Swipe Of Love

19

♕ A N T O N I A P O V ♕

The day was freezing and cold; it was the perfect weather to go ice-skating. The water will be frozen and a creamy deep white. Not a patch of seaweed in sight. I take a deep breath. I can't think of going to the park at that time. What is wrong with me?

I woke up early today to make a large breakfast. For the past 45 minutes, I have been in the kitchen, cooking. Putting the last plate on the table, I sat down on a stool to take a rest. I heard footsteps coming from the living room, so I turned around to see Omar with his football practice bag while Noor had a book plastered on her face. Not seeing where she was going, she bumped into Omar. Mumbling a sorry, she gave me a big smile, which I returned.

"Assalamualaikum. How did you sleep last night? Any problem?" I asked, pouring orange juice for her on the glass cup.

"Waalaikumsalam. No, not at all. I slept very well last night. How about you?" she came over to me, hugging me.

"I slept fine. Alhamdulillah," I hugged Noor back.

I turned to Omar and hugged him, "Assalamualaikum. How was your sleep?"

"Waalaikumsalam, mom. I didn't get enough sleep, unfortunately." He yawned, stretching his arms over his head.

"Ya Allah! What's wrong?" I asked, looking concerned.

"Last night, at one in the morning. I tell you, freakin' one in the morning! Can you believe it? In the morning, I get an email from the coach saying that we are having practice today even though he said we are not having any. That old man is going to kill me someday. Can he not see that today is Sunday? Sunday!" he groaned loudly, banging his head on the wall.

"Well, that's too bad for you because I get to stay home," Noor stuck her tongue out.

Before he can snap at her, I gave him a warning look, which made him shut up.

"I wish I could do something for you," I sigh.

"You can! Just call the coach and say that I am not feeling well. Call on a sick day for me. Please, mom! Please," he begged, gripping my hand tightly.

"NO! What is wrong with you? You are the captain. Your team needs you there during practice. You can't miss any practices," I reminded, pulling my hand away from him.

"Right. And besides, the coach will kill me for missing just one practice," He exclaims in frustration.

"Well, this is the football season. They are going to put pressure on you since you're the leader," Noor mentioned.

"That is true too. When is your Homecoming game?" I questioned.

"This Monday," He muttered, taking a seat on the Island stool.

"Aren't you smart?" I spoke sarcastically.

"Hilarious, mom. To have you know, I get all A's, and I take all Honors class and 1 AP," he smirked.

Noor responded, "well, do you take all AP classes? Cause I take 4 AP: AP history, AP Cam, AP Calculus AP-"

"We get it, Nerd. You are the smartest person on the earth," Omar snapped, rolling his eyes.

"I am just saying. I can help you if you need any school work," Noor suggested with a smile.

"That's a great idea!" I exclaimed, clapping my hands.

"Mom. Please, can you tell her to be quiet before I lose my patience," Omar mumbled, shoving the food in his mouth roughly? Way too roughly for my likings. He will injure himself with the fork — that fool.

Noor started her spiel, "the other day I read on a website about 'How to be Patient?'. It says that others often see impatient people as arrogant, insensitive, and impulsive. They can be viewed as poor decision-makers because they make quick judgments or interrupt people. Some people will even avoid impatient people because of their poor people skills and bad tempers. People with these personality traits are unlikely to be at the top of the list for promotions to leadership positions. Impatience can even affect relationships at home-"

"Oh, God! Did anyone tell you that you talk too much? Usually, you don't. Nonetheless, you do that when you are very nervous. What is it, Nerd? Are you scared that I am here?" he smirked, crossing his arm over his chest.

"N-No. No, I am not," Noor huffed, turning her face away from him.

"Sure. Whatever helps you sleep during the night," he spoke proudly.

"Okay, you two. That is enough. Do not talk too much while you are eating." I advised them.

"Looks like I have to go. Don't want to be late, or Coach will have my head separated from my body," he got up and kissed my cheek.

"Okay? Do you want to take the Jeep to school?" I asked.

"Can I?" his eyes light up with excitement.

"Yes. But you have to promise me that you will not drive while texting," I said.

"I promise. Thank you! Thank you!" He hugged me tightly.

"Your welcome," I laughed at his childish behavior.

"Noor, do me a favor, will you? Make sure mom took all her medication on time and do not let her near paperwork. I mean it when I say do not let her do any paperwork, okay? I am counting on you," he grinned.

"Yes! Of course," she smiled back.

I laughed. At least Omar was friendly to her. I walked up to the door and watched him walk to his Jeep and drive away. I went back to the table, grabbed the dishes, and put them in the sink. I grabbed a towel and wiped the table. Walking in, I saw Noor finish washing the last bowl.

"You didn't have to do that," I told her.

"Not it's fine. I like to help," Noor turned around.

