C H A P T E R
45
- H a m s a -
I stand, shivering and cold, as the door behind me slams open and Lamees barges in, waving her hands up in the air.
I want a blanket, or maybe to slip back into my bed under the covers. Anything to tame the chills surging through my body. But I know it isn't possible.
No matter how much I want what just happened to be a nightmare, the fact is, it happened; my Uncle is alive, and he came back to tell me he and his comrades are planning a revolution that could kill us all.
Lamees swings me about, taking me into her arms in a crushing hug.
"There is the bride," she sings joyfully, digging her fingers into my back--the feeling is further proof that I am wide awake.
The air in the room shifts drastically as if someone suddenly switched the station on the radio.
"I can't believe you are getting married!" She shouts.
All the while thoughts are bouncing in my mind, and I know I have to calm down.
Over Lamees' shoulder, I see Yahiya standing in the doorway, a hand dug into his jeans pocket and the other holding a mug.
"Lamees I think you are suffocating her," he says, grinning over the rim.
Then Lamees lets go of me, but not because of Yahiya's comment. She sees the dress and starts squealing.
"Oh, my Allah! Is that...? It is! Oh, my Allah it is beautiful!"
She picks it up like it's made of fragile eggshells and places it on her torso. "I swear Fatima outdid herself this time. This dress is gorgeous! Did you try it on?"
I stare at her, silent and fazed. But she somehow mistakes my silence for excitement. She spreads the dress on my unmade bed and after staring at it in awe for a moment takes both my hands and starts jumping.
"You are getting married tomorrow!"
"Lamees I-" I want to tell her I am not feeling well, that I think I'm going to throw up, or maybe even pass out, but she doesn't give me a chance.
"Why are you not dressed for the gathering?" She says chasteningly, narrowing her eyes at me.
"She looks fine to me," Yahiya says, sipping his tea.
"That's exactly the problem! She's supposed to look hideous, not pretty."
"Lamees, am seriously not up for this, can we just skip it?" I ask, and again she is oblivious to the tremor in my voice.
She sucks in a deep breath in shock. "Hamsa! You don't mean that! We can't skip a tradition. Come on we have to get you ready before the girls get here."
"I don't get this tradition, what's the point of making the bride look her worst on the day before the wedding?" Yahiya asks.
Look my worst? I catch a glimpse of my reflection in the window glass and think there won't be any trouble for me there; I already look ghastly--like I've just seen a ghost. Which I actually did.
"So she'll feel even prettier the next day, duh!"
Yahiya wrinkles his eyebrows in confusion, prompting an eye roll from Lamees.
"You're a dude, you won't get it."
I guess Lamees' excitement hasn't only made her oblivious to my state, but also made her immune to her usual nervousness around Yahiya.
She pushes me down on the chair by my dresser and heads for the door. "Wait here, I'll go grab some eggs and yoghurt for your hair."
"I'm sure I can put the food to better use," Yahiya says, patting his stomach.
Lamees laughs as she passes him. "I'll get you cake to have with your tea."
"Nice!"
He comes to stand behind me and squeezes my shoulder. "How is my baby sister feeling?"
He means about tomorrow, but I still can't get my head out of the loop of what happened ten minutes ago.
He smiles and with all the will in my body I cannot return it.
I swallow my panic and try to inject some steadiness in my voice when all I want to do is break down. "Nervous I guess."
"That's understandable, and kind of good. It means you're normal," he says with a little shrug.
Am I, though? Normal...
Normal girls don't have to deal with the thoughts in my head right now.
Uncle Yusuf said they were planning an attack on the English base of operation. What is that even? Is it the Walsh residence? Where Sebastian lives?
Oh, my Allah... Sebastian!
I should warn him. Whatever Talal is planning, it won't be good for Sebastian. I don't care about General Walsh or his operation, but Sebastian doesn't deserve to be caught in the middle.
But would he even listen to me after what I did to him? Would he believe me?
And even if he does, won't warning him, mean I warned the English about the Muslims who are trying to free my country?
The men in the Camp may be savages and I may hate their guts, but they are still Muslims--I am in no position to question anyone's faith-- and I can't sell them out.
