Faryah

41.

----------------Los Angeles, California.

--------------------------- Firdaus's new apartment.

" Thanks for coming Sophia" I said as I gave her a warm hug. I felt better after the shower and a little nap. She had brought my things, clothes and all, my certificates too. " You're welcome, I'm glad to be of help to you, to all of you, are you guys doing okay?" she asked as she sat on the blue couch. " We're okay, Firdaus and Mother are resting now" I said as I sat beside. " You know all of you are strong, you got over your grandfather's death pretty quickly"

" We didn't get over it, we just accepted the facts and crying won't bring him back to us right?, all we have to do is pray" I said and smiled at her. " I really admire you guys, so are you going back to Indonesia?" She asked and I shook my head. " Well No, we're going to Malaysia instead, Firdaus has a two-year modelling project there, in Kuala Lumpur, we're leaving tomorrow afternoon" I said and she sighed a little. " I'm really going to miss you" she cried as she hugged me again. I patted her back as she hugged me tighter.

" I am going to miss you too, and I want you to do something for me" I said as she let go of me. " Please take care of Khalid, please and help him make the right decisions, please be by his side, learn to forgive his mistakes, cause everybody makes mistakes, it's not a new thing, I want you to learn to let things slide. I know you're not on good terms with him and Mama Zainab right now but please, don't hate them, none of this is their fault" I said as I held her hand in mine. " I am finding it hard to accept that, it hurts too much, I never thought they could do something like that to you, they loved you right?, then why did they have to hurt you that way, you've suffered enough, they didn't need to add to it and believe all those lies, I'm just really disappointed in them, it's annoying" She answered with a little sob as I caressed her cheek. " I have learnt to understand and move on, you should too okay, bear in mind that even if I am not here with you, I'll always be here for you, thank you for all what you've done for me, I can't really thank you enough, I'm grateful I met all of you, I am really thankful for the love you showed me, thank you Sophia" I said as the tears rolled down my cheeks. " Never forget me okay, and make sure my niece or nephew knows I exist, okay, and don't worry, I'll be with Khalid, for your sake" she answered and I smiled widely. " Thank you so much" I said as we heard her phone ring with the default IPhone ringtone.

" Khalid is calling" She said as she showed her phone to me. The Caller ID read Big Bro, with three red hearts. " What?" She said as she answered the phone and put it on speaker. " Sophia, GrandPa" He was crying. " Why are you crying?, what happened to grandpa?" Sophia asked as I watched her mood change. I really hoped all was well. " He committed suicide" I gasped as I heard those words from the phone. Oh My Allah. I never realised he was depressed or sad. I thought he was going to get over it, well we all thought so. Inalillahi wa ina ilaihi rajiun. " Come to the hospital" We heard Khalid say again. " How did it happen?" Sophia cried as she got up from the couch. " He shot himself, right in the head, just come" He answered. Oh My Allah. She really didn't need this to be added to her worries. " No, No" She cried as she let her phone fall on the couch. " No, GrandPa" she screamed as she fell to the ground in tears. I rushed to her and pulled her into my arms. " Why is all this happening to me?, why?, we didn't do anything to deserve this, Neill is gone and now grandpa too, No, No" she cried onto my chest. " cry it all out Soph" I comforted as I patted her back.

" What's happening here?" I heard Ummi ask as she and Sophia walked out from their rooms. " Grandpa Julius committed suicide Ummi" I answered softly as I Sophia's cries filled the room. " Inalillahi wa ina ilaihi rajiun" Firdaus gasped as she moved closer to where I and Sophia sat on the ground. " was he that depressed?" Ummi asked as she moved closer to console Sophia too. " I need to go to the hospital Faryah, I want to see him before he's buried" Sophia managed to say as she slid out from my hold and got up from the floor. " You're in condition to drive Sophia, I'll drive you, give me your keys" Firdaus offered. " I'll follow you guys too, okay?" I said as we watched Sophia clean her eyes. " Thank you" she replied and I quickly rushed to get my hijab and my shoes.