"Okay, then. I am going to have some people come over to my house. You can watch TV in the meantime. Once I am done, we will go shopping," I informed her.

"But Omar said-"

"He said not to do any paperwork. He never said anything about me meeting people," I cut her off.

"Then I am going to go read books in the library. I don't like to watch TV," she mumbled.

"What planet are you from, sweetie?" I softly said for her not to hear.

I smiled at her and started to head toward my office. Entering the room, I closed the door and took a seat in my armchair. I grabbed my telephone and dialed the number.

"Send them in," I ordered.

♕ O M A R P O V ♕

I was breathing hard due to the workout that we just did a couple of minutes ago. Being the captain of a team is not easy, and being chosen as the captain of a football team is a unique honor and privilege and one that comes with a set of responsibilities and expectations. Right now, the boys and I are in the locker room. I just finished taking a shower.

When someone says life sucks, they are right, especially without a father. I always felt alone when I see other kids with their dad. Sorrow and sadness appear in my life, thinking about my father. However, in the end, he disgusts me. I feel hatred towards my father. I want nothing to do with him.

He broke the promise that he made towards my mom — the promise of never leaving her. I loathe him. He shattered our little family and the cause of my not having my older sibling. Even if my mother never told me about that, I always hear her cry. Every year on March 23rd, she would cry her eyes out. She falls asleep with a picture of a baby picture in black and white color.

That was the day that my older sibling died. It was all because of him. I will never forgive him. Never forgive him for causing the tears in my mom's eyes. The tears that she releases from her eyes every March. Forgiving him is the last thing I will ever do.

Putting my clothes on, I heard the Adhan on my phone. I downloaded an app to my phone to remind me to pray since I am busy with practice and school. Besides, I do not want to miss any prayers. Missing one prayer would be a big sin, and I do not want that. After the Adhan was finished, I grabbed my phone and put it in my pocket. Turning around, I saw all my teammates looking at me.

Okay, weird much?

"What was that?" Alex, my teammate, questioned. Suspiciously looking at me.

"That's the Adhan. Call to prayer. It reminds me that I have to go and pray," I answered, putting my gym clothes in my gym bag.

"Why do you pray?" He asked again. He walked closer to me and placed both of his legs on each side of the best, centering in it.

"Every Muslim is responsible for their own prayer. I am a Muslim. And being a Muslim means that I must pray 5x's a day," I shrugged.

"How can you pray 5x's a day?"

"Muslims all around the world pray 5x's a day. We pray at Dawn, mid-day, late afternoon, and night just before sleep. We pray to Allah for all the blessings and other things that he has given to us," I explained.

"Oh! Allah is your God. Right?" Alex slowly asked if he was afraid of getting it wrong.

"Yes. Allah is our God. It's an Arabic way of saying, God." I answered.

"Very interesting. So what is Islam? Aren't ISIS Muslim?" Jack questioned.

"Islam is the religion of peace. According to the teaching of the Quran and guidance of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and upon all the prophets and messenger of Allah, the life of all human beings is sacrosanct. Yes, IASIS are 'Muslims,' but they are not true Muslims. They call themselves 'Muslims' by title, but they do not follow the rules of Allah or the Qur'an. They make up their own laws and rules. Take this as the KKK. The KKK eliminated everyone except pure white people, and they are Christians. But are they Christians tho?" I explained, asking all of my teammates.

"KKK is not. But they call themselves Christians," Alex placed his hand under his chin.

"Exactly. Same with the ISIS," I responded.

"What is all Islam about?" Jack inquired.

"What's up with all the 20 questions?" I raised my eyebrow.

"It just that your religion is fascinating to us. That's why" Jack shrugged.

"Look, I gotta pray. Do research or something. I have to go and pray," I sigh, grabbing a clean white towel.

"But-"

"Another time, guys. Please try to understand," I smiled.

"Fine. But next time, you got to answer us," Jacob said.

"Fine," I smiled.

I looked at my watch. Knowing that I will not make it to the Mosque to pray, I always pray in the Coach's office. Since his office is a little bigger and it is cleaner. Neatly placing the clean towel on the floor, I started to pray. At the end of the prayer, I turned my face to the right then to the left, but I kept my face on that side, saw an unknown man praying next to me. He looked on as a professional businessman, and he is dressed in a suit. I shook my head. I stood up, ready to head out from school and go home. I took my phone and stopped walking.

What do you know? Twenty messages and 10 missed calls from mom. She is going to kill me when I get home. I started to exit the office.

"Excuse me?" The man called from behind.

"Yes?" I answered, turning around to face him.

"Here. You forgot your towel," The stranger said, handing it to me.

"Oh, I didn't. I saw you pray, and I did not want to disturb you. But thank you, Mr-" I raised my eyebrow.

"You can call me Walid for now," he extended his hand.