Edited:

Published:Tuesday, September 29, 2015 1:15 am

Ayah:
August 26th

Three days. It's been three days since the incident with Isabella and I'm still clueless and stubborn. I don't know what I want. Part of me wants to be pregnant, but the other is skeptical because of the situation I'm in. No part of what's going on with Jafar and I screams 'let's have a family.'

          And I'm not the only one who agrees.

         "Ayah, if you are pregnant, you can't keep this from your husband. No matter what kind of fight you're in, he needs to know, Habibti."

          I know Mama is right about telling him, but I don't think this is a situation you talk about out of the blue. I'm not even sure that I am pregnant, but my mood is different, I can't stand certain smells and certain monthly occurrences haven't happened in a while. Plus a sore throat and a stuffy nose, but I know nothing about these things.

          "I know that you're right, but I just can't. Not until I know for sure, not until I'm ready."

    She sighed on the other end, and I could hear her talking to someone, probably Aunt Suhaila.

        "Okay, Ayah. This is your life, but this is you and Jafar's issue. Find a way to put aside your problems and deal with the task at hand."

        All day I've been thinking about this. At work, on my break and when I went for a walk through the park. I guess I'm just scared. Scared of knowing, not knowing and dealing with this. But I need to act like an adult because I am one. I'm not a child who waits for others to help her, I need to figure this out on my own.

          As I walked into the Academy, the first this thing I'm met with is Taylor's frown. We haven't talked much--just the usual 'hi' and 'bye' and nothing else. She's a beautiful girl with red hair and brown eyes.

"Are you okay?" She's asked in concern. "You look a little pale."

"Just a minor sore throat," I assured her and went towards my desk. Everyone here in the office is working at their own pace. You have some students who are at a table reviewing their assignments for next week. It's the annual after summer writing contest.

I sat down at my desk, put my bag down and sighed deeply. But when I opened my eyes I internally groaned. There's a stack of paper the size of my thumb on my desk, followed by my phone ringing for future appointments with Liz. Great.

"Great, you're here," Liz acknowledged as she walked out of her office with a male student. I put the person on hold to focus on my boss. Her hair is in a fishtail braid to the side, and she has on a peach colored wrap dress with nude pumps and red lipstick. All in all, she looks stunning and scary at the same time.

"I need you to make at least fifty copies of each paper by next week. It's for all the students who make it to the final fifty of the writing contest."

"Okay, I'll get on it," I pursed my lips and got up to make the copies when Liz stopped me with narrowed eyes.

"Are you ill, Ayah? Because you look atrocious."

"I'm fine, just tired."

"Very well," She nodded and went back to her office.

-*-

Jafar:

          "So, we go to the studios now?"

The man in front of me shook his head and groaned. "I'm handling everything with the label. They're difficult, but I'm handling it."

Today is day one of operation 'get my life together.' I'm not really allowed to do anything but keep myself out of tabloids, so I've been confined to my apartment. But at night I can finally breathe and take a walk, what he doesn't know won't hurt him. I can't believe it's been two weeks since I last talked to anyone from home. They're so upset by what I did that they've basically gone on strike.

I don't blame them, though. I don't even have the guts to call Ayah. I just don't want to make things worse by calling her because I miss her. That's just selfish. So, here I am trying to dump my label and find what I need to do here. I just don't want to do it anymore, though. I don't want this career if it means going through the same hell we've had to endure the last year. Sure coming out here will be a waste if I give it up, but I'm also thinking about what I'll lose if I continue. Plus, I've already made up my mind and no one can change it.

Suddenly someone knocked at my door. The guy with me got up to answer it, and seconds later two men came in with big smiles.

"Assalamu Alaikum," They both greeted me. I stood up to shake their hands.

"Wa Alaikum Salaam," I replied awkwardly when I was pulled into a hug. When I was let go, I looked at them both cautiously. "I don't mean to be rude, but who are you?"

The brother who hugged me let out a chuckle and cleared his throat. "My name is Nuh, and this is my business associate Tariq."

Tariq came forward and shook my hand.

"Why don't we all sit and talk?" My friend said and sat down next to me and let the others sit opposite us.

"I assume you don't know what we do or who we are, right?"

"Correct."

"We own Noor Records in several states around America and England and thought you could help us out."

"Me?" I asked in disbelief and they nodded. "What could I do to help?"

"You could be our new artist," Nuh announced with a smile.

I then turned to my friend who was smiling at me and raised his eyebrows. Was this his plan all along? To sign me up with another label after I've had so much trouble with the one I have now.

"Listen, Jafar. I looked into the label you have now, and your contract was only for a year, which will be over in two weeks. But if we figure out a way to get you out of your contract earlier, you can get aquainted with the label and record as early as the next few months."

"I don't know," I sighed. "There is a reason why I don't want to do this anymore."

"We know that," Tariq nodded in understanding. "Which is why what we have next will make you your mind."

I scoffed and got ready for what they are about to tell me. "I doubt it. There's only one way I could do that and I doubt that will happen."

"You mean like having a recording studio in New York?" Tariq smirked at me and my eyes went wide. "Because I assure you, we have that. All you have to do is agree."

