Note: I hope you guys enjoy this chapter :) thank you for all your comments and votes- they really mean a lot to me and I really truly appreciate it. This chapter is not that well done in my opinion but I hope it's okay to read.
26th day of Ramadan: Badr decides to fast
Laila:
I slowly reached for the Nutella bottle, being very careful so as not to cause any burst of pain from jerky movements. It was Suhoor time, which I was going to miss. Ramadan was flying away so fast, I was barely going to get time to finish my Quran. I still had about ten juz left, which meant I had to read a bit more. I hadn't been praying for the last five days, which was a bit awkward since I still had to pretend and eat Iftar and everything and Badr came every five minutes to convince me I should break my non existent roza.
I hadn't been the same since the fever, feeling really weak and shaky. One second I'd burst into sweat when my temperature rocketed and then feel freezing the next. It made me paranoid about what was wrong with me but Badr told me not to worry, Doctor Raguveran would get back to us with reports sooner or later.
Speaking of Badr...I blushed slightly, glad he couldn't see it. He'd turned into full mother mode since that night, and didn't leave the house without me at all anymore. Even when he didn't say much or left me in my room to rest, he was always within ear shot if I needed anything which I found incredibly sweet. I didn't know there was this side to him, the polar opposite of the careless, infuriating guy I had gotten used to. He'd become a lot more serious and I wanted to know why, but every time I asked him he avoided answering, so I did not pester. Nevertheless I was hopelessly trying to stop myself from thinking too much of his thoughtful gestures, but I found it adorable and it made me happy despite my drowsy, painful state.
"Sabahelkhair Laila" amu Jamaal greeted me as he came in to prepare his breakfast. Well that was ironic. Startfast more like.
"Salam Amu" I replied with a tired smile, "would you like some grape leaves? Yassin brought some yesterday"
His shook his head with a smile, "maybe for Iftar. How are you feeling habibti?"
His eyes crinkled at the corners in concern. I shrugged "alhamdulillah, better I guess. I'm not sure when this virus or flu or whatever will go away"
"Well I will dua for you" he smiled, retrieving a bowl.
"JazakAllah Khair"
We both prepared our food in comfortable silence until he broke it.
"Have you heard from Faris lately?"
"No..." I frowned, "he takes a long time to reply" and his replies are one or two lines.
"Laila!" Badr burst into the kitchen, looking around until he saw me. I just stared at him, confused. Badr up this early? Impossible.
"What happened habibi?" Amu Jamaal asked, just as confused.
He shook his head, relaxing visibly as if he'd thought I'd run off somewhere.
"Nothing Baba" he turned to me, "what do you think you're doing?"
"Erm...making breakfast?" I held up my pieces of Nutella slathered bread.
"Please don't fast today Laila" he begged, "you don't know what this could do to your body"
"I'm fine!" I exclaimed, a little taken aback by the urgency in his tone, "Badr relax nothing's gotten worse or better, I seriously don't think it'll make a difference"
He glowered at me silently for a few moments before rolling his eyes.
"Fine, but if you drop dead it's not my fault"
"I have an idea!" I told him excitedly,"you could fast with me! Then you'll know how easy it is"
Amu glanced between us in amusement.
Badr raised an eyebrow, but he actually seemed to be contemplating it.
"That's not a bad idea..." He acknowledged.
"Don't worry" I said slyly, "I don't think you could do it?"
"Is that a challenge Mohammed junior?" He asked, a mischievous glint in his eye. I shrugged.
"Fine. I'll keep the fast"
I almost squealed in delight but ended up doubled over and coughing. Amu patted my back, steadying me.
"Perhaps Badr is right" he said uncertainly.
"I always am" Badr smirked.
I frowned at him, "not you too Amu!"
"Just be careful habibti"
********
The day passed relatively quickly for me since I spent most of it sleeping, but for Badr it seemed to stretch on for eternity. Every time I saw him he'd look more and more pissed off, snapping about anything that was remotely irritating, such as the remote being sandwiched between sofa seats. I found it funny- hunger did strange things to people. But I was happy- this was Badr's first fast after all! Even if it was through a challenge, at least he was keeping one. The thought made me smile...which annoyed him more at one point.
