ZIYAD
"Don't worry bruh I'll get you next time." I say while we're walking out and we all laugh.
We just finished the football game and were heading home. I hear my phone ringing from my backpack. I slide it off my shoulder and search in for my phone.
The number wasn't saved but it looked familiar.
"Assalam Alaykum, go for Ziyad." I answer.
"Wa alaikum as salaam Ziyad it's Hafiz from earlier." A familiar voice said.
"Oh yeah, how are you doing?". I answer with a smile even though he couldn't see.
"I'm good alhamdulillah, I hope am not bothering you or anything" he asks.
"No, not at all." I say going to the passenger side of the car.
"Okay then, Hidaya just finished studying and I was wondering if you could help take her home please? I don't really trust anyone else" He asked with a hint of concern in his voice.
"Of course, no problem." I say pulling the handle. Mubarak was yet to unlock the car. I look up searching for him and find him running down the stairs that lead to the back rooms.
"That's great! I'll send you the drop off address, I suppose you already have the pick up address? She is at the same house you dropped her off earlier." He says.
"Yes I do, I'll be waiting insha Allah." I say and he hangs up after saying "okay".
Mubarak reaches the drivers side before unlocking. The plan was to go home, shower and then head out to the game bar.
"Hey something came up, how about you go first and I meet you at the bar?" I say getting in.
"Everything okay?" He asks closing his door.
"Yeah, I need to pick up someone. I'll shower first at your place then head there. But I'll be back as soon as I can." I say pulling my seatbelt.
"Alright then, cool." He says and we drive out.
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I head to my car with my phone and keys in my hand. I slip my wallet into my pocket and unlock the car. My hair was still a bit wet from the shower. I get in and send a message to Hafiz.
"I'm on my way there."
I buckle up and drive out. I open the sunroof to get some fresh air. The weather was a bit hot but the good part was the sun is down, just the little bit of light radiating from it. The city looked like something out of a movie. The sky was a mix of orange, peach and blue.
Speaking of peach, her name is Hidaya. I never got to ask her.
'What a beautiful name' I thought to myself.
"No no no no, we are not going there!" I say to no one in particular.
"I don't even know her, never even seen her face before." I say to convince no one again.
"I'm talking to myself....I should keep quiet."
I soon arrive at the house and message Hafiz again so he can let her know I'm here.
I close the sunroof and turn on the AC. Lightly tapping on the wheel and humming.
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HIDAYA✨
Zahra and I were walking out of her room when her mom called for her. I had gotten my stuff and yaya also called me to tell me Ziyad was outside waiting for me.
"It's okay, I'm just gonna head out. I'll see you tomorrow okay?" I say and we hug before she leaves to meet her mom.
On coming outside the main door, I bring out my phone to check the time and I almost bump into someone. It was Jamil, he was about to walk in. I give him a tight lipped smile and walk past him.
I was about six steps past him when he jogged to me.
"Hey cutie, where are you going?" He says now walking beside me.
I pick up my pace and completely ignore him.
"I'm talking to you." He says sounding a bit upset but I still don't say anything.
We reach the creepy corridor that leads to the gate and he was still following me. He gets in front of me blocking my way.
"Hey I'm talking to you." He says again.
"I'm not deaf, if you're not going to talk to me properly with respect you can just not say anything." I say feeling my blood get hot.
"Listen sweetheart when I..."
"Hidaya." I interrupt. "My name is Hidaya, now please move out of the way, I'm trying to get home."I say in a stern tone.
"Don't talk to me like that." He moves closer and I step back.
"HEY!" A deeper voice came from the gate. "What's going on here?"
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ZIYAD
As I was waiting, I receive a reply from Hafiz telling me she'll be out in a second. The door beside the gate opens but a man walks out. He was talking on the phone and forgot to close the door. I could see the entrance, it was kind of hollow and looked creepy, the orange light bulb wasn't helping either. I look down on my phone and turn on my mobile data before looking back at the door.
I notice her walking towards the door but then someone blocks her. I couldn't see her well as he was blocking the entire path but I could see her face from the side, she looked very uncomfortable. I see him move closer and I instantly feel my blood boiling.
I didn't know when I walked out without even closing the door.
"HEY!" I shout enough to get his attention. "What's going on here?" I say looking at him dead in the eyes.
She takes that as an opportunity to quickly walk past him and outside. She stands beside me with her head down.
"Is everything okay?" My head goes in her direction but my eyes never left his.
"Yeah I'm okay" she says in a voice that sounded like she was trying to conceal being scared.
It was then that I looked at her. The first time I was really seeing her face. She was wearing a face mask earlier but now she wasn't. Her head was down but even with that and the height difference I could still make out her features.
"Let's get going then." We start walking to the car and I look back at him one last time.
We get in the car but this time she doesn't sit in the back, she gets into the passenger seat and buckles up. I get in the car and that was when I noticed him still watching us from where he stood.
I start driving without saying anything for a few minutes until I finally decide to break the silence.
"Are you okay?" I ask.
She nods before saying "yeah I'm okay."
"I don't mean to pry but...is he your cousin or something? Are you related?" I ask hesitantly.
"No, he's uh...my friend's brother." She says adjusting the side of her hijab.
"Is he...." I hesitate. "...disturbing you?"
"Nothing I can't handle" she answers.
"I really think you should talk to her about it, that did not seem okay." I say gripping the wheel a bit tighter.
"It's..nothing, really." She says stammering a bit.
"Hidaya take it from me, dudes like him only get worse unless someone interferes. You need to do something about it." I say.
She doesn't say anything, rather she just looks at me for a few seconds. I turn and we make eye contact before she looks away.
Her eyes...
"I don't mean to be creepy or anything and yes I know you don't know me and neither do I but it's important that you talk to someone about it." I say before adding "please".
She nods again. "I will insha Allah."
The car goes silent for about a minute.
"Thank you for stepping in back there." She says with a smile.
That was the first time I actually saw her smile without the mask and Ya Allah it's a beautiful one. It wasn't a big smile or anything, just a casual one but it took my mind away for a second.
I clear my throat. "Don't mention. I told your brother I'd take care of you." I say in my serious voice.
I face the road and don't say anything else. She's already had enough of today, I don't want her to get uncomfortable with me trying to make conversation. It's best if I just don't say anything.