CHAPTER | FIVE | UMAYMAH | POV

Common sense had finally hit me a week later as I sat on my bed watching lectures about Islam. I clearly knew since I was 5 that interacting with boys was a shame to be frown upon, and what do I do? Why, I walk right into a gang of them.

Face palming myself for being so stupid, I closed my phone and made my way downstairs to where my family was. I was grateful my parents were talking to me again but I could tell dad was still disappointed in me. To be honest, I didn't blame him either.

"Oi are you going to eat or not?" The pleasant voice of my older sister rang throughout my ears and I mentally groaned that I still had to see her everyday.

"Yes but I really don't think you can afford to be eating." And with that that I came closer to her so I can whisper in her ear, "we've all noticed the extra weight you've been gaining." I even made the effort of poking her stomach even though no fat was to be found.

She shrieked before trying to hit me and ran upstairs to her room claiming that she didn't want to eat. Just then mom glared at me while the rest of my siblings laughed at how much of a fool she looked like while doing that. I laughed myself before grabbing a plate and filling it with lasagne; meanwhile mom cleared her throat, getting ready to say something to us.

"By the way, Aunty Aliza and her family are coming to dinner tomorrow. I want you all to clean your rooms and be on your best behaviour!" Mom was serious about things like this but I didn't see why we had to clean our rooms; was dinner going to be served there?

Looking around the table I knew everyone was thinking the same thing but bit their tongue to not say anything. I don't think anyone wanted to face the wrath of my mother after questioning her.

Dinner passed by in a blur, mostly because I was too engrossed in finishing my food to participate in the conversation that was going around. Considering I had a pile of homework waiting for me upstairs, I couldn't afford to waste any time downstairs. Lucky me for having a best friend who gathered all the work I missed, for me to do over my weekend.

"Homework awaits. If anyone needs me, don't call me." They all rolled their eyes while I blew them a kiss and skipped all the way upstairs. My room was just about in sight when I heard cries coming from the room next to me; my sisters.

I had one older sister Jasmine who I used to share a room with, but soon after I got fed up with her, she moved to the room next door. So far, yet so close; unfortunately.

"Hey, not that I care, but is everything okay?" I asked opening her door. A gasp nearly left my mouth when I saw her sat cross legged on the floor with a blade in her hand. At that moment I snatched the blade away as she looked up at me with tears still in her eyes.

"Are you mad?! What do you think you're doing?! If it was what I said then you know I was joking." It started with me being angry but gradually my voice became softer as it dawned upon me that it could have been my fault she was acting like this.

"It's not your fault. I- I just, have issues right now. I can't tell you but please don't tell mom and dad about this!" She was pleading now and I didn't know what to do. Being sentimental was never me when it came to other people; it felt too awkward trying to comfort someone else.

"I won't tell anyone, just please don't try this again. It's unforgivable and you know that." She looked helpless but nonetheless she didn't reply to me. I sat her down on her bed and kissed her forehead while exiting her room, blade in hand, hoping that she would be okay.

***

"Girl how are you? You want some tea, coffee, water? Better yet sit down, you look like you're about to faint." No surprise that my best friend was to be taking care of me today and God knows how long until she thought I was better.

"I'm fine. If I faint it's because I couldn't stand seeing your ugly face anymore." I laughed while she tried to hit me but luckily I got out of the way just in time.

"You're lucky you moved or else you would've been bruising right now." She attempted to give me a death glare which looked even more funny that I couldn't keep my laugh in.

People stared while walking pass yet didn't say anything. I was known to be a little childish. Assia was now walking away from me pretending that she was upset, but I knew better. Instead of making my way towards her, I sat down on a bench and began eating my sandwich; thankfully we had gotten more Nutella. Technically this was my lunch, but oh well.

"Are you just gonna sit there? Come after me woman!" I began laughing again. She knew better than that; as if I would chase after her. She got the point after I still sat there, obviously making no move to follow after her.

"Come on, as much as I would love sitting here, we have class to go to." With that, I shoved the rest of my sandwich in my mouth and proceeded to class with Assia by my side saying something to which I was half interested in. The lack of sleep last night was getting to me; I was too busy trying to figure what was happening with my sister, but also questioning whether Shoaib was going to show tonight or not.

Just then I remembered, "Assia, I totally forgot to tell you!" I had stopped her in her tracks and turned to face her. We were just about to walk into class when I stopped us both. "Shoaibs family is coming over tonight. It was my idea but I didn't think they'd actually come."

I really didn't think they would accept because I knew they had a busy life with five kids and practically being billionaires who had a massive company to run. Then again, they had always been nice to me and my family.

"Are you kidding? Do you think he will show?" I knew who she was referring to but I didn't know myself. What I did know was that if we carried on this conversation, we would never get inside our class. Giving her a shrug, I dragged her behind me inside and sat down on my desk.

History was the least to worry about and I found myself zoning out. Though I tried my best to concentrate, my train of thought always went back to the the dinner we were going to have tonight.

I for sure was going to embarrass myself. Get told off for not having any manners at the table and overall leave a bad impression on my neighbours. Even though they were my neighbours, I hadn't spoken to them for over ten years; I guess they really were busy people after all. My biggest concern of course was Shoaib. I knew better to try and speak to him unless it was necessary now and the only which I could help him, was in the form of Abdullah.

Apart from staying up worrying and doing homework, I had also come up with a plan in which Abdullah instantly agreed to help me with. He was the only one that knew about what I was setting out to do, so it only seemed fair that I asked for his help.

If Shoaib thought I was going to give up so easily then he had another thing coming. Failing something wasn't what I liked and though this is a hard task, with the right help and guidance from Allah, I was sure to help this boy out.

