Somewhere for Us

4. A Walk

After the two families left last night, I couldn't help but think about Ahmed. I mean there's nothing to think about beside the fact he touched me which was extremely awkward for me. I brushed the thought aside and continued walking to my math class which I was dreading. Literally the most idiotic class and the teacher, Mr. Miller, just hands out worksheets and doesn't even teach anything.

I made it to math just in time like any other class and sat down on a chair. From the corner of my eye I saw Ahmed and Cassie talking more like flirting . Cassie was one of those popular girls. She was nice and all but she got around with guys pretty quickly. She was dangerously close to Ahmed and he didn't seemed bother one bit . I felt ...jealous? Not really , I mean he's just another guy right?

The classes went by in a blur like they usually do when I'm tired. Lunch came about and I sat down with Alia and Maryum. "Salam girls" I said. They said their salams the same time and smiled back. Maryum saw something behind me and smirked. "Looks like our Hayat has an admirer." I was confused and slightly looked behind me. Ahmed was looking toward me with no emotion. I quickly turned around.

"What's that I see ?" Alia amusingly asks. "I don't know, he's just probably .."

Maryum and Alia both bursted into laughters and I just sat there. I didn't pay any heed to it because he must've been looking at someone else I guess. The bell rang shortly after and we all got up to leave to our classes.

As I turned to go ,Maryum called my name. " I'm so sorry but I won't be able to drive you home today. I'm leaving literally now because of a wedding." I was unsure to say anything since I didn't know how I'd get home. "Oh. That's fine. I'll figure out something" I said. We both said our goodbyes and went separate ways.

The day came to an end and boy, was I glad! I stood out the gate of the school waiting for Maryam until I realized she wasn't here. I decided to call my mom knowing she was still at work.

"Salam, is everything alright?" Ammi said through the phone. "Salam and well I was wondering if you could drop me home." I said . "What about Maryum?" She said in a concerned voice . "She had to leave early for some wedding " I explained. " I don't know dear. Your Abbu and I are still at work but I'll figure something out. Can you wait-" she paused for a sceond. "20 minutes ?"
"Yeah, I'll survive " I replied in a humorous tone. "Alright, Allahhafiz and stay at school. Don't wander off. " "Okay mother. Allahhafiz " I said while laughing .

I put my phone and sat down at the bench that was just a few blocks from school. I saw couple guys in the distance from my left eye in the corner. They looked like druggies and all of them were smoking. How can people destroy themselves like that? Drugs don't get you anywhere in life.

I didn't know if I was hallucinating or what but I saw a figure that looked fairly simliar. They all then spread out a bit and I realized the figure was Ahmed. Him too? I mean wasn't he Muslim ?

I know I shouldn't be judging him since I'm not the perfect Muslim around either . I make mistakes too. But Ahmed had changed a lot since the last time I ever had an proper encounter with him. He was a sweet , caring and practicing Muslim until that one day came. I shrugged off the thought and continued to play with my phone.

I heard some heavy footsteps coming toward my way. I looked up and it was those druggies. What do they want? I clutched myself and turned the opposite way. I recited a verse from Quran in my head , asking Allah to protect me.

"Heyyyyy, aren't you looking niiice " the guy was clearly drunk. The smell of cigarettes and alcohol filled my nostrils and it was not pleasant. People really drink this early during the day?

Being the dumb person I am, I turned around and stood up to the guy in the middle keeping a good distance. I could see Ahmed on the left from the three guys but he wasn't my concern at the moment. "I'm going to say this once and you better listen catefully. Get out of here if you don't want a red mark on your face." I had no idea where this confidence came from but that didn't make the situation any better. All three of them laughed and Ahmed just had no expression like always.