Cinderella? NO

ABDALLAH

"So that girl is real, she ain't no jinn!" Imran exclaimed and laughed. I buried his face in the throw pillow next to me and laughed also. "But Imran her eyes I swear they change colour, I am not an expert in recognising contact lenses but I know little about them, and they don't change colour. When she was at the exit, they were purple and when she went back inside the mall; away from the sun, they were black." I shook my head "Abdallah you know what? You are getting really obsessed with 'this girl' or her eyes maybe. Fine she's not a jinni, let's move on then. What disturbs me is the way you talk about her whenever we meet. Learn to lower your gaze and guard your tongue." Now he looked serious. "First look is halal, besides, she is covered completely, so it's not like I go looking at her body or something, we met twice Imran, khalas (that's it). And is not like I like her eyes or something, what I like about her is the way she covers, bas!" I explained. Now I could see fear in his eyes. Fear of something I do not know.
I saw the same guy with folder exiting dad's chambers, I followed him and snatched what was in his hand. I tore it open. They were pictures, pictures of every Mahmood's move. I was so pissed. I wanted to meet dad and ask why he was doing that to Mahmood; the boy is going to feel burdened and do worse things. Mum is not going to feel good also. No matter how good a person is, he wouldn't want his every step to be recorded. But I couldn't help Mahmood because dad is going to say Mahmood is his son and I shouldn't interfere. How am I even sure I am not being followed also.
The whole week was hectic, going to and fro; running dad's errands and spending so much time with dad, which I hate and he hates my company more. I didn't jog in five days, my body feels heavy and my brains worse. I didn't get to sit in solitude and think about anything but I got time to think about why dad hates me so much and I didn't get any answers. I didn't get much time for Imran because dad doesn't like him so I can't be with him with dad around. Dad believes Imran has instilled some 'crazy' ideas in my head and that Imran is too religious to be my friend. Dad once told me to breakup with Imran, "You are the crowned prince, you have to mingle with rich kids and girls, like that, you would get a pretty princess and marry. Imran doesn't even look at girls and he thinks he is a descendant of Albert Einstein. He is one of those people that will drag you down and laugh at your failure..." I hate it so much when dad talks ill of Imran. Imran loves me and helps me so much for the sake of Allah. He corrects my mistake and tells me the truth. Imran is better than my parents to me, it's sad.
I called Imran 6am to go jogging together and he declined. I drove to his house and knocks on his door. Ghadah told me he stays in the Masjid till sunrise. I met and asked him why he stays in the Masjid till sunrise and he replied "The messenger of Allah(saw) says: "Whoever prays Fajr in congregation then sits remembering Allah until the sun rises, then prays two raka'ahs (two units of prayer) will have a reward like that of Hajj(pilgrimage) and Umrah (lesser pilgrimage) in full, in full, in full." and smiled. "That's pure solo guy, you could have told me to do that. You want barakah(blessing) all to yourself..." I was talking when my phone beeped and it was Imran telling about the barakah of staying till sunrise. I was confused and he said he sent the message 20 minutes before I came because someone told him about it a minute before he sent it to me. I melted. We went together, I jogged while Imran reads in the garden. It was cold so we stayed late for the sun to warm us. On the other side of the road pigeons always gather and there's a shop there. We were staring at the pigeons when we saw a girl enter the shop and bought popcorn and chips. She brought out a veil from her bag (I know we were supposed to lower our gaze) and spread it on the floor. She opened all the packs and mixed the corn and chips, before she could finish, all the pigeons surrounded her and were waiting for her to spread the food. Wallah (by Allah) I was shocked they didn't hop on her or even eat her up. They surrounded her and waited patiently. I had never seen a sight so beautiful. The girl was talking to the pigeons like the way we talk to people. I was shocked! And amazed. The girl turned and I saw those eyes. I tapped Imran but before he could raise his head, she turned and disappeared.