"What are you smiling about?" He growled, lying on his stomach on his makeshift mattress. His hair was disheveled by the amount of times he'd run his hand through it, and I felt the strange urge to run my fingers through it and straighten it.
"Nothing" I muttered, trying to keep a serious face.
"You think this is funny?"
"I don't think, I know" I grinned.
He rolled his eyes, "it's not even that hard" he shrugged nonchalantly, "I'm not even hungry yet and it's almost sun down"
"Sure" I smiled knowingly.
But as soon as it was time for Maghrib, he was the first one at the dinner table, his plate piled to the top with everything he could fit. Amu Jamaal found it hilarious and boomed with laughter which drew Bilal and Yassin.
"Don't" Badr slapped Yassin's hand away as he reached for a samosa, "you haven't earned this"
"Hey!"
"It's true" I said mischievously, "fast tomorrow and you'll be welcome to this table"
"Bilal and I could do it no sweat" Yassin retorted, "right Bilal?"
"Don't bring me into it" the older guy shrugged.
"I am proud of my boy for doing it" Amu Jamaal said, ruffling Badr's hair. Badr smirked at his plate, and Bilal rolled his eyes.
"Laila is it time?" Amu asked with a quiet chuckle. I checked my phone for the Ramadan calendar I'd screenshotted.
"There's one minute. You should so the Adhan?" I asked hopefully.
"Of course"
Yassin and Bilal stood back respectively as their father walked around the table to face the qibla. He began the Adhan and I couldn't help but marvel at how beautifully he could do it. It sounded like it belonged in a grand Masjid, something that everyone ought to hear. Not able to help myself I snuck a glance at Badr and was surprised to see he looked very thoughtful as he gazed at his father. It was almost as though he were appreciating it too...
Day 28 of Ramadan: a secret revealed
Bilal
"Fuck" Badr said for the hundredth time since taking a seat in the living room. Bilal raised an eyebrow, finally looking up from potential invitation cards.
"What is wrong with you?" Yassin growled, snapping his MacBook shut. He too was fasting and was just as grouchy as his brother.
"You try not eating for seven hours straight" Badr retorted and the middle one rolled his eyes.
"I am not eating" he sniggered, "can't lose a challenge can I? No sweat bro"
"Yeah well, I don't intend to cheat"
"What?! I'm not cheating!"
"As you say"
"You're crazy"
"Says the one who took a secret picture of Niha"
Yassin's ears went red, "how did you-?!"
Badr grinned, "I have my ways"
"You-freaking-"
"Shut up you two" Bilal growled, his deep voice reverberating around the room.
Badr glowered at him and eased himself on the couch in full, letting his eyes close. Bilal shook his head in amusement and resumed what he was doing.
So far the preparations for the engagement party were going smoothly. Bilal already had at least fifty close acquaintances and friends listed to invite, and was hoping he could think up a few more so as to make it as special as possible. He was certain Chloe would not refuse him, especially since he'd asked her friend Indiana to subtly ask her thoughts.
He'd already picked out a dress for her, the most expensive, beautiful, one of a kind piece he could find. He couldn't stop imagining how breathtaking she would look. Badr and Yassin had been working on the security system for the hall. Yassin in charge of wiring up the place and making sure the sound and camera guys didn't get in the way of surveillance gear. Badr had been busy assembling a team for protection, but ever since Laila had gotten ill he was operating from home. Although Bilal had at first rolled his eyes at securing the place that early Badr had explained Buria would not think about trying anything funny that night.
They'd decided the day after Eid would be perfect for the night since Baba would be less busy with prayers and all. Upon his insistence Bilal had kept a fee fasts, but this was not in the knowledge of Laila, Badr or Yassin. He, more than them had a stronger connection to the purpose. It gave him time to reconnect with who he'd been, and reflect upon who he'd become.
They were usually depressing days.
He didn't realize the sun was beginning to descend by the time Badr stirred awake. He glanced outside and grinned.
"Just a little longer little bro"
"Yeah I-"
Badr's phone began to ring and he picked it up, squinting at the name.
