Something in the Truth (Islamic Love Story)

Chapter Three: A Surprise Turn in My Life

"Alright class. Open your textbooks to page 326." Ms. James informed the class as we all settled down in our seats.

Honestly, I was dead tired. The night before I couldn't sleep, too much going on in my mind right now. I quickly zoned out just staring outside the window.

Hayat was sitting to my right staring boldly at me when she was about to say something, but she just let it go. She nudged at me . " Hey, what's wrong with you?"

"Nah, nothing. I'm totally fine." I said, still not looking at her.

"Doesn't seem like its "totally" fine. There's something wrong. After school, let's head up at the masjid and we'll go for icecream after. Cool?"

"Yeah, sure."

The second day of school is the worst. Unfortunately, we had to study about evolution over summer break and today we had a pop quiz. Luckily, I passed it smoothly.

Yusuf didn't come to school today. It's not like I was looking for him, though. Soon the bell rang for lunch. Hayat and I usually sat in our same seats like we usually do with a couple of our friends, Yasmeen, Farah and Aaliyah. It's a good thing that our tables were far away from everyone else's. Each table had a specific kind of group.

I arrived to the table first, but then just made myself busy with my phone so I didn't look like a loner.

"It's about time," I said as the girls ran through the doors and sat down with their lunches.

"It's not our faults that... we had to find a way to escape because... Yusuf was blocking our way for 10 minutes!" Farah quickly said, out of breath

"He did WHAT?" I almost yelled out loud.

"Shhhhhh!" they all shushed me.

"Okay, okay. He did what?" I whispered

"Uhh, well . We were all walking out of the restroom when suddenly Yusuf comes out of the boys restroom literally blocking our way, right. And then so we told him to move so we could go to lunch but then he started asking stuff about you and we all started yelling at him. He said that we wouldn't move until we told him but then a teacher was passing by. He ran back into the bathroom and that's when we ran all the way here. End of story." Hayat said with a disgusted look on her face when she mentioned what Yusuf did.

"Wait, I thought he wasn't at school?" I asked, confused.

"Why do you think that? He is in in- school suspension, that's why he ran back into the bathroom when a teacher came."

"I'll be back." I said angrily and got up from my seat. " Where are you going?" said Aaliyah. "Don't ask." If it's messing with me, I'm fine with it. But if it's messing with MY friends, I'll probably blow up. Also, it really surprises me why he wanted to know about ME. I'm nothing but just one of the girls who sits in the back of the class and rarely talks to anyone but my friends and gets harassed all the time by the most evil girl in our school. Carly.

I found him walking back to the office," Hey, you. Stop right there." He turned around to look at me.

"Oh uh, hey?" he said, not quite sure what was happening. "No. Don't play that game with me. You can't just look around for my friends and block there way and harass them just for information. Are you crazy? I bet you are. Why are you trying to find out about me anyways?" I sighed after that whole speech. He started at the ground for a moment. Alhamdulilah I was a couple feet away from him.

"It's not what you think, I just wanted to know if I knew you somewhere. You look so familiar I just can't remember."

"Yeah, sure. Keep up with the games. Mess with my friends again and you won't wanna find out what'll happen." It's not like I can remember him, he's probably using it as an excuse. I knew he was a creeper. " No seriously, Wallahi. Why would I lie on something like this?" he said with a serious face, looking hurt. He was telling the truth.

Okay, I kinda feel bad for saying all this to him, without really knowing the reason behind all of it.

"Oh... umm well.." I paused, "- may Allah forgive me. Sorry for everything."

"Inshallah. Uh, well it's fine. You don't have to apologize."

"No, I have to. I was being rude."

"Okay then, I'm gonna go back. See ya around. Salam," he disappeared into the office.

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I looked at the clock and realized that lunch was over. I stopped by at my locker and saw that the four girls were already waiting for me at my locker.

"So, what happened?" Hayat asked.

"Long story, I guess. I'm not really in the mood to talk. Let's go guys?" I said looking a little bit down. I feel really bad.

"Sure." they all said in unison. Since we all had the same math class we all walked inside and sat in our usual seats. Hayat glanced at me, then looked away, then glanced at me again. I knew she knew that there was something bothering me. We are best friends, after all.

School ended finally, and I said bye to my friends and Hayat and I walked over to her car. I opened the passenger seat and climbed in. Her car was so nice, mash'allah. She started the car and I turned on some quran while we were headed to the masjid. My mind wandered off thinking about Yusuf. It's been happening pretty much lately. No, I shouldn't be thinking about him, Aoothubillah.

Once we got there and found a parking spot we headed inside and took off our shoes and placed them on the shelf.

Yes. This is my happy place. The place that makes me feel more calm, more safer, and for sure closer to Allah.

There was only twenty minutes left for Asr, so I went to the restroom and made wudhu. I prayed Sunnah and as I finished, the Imam calls for salaah, as we all listen to the Adhan. ( islamic call to prayer.) We all stand up, forming lines, shoulder by shoulder.

"Allahu Akbar."

As the imam finishes by saying "Asalaamu alaykum warahmatulahi, Asalaamu alaykum warahmatulahi." turning his head to the right, then to the left. We all repeat.

I picked up my bag and Hayat and I left the mosque. We went to our favorite ice cream place, Coldstone Creamery. Looking through all the flavors, I ended up picking Birthday cake Remix and Hayat chose Oreo Overload. It was getting to spend more time with her again. She's the only person who could make me laugh the most and we told each other crazy jokes the whole time.

As she dropped me off at home, we said our salams and she drove off. Strange, there was another car by our driveway. Mom must be having guests. I fumbled with my keys and unlocked the door. I heard a women and a man, laughing with my mom. I walked into the living room.

"Salam, everyone." I said respectfully as the women who looked Arab sitting with her husband ran to me almost attacking me with a big hug," Ya Allah! Haneen, you've grown so much! Do you remember me?" she said laughing.

" As much I want to remember, you look familiar but I don't think I can remember."

"Haneen, this is Sumaya and her husband Abdullah. These are their children. Yusuf, the older one, and the younger one, Hamza." She pointed to Yusuf sitting on the couch besides his father and Hamza playing cars with Mubarak on the floor.

Y-Yusuf? Is that Yusuf? The guy that goes to my school? His face reddened as he saw me, knowing that we both were shocked.

"Yes. Nice to meet you all, again anyways, but I have a lot of homework that needs to get done so I'll come back." They nodded and I ran up the stairs making sure that I didn't trip and close the door once I got to my room looking worried.

Salam guys. Thank you all for getting me up to 500 reads on this story! It really means a lot. Please comment and vote on this story, I really appreciate it. Also, it would really help if you all share your thoughts & advice. I really try to make this story better so if you want share some ideas!