Chapter 16: Life Talkies.

*

"Serene places, 

Amazing people 

and 

Good Food, 

equals 

Good Times"

-2am-

*

The boys set on the rugged floor by the large wall, using it as their back support. Zul was engrossed in reading the book he found on one of the shelves while Yazdan, Yahyah and Iqraam were indulged in a conversation from time to time. For now, it was personal morals. Their new topic was life experiences.

"I have a younger brother and three younger sisters. I happen to be the oldest" said Iqraam and Yahyah's eyes widened.

"You have four younger siblings? How do you manage?! I can't even work with one" he muttered, glancing over to Zul who was busy reading. Iqraam let out a small laugh.

"I manage."

"Yazdan has five though. And an older brother who you know" said Yahyah and Yazdan nodded.

"So how did you two become best of friends?" questioned Iqraam and Yahyah grinned while Yazdan groaned.

"Wrong question"

"Perfect question" the latter was the enthusiastic Yahyah.

"So?"

"Yazdan and I met in preschool, when he was crying over his mother leaving him. He hated everyone but someone, he didn't hate me. Well he did actually. He threw a play dough at me on the first day" chuckled Yahyah and Yazdan frowned.

"In my defense, he was pestering me. I never had outside people exposure so as a 4 year old, I generally hated people." He replied and Yahyah laughed.

"He still hates people. Only likes selective people" Yahyah commented and Iqraam raised an eyebrow at him. Yazdan buried his face in his hands.

"Anyway, first week. The entire first week, I pestered him. Even asked mom to pack extra cookies for this idiot. Then we became friends. And kind of inseparable since then" said Yahyah, smiling fondly at the memory.

"That reminds me of Shumayll and I. We didn't go to preschool together though, we kind of ditched school and started our business together" said Iqraam and Yazdan turned to him.

"So how did you begin your business?" he asked, curiously.

"Shumayll and I had an idea of developing and using technology for the betterment. The industry was growing fast that time so we invested in a few places for our equipment. His father found out and we were given a chance under his banner to work and establish our own business. I found my love for race and cars there so I developed my business into Motor Corporation while Shumayll stayed in the IT business. It was hard because during the first few years, we were just teens. When we hit our 20's, we had two separate businesses to take care of. And I guess that was how we started"

Yazdan and Yahyah were in awe. He was so dedicated.

"That-" said Yazdan and Yahyah completed it. "-was awesome"

"Thank you. What about you two? How did you come about with the jobs today?" Iqraam asked.

"I loved trucks ever since I was a child. I lived with dad when mom divorced back in high school and developed a fondness of them since then. It was a way to keep myself busy and soon it became a full time job. That was until dad passed away last year and I had to take over his business" said Yahyah and Iqraam gave off a surprised expression. He did not know Yahyah's dad had passed away.

"Well I happen to not find any job appealing so I decided to try architecture. Here I am" said Yazdan and Iqraam and Yahyah let out small laughs.

"Says one of the best and highest paid architects of Australia" remarked Yahyah and Yazdan shrugged.

The imam cleared his throat the immediately all conversations died down. He then began with the program for the day. It was after the sunset prayer, Magrib. He addressed the upcoming events and such, leaving the boys confused as ever.

"This ramadhan1, much like the past ones, we would try to have the iftari2 here before the taraweeh3 prayer. We hope that the turnout would be even better this year, in sha allah."

Iqraam turned to Yahyah with a smile.

"Plans this ramadhan?" he asked and Yahyah gave him a smile back.

"Not much. Except Yazdan is staying back with me here" Iqraam turned to Yazdan who shrugged, turning to the imam. He then turned to Yahyah.

"He doesn't speak much, does he?" Yahyah let out a silent chuckle.

"Not if he wants"

-

"Oh my god! Aanabia, is that you?!" Oh Allah, why?

Aanabia turned to the girl standing in front of her with a large smile.

"Hey Saher! How are you?" she asked and the girl grinned at her.

