I led everyone to the family room, taking a seat on one of the couches. Zaida sat beside me, shooting a small smile. She waited for Asif and Badr to sit down before speaking up. "I'm Zaida and this is my cousin and best friend, Salah."

I gave shy smile and kept my gaze lowered. I wondered how Badr looked right now. Was it obvious he was upset? Or did he look relaxed? Was he looking at me? Or Zaida? Or no one at all?

"I'm Badr." He introduced himself, "And this is one of my childhood friends, Asif."

"Oh, Asif? That's a nice name." She commented. I couldn't help but notice how she paid no mind to Badr, only paying attention to Asif.

"Yeah, thanks."

"Do you go to college?" She asked, trying to keep the conversation going.

"Yeah, I do. I go to the local college." He explained. "I major in architecture."

"That's really cool! I'm a political science major over in DC." She told him, not even trying to make conversation with Badr.

"DC? Really? That's so cool! I visited the place once, but it was just a day trip." He sulked. "I would love to see the place!"

"I wouldn't mind showing you around the city!" She offered.

I elbowed her, presumably at the same time Badr cleared his throat. I leaned into her ear. "He's your non-mahram. Even if you aren't sure about Islam, he is a Muslim. Don't give him a bad rep for hanging out with a girl all alone." I whispered.

"Oh, right." She whispered back. Zaida turned back to Asif, who was probably told the same thing by Badr. "How about we take like a group? I could bring Salah, and you could bring Badr? Or someone else. I don't know." She shrugged with a smile.

"That's a great idea!" Asif turned to Badr, "Wouldn't that be fun?"

I glanced upwards, accidentally catching Badr's gaze. I jolted my head downwards as my cheeks heated up. I heard him stutter as he replied. "Yeah- Yeah, that sounds like fu-fun."

I bit my lip, a little embarrassed. "Uhm, so we should exchange numbers then. I already have Badr's and Zaida's, so Asif? I'll just make a group chat." I spoke quietly, my voice a little squeaky with uneasiness.

Asif nodded, holding out his hand. I gave him my phone and he typed in his contact. "There. Just make a group chat and we can talk about this later." He seemed excited. "It was really nice to meet you, Zaida."

I thought I saw Zaida blush lightly and nod. "Nice to meet you too."

Badr and Asif left the room, leaving me and Zaida alone for a couple minutes before we had to go join dinner. "So? What do you think?" I asked her, hope etched into each word.

"Sally. I think I might like him. It's too early to say anything, but I definitely can't marry Badr. He's so... timid and boring." Zaida shrugged.

I wanted to say that he wasn't but I kept my mouth shut. "You should tell Phopu, then you guys can tell them by the end of the dinner that you aren't interested anymore."

"That's... a good idea." She smiled. "I just hope mommy isn't upset."

"I'm sure she won't be. Come on!" I couldn't help but smile. That was the best thing that could have happened that day. Zaida was going to stop the marriage!

We walked out of the family room and into the kitchen. I left Zaida so she could talk to her mom in private. There was still one thing I wanted to do. I walked out to the living room. "Excuse me, could I borrow Aleena and Ilma?" I gave their mother an overly sweet smile.

"Sure." The woman muttered and continued her conversation with my mom. My mother, on the other hand, had disgust roaming her eyes.

The two girls got up and walked over to me, confusion lingering in their expressions. "Did you need something?" Aleena asked.

"Nope, just come with me." I smiled and led the two girls to my room. I sat them on my bed and grabbed two scarves that matched their shalwar kameez. "Here, take these ones and give me the ones you are wearing. It'll just take a minute."

The girls were a little confused, but the did as they were told since they were in the seclusion of my room. They wrapped the brand new scarves around their heads and I swear I saw them both smile a little. "So, what do you need our scarves for?" Ilma asked, her light brown eyes sparkling with slight excitement.

"I wanna try and fix them. Of course, I could sew them, but that is way too boring for two beautiful girls like you." I shot a smile, scouring the room for materials.

"Aw, that's sweet. But you don't have to do that." Aleena smiled. "Our other scarves are ripped as well, we just have to wear them."

"Well, then these ones won't be." I turned to the two girls. "Badr has told me a lot about you two. I admire you guys, so so much. The scarves I just gave you are for you. And I'm going to fix these ones for you."

I watched as their mouths basically dropped open. I had given them very nice, chiffon scarves. "No, that's okay. You really don't have to give us anything!" Ilma argued.

I shook my head. "I know. I'm choosing to." I turned back around and started working on their scarves.

"You know, Badr's only been home one night and all he has done is talked about you." Aleena smiled a little. "We didn't understand what the big deal was, but I get it now."

Ilma grinned. "You're the best friend that he has ever had, in my opinion."

"Especially since we know you were there for him during all this." Aleena sighed. "Our parents are ridiculous and I'm sorry for how they treated you when they walked in."

"Oh, that's okay." I smiled, turning around with one of the finished scarves. I had turned the rip into a type of tiara. "They have three beautiful, amazing children. That's all I care about." I handed the scarf to Aleena. "Now, you can't wear this all the time, of course. But, if you're ever going to an event or something, it'll look beautiful. As if you are wearing a crown."

"Like a princess." Aleena hugged the scarf to her chest. "Thank you so much! Jazakallah khair!"

"Wa iyaki, love. Now I'll just finish Ilma's." I talked with the two girls as I finished up Ilma's scarf. "Oh, and remember. Don't let your parents see it."

They both nodded immediately. "Never. I'm hiding this away." Ilma giggled.

"Thank you again." Aleena hugged me, Ilma soon joining us. "We hope to see you around more often."

"I hope to see you guys more too." I gave a smile and led the girls back downstairs so we could all have dinner. Most people turned to look at the two girls, noticing their new scarves. They didn't notice, but I did.

I sat down beside Zaida and grabbed a very small portion of food, like usual. Just as I began to eat, my phone went off.

"Excuse me. Where is the rest of your dinner? Did it disappear? Is it invisible?" Badr had texted me. "You need more food than that, Sal."

I narrowed my eyes at my phone. "This is how much I normally eat."

"Liar, liar, pants on fire."

"I swear, Badr."

"I will tell your mother to force you to get more."

"You wouldn't."

"I would."

"You wouldn't."

"Watch me."

I looked up when I heard a chair scrape against the wood. "OKAY WAIT." I texted frantically. "FINE, ILL EAT MORE. STAY AWAY FROM MY MOTHER."

"😂😂😂😂😂 YOU SAY THAT LIKE IM SOME CREEPO."

"BC YOU ARE, BOB."

"AM NOT!"

"ARE TOO."

"GO EAT SOME FOOD." I accidentally laughed a little louder than intended and Zaida rose an eyebrow at me. "I made you laaaaaugh 😝"

"What are you talking about, you always do 😂" I sent back. "Now I'm actually going to eat. Talk to you later, Bob."

"See ya, Sal."

Words:
-Phopu: The sister of your father, an aunt.