- Noor's POV -

The alarm goes off, it's that horrendous sound that gives everyone PTSD. But I guess it gets the job done.

I groan as I reach over to try to tap my phone screen in order to turn off the alarm. For some reason, no matter how many times I hit my phone, the alarm won't turn off unless it has my full attention.

I wake up the second time. Second time because I always go back to sleep after Fajr. I know I should try to stay up and get on with my day but sometimes, work starts at 5 PM and I don't want to be sleepy right when I start.

Or I'm just lazy and these are just excuses.

Probably the latter.

I drag my feet to the washroom and spend at least an 45 minutes in there.

Why 45?

Well, it takes 10-15 minutes for me to brush my teeth and do my skincare. And the rest... you can guess!

I never change out of my pyjamas unless I'm going out that day. Even then, I only change out an hour before leaving the house. I can never be comfortable in anything but pyjamas at home.

I'm also one of those people who has to change into my pyjamas the second my feet touch the inside of the house. I don't know how some people can just stay in their outdoor clothes at home, I find it mind blowing!

Finally, I put on my glasses to, you know, see because I'm blind as a bat without them.

"Assalamualikum, Baba and Amma." I greet them as I pull out a chair to sit in.

"Walaikum Assalam, Noor." Baba gives me a quick hug.

"Are you ever going to learn to not wake up in the afternoon almost every day?" Amma sighs.

I grin. "It's only 11 AM! Besides, Ayesha's still sleeping..."

"Don't compare yourself to your sister. She came home late from school last night." Amma frowns.

She's right. I haven't done much except job hunt, go to my current job and sleep since graduating a month ago.

I pout. "Baba, Amma's bullying me again!"

"Let her be, Faiza. Our Noor works hard too." Baba smiles.

"When she's married, she won't be able to sleep in and live like a princess! You're spoiling her, Abbas." Amma explains.

I give her a hug. "Let me live like a princess here, then!"

She hugs me back and sighs again. "Silly girl. Sit down, I made eggs and toast for breakfast."

"What time do you work today?"

"Let's see... today's Saturday so, 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM." I say while stuffing a small piece of toast in my mouth.

"Any luck with—" Amma's sentence gets cut off when my phone rings loudly.

I crinkle my brows, confused about WHOS calling because no one ever calls me unless it's my parents, sister or Farrah, my best friend.

"Hello? Oh! Good morning!" It's a call from one of the places I applied to. "Monday at 9:00 AM sounds perfect! Thank you so much!"

I screech as I jump out of my seat.

"Ya Allah! Noor, what happened?" Amma asks.

"I got an interview! Guess with which company! Guess! Guess! Guess!"

"Walmart?" she laughs.

I frown. "Amma!"

"Tell us, dear." Baba smiles.

"Khan Enterprises!" My smile widens.

"Alhamdulillah!" Baba and Amma give me a hug.

"Okay, wait, don't get too excited. It's only an interview." I quickly say, hoping to not jinx my luck.

"Insha'Allah, you'll get the position if Allah says its meant for you." Baba says.

• • •

"You got the interview?! With Khan Enterprises? That's actually amazing! I'm so proud!" Farrah squeals.

"I did!" I smile. "Thank you!"

"Lucky you! You finally get to leave this hellhole." She laughs.

"Okay, but what if that's a worst hellhole?" I raise a brow.

Both Farrah and I work at the same retail store.

"I can take the next customer!" I wave down the next person in line.

"Hi, how are you?" I ask the woman.

"Good, how about you?" She smiles.

"Not too bad. Would you like a bag?" I ask.

"Yes, please." She answers.

"Do you have a points card?"

"Ah, yes." She takes it out and I scan it.

"Any news from the places you applied to?" I ask Farrah as I scan the items.

"No, what if no one wants me?" She sighs.

"Sis, I thought no one would call me. My resumé is basically shit." I try not to laugh because it's true. I barely have any experience.

"You're right. I should have hope." She laughs.

"Your total is $156.70. How would you like to pay?"

Please don't say cash. Please don't say cash. Please don't say cash.

"Cash, please." She says.

Damn! This happens almost every time someone makes a big purchase. Counting cash makes me nervous no matter how many times I've done it.

"Sure, no problem." I smile.

