{If you're looking for cute but not cliche love story. If you're looking for a way to enhance your knowledge on Islam. (Because I've learnt a lot from this book!!) If you want to cry, laugh and just have fun while reading then BEING MARVELLOUS BEING MODEST BEING A MUSLIMAH is your stop. I assure you won't be disappointed. Check it out!

Dedicated to the writer of this @HopesPrayersNSmiles for creating such a beautiful book. May Allah bless you with countless happiness!!}

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"There are going to be times when everything seems wrong.  When everyone calls me insane. When I'm surrounded by people I don't know.  When I've no one to talk to.  All I can do is that I turn to my Lord, my Creator and pray, asking Him to ease the burden on me. And, Subhan'Allah the feeling of sanity, slowly returning and suddenly, the feeling that I can do anything because I've Allah on my side." Me

Chapter Nineteen

Delusional Mind

(Maahirah Furqaan)

Do you ever feel like staying up in your bed, dreading the moment when you'll have to wake up and face the cruelty and injustice the world has in store for you. And, just this thought is enough to clamp your eyes shut tight. But, you wake up. You have to. Because you’re a fighter, you battle your way till the end and come out as a survivor.

This pep talk usually works on me. But, today, it doesn't. Today, I've this sudden strong hate towards the world which can never be expressed in words properly. So, the urge to not peel my eyes open is too dominating, and for once, I let dominant part win.

I hear loud hissing going on. Some people are talking in hushed voices. And, I'm not able to distinguish between male and female voices nor I try. Instead, I'm screaming inside my head for the voices to die. Can't they see I'm trying to sleep?

I do remember what happened before I lost consciousness, and maybe due to this fact I'm grumpy and cranky and blank in mind. The voices somehow don't reach in my ear now, and I'm relieved.

Just when I'm getting comfortable, I feel someone patting my hand, and that is all what it takes me to open my eyes and sit straight abruptly which causes a head rush.

When my vision gets better, I'm staring at six pairs of eyes. Unknown faces with weird expressions.

The first thought that comes in my head is to run. But, I dismiss this thought as I feel too weak and somehow, drained out of emotion. And, besides they are more against me.

"I'll inform the others!" A boyish voice breaks the ice.

I close my eyes. I want to ask them where am I? Who are they all? But all I do is keep my mouth shut. Contemplating my thoughts.

"How are you?" A girl voice meets my ear. I'm obliged to open my eyes. She's staring at me with her beautiful green eyes. Her shoulder length brown hair swing freely. She beckons forward and places a hand on my shoulder.

I've no idea what kicks in me. May be the evil part of my body is somehow at its peak, because, I jerk her hand away as if it's a plague. The room has grown quiet, too quite. I don't mind.

I search for Fadiya's or Aayan's face but all I find are strangers. A male and four females.

Someone clears their throat from my right side, and I whip my hair to see a lady dressed in green-black pinafore and a green nursing cap. She looks grimly at the little crowd across from me."I think it will be better if you all clear the room for few minutes."

Without a word, they leave.

"I'm going to check your pulse rate and blood pressure." She says.

Surprisingly, I nod because may be, I find her tone laced with kindness. As I'm checking the room, once again, I feel a nagging in my head. The room is lined with rows of bed in a neat column across from each other. The adrenaline rushes in my veins as I realize that I've been here before. I just know it.

"Maahirah, are you okay?" She asks me.

I nod, again.

She goes around checking my blood pressure and pulse rate. When she's writing on the clipboard, I raise my head, and look directly at her. She's oblivious to my stare.

"Where am I?" I manage to croak the words out.

She stops scribbling, and narrows her eyes. She's shocked that I spoke.

"Elton," Her reply is clipped.

"What?"

"It's a place known to few, my dear. I'm not the person you should be asking more details about it since I know you're curious. That's the sad fact of this human nature - curiosity. At times it's a great thing, but otherwise, it is not."

From all her talk, I extract one conclusion: different. She's different from other. Different with zeal knowledge. Different but wise. So, I proceed to ask new question.

"How did I get here?"

She places the clipboard at the side-table, and sits next to me on the bed. She puts her hand on my cheek."Child, if I was the Organizer I'd have had never exposed you to this strange and queer world. When you had finally moved on and was living your life, they had to work their way and bring you here. You're innocent. Timid. You don't deserve this world, Maahirah!"

"I....I don't get it!"

She smiles, slowly."I'm glad you don't get it. But, you most likely will understand it when the 'right person' explains it to you!"

I simply look into the peculiar colour of her eyes.  Greyish-blue. Masha'Allah, they are pretty.

"Anyways," She stands up and straightens her pinafore." You're good to go. Before that, I advise that you take a quick shower. And, meet me back here so you can sign the papers and leave." She hands me nearly folded clothes."All new. The bathroom is at the end of this corridor. You do not need a card for it. Oh, my, you've no idea what I'm saying?"

I nod. Card?

"Well, you better get along then!"

**************

Upon entering the bathroom, I, firstly, wipe the counter with the tissue paper and place the tidy clothes on it. There is a big mirror and I'm trying my best not to look at myself.

