I saw Niddiya's mom sitting on the starring at the wall clock opposite the room with an orange like hijab that reached her feet.
"Assalamu Alaikum" Amma said removing her shoes by the door. I did the same thing and sat down close to the door."Get up from there"mama said helping me up. I sat down on the big mat that was spread across the room squeezing myself to myself holding my legs to my body. My mom prayed and all the other women chorused "Ameen" loudly.
Its been two hours and some minutes now I was feeling very uncomfortable and feverish. I was angry and bothered that I couldn't see Niddiya's body but I thanked God that I didn't. "I may have died too" I said loudly not knowing. Mama looked at me and so did the other women."Come here" Niddiya's mom said reaching her hand to me. I quickly went up to her and sat down beside her."Its okay"she said patting me on my back.
I sobbed.
I kept thinking "What killed her?,Did she think of me before dying?, How did she die?..." Those were the questions that kept floating in my Brain.
On our way out, a guy wearing white kaftan and a fitted black cap greeted Amma. I didn't bother to look at him again talk less of greeting him.
"Are you Halima?" He asked. His voice sounds familiar.
"Yes." I replied in a slow shaking voice.
"I called you this morning."
I looked at him again with my eyes filled with tears and anger.
"Thank you" I said forcing the words out of my month.
He nodded.
"Are you Niddiya's brother?" I asked curiously because I don't know him.
"No,am her cousin".
I turned to look at Amma talking to some group of women in their hijab's and nikab(face mask).
" Halima let's go" Amma said holding my hand.
"Bye" I said waving at him.
"Bye".
