" Allah will keep firm those who believe, with the word that stands firm in this world ( i.e. they will keep on worshipping Allah alone and none else ), and in the Hereafter. "
Qur'an 14:27
All eyes were on me and I looked down shyly. We were in the garden where all my high school classmates were sitted. I didn't know they had planned alot. There was a canopy, and chairs were arranged neatly with drinks and snacks on the tables.
My classmates were not much, around fourty of them. When we first went out, there was silence and the tension was thick. I could see the looks of surprise on their face. Some were surprised at how I was dressed, some at how I looked and some at me, showing up.
Ahmad didn't let go of my hand and I used my other free hand to drag the oxygen bagpack behind me gently.
The others went to take a seat also and I was left with Ahmad on the stage (one of their doings also).
Ahmad squeezed my hand gently and I smiled gratefully at him.
"Assalaamu alaikum wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh!" I greeted them all.
The Muslims among them replied in the appropriate manner.
"Good evening everyone! And thank you for coming."
Silence! That was all I got from them.
I sighed softly "I...I..." I trailed off when I saw Mady making her way towards me.
I froze when I saw her expression, it was missed with anger and pain. Ahmad stepped in front of me protectively.
Jason also made his way towards us. She stopped in front of us and glared at me with hatred visible in her eyes. She was still the same and had not changed that much.
Her blonde hair fell down her shoulder. She was standing at 5'7 inches and was a little thin. Her face was cooked up with make-up and she looked good. Though she was wearing a tank top and a short skirt.
Jason stopped beside her "Go back, Mady. She has something to say, when she's done...you can talk to her."
"Stay out of this Jason." She declared coldly.
I smiled "She's right. Stay out of this please. This is between me and her." I stated.
"Sweetheart..." I interrupted Ahmad.
"Please. I know what I am doing."
He reluctantly agreed and stayed beside me.
Jason convinced Mady and she went back with him.
"I am thankful you all showed up today. I know that you wouldn't have come if you knew I was the one who asked to see you all. I know some of you...scratch that...many of you here hate me."
I closed my eyes as I felt a sharp pain in my chest. I opened it when it subsided and I continued.
"My name was Aleesha Luke Hartward. I was a Non-Muslim some months ago and now I am a Muslim. I am very proud to be a Muslim. It's one of the best things that had happened to my life. I met lovely people that changed my life into a better one."
I smiled at Firdaus who was wiping tears off her face "Some months ago, I was diagnosed with Cancer. So I am going...going to die very soon."
Most of them gasped "Please don't pity me because it isn't going to help me at anyways."
I shook my head "Well...the reason I called all of you here is to stop this hatred that you all have for me. Whatever happened during our high school was not my fault and I have evidence to prove it."
Within seconds, the place was chaotic "Settle down for a while please." Jason ordered and they were quiet at that instant.
I shot him a grateful look when our eyes meet and he mouthed "No problem!"
I cleared my throat "I didn't steal Mady's boyfriend and you all know it. I also didn't say any of those things about the Muslims...intentionally. I was forced to. All I wanted was to live peacefully with everyone."
I brought out my phone and texted Jason "It's time."
We had already planned everything. He gave me a knowing smile and walked away.
"Are you ready?" I asked Ahmad beside me quietly.
"Yes. I also want to know what happened." He smiled.
"Are you sure you're okay with them seeing it?"
"If you're okay with it then." He nodded lovingly.
I looked at the crowd and my eyes met with Mady's. For the first time in the many years of knowing Mady. She had tears in her eyes, and a look of pity and regret.
The video started playing and I turned my attention to the T.V by my left.
"P...please don't make me do this." Seventeen year old me pleaded while on my knees.
I was dressed in a knee length red dress and black jeans. My long black hair was packed in a high ponytail and it reached my mid back.
Mady, Marcella and the remaining two ganged up on me on the rooftop of our school building after school closed that evening.
