Life Under the Hijab

Zaynub Khalid Beep Beep. That was my phone alarm, alerting me that class was over. Biology class was definitely one of my favorites, no matter how annoying it could get. I couldn't wait to go home. Amu (mother) said that we had visitors coming. She said it was a surprise I was excited. I got into my car, but instead of going home I went to Starbucks. Normally, I wasn't the biggest fan of coffee, but my last class had completely drained my energy. In fact I was ready to go home, fall on my bed, and not wake for an eternity. I was that tired. While I was drinking my coffee, my phone started beeping. I pulled it out and saw I got a text from my older brother, Amir. Zaynub, Hurry up! U need to come home instead of drinking coffee! We have visitors so hurry up, nimrod! -Amir How did he know I was drinking coffee? I shook my head, amused. Siblings had a bond like no other, especially my siblings and I. They knew me too well. Amir was twenty-five. Luckily, he was married to an amazing girl, Noorah. She was only twenty though, but she was carrying my brother's child. She and Amir have been married for one year now. Amir was really handsome and smart. No wonder he ended up with a cute girl like Noorah. Those two were currently living with us since Amir couldn't find a good house to buy. Personally, I thought he just really loved his family to move out. Then there was my little sister, Hajar. Hajar was twelve years old but she was really pretty. She had flawless skin and long, silky black hair just like I did. She was the only one in our family that had hazel eyes. I was extremely jealous of them as a child. She recently started wearing the hijab (headscarf). I remember when I first started wearing it. I was bullied for a while but it soon stopped. I hoped that would not be happening to Hajar. She deserved better than to be treated like that. As I made my way back to the car my phone started ringing. I rolled my eyes, if that was Amir again, I was going to give him a piece of my mind. I answered my phone, but as soon as I was about to open my mouth to say something I heard sobbing. It was Amu. "Amu, what's wrong?" I asked. "Y-Your uncle i-is getting b-beaten... " she sobbed. "What? Why?" I asked furiously. "T-They wanted him to give t-them money. My cousin hired people to h-hurt him. N-No one can help him," she cried. "Stay strong Amu, I'm coming home," I tried to reassure her. "T-That's not all." "Hold on I'm coming home right now. Amu, all you can do now is make duaa to Allah and ask Him to help uncle," I told her. With that said, I rushed home. I had forgotten my keys so I started knocking frantically, completely forgetting about our guests. After the third knock. the door opened to reveal Hajar. Her eyes were red and puffy. It was obvious that she was worried about our uncle and the Muslims in Bangladesh. She stepped aside to let me in. I heard voices in the living room, so I rushed there. As soon as I walked in, I swore my jaw hit the ground. The one person I despised was standing in front of me. Zakir. Zakir Khan.