Anyway, I'm sure General Walsh is stronger than to be overthrown by a group of rebels, but still, in my gut I'm praying for them to win, to end that monster. If it came down to that, won't General Walsh protect his son? That I'm not so sure of...
God! I want to scream. I want to... I just want to talk to Sebastian.
"Hey, don't worry," Yahiya says, rubbing my temples. "This is Zayn, if anybody would take care of you better than me, it would be that guy." He clears his throat. "He really loves you. Maybe even more than I do."
I glance up at him and he grins.
"Yahiya, do you know where the English base of operations is?"
Yahiya blinks down at me, his grin fading. "What?"
"The English base of operation, do you know where it is?"
"Why do you want to know? Where is this coming from?" He shifts, moving in front of me.
I bite my lower lip, this might be the best chance to tell Yahiya. But do I really need to jumble up somebody else's mind? Zayn was pretty shaken after I told him about the camp. I can't take the risk again, not until I've figured out what to do first.
"Please Yahiya, just answer me and I promise I'll tell you everything soon."
"No, Hamsa, you're going to tell me right now."
I squeeze my eyes shut. "Please, I promise it's the last time."
He says nothing for a while, and I open my eyes to see if he is even still there.
A minute passes as I wriggle under the full force of his eyes and then he says, "There is talk that they work from a base in the mountains, where they keep the weapons and their manpower."
Relief washes through me and I cannot help but blurt. "So it is not the general's mansion!"
Yahiya's suspicious stares grow fiercer. "No... it makes sense that they'd live away from all that chaos. Hamsa I'm not letting this go, okay? So figure it out quickly."
I gulp, nodding my head slowly. "Okay."
Just then Lamees returns, hands full with bags and bowls. I'm genuinely glad for the distraction.
"Alright, I got eggs and yoghurt for your hair and milk and cinnamon for your face. I got you an old pair of pyjamas, and I found mom's makeup kit. Probably way past its expiration date but it'll do! Come on get dressed and let's go down to the kitchen."
"--And that's my cue to leave," Yahiya says, slipping out of the room but not before sending me a pointed look.
"Your cake is in the kitchen," Lamees says.
"Take care," I call after him.
For the next hour and a half, my hair and face get assaulted by Lamees' concoctions and my head by her ongoing excited chatter.
And just as she wraps a plastic bag around my hair, someone knocks on the front door.
"They're here!" Lamees exclaims, galloping to the door.
And I shouldn't be. I should be out, heading to Sebastian's house to make sure he is fine.
I glance over my shoulder, at the closed kitchen's back door, and contemplate sneaking out to go check on him, just in case. But before I go through an internal war again, Lamees opens the front door and greetings fill the living room. And Soon Fatima and Hani come into the kitchen.
"There is my future sister in law," Fatima says, setting the tray she is carrying on the counter.
She hugs me, getting closer than I would have recommended, and wrinkles her nose. "You look and smell awful."
I laugh slightly, the task a pain because of the mask on my face. "According to Lamees, that is the point."
'You look gross, Misa,' Hani scrawls on his board.
I fake a pained look and jump on him to kiss his cheek as he tries to wriggle out of my hold. After planting a massive blotch of cinnamon and milk on his face I grin triumphantly.
"Now you look gross too," I say flicking his wrinkled nose.
"Mitha!" Zeina exclaims, running to hug me. "Why is your fathe covered in mud?"
"It is cinnamon, and it makes your face soft and glowy," I tell her.
"Really? Can I get thinnamon on my face too?"
"Of course!" I crouch down in front of her and rub my nose on hers. "there, now we'll both have shiny faces tomorrow."
Zeina grins clapping her hands, then rushes to the door, saying, "Uncle Thaynie, aren't you coming in?"
Zayn! he's here, oh my God, I have to talk to him. I have to tell him Uncle Yusuf is still alive and he's up to no good.
"No, he is not coming in. He is leaving right now," Lamees says, emphasising the now.
"Can't I just say Salam to Hamsa?" Zayn's voice reaches me from outside, pleading and strained. Sounds like he's struggling with Lamees to open the door.
"Hamsa, Zayn says Salam!" Lamees shouts. "Now, leave, Zayn."
"You're so evil, why can't I just--" but he is cut off by the door being slammed in his face.
