alt title: Jinn, Baby Talk, Yelp

With the arrival of Sarah and Ibrahim and their mothers and siblings, the Barbeque officially begins. The fathers had already started the fires on the stoves, lighting the charcoal. It was difficult to maintain the fires as it crackled, roared, and then dissipated because of the wind. But with a consistent effort from the three fathers, they had managed to keep a steady fire ready for the Barbeque.

Maryam carried the marinated meat skewers from the mother's side to the father's side with the help of Hania. Ishaaq too was the messenger, bringing hotpots filled with grilled meat to the mother's side with the help of Ismail.

Sometimes, the four of them walked together to and from the mother's and father's circles – especially when bringing the toasted marshmallows after toasting them over the stove at the father's side.

Now, they stopped in between the mother's and father's sides. Ishaaq was waiting for Ismail to deliver the toasted marshmallows to the mother's side and Maryam was waiting for Hania to deliver the chocolate and biscuits to the father's side for them to make smores.

Ishaaq was smiling at small Ismail's approaching figure. He was holding three skewers of toasted marshmallows in both hands.

Maryam was acutely aware of Ishaaq's presence half a meter or less away from her. She took a sidelong glance at him, her heart stopping at the sunlight on half of his face and that ever-so-charming smile. Allahumma Barik.

Oh right. Lower your gaze, Maryam.

Too late though. Ishaaq noticed a gaze on him and turned to meet Maryam's eyes. He gave her a nod, wearing his small smile of politeness – the small smile that decorates his face and brings summer to Maryam despite the cool winter breeze.

He turned back to Ismail to receive the skewers. He continued waiting for Ismail to bring the rest of the skewers to bring more marshmallows back to the mothers.

Sana and Sarah were finally alone together after the hustles of the trip. They ran off into the tree-covered forest nearby to talk and catch up.

"Yeah, so what did you have to say?" Sana turned to face Sarah after they sat down with their backs against the tree they chose to sit by.

"The new guy was there in the star-gazing platform that day," Sarah spilled all the tea there was in the kettle. This is an idiom, even though she is very capable of doing it literally too.

"Ah, your new neighbor," Sana remembered, looking up at the sky that was now tinted orange.

"He's not mine–" Sarah retorted, making Sana give her an amused smirk.

"I didn't say that." Sana tilted her head, trying to figure out her best friend. "So, you two were alone together that day?" Sana asked, curious and concerned. She was too invested in Sarah's spilled tea to realize that she was shivering. She had left her woolen sweater in the hotel room despite constant reminders from her parents Ayyub and even Ismail.

"Yeah, but we were more than half a meter apart so–"

"That's good then," Sana gave her friend a small, relieved smile. "Let me know if he ever bothers you,"

"He's not that kind of a person," Sarah dismissed Sana's threat. Sana looked ahead at the sky orange meeting the grassy hills, and how the trees swayed slightly in the breeze.

Hasan was going through his stuff on the father's side mat to find a can of tuna. He had found a mother cat with three of her kittens to feed. He realized he brought an extra sweater jacket and kept it away – unsure of what to do with it. That's when he looked in front of him and saw Sana – hugging herself – without a sweater – in the distance. Was she freezing? Then she really needs this jacket.

Just then, Hania came over to him to deliver a flashlight for the fathers to use to make tea later when it gets dark. Hasan took this chance.

"Hania, give this to your Ukht, Sana," he said, dusting the jacket and then folding it over Hania's forearm. Hania nodded and delivered the coat to Sana–

–Who received it with a confused expression.

"Jazakillahu Khairan Katheeran, Bibby," she said as she received the jacket, pinching Hania's cheeks as she did so. Sarah was looking back and forth and back again at Hasan who seemed relieved when Hania got his coat to Sana for Sana to wear it. Hmm. Something's cooking.

The coat was big for Sana (of course) but that's good. It was covering, black and warm. Perfect. She refused to think much about the fact that she was wearing Hasan's coat.

Hasan then wondered... how would he get his coat back? Eh, she can keep it if she wants.

"Akhi, where's the other coat you brought?" Hussein asked, standing in front of Hasan with his hands tucked in the warm fuzzy pockets of his jacket.

"Uh, it's over there," Hasan quirked his head toward the trees. Hussien squinted through his glasses to see where his elder brother was referring to. Then his eyes relaxed with understanding. Sana was wearing it.

"Oh... Did you bring it to give it to Ukhti Sana?"

Hasan scratched his head. That is why he brought it. But he convinced himself that he brought it in case it got too cold for him. He knows Sana's tendency to forget about sweaters.

When Hussein didn't get an answer, he let curiosity get the better of him.

"Why? Why are you giving her your sweater?"

No answer.

"Why are you taking care of her indirectly?"

No answer.

"You even rounded all four adult cats of yours into my room as soon as you heard she was coming over,"

Still, Hasan remained silent – his expression unreadable, almost hesitant and confused. He was glad there was no one else near the mats area to hear this conversation. This interrogation caught him off-guard. He flinched at every question and spam-blinked in surprise.

"I was just looking out for a guest," he chose to answer just one concern, dismissing the rest.

"Keep telling yourself that," Hussein frowned, holding his head. Is this why Hasan looks like a grumpy Sawda? "Okay, I leave it to you to figure out," he concluded. "I know I don't know half the stuff you know, but I still want to be of help if I can,"

"I'll figure it out, Hussein, and you'll be the first to know."