-*-

Aunt Amaya:

I don't know who's crazier. Me and my bi-polar self, or my sister in law who is stood in front of me with two coupons to a spa resort in Miami. Who does she think we are traveling hours away to a spa retreat for four days? It's downright crazy.

          "Suhaila, I'm not letting you drag me away to some retreat four hours away so someone can scrub our old feet."

          She waved me off and started to rummage the closet for her suitcase.

"Amaya, you have been miserable without your daughter here for sometime now. You need to let go and be crazy for as long as you can."

"I can't believe you're actually thinking about this. You're fooling yourself."

I got up off the comfortable lounge chair in the living room to join her in her wild search. She frantically threw all the contents of the closet on the floor in her search of finding this suit case.

"Look," She took me by the shoulders and had me look in her eyes. "I know that you're worried about Ayah. You're worried that she's not taking care of herself, and if she is pregnant, you're worried that she isn't going to tell Jafar. Stop."

I rolled my eyes. "Suhaila, she can't keep doing this--they both can't. It's ridiculous!"

"I know," She nodded in understanding. "Which is why you need this getaway. No cell phones or problems. Just serenity."

I thought about it for a minute before realizing that she's right. Worrying isn't good for either of us.

"Fine," I sighed. "I'll go pack."

          The way she got me to agree to this crazy plan reminded me of when we were twenty years younger and did the craziest hings. I guess some things just don't change.

She perked up and grabbed the suitcase she was digging for. "Great! I'll go call Yaman and pack. You do the same."

I raised an eyebrow. "Why do I need to call my bother?"

"You don't, I do. Let's go!"

-*-

Jafar:

After the guys from Noor Studios left, Uncle Yaman went outside to take a call from his wife, leaving me to my own thoughts. Moving to New York can be a very good thing. I can be with Ayah and this whole thing can be resolved. And then there's Allen. I haven't forgotten about his offer, nor have I talked it over with Uncle Yaman.

He can't stand Allen, and I don't blame him. The only one who could possibly understand the nutcase that is Allen is me, and even I don't understand him all the time. He means well, but he just doesn't know how to show it. Being a complete idiot is the only way he knows how.

Before I knew it, I picked up my phone and got ready to dial the number when the door re-opened, and a disgruntled Uncle Yaman came through.

"Everything okay?" I asked after he didn't say anything.

"I need to go somewhere tomorrow, but I'll be back as soon as possible. In the meantime, don't do anything stupid."

I laughed at that. "I'll try my best."

          "We need to talk about this offer, Jafar," He stated. "It's a good offer."

         "I know it is, but I can't just show up in New York. I've suprised her enough."

         He waved me off. "She'll come around, but in the meantime..."

         I nodded. "Don't do anything stupid."

         "You're finally catching on. Now, did you fire Allen?"

         I stiffened in my seat but nodded anyway. I don't know what deal we have. I haven't said no or yes to his offer.

         "If there's a way I can help with the label, do I have your permission?" I asked in amusement and he narrowed his eyes.

         "It is your career, but don't make any rash decisions."

         I sighed but nodded, before whispering, "I'll try," To myself.
-*-

Uncle Yaman:

After leaving Jafar's apartment, I went to my hotel room to pack and get on a plane as soon as possible. I just couldn't believe that there is a possibility that my niece is pregnant and she is refusing to tell her husband. I don't condone what either of them are doing, but it needs to stop. When Ayah's Abu returned to Allah, I told her mother--my sister--that I would take care of her like my own child.

She is like my child, and I hate to see her hurt, that is why I'm helping her husband--for her. But she just needs to be told the truth. She's been upset and angry because of the suprises Jafar dropped on her time and time again. But this needs to end. And as soon as I get a flight to New York, we're going to have a long talk about everything. No more secrets.

-*-

Ayah:

          After another long day of work, I went to the apartment with the key Lee gave me. But the sight that was awaiting by the door was unexpected.

"Ayah, thank Allah! I was afraid you weren't going to show up."

After getting over my initial shock, I found the most appropriate words.

"Jamila, what the heck are you doing here?!"

"Well, my parents weren't done punishing me, and my sisters and their kids were getting on my nerves, so I came here. Surprise!"

I shook my head. She is so unbelievable. First all the secrets with her parents, and now she ran away...to me!

After cooling down from being angry, I opened the door to the apartment, let Jamila and her bags in and went to the fridge. I need something cool to drink.

"You could at least pretend to be happy to see me."

"You can't just take off whenever you feel like it, Jamila."

She nodded, guilt all over her features. "I'm sorry, but I needed to get away. I didn't have anyone else to turn to."

I let out a deep breath and went over to sit next to her on the couch.

"You could always call me, Jamie. You didn't need to run away."

"I didn't run away! I'll be eighteen in five months, I'm done with high school so I needed to get out. You understand, right?"

I shook my head and put a hand to my head.

"It's late and I have work in the morning. Let's just talk about this tomorrow."

She perked up and folded her hands. "So I get to stay?"

"Yes," I nodded. "You can stay."

All I could think about is that we're both in for a world of trouble when I call her parents and sisters.

-*-

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