PIC OF THE NEW CHARACTER⬆️

[Play this nasheed while reading! It'll get you feelin' the Eid vibezzzz!!!! Dat Dab thoo⬆️😂]

"I'm seriously not looking for another cocky Adam Mathews. I already have to deal with one and I'm not in need of another." -Zamzam Amin, IASWAD.

CHAPTER THIRTY: Weddings (Part One)

Zamzam Amin

"I know that I have no right asking this but...how are you?" Mahmoud asked as he gave me a look of worry. I know that I shouldn't feel bad for him or even forgive him but somehow I just can't find it in myself to be angry at him. He only did what he did for his family, for his dying mother, and for his younger sisters. His father and older brothers never helped with anything, so all of the responsibilities of making sure his family was fed and taken care of fell on his shoulders. So I how could I not forgive him?

I felt bad seeing him behind bars.

"I'm okay, how are you holding up?"

"In Shaa Allah, I'll manage. I was told if I have good behavior then I could be out in a couple of months." He said optimistically. We then talked for a couple of minutes until he suddenly stopped talking and looked down. "I am..." He let out a sigh. "I am so sorry for what happened to you back there. I know that I don't deserve your forgiveness but I hope that you know how truly sorry I am. You didn't deserve what happened to you and if there was a way I could take it back then I would." He stated as a tear made its way down his cheek.

I don't know why but when I was talking to Mahmoud, I found myself crying at his apology. Maybe I was being hormonal? I don't know. But all I know was that I couldn't hold them back. Now here I am at the house sitting in the living room with Grams, Baba, and Abdirahman. Apparently Isa had something to tell all of us.

"A couple of months ago, while I was practicing for the match I had a while back, I saw an ad for a free boxing scholarship in California. I told Abdirahman that I was thinking of applying and after much thought, I did." He cleared his throat. "This morning I got my acceptance letter. They want me to be in California by June but I think I should go sooner. Like this month so I could get used to being there." He concluded, all in one breath.

Baba and Grams were silent for a good minute.

"Wow." Baba stroked his beard in thought. Grams got up and enveloped Isa in a hug, I also joined the hug. Although I'm going to miss him like hell, I'm still happy for him. He's chasing his dream. What's wrong with that? "Follow your dreams, Habibi." Grams said after we let go of him.

"I'm very proud of you son." Baba beamed. "You can go."

"Really?" Isa looked surprised.

"Yes really." Baba laughed as he wrapped his arm around his shoulder.

"I thought it would take a little more convincing." Isa stated with a look of relief on his face.

"You're doing what you love, something you've been dreaming about since you were five years old. I would never stop you from  chasing your dreams." Baba stayed as he began to tear up. "I don't know if I've told you this lately but I'm so incredibly proud of you and everything you've achieved and so would your mother."

"Thanks, Dad, for everything." Isa responded. "You're the best."

"I am pretty great, aren't I?" Baba joked. We all laughed and joined in on their hug.

This must've been what Isa has been so worried about. Now it all made sense, I should've known. I really am proud of him, ever since he was little he's been so sure of what he wanted to become. I always remembered envying him for that.

I wish I knew what I wanted to do with my life.

"See?" Abdirahman grinned. "I told you to not worry."

"Thanks, bro."

"Anytime. Now I have to go to my pregnant wife. She wants me to get her a bunch of food." He rolled his eyes with a faint smile. "Salam." He said as he closed the front door.

* * *

I was in my room when Isa opened the door and sat at the edge of my bed like he always did. "I'm sorry for not telling you sooner." He said as he played the tips of my bed skirt.

I sat up straighter and sat my brand new phone down. I'm actually glad that my old one got shattered, which gave me an excuse to get a new one.

"Don't be. It's just going to suck not having someone to fight over the bathroom with in the morning." I replied jokingly.

"I'm not leaving for a couple of weeks. That gives me enough time to annoy the hell out of you."

"Yeah yeah, get off my bed." I kicked him off. He laughed as he turned off the lights and closed the door.

* * *

"Zamzam! Zamzam! ZAM!"

I completely leaped off of my bed and landed on the carpet. Fatima laughed at the whole scene that just unfolded. My God! Why can't I just be left alone!? I think it's fair to say that I definitely am not a morning person.

"What!?" I groaned as I got up.

"Hold on. This is too funny."

She continued to crack up.

"Laugh it up," I said sarcastically as I fixed my bed and headed towards the restroom to brush my teeth. Once I was done, Fatima, and I drove to the venue where the wedding would be held. Grams had to run to the shop so sadly she couldn't have come with us. Since the wedding is tomorrow we had to get all of the decorations done by tonight.

When we got there some of Muhsin's side of the family were helping set up. I looked around the venue with satisfaction, this is exactly the kind of place Fatima would want to rent out.

Suddenly I saw a guy from the corner of the room staring at me. I nudged Fatima on her shoulder and gestured towards him with my head. "Oh, that's Muhsin's younger brother Yahya."

"Do you know why he's staring at me?"

"I don't know but he's coming here." She replied.

"Assalamualaikum," He flashed us both a smile. "How are you, Fatima?"

"Walaikumusalam, Alhamdulilah I am well. How are you?"

He looked at me this time and continued to study me. I couldn't help but feel extremely uncomfortable under his stare. A part of me wanted to tell him off but I held it in.

"I'm okay. So, who's your friend?"