"Oh, Jax" he put it to his ear, "what's up bro? Do you really have to? Right now? Oh my fucking...fine. We're coming"
"What is it?" Yassin asked immediately. Badr shrugged, "Jax is bringing new gear since the delivery guy isn't allowed here. We just have to sign everything"
"Does this include the new Castell Revolver?" Bilal asked, intrigued.
"Not sure" Badr checked his watch, "listen, Yassin I need to check my email"
"Sure" Yassin handed him his computer. Bilal meanwhile decided to finalize his booking and reservations. Everything was now set- the invitations would be sent out tomorrow morning. He was pleased with his work, he'd finally put his wealth to use, otherwise it would be piling up in the bank as it had been for a long time.
"Oh man" Badr frowned at the screen.
"What?" Bilal asked, pressing send.
"Amu Faris' wife. She's still not out of coma yet"
An uneasy feeling grew in the pit of his stomach whenever amtu Ruba was mentioned. Laila didn't deserve this at all, she would break if she knew what had happened, and looking at her fragile state it was not hard to imagine. He couldn't get over how sweet and entertaining she was to be around. They needed that kind of innocence in their life.
"Hopefully she'll get better soon" Yassin said earnestly, clearly feeling the same thing.
"Yeah"
The sound of tires on gravel announced Jax was home and they all trooper out to meet him, trying to quickly put the unsettling thought out of their minds.
Laila:
I slept for quiet some time during the day, almost missing asr. Even when I woke up I didn't feel that refreshed, wanting nothing more than to lie back in bed.
Sighing, I folded some bits of clothing around my room, checked my phone, and changed into a plain white shalwar kameese. For once in my life I felt sick of wearing track pants and shirts and wanted to wear something lighter and...more like the old times. Mama hated it when I wore western clothing around the house. She'd always urged me to dress in traditional clothes around the house. "No matter where you go or who you become, you will never be able to change where you are from" she'd always say.
Mama...
I felt my eyes sting as the familiar rush of longing filled me. I wanted to hear from her, hear her voice. I wanted her to skype me or something. Was everything really so dangerous that she couldn't even do that? Lately there hadn't even been any fishy activity that I knew of.
Yet, after the first week of staying in Singapore Baba had stopped saying things like your mother wishes you to...which I tried hard not to panic about. I wanted her back so badly it hurt. This would be my first eid without her and I was miserable at the thought. What was the point of celebrating it with boys who didn't care one bit about it all? We probably wouldn't even go to pray eid Salah just like we didn't go to pray taraweeh. The thought hurt. The fact that I hadn't gone in a masjid for so long hurt.
I realized the sun was beginning to set and forced myself downstairs, clutching on to the railing like a lifeline. Slowly, I made my way to the kitchen, trying not to panic at the fact that my vision was slightly blurry. The boys were doing something outside by the sounds of it. I frowned to myself and gently tugged away Badr's laptop from the very edge of the sofa where he'd left it, to put it away safely somewhere.
Something on the screen caught my eye. It was my father's name- he'd sent an email to Badr and it was still open. There were several lines on it instead of the bare few I received. Frowning, I began to read, my curiosity blotting out any guilt.
Dear Badr, AA
I know it has been a tenuous week for you with Bilal organizing this party of his, but I am glad you have decided to stay at home to look after Laila- I cannot thank you enough. I hope she gets well soon, but as she did not tell me she was feeling ill I cannot wish it to her directly. I have made the hospital my home and Doctor Wei Cheng has been kind enough to allow it. I suppose we are a special case. I understand there are some transactions to take care of. Please inform Derek I will arrange them directly, but he will need to give me the PIN number. I am hoping to keep myself busy while I am here, make everything seem as normal as possible. We have been told we need to make the atmosphere something the patient will want to come back to, and ever since I have begun to create a sense of normalcy in this ward I have been delighted to hear Ruba is beginning to respond. I am beginning to think it will be best to bring Laila here as soon as the term break begins. I am sure Ruba will emerge from this coma immediately if her daughter were here.
Regards
Amu Faris
I choked slightly, my eyes stuck on that one word.
Coma.
Coma.
Coma.