When Stars are Hidden

Chapter 8

Naima always had a way of cheering people up. If you were close to her she could talk to you so much, your ears would fall off.

Zain had told his mother to tell his Baba that he had gone out to look for a job, which was partly true, in a way.

He had wanted to go home after he was done visiting a friend but it started to rain so he had to wait for a while for it to stop.

Baba would buy his excuse.

He only hoped Naima was home though. He was sure she would be. School closed a long time ago.

When Zain finally got to the house, he saw a black Bugatti in front of it.

'Wow, maybe Baba changed that old car to buy a Bugatti?"

He highly doubted it. Baba hated these types of car. Said they were not for family use.
Because there wasn't a lot of space in it. Blah. Blah. Blah.

He peered into the car to see a guy in it.

He seemed to be looking at his house. Zain knocked at his windows to get his attention.

He brought it down and looked at Zain for a second.

"Salam Mu Alaykum. Are you looking for someone here or are you lost?" Zain asked him.

"Wa Alaykum Salam. Not exactly. I'm just a friend of a hijabi who lives here and I just came to drop her off because it was raining." He answered.

He replied his Salam so he was Muslim?
He could also just be an Arab.

Clearly, they weren't good friends if he didn't even know her name.
Zain really don't know why Naima didn't like telling people her name. But he wouldn't dare reveal it.

"Wait. My sister has a friend? The world is really ending. Anyways,  thanks for dropping her off but next time drop her off not so close to the house especially at this time of the night. She's a lady you know. People talk."

Zain felt himself worrying for Naima. If dad saw this guy he would flip.

"I'm not sure the friendship feeling is mutual though. She thinks I'm annoying." He smiled.

Zain could tell he wasn't a bad person. He and Naima would be good friends.

"Take care of her at school when I'm not around. She may seem weird and quiet at times but that's how she copes with life."

"Sure, will do." He said now buckling his seatbelt to leave.

"If I hear that you hurt even a hair on her head I will find you. Trust me."
Zain said in his overprotective brother voice.

"I won't hurt her. Rest assured. Tawfiq by the way"

"Zain."

Zain moved away as he maneuvered the car to go back to wherever he came from.

He prayed silently for Naima to get friends she could talk to. He wasn't expecting a Muslim boy because that would make things difficult with their friendship because boys don't just become friends with girls and not feel something.

They would cross that bridge when they got there. At least a boy could protect her from both boys and girls.

He didn't even look like a high school student. He looked too old for high school.

Maybe he was a serial killer and Naima's was a target. . .um what?! Naima was influencing him with believing every stranger was a possible killer.

He walked to the door and entered but before he could voice out a Salaam, he heard Naima talking.

Oh no. Baba was definitely pissed at her.

When he got closer he saw his father slapping Naima and she falling backwards.

He caught her before she fell to the ground.

Her cheeks were already starting to bruise. That was when something in him clicked.

He was tired of being a spectator as Naima was being hit everytime. She didn't deserve to be hit. By anyone. And definitely not by her own father.

"Baba, don't you dare hit Naima again! I'm sick and tired of how you treat her like a worthless paper. She's your fucking daughter! I respect you, Baba but Wallahi if you hit her again you will have to deal with me!" Zain seethed.

He regretted being a spectator all that time. He was angry at his father for being the monster he was with Naima.

'I'm sorry Naima. I will make it up to you.'
He thought to himself.

Zain noticed her eyes close as she falls unconscious.

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