IRREPLACEABLE BOND ?

CHAPTER 16

AFEENA'S POV:

*ONE WEEK LATER*

Today is the first day of school and I am very nervous. Tariq was also nervous of going to be in highschool. Ameera is happy that she is going to go to school for the first time. Bilkisu and Sadiq are happy with the whole going back to school thing. While Maryam, she's just Maryam. She doesn't really show whether she is excited or nervous but am sure she is excited because she is going to be a senior

I was done with putting on my niqab when Ameera came into my room

"Ukhti I can't find my backpack and my shoes" she said

"Your backpack is in the living room and your shoes....." I said and stopped, thinking

"Your shoes, let me go and look for them" I said and she nodded.

I wore my black flats and took my black bag that goes great with my black abaya that has flowers glued to it and silver stone spread around each of them.

I went into Ameera's room and let me tell you it took forever for me to find her shoes.

I got her ready and told her to go downstairs.

I went into Sadiq's room and saw him putting on his shoe while Bilkisu was sitting on his bed waiting for him

"Be quick guys" I said as I smiled at them

"Alright Ukhti" the both said in unison

I went to Maryam's room and found her tying her hijab. I went to Tariq's room with the thinking that I'll find him combing his hair or something but the i***t wasn't even getting ready.

Oh Allah! I just pray that Abba and Ummi will come back soon.

"Tariq!" I yelled but he didn't even moved. He has his headphone on and he's just lying down with his shirt and boxers

I went up to him and removed his headphones. My face was red with anger

"What the hell do you think you are doing?" He asked me.

I felt like a can of fuel was added to the fire inside me. I felt like smacking his big head.

"What the hell am I doing? What the hell are YOU doing?! You are here lying down while you know that we are all going to school today! What the heck is wrong with you!?"

I yelled at home and he lowered his head.

"I'm sorry Ukhti. I just don't want to go to school today"

"Why? You know that Abba and Ummi will not be happy with you if they see you here right now. They won't be happy with ME for not telling you to do the right think Tariq. Please just think of how much money Abba paid for all of our education. But now of all days, now that you are going into high school. You won't go to school? You are going to be a high school student, I know, and I get it. I know that you won't be comfortable because it's your first day, that's how I felt before but look at me now. That moment, that day, that time, has long passed. Right now I am nervous of going to a whole new college with things I don't know. At least you have your previous classmates there. I don't know anyone there, except Nour but I have to go. You don't see me lying down saying that I won't go to school because I am scared do you? Now get up and go take your bath. We are all waiting for you downstairs. Don't waste our time."

"But...." he started to say

"No buts. just drag that button of yours into that bathroom and get ready in 5 minutes. We're waiting"

I said as he stood up and rushed to the bathroom. I turned around to leave. Abba and Ummi were at the door smiling at me with Ahmed standing behind them.

"Abba! Ummi!" I screamed excitedly as I rushed to hug them

After all the hugging, Ummi started crying

"Why are you crying Ummi?" I asked

"Nothing my dear. I am just glad I have you as a daughter. I thank Allah (S.W.T) for blessing me with a child like you. You are all grown up and matured. I love you so much"she said and hugged me. i pulled away and cleaned her tears with my both of my thumbs and smiled at her.

I turned to Abba who I for a second forgot he was still standing there. He was smiling at me too. 'Why are they smiling like that?'

"Abba, why are you back so late?" I asked him

"We missed our flight on Friday and there was no flight on Saturday and Sunday" he explained and I nodded understandably. Just then Tariq came out of the bathroom and went into his closet not noticing Abba and Ummi at all. Sometimes I wonder where his head is at. We decided to go downstairs and wait fro him. We kept on talking and talking about random things until we got distracted by the 5 noise makers.

Later on, Tariq came down and he too did his own happy scream. Before we left they said they brought presents for us but they will give us only when we come back from school.

We left and Abba and Ummi waved goodbye to us. My heart was beating rapidly but I couldn't think of anything that is making it so. I recited

"A'uzubillahi mina shaitanir rajim."

and also "Rabban-aghfir lee wa liwaalidayya wa lil-mu'mineena yawma yaqoom-ul-hisaab. Rabb-irḥamhumaa kamaa rabbayaanee sagheeraa" (Du'a for my parents. I feel like I should pray at that moment. It was just the right thing to do)

Ahmed is going to a meeting to an important meeting with Abba. Ummi has her own company. I love how independent she is. My family has its ups and downs but its still the best family anyone could ever ask for. I love them so much.