I move for the door, I really need to see him, we have to work this out, but Fatima grabs my arm, yanking me back.
"Where do you think you're going?"
"To see Zayn."
"A-a-a," she says, wagging her finger. "You can't, 'cause he can't see you, especially not looking like that."
"I'll just wash my face and run after him then," I say and I know I sound desperate because I am.
Lamees shoots me a deadly glare. "You're not doing either of those things, it took me fifteen minutes to work out that mask."
She grabs me by the shoulders and pushes me outside and onto the rug she set on the living room's floor.
"You two can do all the seeing you want tomorrow morning."
I groan, throwing my head back. With Lamees and Fatima on my tail, I won't be able to talk to Zayn or go over to Sebastian.
"Grow up, you're getting married," Lamees says.
Then it's her turn to shake her head and groan when there's a knock on kitchen's back door.
"So he thinks coming through the backdoor will change anything? I'm going to kill him. Why is he suddenly so impatient?" she asks, stomping into the kitchen.
Zeina and Hani start giggling.
Fatima slips off her shoes and scarf, plopping next to me on the rug.
"This is a good working place. We'll make the wedding pastries here. I got the spinach and cheese fillings," she says.
"And we come bearing the dough," Lana exclaims, sending me an airborne kiss.
She saunters into the room, Hashim slung over her shoulder and her daughters, Wagar and Ehdaa skipping in behind her, both carrying covered bowls. Closely behind, enter Yusra - she says now that I'm officially an adult, am not allowed to call her Mrs Yusra anymore - and Lamees.
"False alarm,"Lamees says, smiling sheepishly. "It wasn't Zayn after all."
"Zayn came here?" Yusra asks, lifting up her veil, to reveal her beautiful face.
"He dropped us off, out of his way to work. I knew it was to see Hamsa," Fatima says, sending me a teasing look. "I didn't see any need to tell him Lamees wouldn't let him anywhere near her."
I roll my eyes and they all break into a fit of laughter.
Soon, they're all settled in, each in a gorgeous outfit, and an amazing hairdo and me in Lamees' tattered pyjamas and a sticky bun. It's amazing being the bride. Not.
We open the shutters on the windows, washing the room with bright sunlight and crash on the rug. The kids group on the side, playing and eating Lamees' cake.
"So who's ready to get this party started?" Yusra says, shaking the tambourine she's holding and everyone cheers.
Hours pass, we laugh, sing and even dance. By the time it's Asr, I slip into the bathroom to wash my hair which is starting to stink bad time.
We pray and then Madame Moneera comes and we start rolling the pastries. With all the working hands we are done with the three hundred rolls before we know it.
"Now that we are done with the boring stuff," Lamees says, dusting the flour off her hands. "How about we try some hairdos and makeup styles on Hamsa for tomorrow?"
"No, no, please no Lamees, my face and hair had enough for today," I say, groaning.
"Absolutely! that would be so much fun," Yusra says, clapping her hands.
"You found your mother's makeup kit?" Lana exclaims.
"Yes!"
"Then let's get started."
"Guys no, am serious," I plead, throwing my face into my hands.
Madame Moneera laughs at my desperation. "Hamsa, if I were you I wouldn't argue with these girls, it's useless."
"Can we play with Mitha's hair?" Zeina says.
"Of course, you can," Fatima says, her smile mischievious. "She got to play with mine on my wedding day."
"Now go wash your face," Lamees says, nudging me towards the stairs.
I drag my feet up the stairs, and into the bathroom. I turn on the water, splash my face and ignore the image of Sebastian behind my eyelids.
Sebastian--no I won't go there again, I won't think about him. He's as far from the base of operations as he can be and he's safe.
When I open my eyes, Fatima is standing in the bathroom's doorway.
"By all means, Hamsa, feel free to look more excited," she says, shaking me by the shoulders.
"I am excited, just not about being abused by a hairbrush and expired makeup," I say.
Fatima laughs. "Come on, be a good sport."
"I'll try," I say, smiling.
"So, I have to go now," she says, looking genuinely disappointed.
I pout. "Why?"
"It's almost Maghrib and mom needs my help to clean the house and finish up the food for tomorrow's Walimah."
I glance downstairs from over the railing, at Zeina and Hani playing with Wagar and Ehdaa.