Mady laughed evilly "It's very simple Aleesha. Just do what I say and I won't push you off this rooftop. You know what would happen if you fall off, right?"
I cried "Please let me be. I didn't do anything wrong. I promise I don't love him! He's your boyfriend and I can't make him betray you...it's not right."
"Shut it, you stupid B*tch." Adriana snarled and gave me a dirty slap.
I held my right cheek and sobbed softly "P...please let me go."
Mady smirked "All you have to say is that you hate the Muslims and you wish they would rot in hell forever."
"No! Please! They are good people, I have no reason to say this to them." I pleaded.
"Pick her up." Mady commanded them.
The three of them picked me up and I started screaming for help. They turned me upside and I was facing the ground. I kept screaming for help but no one came.
"I...I will do it. I will do it." I yelled."
They let me go, my head was spinning and I fell down on the floor tiredly.
A few minutes later, they made me sit on a chair and Mady started videotaping with her phone.
I put on a fake smile on my face "I...I...I..."
"Cut this. I think she doesn't get it yet." Mady laughed.
"Let's..." I interrupted before Alison got far.
"I will...I will do it."
I put on my best fake smile on my face "I hate all you Muslims, especially those in my class and...and I pray that you all rot in hell."
I cried when I was done. When they left me, I fell on my knees on the floor and cried my eyes out.
The video stopped and the place was chaotic. My parents were fuming badly and Ahmad had his hands clenched into fists.
Fifteen minutes later, every where was calm and I continued talking.
"Jason helped me with this video. He knew what happened that day and had videotaped everything. I made him promise not to tell anyone. I...I am not showing you all this so that you would hate her and her friends nor did I do this so that you would all blame yourselves for your mistake. I did this to free myself of this guilt. I did this to help you all learn the truth. I did this to rest in peace when I die."
"Lastly, Mady, I understand how it feels to love someone with all your heart. I have felt it and it's a very good feeling."
I looked at Ahmad and grinned "I am blessed with the most wonderful husband in the world. I know you didn't do all this knowingly but because you were madly in love with Jason."
"Love is great but when done in a reasonable, good way. You made a mistake, we all make mistakes so please learn to learn from it and be a better person in the future."
"One more thing, do not criticize someone because of their Religion. Always learn to live in peace please. This is my Deen...Islaam! And I am very proud to be a Muslim."
I stepped down from the stage with Ahmad's help. I needed to sit down. My body was on fire, every where was hurting me.
Mady clapped first, I was surprised a little, the others joined her and everyone was clapping a few seconds later.
I took a seat tiredly. One by one, my classmates came over greeting me. Some were even crying and most had sad, pitiful looks on their faces.
Mady was the last to come "I...I don't know what to say." She said cleaning her tears.
"You don't have to say much. No one is perfect, everyone make mistakes."
"I am a very terrible person."
"You made a mistake."
"I almost ruined your life."
"But you didn't."
"I hate myself know. I was just thinking about myself being with Jason when he doesn't even feel that way about me."
"You shouldn't hate yourself. Everything happens for a reason."
"Thank you for everything."
"No. Thank you. You made me learnt alot from what happened to me." I admitted.
She smiled awkwardly "You're a very good person, Alee...I mean Aeesha."
"Good bye!"
"Bye and take care."
She was about to leave but stopped "My...Twin Sister died of Cancer when we were young." With that she left with the others.
An hour later, all our families were in the living room.
I was sitting beside Ahmad. He hugged me to himself tightly cause I was feeling cold again.
"Are you going to die?" Small Khairat asked me innocently.
"Khairat, mind your tongue." Zayed warned.
I smiled at both of them "It's alright. Khairat, everyone has to die..meaning go back to Allah one day. It's my time now, so I have to go, okay?"
"But I don't want you to go. I like you."
I smiled softly "Me too."
My head was hurting more worst and I didn't want to complain anymore.
I closed my eyes and snuggled closer to Ahmad. I didn't know when my eyes closed and I fell into deep slumber.