her expression grave, she nodded. "I didn't get any dreams though," she muttered.

"Dreams aren't a must when you do istikhara," Sana said, "Don't stop doing it though." There was a short pause before Sana spoke up again, "So- what did you decide? Will you meet him?"

Amal inhaled sharply, lowering her gaze. For a while, she seemed at loss for words, hundreds of thoughts clashing in her brain.

Amal for a while, felt doubtful... scared, even, but looking at her parents now- both of whom she trusted the most in the world, and more importantly- thinking back to her istikhara, she nodded.

"I'll meet him," she said with a nod. Anyways, it was just a meeting.

Decisions, you see- are scary. Even a decision that seems small holds the power to completely change your life. At times like these, what's important is that you stay true to yourself, take counsel of your family and friends, and then, trust Allah completely and fully.

~~~

"You can walk- it's literally just fifteen minutes away," Sana said, looking up from her book to meet Amal's gaze. Amal frowned, leaning forward in her seat.

"Mama, it's freezing outside. I'll be careful," she pleaded.

Sana looked doubtful. "I don't know, you can just ask Usman-"

"He'll never let me take his car! You know him, mama. Anyways, I'll tell him once I get back," Amal said, already getting up from her seat, "If he does wake up, please cover for me?"