Barirah, the vice president of the Chess Club, taped up the poster on the student bulletin. She admired the poster proudly, and was going through the dramatic ways of welcoming a new member through her head, before she realized that she was too anxious to even do one of them. Even so, she continued to daydream.
Why is it so silent? She wondered midway.
Something else caught her eye, she realized, next to her poster was the schedule and she was late. She quickly took the stairwells to the basement, her Quran class was starting, and she had to make a run for it.
School was over, and class was dismissed. She took the stairs to exit and took one look back before leaving
Her school was small, it was a house really, and the basement was where her classes were located. It was one of the only ones remaining and she hoped that it would continue to be.
It was a shame that they had to do this.
The athaan could be heard while she was walking. She had to get home soon. She knew she did. The crowds increased, no doubt they were going for prayer. Using this to her advantage, she skillfully used people as covers, making sure nobody would see her.
The first part of her plan was absolutely genius, everybody was so busy with where they had to go that they didn't notice a girl being out at this time.
Until she passed by a vendor selling fruits. He and the customers gave her curious glances as she passed by. But that was not to her worry. Her neighbours had a way of life, not
interfering with others' businesses would be the most rational and simpler thing.
Everybody had their own families to look after and their own worries.
Her house.
She had a few minutes left before things got out of hand.
She passed by a bookstore, newly bought books were displayed at the glass windows, waiting for owners.
Barirah knew they wouldn't have any, they'd be discarded soon enough, because the woman running it had said so.
It was taken down, like everything else.
She made a sudden right turn, weaving her way between the alleys.
A gentle stream of water snaked the path to the gutters.
In the distance, small houses could be seen. Through their windows she could see flickering lights and candles.
Her house was right in front of her, she opened the door, it creaked, announcing
her arrival.
"Assalamualaikum." She greeted.
Nobody replied, everybody was out. That was alright. She could use the peace and quiet to continue the chapter she left off of.
Her shelf was filled with hardcover volumes of different series.
She picked out one that standed out from the rest.
'Checkmated' was the title. She briefly took a look at the cover, with a pawn in the center, both describing how something so feeble could become so useful.
She'd gotten it from the same bookstore she passed by earlier, before it was shut down.
Right as soon as she read the first few words, voices could be heard from outside the door, footsteps growing closer.