Light Upon Light

#13 The Conversation

Assalamualaikum waRahmatullahi waBarakatuhu everyone!

Here is the next chapter in the life of Junaina Ali. This chapter is one of my favorites so far. Have fun reading.

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#13 The Conversation

Being back in class after two days was a little disorienting to be honest. Ever since the encounter I was finding it difficult to put up with Azza and Wafa. Lia was a genuinely nice person and I couldn't help but wonder how she ended up with these two. It was she who told me about Najwa.

Also weird how she noticed my little problem with Zaid rather than Azza or Wafa.

Not that I wanted Azza to pick on it. The horror.

Saira ma'am was genuinely concerned about my health. I reassured her that I was fine and ready to get back to work. She had just started class on the poem 'Lord Ullin's Daughter' when someone interrupted.

To be specific, Zaid interrupted.

Not that I cared. I had had enough of being let down and having my self respect trampled on.

"Yes Zaid, how can I help you?" Saira ma'am asked.

"Sorry to interrupt ma'am but the tailor is here to take measurements of the boys." He said.

Lia was carefully observing me. She didn't say anything though. Probably because she thought I would combust on her like Azza was known to do. And maybe in this case I just might. I was already annoyed with myself for feeling this way in the first place, I didn't need someone else to point it out for me.

"Ah. Yes, no problem dear," ma'am told Zaid and then turned to the boys, "those of you who are getting a new uniform stitched please line up and follow Zaid out. I know you're all grown boys so I don't have to remind you to be disciplined."

I loved the way she controlled the class. She's cool.

Majority of the boys stood up and filed out of the class including Haseeb. Since nearly half the class was gone Saira ma'am stopped the class and started sorting us into our houses. There were four of them: Coral, Jade, Topaz and Sapphire. I ended up being in Jade. Azza and Wafa were in Topaz while Lia was in Coral.

I had Haseeb with me in Jade though.

Despite the popularity I had enjoyed back in Dubai, my socializing skills were still low. Shows how different Samar is from me as a popular. He's always surrounded by people and I don't know how he manages a conversation with so many people at once. I used to have people trail me but few actually talked to me or rather I talked to very few.

"All done. We still have fifteen minutes to go though. This is my second period going waste in a week." Saira ma'am said.

She was seated at her desk with the attendance register open in front of her. Even though she was talking of losing her period, she had a pretty smile on her face. And I loved the rusty red hijab she was wearing.

Suddenly it occurred to me that she talked of losing two periods.

"The girls have already had their measurements taken?" I asked.

Saira ma'am frowned as she looked at me.

"Yes. I forgot you were absent then. And today is the last day I think. Sheesh. What can we do about this now?" She said, pinching the bridge of her nose.

"There's still time right? I could get mine taken today?" I asked Lia.

It was Azza who answered. Sneered actually.