"Good. How have you been?" Saher took a seat in front of Aanabia who let out a small sigh. She was in no mood to talk to this human.

"Ah. Good" as if Allah heard her prayers, the imam cleared his throat and the hall fell silent.

The beautiful Saher is here. Of course. I mean, her mother was a beautiful arab and her father was a Lebanese. What else would one expect of her? With the arab beauty and Lebanese features, she was perfect! Look at her! And to top it all, she was nice and kind.

"When did you start wearing a hijab, Saher?" questioned Nahal, leaning onto the girl. Saher let out a small smile, twirling her hijab in her hands.

"A few months actually. It is going great" she replied and Nahal nodded with a smile.

Aanabia looked over to see a confused face of Zaiha and questioning eyes of Ruqayyah.

"Ah right. This is Saher, one of the residents at the street down from ours." Introduced Nahal and Zaiha smiled while Ruqayyah nodded. Saher smiled at them.

"I am Zaiha. I live opposite to these girls" Zaiha said, taking Saher's hands and smiling at her brightly. Saher nodded, giving her best smile.

"So Saher, what do you do?"

"I am a lawyer. I am finishing my postgraduate right now" she said and Zaiha was impressed.

Ah great. Impress the mother too. Go ahead. Ruin my life, little devil. Aanabia did not know why she had a dislike for Saher. She and Saher have been through school together and she always saw Saher take what she wanted or had. Saher was not a bully, no. she was far from that. She was the kind your mothers would give examples about to you. Of course, that was because parents did not know who Saher tended to be most of the time.

"Aanabia?" Ruqayyah's voice cut through her thoughts and she turned to her with a small smile. Ruqayyah raised an eyebrow at her and she caught it briefly under her niqab.

"You okay? You look like you are about to pass out soon" whispered the woman and Aanabia shook her head before shifting.

"I am going to the restroom, real quick" she whispered back before getting up and walking out of the hall, ignoring the glances she received from the people around her. She needed air.

Why are you being so emotional, Aanabia?! It is just Saher, for gods sake! Not like she would-

Aanabia felt nauseous. She liked Yazdan and if Saher found out, it was definite she would take him away. Or maybe it was all in her head?

But what if it wasn't?

"I knew something was wrong with you" she turned around to see Ruqayyah standing by the door of the hall. The mosque was huge and the ladies hall was upstairs on the left while males were upstairs to the right, the two sides separated by a large wall. There were two doors on the front and back that allowed communication between the sides, other than that, there were none.

Aanabia was outside in the balcony of the hall, secluded from other people.

"I am fine" she muttered, looking out to the darkness. Ruqayyah shifted and stood by her.

"I know.....uh.... I know you..... for a little while now" said Ruqayyah and Aanabia let out a small smile. "..But you can tell me things you know"

"Yeah" Aanabia did not know why she agreed with the woman but she did. Maybe it was because she needed an unbiased opinion.

"So what is it?"

"Nothing really"

"Sure" said Ruqayyah, leaning up and wiping a strand of tear from Aanabia's cheeks. "Women got to have other women's backs ya know"

Aanabia let out a small laugh, sniffing and wiping away the tears.

"I don't know, honestly"

"Before that, I think we need to head back in. How about lunch together tomorrow? Just me and you?" asked Ruqayyah and Aanabia let out a small smile.

"Sure" The older woman clapped her hands before linking it with Aanabia's and walking inside as if nothing happened.

Just what is it about Ruqayyah Ibrahim that makes me trust her so much? 

***

That moment when you realize Suga raps faster than your wifi.😂😂

Anyyyhooowww. 

Update! I have a 4 day holiday and exams following up. So wish me luck. 

To all those celebrating Easter, HAPPY EASTER GUYSSS! 

Oh and THANK YOU SOOOOOO MUCH guys for sending me banners and covers. I will try to upload them on the upcoming chapters. ❤😘

| R - C - V |

xx, 

-aalihha.-