This is How We End

Chapter 6

Chapter 6

"Assalamu alaikum..." I approached him and smile.

The guy nodded and smiled kindly at me. "Walaikum assalam..." he responded.

"My name is Parvana. Would you like to buy our ramen?"

"Sure, Parvana." He smiled, showing a set of dimples. My heart fluttered at his beautiful smile and how kind he is to me.

"This way, please..." ani ko, habang iginigiya siya loob ng malaking tent na itinayo namin kagabi para sa aming booth.

"My name is Malik..." aniya habang sumusunod sa akin.

"Hi, Malik. I'm glad you came to drop by in our school."

"Uh... actually, I study here."

Napahinto ako at napatingin sa kaniya, bahagyang namimilog ang mga mata. "Really?"

"Yes."

I smiled more. "Praise Allah. He had brought you to me... finally. A Muslim friend."

Twin spots of crimson appeared on his cheeks. Namula din nang bahagya ang leeg nito.

"Naia."

Napatalon ako sa gulat nang biglang may magsalita sa likod ko. I haven't realized how close to me Zeus is when I turned. Mukha niya kaagad ang nakita ko. Umatras ako habang mabilis na kumakabog ang dibdib.

"Z-Zeus... Salaam."

"Sino yan?" itinango niya si Malik na nakatingin na ngayon sa aming dalawa.

"My friend, Malik." Sagot ko naman.

Nag-angat ng kilay si Zeus. "Kakakilala mo pa lang? Kaibigan mo na kaagad?"

"He's a Muslim." I said excitedly and pointed at his skullcap. "Look, a taqiyah."

"Tss." He hissed and pursed his lips. He doesn't seeme really happy seeing Malik.

Nawala tuloy ang ngiti sa mukha ko. "May problema ba?"

"Wala." He replied coldly. "Dalawahin mo nalang yun in-order naming pork ramen kanina."

"Oh. Okay!" then I turned to Malik. "Halika, Malik. Dito ka na maupo..."

Walang imik na bumalik si Zeus sa kaniyang kinauupuan kanina. I talked to Malik some more. Nalaman kong Grade 10 pa pala siya ngayon at transferee din siya, kagaya ko.

"So you'll have a chicken ramen, then?" nakangiti kong tanong sa kaniya habang inililista ang order niya sa notepad.

"Sure. Thanks." He replied.

Nag-angat ako ng tingin at nakitang nakatitig na nang madilim sa amin dito si Zeus. I offered him a smile, but he didn't smile back. He continued on glaring at us. I licked my lower lips nervously, wondering if I had done something wrong...

I smiled again at Malik before repeating his orders and then I went to where Yuri and some of my classmates are preparing the ramen.

"Dalawang pork ramen..." ani ko. "Tsaka isang chicken ramen."

"Kina Zeus ba yan?" nagtaas ng kilay sa akin si Nazrah nang binuhat ko na ang tray na may dalawang malalaking bowl ng pork ramen.

"Ah... oo."

"Ako na ang magdadala."

"Are you sure—"

"Akin na!"