Just then I looked up to see that the door had opened and with no surprise from me at all, Shoaib came strolling in like he owned the classroom. It was a habit of his to walk in late and I had already figured that out on the first day back, considering I wasn't here for the remainder of that week.

Nothing was said to him; the teachers were too afraid to say anything at all. Unfortunately for me, the only empty seat was the next to me which he willingly sat in. Looking at him wasn't even an option as my gaze was fixed to the board in front of me.

"What, no lectures today?" I heard him whisper and I knew he was talking to me but I was still debating whether or not I should reply.

Finally, I said a quick 'no' without even looking at him and began working through the textbook on my desk. That was until it was snatched away from me. I know exactly who took it, but I wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of knowing that I cared.

"Assia, can I share with you?" I asked her because she sat next to me, but before she could even reply, Shoaib opened his unpleasant mouth.

"Don't be like that. You can share with me." Assia's eyes had gone wide. Poor girl was intimidated by him just talking, even though it wasn't directed at her.

"So, we sharing or not?" I had ignored the person next to me and asked my best friend to share again. I knew I was playing with fire, but I couldn't afford to get in any more mess with Shoaib. I may have willingly walked into him last time, but this time I wouldn't be so dumb.

At that moment I heard a slam and taking a wild guess, it was Shoaib who had banged on a table. Turning around, I saw he was now standing with my text book in his hand looking impatient.

"Incase you haven't noticed, I offered to share with you. No need to ask her." His tone was bitter but I wasn't one to fight back.

"Both of you to the head now! Disrupting my lesson will not be tolerated." Although Ms Harris was scared of Shoaib, her lesson was of more importance to her. I was about to argue that I didn't do anything but I knew there was no point.

Grabbing my bag from the floor, I managed to get out the room and was trying hard to escape Shoaib. I wasn't really going to the head, as bad as that may be. It's not like he was going to do anything; just give me a warning and while he wasn't looking, I would probably grab a handful of chocolates from his desk and walk out. I doubt Shoaib would be that lucky to just get a warning.

"Where are you going?" I heard a voice shout to me from behind.

"To the library." I shouted back but still didn't turn to face him. I didn't think seeing his face was necessary.

"Rebel huh? Thought we were supposed to go to the heads." Why was he trying to strike a conversation with me? On my first day back too.

"Look, save the conversation for dinner tonight. Well if you're coming that is." I added the last bit more to myself, but I knew he had heard me say it.

"I'll come if you do something for me." I stopped dead in my tracks. That was when I forcefully turned to look at him.

"And what can I possibly do for you?" I didn't mean to sound so...sarcastic, but old habits die hard. He waited a moment, as if trying to control his anger, then carried on to talk.

"The gang haven't eaten for days and since there's dinner at yours today, could you make extra?" It was a legit favour to ask and the fact that they hadn't eaten for days won me over.

"I will. But how am I supposed to get it to them? I'm not looking for a beating when 15 - 20 boys come knocking on our doorstep for food." It was true; although I had agreed to 'help' him, I wasn't sure how to get the food to them.

"I didn't think of that yet." He didn't thank me, nor look grateful but I didn't push it. This wasn't going to turn into another argument.

"Oh wait, I'll get Abdullah to drop it off while coming back from the Masjid." It was a good plan seeing that I wasn't one to go there myself and especially by myself without a Mehram. Been there, done that. Never again.

"No more people needs to know where we're located. You're lucky you even found it."

'Stay calm Umaymah. Don't get angry at his words.'

"Well you can't leave during dinner and they can't wait for you to finish. Either take it or leave it." I was trying to make this conversation as short as possible. He looked around whether debating he should agree with me.

"Fine. Also, this was one favour because it's desperate. Don't get any ideas." With that he walked off and surprisingly I found myself smiling. The fact that he had even came to ask for my help showed that he trusted me. I may not be his favourite person in the world, but he trusted me enough to do something for him.

"Wait!" I called out after him. Luckily he heard me and turned around; he also stood where he was and made no move towards me. "Why would you trust me with something like that?" It didn't hurt to be curious.

"The circumstances are perfect. And, you're about the only person not scared of me." With a shrug of his shoulders he went back to walking away.

Hm, I guess I really wasn't scared of him. It took a while for it to sink in and realise this fact, but truth be told, there was nothing scary about him. He was corrupted and without knowing anything, us people decide to perceive him in a negative way and back off. Maybe backing off was what the problem was. If there was someone to help him then maybe he wouldn't be as lost as he was today.

Maybe.

All of a sudden I was snapped out of my thoughts from the bell ringing above me and students rushing out their classrooms, eager to get to lunch. Considering I had already eaten my lunch, there was no point in going to the cafeteria, so instead I waited for Assia outside our classroom.

"You have to tell me everything!" She shrieked in my face before I even had time to see that she had already made her way towards me.

"Oh, we skipped the principals and he took me for a romantic lunch and came back within five minutes." I rolled my eyes and whacked her arm for being stupid. We were asked to go to the head, what could have possibly happened? Well, a lot happened but that wasn't necessary to talk about.

"Shut up. One day your sarcasm is going to land you in trouble and don't count on me to be your knight in shining armour...or princess even." Once again I rolled my eyes.

"I'd be dead by the time you came to 'rescue' me anyway." I air quoted 'rescue' with a wide grin hoping she wouldn't strangle me on the spot.

"Stop bullying me! Let's just go outside, I need fresh air after that lesson." And so we walked outside as she told me the gossip that had began to spread after we left class.

It was an eventful day to say the least, but I suspected tonight was going to be minor compared to the scene we had just caused in class.

***
A/N - New chapter and I hope it's up to your standards :) So, how desperate do you think Shoaib was to have gone to her for help?

Also, a massive dedication to @WiseLemon for having one of the most amazing books I've come across; take a look at it ❤️