With that, Hussein took the flashlight dropped onto the mat, and headed over to the fathers by the stove to help them make tea and coffee for everyone.

And Hasan walked into the trees, aimlessly trudging forward reflecting the swirling mess his mind was. Why? Why did he do all that? For Sana? He was being a considerate host. And now he was being a considerate passerby since no one else had brought an extra coat. Right? That's all there is to it, right? Yet, the thoughts and feelings he has buried deep underneath all these excuses continue to battle against him and try to bubble up to the surface – cracking through the lies he's telling himself. What was wrong with him? Soon, it all made sense. He cares. He cares for Sana.

Ibrahim was trying to make the last smore – there was only one marshmallow left. It was for Hasan, but he wasn't there. So, Hussein ate it. Ishaaq wanted to eat it though. He's pretty cross with Hussein. Ayyub kept trying to get Ishaaq to see reason beyond food and called him childish for being mad at someone younger than him just because of food.

Maryam was with the mothers, not wanting to risk a journey into the lost lands of the trees. She was also pretty shaken up after being a messenger... with someone else, right? Why does she feel so nervous around him? Why does she always embarrass herself around him? Why does she care what he thinks of her? It shouldn't matter – it's been two months she knows him, and they haven't even exchanged a proper conversation so why are these thoughts coming up to her? Why does summer envelop her in its embrace when she's near Ishaaq? These new feelings confuse her. She doesn't know what to think or feel. She shakes them away.

Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) knows what is best for her. She will trust His divine plan. Whatever happens will happen and she will be patient through it all.

Because...

"O you who believe! Seek help in patience and As-Salât (the prayer). Truly! Allâh is with As-Sâbirûn (the patient)." ~ Surat-ul Baqarah, Ayah 153

So, when the Adhan of Maghrib time made everyone notice the purplish-blue tint of the sky, signaling the start of the evening, Maryam felt comforted. She was going to stand in prayer in front of her Lord again and seek His guidance and help through these new and complex feelings she had never encountered before.

***

Sana went to the women's side to get Sarah and herself some water and food because her friend was feeling hungry again. She knew if she sent Sarah back, she would have gotten lost, so she went herself. Sarah waited by the tree where they sat, the night sky towering over her. It was serene because the full moon lit up the surroundings and the stars were abundant.

After their talk, Sarah and Sana concluded that they would both do their best to not get into any kind of trouble and keep each other posted about each other's struggles and concerns.

Sarah felt curious about Ibrahim, but she decided not to proceed further and keep her nose to herself. Is he as nosy as her when it comes to each other? Then maybe their noses would–

Astaghfirullah.

Sana kept wearing Hasan's coat, finding his sudden concern surprising. Why isn't he minding his own business? What is this supposed to mean? That's all she thought about on her way to the women's side.

Ibrahim ventured into the tree cluster in search of Hasan who said he had something important to talk about. He stopped by a tree.

Sarah saw a cat walk up to her, so she baby-talked the cat as she would to any other cat or cute animal. She then stood up and followed it, still baby-talking it.

"Hey cutieee, you're soo cutee and fluffyyy,"

Ibrahim nearly jumped out of his skin at the sound of this high-pitched voice. He turned back and saw a pair of eyes floating in the darkness and yelped – then recited Ayatul Kursi (verse 255 in Surah Baqarah, read for protection) aloud.

Sarah yelped along with him and they both ran around the tree in opposite directions before stopping in front of each other again.

"Stop following me, you Jinn!" they both warned the air–?

"No, you!" They both said again. "Stop copying me, bro!"

"I'm not your bro!" Sarah retorted.

"Then who are you?" Ibrahim demanded.

"I'm Sarah bint Khalid!" she announced to the... tree. Yes.

"Sure, and I'm Ibrahim bin Ya'qub!" he announced to the tree as well.

"Really?" they both said again, hoping there was no jinn standing in front of them.

Once they were confirmed of each other's identities. They blew out a breath of relief.

"Alhamdulillah," they both said.

"What are you doing out here?" Sarah asked, genuinely concerned. How many of her antics did Ibrahim see or hear?

"I just came here with my flashlight to look for Hasan,"

Sarah by now had lowered her gaze. Ibrahim too was complimenting the smoothness of the grass floor beneath him.

"Try calling him?" Sarah suggested. It would not be a good idea to venture into the dark forests at this time.

"He left his phone with me," Ibrahim showed her the two phones he was holding.

"I ask Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) to grant you success in finding Hasan,"

"Ameen,"

Awkward silence enveloped them.

"Sorry for startling you–" they both say in sync.

"That's fine," they both continue to say.

"Okay, be careful," Sarah said, not wanting to end the conversation on a weird note.

"You too," Ibrahim returned, before disappearing into the forest.

THAT WAS SOUL-CRUSHINGLY EMBARRASSING AND ASTAGHFIRULLAH. DID SHE JUST TALK TO HIM LIKE HE WAS A FRIEND? WHY–

DID BRO JUST HEAR HER BABY TALK? IN A CUTE HIGH-PITCHED VOICE THAT TOO?

WHY DOES SHE NEED TO BE SO EMBARASSING.

On a side note... his reaction was hilarious. LOL.

Sarah too left the tree and walked back to the women's area without getting lost. But two other smaller people got lost instead.

"Guys, have you seen Hania and Ismail?"