Farrah looks over at me and giggles. She knows how much I hate counting cash because I suck at giving correct change under pressure.

I give the woman her bag, receipt and change and log out of cash since there isn't a line anymore.

"You really need to practice for your interview. I hear they can be a little harsh during the process." Farrah says.

"I know! Will you please help me?" I pout.

I'm horrible at many things, but especially interviews. I get so nervous that I feel like I'm about to puke, my voice shakes and I start to stutter. Even for a simple retail job interview, I almost cried because I was so nervous.

Farrah, on the other hand, is really good at them. She flies through them as if she knew exactly what to expect. She really has a way with words. She'll start the interview as a stranger and leave the interview becoming best friends with the interviewer.

"Of course! I'll make sure you get this job!" She smiles.

• • •

"I'm exhausted." I say as both Farrah and I walk to our cars.

"Same. Do you work tomorrow?" She asks.

"No, I don't work until Wednesday." I say excitedly.

"Lucky! I'm here tomorrow but only until 2:00 PM. I'll come to yours after to help you!" She says.

"Perfect!" I clap my hands together.

Both of us get into our cars and drive home for the night.

• • •

As promised, Farrah came over for a couple of hours to prep me.

Of course with her, I'm totally normal. The real deal is tomorrow and I'm nervous out of my mind!

Farrah and my little sister, Ayesha helped me choose an outfit for tomorrow.

White shirt and black jeans, topped with a suit-like long cardigan matched with a black hijab. A professional look, as Ayesha called it.

I look at the clock and it's only 7:00 PM. I don't think I'll be able to sleep tonight at all.

"Api, do you think we can go get shawarma right now? My treat?"

"Did you ask Amma?"

She nods. "She said yes."

"The sound of shawarma made me instantly hungry. Let's go!"

I would never say no to food adventures whether I'm paying or not.

I grab the keys, put on my hijab and coat and we go off.

"Can you order for us?" I ask Ayesha.

"I ordered last time! You order this time. Here's my debit." She hands me her card and I shut the car door.

I groan as I walk inside the restaurant. She knows how much I hate ordering.

I stand in line repeating the order in my head a couple of times so I don't freeze up when it's my turn.

While standing in line, some guy in front of me takes a few steps back and bumps right into me making me drop my card.

"Sorry!" I say out of habit, even though it wasn't my fault.

He turns around and my jaw drops.

Honest to God, this man is the most attractive person I've seen in a while. Ya Allah! It looks like Allah took his time moulding this person into a man.

But that thought stays there for only a moment because he looks at me, looks down at the card on the floor and rolls his eyes.

Maybe he's a racist.

But he looks middle eastern or south Asian. Or both.

I pick up the debit card off of the floor and mumble, "rude," under my breathe.

"Next time, watch your step." His unbelievably deep voice scares me. "It's impolite to talk under your breathe at someone." He takes his order and leaves.

If this was any other situation, I would've found the tone of his voice extremely attractive. But right now, I'm just angry.

I only look at him with raised brows before looking away. My fists are still clenched at my sides. I'm not about to pick a fight at a shawarma restaurant.

Plus, he's really tall and muscular, which sort of intimidates me.

I even said sorry! What a bi—

"Next in line!" The guy at the counter says.

"Hi, can I get two chicken shawarma plates to-go, please."

"Sure, with everything?" He asks.

I nod.

Once I go back to the car with our food, Ayesha grabs the bag from me.

"Did you see the really cute guy that walked out of there? He was gorgeous!"

"And an asshole."

She raises a brow. "What happened?"

I tell her everything and she only shakes her head.

"Why am I not surprised?" She sighs. "It's always the good looking ones."

"Did he look... familiar to you?" I ask suddenly.

"I don't think so, why?" Ayesha asks.

"I don't know... I thought I might've seen him somewhere before but maybe not." I end that conversation there because my brain couldn't figure out if I knew him or not and I really just wanted to enjoy my food.

- - -

- A/N -

• SURPRISE! I'm back! Let the show begin!

• Also, I'm craving shawarma and kanafeh 🤤 but too lazy to drive to a shawarma place to get it. ☹️

• The fact that I did not end at a cliffhanger, someone give me an award.

Next Update: Every Friday and Saturday, Insha'Allah!

Please vote and comment and let me know how y'all feel!!