The week has gone by so fast. I can’t believe how much has changed. Living in the same house as Ismail is easier than I thought. We hardly fight, but when we do Aazim is always there to break it up. He kept to his word and had my laptop fixed. I was surprised he did, but it made me understand Ismail is a man of his word. Something I find good about him, even though I dislike him. Today is the day of the presentation of the project I have been working on for the past week.
I have been pacing up and down the kitchen this morning making sure everything I need is ready, but I can’t seem to cool down because the way Ismail is looking at me is not helping. He has this boyish smirk on his face as if he can’t wait for me to mess this up so he can rub it in my face. I am so going to prove him wrong today.
“Will you stop looking at me like that!”
“How am I looking at you, Miss,” Ismail says, smirking more knowing he is getting to me.
“I don’t know! Just stop!”<
I arrive at the restaurant before anyone else. I am waiting for them at the front while waiting for a table. To my utmost surprise, Ismail walks in. ‘I wonder why he is here. I hope he did not follow me.’ “Why are you here?” I ask. “I thought you said you are not talking to me.” “Are you following me?” I say totally ignoring what he said. “Of course not, I am here to eat.” “Oh, good for you,” I say. He doesn’t say anything but shakes his head. “Are you guys ready to take your seat? We have an empty table,” the lady from the front desk says. “No, I am waiting for someone,” we both reply. “Alright, no problem.” A few minutes later Fatima and Udar walk in and they are talking but stop when they see Ismail and me waiting. Do they know each other? I can’t remember ever telling Fatima about Udar, maybe she does. “What’s going on? Did you guys come together?” Fatima asks while coming to stand beside me
Today Fatima and I are meeting up after work to talk about her and Udar’s almost marriage. I am still shocked she almost got married and I am just finding out about it now. Today I am wearing white high waist wide leg trousers, a black top, white swing coat, black stiletto heels, a black hajib, and a black handbag. I perform my Asr (late afternoon) prayers before going to see Fatima. I just finished at the office, and I am on my way over to her place. I park my car and walk out to meet Fatima. The home has a black cast iron gate with lovely flowers all around the front porch. It’s a two-story building. I ring the bell three times before the maid opens it for me. I make my way straight to Fatima’s room. The entryway is as lovely as the front porch; there are grand staircases with black bannisters leading to two separate parts in the house, and a big crystal chandelier. “As-salamu Alaykum,” I say walking into her room after knocking. Fatim
I am about to leave Fatima’s to go home when I am pulled from behind into a big hug from Abeela. Abeela is brown skinned and 5 feet 5 inches tall. “As-salamu Alaykum, kiddo.” “Wa- Alaykumu Salam, how are you, aunt Umit?” she says stepping in front of me. “I’m good, how are you?” “I am fine too, how is work?” “It’s a bit stressful but okay. How is school?” “It’s amazing. There is so much I want to tell you about school, but I am on my way out,” she says. “You are going out looking like that?” I say taking a good look at how she is dressed, and I am disappointed to say this is no way a Muslim girl should dress to go out. She is wearing a very short skirt that stops mid-thigh and even though she is wearing pantyhose, it’s still too short. “Yes, what’s wrong with it?” she says like she doesn’t know. “What is wrong with it?” I say in a stern voice. “Aunt, what’s wrong with it? This is how everyone dresses now
The week has gone by so fast. The game made by my group and me has gone viral in a week. I am so happy that words cannot describe it. I am working in my office when Emma barges in, looking like she wants to kill someone. “Hey!” I say confused as to why she walked in like that. “I can’t believe she is back,” Emma says, pacing up and down my office. “Who is back?” I ask. “That slut!” she growls angry. “Which slut?” I say totally confused. “Anna Huston,” Emma says with disgust. “Who is that? And why are you calling her a slut?” “She is the slut Austin cheated on me with.” “Wait! He cheated on you?” I say, guessing that’s why they broke up. “Sorry, I should not have brought my problem to you. I should go,” she says walking toward the door. “No, no it’s fine, I am here to listen,” I say, walking towards the door to stop her from leaving. “Thank you.” “Why don’t you sit down and calm do
The next morning, I wake up real early to make breakfast for everyone but made sure to make Ismail’s just a little extra special. I made red velvet pancakes with ice cream and strawberries. I even put a hydrangea flower on the tray. I can’t wait for him to come downstairs. I am sure he is going to be confused as to why I made his breakfast so special. I plan to please Ismail so he will pick me for the trip. I hope it works. “Hmm, what smells so good,” Ismail says walking into the kitchen. “Good morning Ismail, how was your night?” I ask smiling. “My night was fine, thank you for asking and whose breakfast is that,” Ismail says looking at me suspiciously. “That’s good, and it’s yours.” I say putting the tray in front of him. “Really, did you make it?” “Yes, I did. I made it especially for you,” I say smiling at him. “Umit, are you trying to kill me?” “Ismail I would never try and kill you,” I say even though I know there
“Babe, I am so tired I could fall asleep on your couch right now,” I say lying down on one of the couches in Fatima’s office. “I have been going for interviews for the past two weeks. I am so tired of saying the same thing to different people. I could lose my mind doing this,” I say getting comfortable on the couch. “I am fine, thank you for asking and work is great,” Fatima replies sarcastically. “I’m sorry, Fatima, I did not ask you how you are doing. Let’s start again. As-Salamu Alaykum, how are you, Fatima? How is work?” “Wa Alaykum salam, now that’s better. I am doing fine, and work is work. So now I would ask you how your day is, but I already know. Sorry about all the interviews. Don’t worry, In Shaa Allah, you will get the visas,” Fatima says. “How are things with Udar?” I ask recalling her telling me they had a few issues. “Like I always say, better than you working with Ismail.” “That’s not true, and for your informat
I am leaving after a long day at work. I have been so busy that I have not had time to speak with Emma. I am on my way to her house now. I take the elevator down to the ground floor and go outside to wait for a taxi, as my car is still playing up and I took it to the garage to have it looked at. I find a taxi and give the driver the address to her home while I try not fall asleep, as I’m exhausted. I arrive at her house and I pay the taxi driver. I walk up to her door and ring the bell. It rings three times before she opens the door. “Hi, I was starting to think you were not coming,” she says opening the door to me. “Sorry, I was so caught up in work. That’s why I am late,” I say, entering her home. Emma’s house is beautiful. The living-room walls are grey, there is a grey couch, two white armchairs, a glass coffee table and a staircase leading up to the bedrooms. I walk in and take a seat on the couch. “I heard about your interviews. I hope y
I am so happy today is Saturday. I work five days a week, so weekends are my free days. I am waking up for the third time today. I woke up earlier to pray Fajr and Dhuhr thanks to Ismail, who is still surprising me with his kind gestures. I forgot to charge my phone last night, and that’s what always calls the Athan for me. I was so lucky Ismail guessed I would be sleeping through and came to wake me up. After praying Fajr I still forgot to plug my phone in, which ended in him waking me up again for Dhuhr. I am so thankful to him for remembering to wake me up for prayers. I don’t know if he thinks I am sick, and that is why he is kind to me. I am not ill. I am just tired from the workload I am getting at the office. I wonder if he will go back to being his usual self when he finds out I’m okay. I guess I will have to get my strength back and see. After taking a bath I go downstairs to eat something. I am making Salmon Cobb salad when Ismail walks in.