"That day is finally here" Zeenat said as she stood up from her bed anxiously. She paced around the room and stopped suddenly as though a spell had been cast on her.
Zeenat's pov
"Al-hamdulilah" I said as I stood still accessing my neatly packed bags through the view of my mirror.
All my hard work has paid off and I am going to do my degree in the UK, I thought to myself as I adjusted my hijab and squeaked in excitement.
"What are you still doing here?" I heard a familiar voice ask. I turned around to see my mom looking at me with pride. Suddenly her face changed as if she knew my thoughts. My mom was caring and loving but sometimes it seemed as though she doesn't love me. She speaks highly of me to her friends and yet doesn't praise me to my face. She simply tells me I tried my best but should put more effort.
"I asked you what you are still doing here" my mom said pulling me from my thoughts.
"E kaaro ma" I said as I knelt in front of her. She gestured for me to stand up.
"Kaaro omo mi Abike " she said as she rubbed my back gently. She moved to sit on the bed and I followed knowing I was about to receive a lecture.
"You've made me proud Abike" she said with tears almost filling her eyes. Almost. I opened my mouth in shock as I have never heard those words from my mom.
"Ma?" I asked not knowing how else to react.
"I'm sorry I don't say it often but I'm proud of you Abike" She said.
Often? She doesn't say it at all.
"You've worked so hard to get here and I couldn't be prouder" she continued.
"Thank you mom" I smiled with relief.
"You are going to a foreign country, face your studies and always follow the right path as I have taught you. Let the fear of Allah be in you always and be obedient. Do your solat five times daily. You hear me?" I knew just what she meant and I nodded in affirmation
"Good" she said with a smile
"I'll make you proud ma" I replied. She gave me a bright smile as tears rolled down her cheeks.
I gave her a tight hug as tears rolled down my cheeks too.
"I'm going to miss you" I whispered
"Oh omo mi, I'll miss you too" she said as she kissed me on my forehead.
After a few minutes we pulled apart and we both took my bags and headed downstairs where my sister was waiting to accompany me to the airport.
"Sister Zoya" I said giving her a quick hug. My sister has always been there for me and helped me through difficult times especially when I lost my dad. Yes, my dad. My mom gave birth to Zoya in her first marriage a few months after she lost her husband to a car accident. Zoya never knew her father personally, only from stories mom told her and old pictures of him. It was after eleven years mom met my dad and they got married a year after. My sister was almost thirteen when I was born and she has always loved me since then. No one could tell we were only half-sisters. I love her so much.
"How is the baby?" I asked as I looked at my sister's baby bump. She got married two years ago to a man mom had chosen for her. She didn't agree at first but after a year of courtship she grew to love him and she was happy. I used to wish for that kind of love. A good Muslim husband. Maybe I will meet someone in the UK, I smiled at my silly thought.
"The baby is fine" Zoya said as she gave me a bright smile. She had the pregnancy glow and she looked really beautiful with her slightly fair skin.
"Okay" I said as I gently felt her bump.
Our moment was interrupted when our front door flew open and Khalil came through and closed the door behind him. My best friend of fifteen years has grown into a handsome young man. I had a huge crush on him a few years back. Maybe I still do, I don't know but I don't plan on acting on it. I have my education to focus on.
"Khalil" I screamed as I threw myself in his arms. He smelled like lavender with a dash of peppermint. I smiled as I inhaled deeply.
"I'll miss this boy" I said.
"I'll miss you too Zee but I'll join you as soon as I can" he replied. Khalil has always called me Zee short for Zeenat since we became best friends.
"I know you will, I'm sorry you got waitlisted. Inshallah Rahman, you'll get accepted" I said.
We both applied to the same school and although I got in on a scholarship, he got waitlisted. I hope he gets accepted because it's only going to be perfect with him there.
"Thanks, Zee" he replied.
"So why are you here?" I asked even though I knew the answer to it.
"I came to accompany you to the airport genius" he answered with a smile on his face.
"Oh" I said almost jumping up in joy. He turned to my mum and prostrated to greet her and exchanged pleasantries with my sister too. This boy is too sweet, I thought.
"Let's go then. You don't want to miss your flight Abike" mom said as she grabbed her car keys from the TV shelf.
"Last one to the car is a rotten egg" I whispered to Khalil as I ran past him and he followed me almost immediately.
"Omode" I heard mom say as we made our way into the car.
Khalil's pov
She looks so beautiful, I thought to myself as I stared at her. She was too excited to stay calm. Her bright chocolate skin with small and elegant lips has never looked so gorgeous. She has the body of a goddess and the reflection of the sun as we drove to the airport only brought out her light brown eyes and it has never looked so beautiful. I wish I could just tell her how I felt before she leaves but what if she doesn't feel the same way? Her education has always been her number one priority and I care about her too much to put pressure on her. I wish that she could stay a little while but she has worked very hard for this and seeing her happy makes me happy too. I let out a deep sigh.
"Are you okay?" she asked. Her voice is like music to my ears and I can listen to it all day long.
"Yes I'm fine" I answered.
"Then why did you sigh like an old man who is tired of everything?" she asked looking worried. Oh Zee you have no idea.
"Just thinking of random things, nothing to worry you about love" I said not knowing what I had just said. Zee stared at me and looked away.
"Okay" she whispered. I looked out the car window and observed the speed at which our car was moving. I came to a realization and my eyes widened. I called her love.
Zeenat's pov
Love. He referred to me as love. Was it a mistake? Did he have feelings for me too? Did he mean it in the way my sister refers to me as darling? I wish I could get into his thought and know what he was thinking.
I looked out the car window and spotted the airport.
"We're here" my mom said as she drove into the car park.
Wow, it's happening for real, I'm leaving the country.
"Al-hamdulilah" I said as it was time to board my flight. I had gone through luggage checks and other flight-related issues and finally, it was time to get on the plane.
I turned to my mom and hugged her and I kissed my sister on the cheek.
"Be a good girl" they both said as if they had it planned. I smiled and nodded in affirmation.
"Bye Khalil" I said as I turned to leave. I took a few steps forward and heard someone whisper wait.
I turned around and I saw Khalil looking into my eyes. My heart started to beat so fast as though it was about to jump out of its place. My throat dried up and my eyes turned to his lips. I looked up at him and finally asked.
"what's it, Khalil?"
"I like you so much Zee and I'll miss you" he said. Did he like me? I mean he is my best friend after all. Maybe he meant he liked me as his best friend. Could it mean more? I wondered.
"I like you too Khalil and I'll miss you more. You are my best friend and I can't imagine not being able to see you for so long" I replied.
"No I mean I....." Khalil said but was cut short by the voice of a young middle-aged man.
"You should go now ma'am" he said gesturing for me to go board the plane.
"Goodbye darling" my sister said as my mom waved me goodbye.
I waved them goodbye too and gave Khalil a quick hug.
I followed the attendant and made my way into the plane.