The chronicles of Layla

Ammar and Lisa!

I followed the voices till I reached the dinning room. It was noisy and filled with different delicacies set on the table. Everybody was talking and laughing. I cleared my throat and said my salam. Their smiling faces all turned and looked at me but grandma blue spoke first.

“Layla, you’re back. We’ve been waiting for you. I missed you.” She said laughing. She looked happy. Her eyes were glinting. It was bright. Whereas Adam on the other side tried to keep on a conversation with Ahmad.

“Grandma blue!! I missed you too. Thanks to someone, I wasn’t able to join you.” I said looking at his direction. The nerve of this guy. He didn’t spare me a glance. I greeted everyone present at the table. Aisha looked like a shy bride. Wait!! She’s a bride who is shy. I inwardly smirked about the analogy. I’m so going to tease her. Ummi was talking to Ahmad’s mother (Kulthum) about the wedding preparations. Ahmad kept stealing glances at Aisha. Clearly he wasn’t interested about their football conversation with Adam. Poor guy! He has to bear it.

Oh and why were Ahmad and his family here? She chose to come home after their adventures at the park. Adam called ummi and told her if she could invite Ahmad’s family so she could meet them. She also wanted Aisha’s wedding to take place while she was still alive. The thought of losing her always saddened me but apparently she never gets tired of reminding us. Hers is a terminal illness. Ya Allah!

The decision was made and the wedding was to take place next week. Most of our relatives lived in Nigeria so Uncle Ash decided to call and inform them about the wedding. Ahmad’s face lit up after the announcement. I felt excited too. I loved everything about the wedding period. The food, The dresses, the lights, pictures, everything. Thou Aisha’s was going to be different. Only a Nikah and a walimah. I still looked forward to it. Ummi got into a hyper mode. She wanted everything to be perfect. Shopping starts tomorrow. Adam also vacated his room for Grandma Blue. She wanted to go back to her house but he managed to persuade her into accepting his offer.

The living room was quite except for Adam’s soft snores. I was on my way to the kitchen to get a glass of water and afterwards check up on grandma Blue.

I entered the room and looked at her lying on the bed. She was curled up in the duvet like a baby. I proceeded more into the room when I heard faint noises. She was calling a name in her dream. It was a nightmare. Tears rolled down the side of her eyes and her body was shaking. I lightly touched and she weakly opened her eyes. She stated at the ceiling for a long time. I stared at her the whole time before talking.

“Do you want to drink water?” She blinked a few times and replied with a nod. I helped her sit up and she took a few sips of water from the glass kept on the nightstand beside her bed.

“Do you want to talk about it?” I casually said

“No. Somethings are rather left unsaid.” Her voice etched with sadness

“Yes they are. But talking about them makes one feel better.” I pried

“Why don’t you tell me Layla? What happened to you?” I said scornfully

“It’s not about me. You’re the one who cried in her dream.”

“It’s also about you. Why aren’t you asleep? Are you scared you might cry too?”

“No. I’m not sleepy. That’s why. I’m heading back to my room now.”

“What will you do?”

“Read my book probably.”

“I’m unable to sleep too. Can you read to me?”

“I’ll go get it.” Why was grandma Blue being mean all of a sudden? I shrugged off the bad feeling. I went into the room and saw Aisha praying. I admired her for that. She prays late nights everyday. She makes me believe in God more. Makes me believe about what kept me till now. Hope. I stayed and prayed 2 Raka’at’s too. I picked up the book and head back to Grandma Blues room. I was lying in the position I left her. The comforter on the couch scented of Adam’s cologne. The smell comforted me. I deeply inhaled before I started.

“Sunday, May 4, 08. I am Nur, daughter of Firdaus and Yusuf, granddaughter of Halima. I am twelve. I live where I was born, in Toronto, Canada, with my Turkish Muslim mother. My father Yusuf, grew up as an American Quaker and became a Muslim when he was sixteen. My little brother is Mehmed, and he is nine. My mother’s mother Halima lives in Istanbul and was married to Abdullah, a Moroccan naturalist who died in a car accident in turkey before I was born. There are more people in my family, of course; I’ll write about them later.......

By the time I was done with the 5th chapter, Grandma Blue was fast asleep. I listened intently and only talked when she wanted to ask questions about some Islamic terms. I looked forward to reading more about Nur and her life. I got up and left for my room thinking about the tests Allah gives us. Will I be able to pass mine? The toilet was wide open with the lights on. I guess Aisha must have been really sleep. I closed it and laid atop the bed. The ceiling was filled with starring lights. It was a glow in the dark stars and a big moon. It wa very beautiful. I read a few verses from the holy Quran and blew in the air. My phone vibrated on the nightstand. I saw a message from Lisa.

“Hello”

Hi Lisa. How are you? Been very busy.”

“It’s okay. Sorry to bother.”

“You’re never a bother. I wanted to call you too.”

“Ohh thanks”

“What are you thanking me for” I added the laughing emoji.

“Everything.”

“It’s okay Lisa. How are you coping?”

“We haven’t talked about it since‍♀️”

“And You guys talk?”

“Yeah, with a giant elephant in the room.”

“Are you guys for real?”

“He said he didn’t want to talk about it. He’s not good at handling rejection. So I respected his wishes.”

“Wow.Ammar is being a coward. He’s supposed to face it not run away from it.”

“Have you ever been rejected?”

“Yeah. Far worse. Not from a girl. From my flesh and blood.”

“I’m sorry. Im sorry.”

“Can we talk about something lighter? But you guys need to quench the burning fire.”

“Yes we do. Where’s your hunky cousin?”

“Who are you talking about?”

“Awww. I want to see how red your face is. Send a picture.”

“You’re crazy. He’s fine.”

“Okayyyy. Do u guys get along?”

“Yeah. Kinda”

“Kinda?”

“Yes. It’s not like we’re besties”

“Nobody dare steals my bestie from me.”

“You’re not serious Lisa.I’m sleepy. Goodnight.”

I didn’t get any reply from Lisa so I switched off my phone and kept it on the nightstand. Then I thought about the girl who was burdened by her mother’s death, strengthens by a family’s love and inspired by an infinite light.