~ z a y n a ~
"That was a good movie," Nasreen grins.
"No, it wasn't," Hala mumbles in the pillow she had been hiding behind.
Saba chuckles, "it wasn't that scary."
Hala picks up her head, pouting, "yes, it was."
"Chicken," I tease.
"Says the one who screamed twice," Hala retorts.
"Yeah, but at least I was watching it," I defended.
"My mom just texted me. I have to go," Nasreen says, getting up, and I follow her.
"Bye khalto (auntie)," she says to my mom, who was sitting in the living room.
"Stay a little more," my mom tells her.
"I can't. My mom needs me," Nasreen explains.
"Salmeely 3leha (say hi to her for me)."
"Inshallah (if God wills)."
Nasreen makes her way to the front door with me right behind her. "See you tomorrow," I say, leaning against the door.
"Someone's happy I'm leaving." She says.
"Yes, I get to enjoy life without your presence," I replied playfully.
"My presence is spectacular," she says, flipping the end of her hijab.
I laugh, "whatever helps you sleep at night."
She walks towards her car. "See you tomorrow!" She yells to me. I laugh and wave.
I close the door and walk back towards my room to find it empty. I pick up the now empty bowl of popcorn and take it to the kitchen.
Putting the bowl in the sink, I turn around to find my mom coming into the kitchen. She walks towards the stove to check on the food.
"Where are the other two?" She asks.
"I think they went to Hala's room," I answered.
She puts the lid back on the maqluba and turns off the stove. "Keef (How is) Saba?"
"Ahsan (better)," I replied.
"Alhamdulillah (Thank God)." She stays quiet for a few moments before talking again. "I want you to stay by her side," mama tells me sternly. "I know she and Hala are close, but you know more than Hala. I want you to take care of her like she's your sister."
"I know, mama."
"Allah yerda 3leki (God bless you). And before she leaves tomorrow, remind me to take money from your dad. I'll give them to you, and I trust you to give them to her."
A smile slowly makes its way to my face, "I will."
Mama hasn't done this in a while. She would do this at least once a month until last year when she abruptly stopped. I never knew why but I'm hoping she starts doing it again, knowing how much it would help them out.
"Set the table so we can eat." She commands before leaving the kitchen.
"Hader," I say, going to the cabinet. "What about baba?" I ask loudly.
"He'll be here any second!" She calls out from the hallway.
I grab the plates, cups, and spoons and start setting the table. After I'm done, I hear someone coming into the kitchen.
"Salam baba," I say.
"Walaikum Assalam. Where's your mom?" He asks, going to grab a cup and pouring water in it.
YOU ARE READING
Broken Promises
Spiritual"You're doing it again, Z," he spits out my nickname like it was poison. I wince. "And on the same day." He started clapping slowly. I swallow the lump and my throat and ignored the sting of the tear that slid down my face. "And when I thought we we...