When I turn around after disrobing myself, I'm speechless to find nothing. Nothing at all. No tap. Or anything. All I see is a small keypad and a shampoo and a shower gel on a shelf.

I walk over to the keypad, and put my trembling finger on the button that says 'on.' Immediately, the small LED monitor blinks and flashes this sentence at me.

'Hello. Please select your water temperature.'

My first reaction is that I look around, afraid that I might be tricked into something, but, when I find nothing. I push that fear aside.

I type in 'warm.'

'Do you want the shower to be heavy or like the drizzle?'

I frown. What kind of absurd question is this? I, furiously, type 'heavy'.

'Thank you!' The screen mocks at me. Few seconds later, it's blank.

I look around waiting for something to happen, but nothing moves. Not even the hands on the clock.

Are you kidding me?

Suddenly, there is a quiet voice. I can practically hear the beats of my heart ringing in my ear. The bricks in the wall across the door are pulled in and instead a shower head protrudes out. When the water starts from its head, I almost slip on the tiled floor, however, I grip the counter before I meet the floor.

What the feathers?

Almost hesitantly, I step under the running water. The rivulets of water sting my body, and I'm grateful for that feeling. Then, slowly, I'm piecing up the facts.

I'm in a place where technology is freaking advanced. Where people are dressed in leather and denim. Where I'm alone. I've been brought to this hellhole by Aayan and Fadiya. I'm stuck in this place not knowing what to do. My mind is in a frenzy state. I.....

'You'll find about it soon.'

'Trust me. It's all for the best.'

'You'll find about it soon!'

That's what everyone has been saying to me. Was I supposed to find this? Did they mean this place? What. Am. I. Doing. Here?

The shower stops and 'Shampoo and shower gel time' are the words flashing across the small screen.

I'm going to get my answers soon. I don’t know how, but I will.

**************

After dressing up, I dispose my old clothes in the trashcan underneath the counter. Then, I wash my hands and this time, I dare to  glance at my reflection in the mirror.

As guessed, my skin is paler and my usual rosy cheeks drained out of colour red. Fear…..It is funny how fear is written all over my face. I'm scared. Yes, I'm. My lips are more prominent now due to their pinkish colour on pale skin.

Allah makes everything happen for a reason.

This thought runs in my head, making my blood freeze and the remaining colour in my skin drains down. Ya Allah, how can I forget my prayers? Why don't I remember praying any prayers? Why can't I remember anything after Aayan gave me the 'pep-talk?'

I, quickly, tie my hair in a bun and pin up my old hijab (headscarf). The answers to my questions are with those two!!!

I make my way back to the infirmary.  Just as I enter, I realize that a huge quarrel going on which results in the halting of my steps. I close the heavy door, lightly as I don't want anyone to know about my presence, and besides, their backs are facing me.

"Why would you do that?" The same boyish voice shouts loudly over the noise.

Silence. Now, everybody is quiet

"Because I had to," Aayan replies with gritted teeth.

"There were other ways too, Aayan!" A calm collected voice of a female speaks softly.

"Oh. Yeah. There was. Right?" Fadiya begins, sarcastically. It's the first time I'm witnessing this side of her."Let me guess it! Um, we could have had watched them killing Maahirah when we sure as hell were able to do something. Well, hello to you, we couldn't enjoy that scene. She might be a hope for you guys, but she is my best friend. A sister. Saving her life will always be an honour for me whether you like it or not."

Nobody moves. This kind of influence she's has over them.

"And, giving her anesthetic shot was to calm her nerves so we could bring her here safely." She states slowly.

"I do hope that she's safe here, and I do hope that you'll treat her with respect and won't be the angry, barbaric teenagers you usually are."

Aayan's words somehow make me gasp. Real loud. Believe me, I had never seen this side of these two, like, ever.

My gasping makes them realize that they aren't alone, anymore, and abruptly they all turn to look at me. The little crowd breaks in from the middle and Fadiya and Aayan are staring at me. Fadiya shocked. Aayan, his chiseled jaw line gritted together making them more dominant and he clenches his fists.

And the urge to hurt both of them is so powerful that I grip the material of my jeans to stop my hands from causing any damage. My breths are somehow uneven now which is so unreal and so out of character.

Before anyone of us can say something, the door behind me pulls open. As an instinct, I side-step.

"Hello, everyone."

The voice makes me jerk my head which causes a jabbing pain in my neck. But, I ignore it. My eyes sink in the exterior of the person standing in front of me.

Only one sentence flashes in my head like the danger sign - zooming in and zooming out.

Maybe I'm dead too.

*************

The shortest chapter in SD history. But, I was getting so sweet messages so I decided to go ahead and update. I hope you will VOTE AND COMMENT!:)

If there is any error point out. I’m not feeling well. The darn flu is ruining everything. And to make matters worse, we’re going out for BBQ with family friends. Can you believe it??

Anyway, the next update will be soon, and for updates please follow me!!:) Thank you for 10,000 + reads and 700+ votes! Yipee!! Means a lot to me!:)

HAPPY FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL WHENEVER YOU START IT!:) I’m starting this Sunday! Wish me luck!:)

Have a great day/night!:)

-MidnightWhisperer

PS: The cough syrup sucks!!:(