"But the kids are having fun. Atleast let them stay. I'll tell Yahiya to drop them off later, kay?"
Fatima considers this for a moment and then nods. "Okay."
She shifts slightly, glancing down at her hands shyly, which is so unlike Fatima, so I know something is up.
"Spill, Fatima."
She smiles, fidgeting with the ring on her finger. "So I know I said I wouldn't do this, but I really feel like it's the thing to do."
She slips off the ring, and I immediately freeze.
"You should have Grandma Sajida's ring."
I shake my head, totally overwhelmed and horrified. That ring is just too precious to be on my finger. "I can't."
"You have to," Fatima says, pulling my clenched hand and forcing on the ring. "It's a tradition."
I stare down at the beautiful red heart-shaped rock on my finger--probably worth our whole neighbourhood, and feel my heart race.
Auntie Samiyy gave this ring to mom when she got married to dad, and then mom gave it to Fatima on her wedding night. And now it is on my finger.
"It even matches your lame necklace," she says teasingly.
My hand flies to the pebble around my neck, in a defensive motion and I narrow my eyes at her. She pokes her tongue out at me and we laugh.
I wrap an arm around her. "Thank you, Tami."
She hugs me back, kissing my shoulder. "Take good care of it, and give it to Zeina when her day comes." she pauses, clears her throat. "And maybe then Zeina will give it to her future sister, if it is a girl I mean."
It takes me a moment to understand what Fatima means, and I quickly pull away, gawking at her belly.
"Oh my God are you--?" I shout, a grin breaking across my face, but Fatima quickly slaps a hand over my mouth.
That explains the chocolate cravings.
"Yes, I am pregnant," she whispers, shaking her head and chuckling. "but I wasn't supposed to tell anyone before I told Fayyad."
I clap my hands and let out a strangled squeal.
She drops her hand and I jump at her, hugging her again. "I'm so happy for you, Fatima."
"You two, enough hugging and let's get down right now," Lamees says, appearing on the landing.
"Aye, Captain," Fatima says, heading downstairs.
Lamees turns on me and with the full force of her eyes inspects me. I blink at her, nervously and then finally she smiles.
"You look happy," she says.
I smile back. "I am, actually."
Because no matter what Uncle Yusuf or Talal have planned, I have a beautiful family, awesome friends and I am getting married tomorrow to an amazing man. Sebastian will be safe and if Allah wills everything will be fine.
Lamees suddenly goes serious, and her eyes grow dim.
"Is it going to be weird? Seeing Sebastian after this?" she asks.
I furrow my brows. "No. Why would it be weird."
Oh my God, does Lamees know about my fight with Sebastian? Does she know he came over to my house that night? But how could she?
I wait painfully for her reply.
"I just mean, he really wanted to..." she pauses, and I can see the struggle on her face. Finally, she shakes it off with a forced beam. "Nothing. Forget it."
"Let's go do something about that hair of yours."
She takes my hand and we descend the stairs.
Just then I hear something-- a sharp crack in the air.
It could be mistaken for the boom of thunder or fireworks. But unfortunately, I instantly recognise it.
Gunshots. And they're close by.
*
1... 2... 3
*clears throat* *taps mic*
Ooh.. hot mic.
*fixes niqab* (yes I'm a niqabi :D)
Sooooooo...
Take shield guys, 'cause things are about to get real messy real soon.
What do you think these gunshots were?
And do you think Fatima got home safely before this all started?
Are 90% of you still rooting for Sebastian? And do you think he'll save the day?
Or will Hamsa be her knight this time?
There are probably 8 more chapters left only, and 5 of them will be on one day (a very long day).
I hope you guys enjoy, and I hope I am I knock your socks off.
,,,
On another more annoying note :D
Have you guys heard of The Fiction Awards 2016?
Did you nominate any books yet?
It would be absobloodylutely awesome if you thought my book was worth a nomination!
You should just search for the book titled 'The Fiction Awards 2016' and open the nomintions chapter, under the Spiritual section make a comment ( The Girl in the Green Scarf by @pearlandivory_ )
Though you have to do it on the app, to make the intext comment.
For those who have already nominated my book *blushing* thank u so much!
:')
Okay so, much Love!
Pearl.