Beautiful Things (A Muslim Love Story)

Chapter Fifteen: Connecting the Dots

The best things in life are always free. The worst things in life are free but always come with a price.If I could fall into the sky, do you think time would pass us by? No, I don't. I think that time would greet us, invite us over, and cry over bittersweet innocence. If only we could fall into the sky, time wouldn't think of us as annoying twats and leave us alone so often. Loneliness is free. It comes with a horrible price. Friends are free. They don't.

-Excerpt from Asiyah's mind

My steps were slow as I paced towards the door. The frightened November wind was cold and the neighbors' Jack-o-Lanterns from last week were twisting into confusing faces that seemed to call me.

Go on and die, I kept thinking. One step was like a thousand miles for me, all slow and dragging me back.

Ding Dong. Play your amazing tune. Dance around in this wind. Play with the creatures that soften the air and stories.

Did I just do that? No matter how many times I told myself I didn't, it was no use.

I waited silently without disturbing the playful winds like I usually do. I was scared and excited and lonely at the same time.

At last the door opened, slowly, silently, so gentle I could fade away and not hear.

They were standing there, tall, slim, and gorgeous.They both had curly hair tied up in fantastic messy buns and the stunning beauty almost blinded what I used to know that the door had opened.

I walked closer to Almas and Gowaria and just fell into their arms. I felt so warm and secure, a feeling I havn't felt in a long time. And I hugged them so hard my arms would fall off any second. I smelt  beautiful fragrance and I buried my head deep into their arms just like a baby does to her mother and cried, cried like I never have before.They kept their arms around me safely, and they seemed like Greek goddesses compared to me.

"Oh Siya," Gowaria sighed. "Don't cry. We missed you too."

....................................................................................................

"Your room is different," I remarked, my head on Gowaria's pillow, resting ever so quietly.

"I just redecorated."

"With Almas?"

Almas sat on the bed.

"Siya, we've made a terrible mistake. We're your best friends and we love you," she sighed.

I sat up and put my arm around Almas.

"We're really sorry, please forgive us? " Gowaria pleaded.

I was silent and didn't break it.

"We made a terrible mistake."

"And you made an even bigger mistake when you told my secret!" I bursted.

"You'll probably never forgive me," Gowaria whispered, tears streaming down her cheeks. "And you probably won't look at me the way you used to. But please, just this time."

"I'll forgive you if you accept that I choose my friend, and that Adam is my friend, period, end of story, movie finished."

Gowaria hugged me.

"Of course!" she cried. "But is Adam still your friend.... I mean I told your sec-"

"Well," I interrupted. "Pretty Little Liars starts in five minutes and we haven't even made popcorn."

"Oh," Almas realized. "Should I-"

"I'll go," I assured her.

I slowly walked downstairs, my head in a daze and in wonder.