Chapter 4

Atifa's pov :

Suddenly my mobile rang, breaking me out of my trance. Who could it be? Picking up my phone, I checked the caller id and it was my best friend, Emaan. I cleared my throat before accepting the call.

"Assalamualikum Atifa!" Her cheerful voice rang from the other end, making me smile slightly.

"Walikumussalam, how are you?" I kept the file inside and closed the box.

"I'm fine Alhamdulillah. What about you?" She asked me excitedly.

"Even I'm fine Alhamdulillah. But what's up with you? What happened? Everything alright?" I asked her while keeping the box back in the cupboard.

"Yeah everything's good. Guess what? Guess what? I will be coming to your house tomorrow. We can finally have a sleepover! My mom allowed me and I'm so happy! I can't believe it! We will have so much fun. Just keep my share of cake ready. Don't eat it or let that little thief Amira steal it. Understood?" She asked me sternly. Wow, I just realised everyone has a bossy side.

I chuckled. "Ok miss. Anything else? And I'm so happy that you are coming." I replied happily.

"Naah, nothing much! I will get going now, I want to get my stuff ready." She told me hurriedly.

"What stuff? What's special tomorrow?" I asked her, confused.

"Don't worry, you will get to know about that tomorrow. Now take care, byee." She replied mischievously.

"Uh, ok? U too take care. Allah Hafiz." I replied still confused as to what she was talking about.

"Allah Hafiz." And she hung up the call. I kept my mobile aside, still thinking about her weird behaviour.

I caught my reflection in the mirror and saw my puffy face. I can't go like this in front of Amira or Alayna. There will be thousands of questions to which I have no answer. So I went to the washroom to wash my face. After that, I rimmed my eyes with kohl to reduce the redness. The redness won't go away but at least it won't be that visible.

I scanned my reflection in the mirror. My eyes still looked a bit red, my nose was also red and my cheeks looked like I used some blush. Like I was doing my makeup here. I laughed at that thought, yeah natural makeup. My lips were chapped, so I put on some lip balm and that was it.

I was wearing a black long frock which reached my ankles. It was plain except for the embroidered work on the neck and wide golden lace on the border of the dress and on the sleeves. I paired it with black leggings. It also had a heavy dupatta which I wasn't wearing currently because I have to go in the kitchen to make lunch. This was one of my favorite dresses as it was long, it was black and it fits me perfectly. Overall I looked good, I mean, I'm not as pretty as some model but Alhamdulillah I'm beautiful as I'm.

God has made us all beautiful in our own way. We should never compare ourselves to others. We all are different, unique in our own way. He doesn't make any mistakes. He knows best how we would do our best and how we would look our best. We should never complain about how we look or how we are made. We are made by the creator of the universe who can never make any mistakes or go wrong anywhere. This was one of the things which my parents taught me and I can never forget that.

After I was done examining myself, I went downstairs in the kitchen. I decided to make chicken kebabs, lentils with tortillas and plain rice. I started my work while my mind wandered to my old memories. Although I tried my best to keep it all together, I did lose my control a few times resulting in tears rolling down my face every once in a while. In about one hour, I was done with the food. Only salad was remaining on which I started working after checking the time. It was about three in the afternoon and ammi will be back anytime soon.

After making the salad, I kept it in the refrigerator and went back to my room. I washed my face once again since I was feeling hot and sweaty before rimming my eyes with kohl again. The redness was still there. I shook my head and took out a plain black hijab and pinned it in its place. After that I pinned the heavy dupatta on my shoulder. Being satisfied with my look, I decided to go and check up on Amira and Alayna.

Grabbing my mobile, I went towards Amira's room and saw them playing with her dolls now.

"Api, would you like to join us too?" Amira asked me excitedly when she saw me entering her room. Alayna turned to look at me, her eyes filled with surprise. (Big sister)

"No, you both continue, I will just sit here and watch you both play." I told her with a smile while sitting on her bed.

"Okay." She shrugged her shoulders as they continued to play. I turned my mobile on silent mode and opened the camera. A smile tugging at the corner of my lips. I love taking pictures but only the kind in which the face isn't showing. So as Amira and Alayna's backs were turned towards me I took this chance to take a few pictures of them.

I tried different angles and when I was happy with the results I smiled in triumph. Checking the time, I realised that Ammi wasn't back yet and it was past her usual time of returning back home. And also, Alayna's brother might be trying to find her, if he even remembers about her, that is. I gritted my teeth while thinking about his carelessness.

Not wanting to think much about it, I turned my attention back to ammi. I hope she is alright. I thought of waiting for a while before calling her. Maybe she has some extra work in her office. To pass the time and divert my attention from my overthinking mind, I started reading a story online.

"Api, will you please catch us? Please? We are the thieves and you are the police. Okay?" Amira's voice brought me out of my world. And I couldn't resist their innocent puppy eyes. I internally awed at them. They are so cute. Ma Shaa Allah.

"Alright but don't run too fast or else you guys might fall. And also, Alayna is already hurt so be careful. Got it?" I warned them sternly. Closing my mobile, I stood up to play with them.

"Okay api!" They chorused happily. They went towards the door and started counting from 1 to 3.

"Let's run!" Amira shouted before they started running in the hallways. I ran behind them, a smile playing on my lips. I have to say that they were pretty fast. Their laughter rang in the house and it felt - even if it was just for a moment - complete. Just like how it used to be.

"Woah girls, slow down a bit! I can't run that fast." I exclaimed with a laugh.

"No api, it will be cheating that way." Amira replied as they exchanged a mischievous smile before running downstairs while laughing.

"Careful girls!" I shouted at them while shaking my head.

"Catch us if you can!" Alayna shouted happily and ran in the living room. I was running downstairs trying not to fall face first in this dress. They are definitely taking advantage of me wearing this dress.

"Come fast api, or else you won't be able to catch us." Amira chimed in with a laugh.

I glared at them playfully and chased them. Just wait and watch kids, how I catch you! My mind started making a plan just for them to escape from the living room and run towards the drawing room.

"God, these kids! Let me just catch them once!" I muttered under my breath and huffed. I ran after them to the drawing room only to see Alayna hugging a man?

Stopping dead in my tracks, I realised a man was in my home. Huh, Where did he come from? And that too in my house. Without my permission. And wait a minute, why is she hugging him? And how come I'm here in front of him? I mean, oh God! My hijab! I mean my niqab! I didn't realise that I was staring at him with confusion clearly visible in my eyes. As soon as I realised that, I turned my gaze away only to see Amira standing in the corner, looking confused. Just like me.

This is so messed up! Who is he? And how did he even come here?

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GLOSSARY :

- Api - Elder sister.

- Hijab - A stole used to cover hairs, neck and chest.

- Niqab - A usually stitched cloth used to cover face.

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