Two shades of affection

Chapter 2

Choosing to be a pious Muslim in this era is as hard as anything that you can think of. It always reminds me of the words of our beloved prophet when he said that a time will come when holding onto religion is like holding a burning coal. The reward he mentioned after keeps my resolve every day.

Not only do you face the inner heart demons but pressure from your family too. Society judges you too for doing what is right. Funny right? Ages ago, those who did wrong were reprimanded but now, they are praised while those who do good are frowned upon.

They say that a bad apple makes the others bad. The same thing is the reality in our society now and it's hard to take it in. We now live in a place where women use their hijabs as a cover for atrocities rather than to please Allah and this makes others see all hijabis like that. It's better to be a non-hijabi in the face of the world than be a hypocrite.

What happened today made me frustrated, scared, and saddened. I never expected to meet a hooligan in the market at all but I guess it was Allah's plan for today.

"Yaya Halima. Who is that man who's saved us?" my five-year-old sister, Afrah asked for the umpteenth time. This girl has loads of questions in her head. She doesn't spare me in the house or school. Always asking questions and sometimes, you are put in a dilemma on what to answer.

"I don't know Afrah. Just some passerby," I told her as we entered the gate.

It seems she finally agreed. "He saved us right? Like a…a…a prince in shining armor!" she exclaimed and I started at her speechlessly. What prince? That man's stupid tactic of getting my name kind of annoyed me.

"He is so handsome too," Afrah added with a smile and I fought the urge to roll my eyes, even though I knew it was true. I am grateful for the help but he should have left like a gentleman rather than doing that. Whatever it was.

"Assalamu alaikum!' we said together and entered the living room. Afrah rushed to pick up the remote to probably change the channel to her cartoon. I sauntered to the kitchen and dropped the vegetables.

I passed by Afrah who was already watching Spongebob and a gentle smile formed on my face remembering our childhood. Ours; my sister and I.

I entered our room with a salam and moved to my corner to hang my hijab in the closet. I sat on the bed to remove my socks when I heard Sadiya's voice coming from the bathroom. I turned around and there she was, holding her phone up and smiling. She probably finished the mirror selfie inside.

She was all decked up in a white and pink lace that was sewn in a fitted straight gown with off shoulders. Her fair neck was adorned with a string white necklace that matched her earrings. Her head tie was pushed backwards showcasing her smooth black hair. Her fair face was enhanced with the powder, slim eyes with eyeliner, and small cute lips with pink lipsticks. She looked beautiful. Okay, I was describing myself too because we were identical but only my twin Sadiya, wore makeup like this. My only wish was she did it the halal way. But my sister had her wish in life, different from mine.

"Today is going to be something else guys because we are going to burn the party. Well as always. But today is special as you all know. It was my bestie, Naim's birthday and as his only bestie, I had to look my best. I can't wait to share with you how our haters will feel today. Diya, signing out," she winked and lowered her phone. She smiled at me and went to sit on her bed. She pulled a classy shoe and started wearing it.

"You know what Halima? I wanted to invite you but I knew that you would say no," she said and looked up at me. Looking at each was like facing a mirror.

"Because I don't do parties," I answered the question. She curled her lips and folded her arms. "When will you leave your cocoon and explore the world? It's just a birthday party and I will be there with you," she reasoned.

"If doing that will make me fall in haram, then no thank you. You already know me, Diya. Why are you asking today?" I returned.

She blew air from her mouth and said, "Coz I wanna show the world who my twin is. Come on, everyone knows that we are identical and they want to see us together. Do you know how popular we can be if we always move together?"

I frowned at her wish and shook my head. "Is what matters to you sister? Being popular? Even I want us to move together but on the right path but you don't want it,"

She huffed and returned, "I don't want it and you don't want mine. Suit yourself, " she picked up her bag and stood up to leave.

"Won't you use a veil at least?" I asked seeing that she was planning on leaving with her shoulders out. She rolled her eyes and said to me, "It's so last season Halee. And besides, it's hot these days. Not everyone can endure the heat like you,"

She left me sighing. My biggest wish in this world is for my sister to see the light. Arguing with her was useless and it seems only prayer would work because Allah listens to them and I believed that the time will come when she will change. I won't stop advising her though.

From the living room, I heard Mommy's voice.

"Masha Allah. My Cherie is looking so gorgeous today. Go and rock the party, Diya,"

"Thanks, Mommy. Bye. Bye Afrah," It was Sadiyya and she was gone. The most disturbing part of this problem was how our mother kept supporting her. Abiy doesn't say anything and keeps a neutral opinion on this. He doesn't care what we do.

Our father Prof.Suleiman Muhammad is a senior lecturer at ABU Zaria, married to our mother Khadija. Sadiyya and I were their first child and Afrah only came years later. She is five years old now and we were 23. I followed Abiy's footsteps and studied Islamic education while Sadiyya was a mass communication student. She now has a popular blog while is was teaching at Afrah's school and was her class teacher.

We were twins, but so different.

The curtain was flipped and Mommy walked in. Where did we take our beauty from, Mommy? She was fair and beautiful. Something she always boosted about.

"It's almost five now Halima. I know that it's Diya's turn to cook today but she has an important place to be. Since you are jobless, get to the kitchen," she said curtly. One thing Mommy had before she got married was pride. She was a spoiled child and calmed down after her marriage Alhamdulillah but the traces were still alive.

"What should I cook?" I asked politely.

"Anything for the four of us. Diya will come back late but we will still keep food for her. Your father is returning only next week," she said and walked away.

I stood up and went out to the kitchen. Afrah saw me and rushed over to join me. I smiled at her. At least I have a companion in my little sister. Alhamdulillah.