Fatima put an arm around my shoulder. "She's actually my cousin and she's off-limits to you." She pulled me away so fast that I had to take a second to regain my pace.

"What was that about?" I gave her a bewildered look.

"He's bad news." She replied.

I turned back and saw that he was still looking at me. Does this dude not know the words lower your gaze!? "Don't worry I'm not interested in him." I responded bluntly. What? Sometimes you just got to be honest and say it how it is.

"I know you aren't." She added with a mischievous smile. "But seriously, stay away from Yahya. He's one of the few people in Muhsin's family that actually live here in New York so you might bump into him. He's not someone you should be around." She warned me, this time there was no sign of joking in her tone.

"No need to tell me twice."

After helping clean up I decided to sit down for a while because my aching feet couldn't take it anymore. Taking out my phone, I checked my Snapchat notifications to keep me from getting bored. "So you're my sister-in-law's cousin? Would that make you my cousin-in-law?" Yahya asked as he sat across from me much to my dismay.

I turned my phone off. "Actually if you were the one marrying my cousin then you would be my cousin-in-law. We're nothing to each other." I replied with a smug look on my face. That shut him up. "Oh, you have attitude. I like it." He smirked wider.

Okay, time for me to leave.

"Look, I don't know you and all but I could already tell what you're all about. So find some other person to flirt with, or stare at across the room because I'm not interested." I stated, grabbing my bag. I don't know why but that moment felt so Deja vú like I've done it before. Adam, I faintly smiled at the thought of him.

"Okay I can take a hint," He put his hands up in surrender. "But I like you, you've got fire. See you around." He proceeded to walk away from me. By the time Fatima and I stepped inside her car, it was around 7 pm. We've been at the venue for hours trying to make sure everything was perfect for tomorrow. I also managed to get a hold of Samantha and asked if she wanted to come. It sucked that she couldn't have come with us when we went shopping. But nonetheless, I'm still glad she's coming.

"Are you excited about tomorrow?" I found myself asking. I wonder how it feels like, being a married woman. She smiled at the thought of it, "Of course. I can't believe after tomorrow I'm going to be married to the man of my dreams." She replied.

"I'm happy for you."

"Thanks, baby cuz," She parked her car in front of my house. "Now get out my car." She playfully pushed me out.

"Bye, Bridezilla!" I childishly stuck my tongue out at her before closing the front door to my house shut. When I turned around I saw Adam, Amir, Alex, and Isa all sitting around the living room. He must be telling them about his scholarship.

"We'll miss you," Amir said in a solemn tone.

I know for sure he would miss him the most after all of us. I mean when Isa's best friend Ahmed, moved away last year he was devastated. Then Amir and him started to get closer and now they're practically inseparable. "We really are. You and your sister literally changed my life although I'd never admit that to her. It's going to suck not seeing you every day," I couldn't help but pump my first in the air in triumph. I've finally got through to him and with two months to spare.

"Be good to her, okay?" Isa told him.

I slowly started to proceed going into my room without making a sound. Or at least trying my best not to, then again I am the clumsiest person so...I could never trust myself. But Alhamdulillah I made it to my room without making any noise. Once I got into my room, I jumped on my bed and grabbed my sketchbook. It's so weird I get the urge to draw at the most random times.

I also grabbed my old sketchbook and looked through my previous drawings. I couldn't help but smile at them, each one holds a different memory. Some of them are painful and others are from happy times. The one I'm most proud of is the one I drew of an eye.

[That's one of my drawings in my real sketchbook!]

All sorts of memories started rushing to the surface making me feel overwhelmed. I don't know when Amir entered my room but when I looked up he was leaning against my bedroom door. "How long have you been standing there?" I put away my sketchbook.

"Long enough," He replied. "I miss looking through your Sketchbook." He said as he grabbed it and flipped through the many pages. "So how do you feel? About Isa leaving and everything."

"Does it matter how I feel? All I know is that I'm proud of him." I responded in a bitter-sweet tone. That's what the whole situation is, bitter-sweet. The bitter part is him being so far and the sweet part is that he's living out his dream. He's been dreaming of becoming a professional boxer since ever. So it's amazing that he's finally getting an opportunity to become that.

Although I'd never tell him this, I think I'll miss his over protectiveness. "So Aliyah and I have finally settled on getting engaged in the summer." He said as he fiddled with his fingers.

"Really? That's great!" I exclaimed feeling genuinely happy for him.

"I'm really nervous though." He said with a blush on his cheeks.

"Don't be," I replied reassuringly. "What do you even have to be nervous about?"

"I don't know, being married I guess? I'm going to be a husband. Me! You all know I'm the most childish person out there. All I'm wondering is how a person like Aliyah could have feelings for a person like me?" The moment he said her name a smile came across his lips.

"A person like what? Caring? Kind? Fun to be around? Ya, because no girl would want to marry someone like that!" I rolled my eyes sarcastically.

"You left out funny."

"Let's not get too crazy." I laughed.

"You see? This is why you're my best friend!" He exclaimed. His phone suddenly buzzed so he excused himself and closed my door. I'm so excited for tomorrow, I can't believe Fatima is getting married. I just hope I don't run into that Yahya guy again. I'm seriously not looking for another cocky Adam Mathews. I already have to deal with one and I'm not in need of another.

* * *

"Help me! This stupid dress isn't cooperating with me!" Fatima shrieked. She's been a mess all day today. I think the pressure is finally getting to her so it's making her stress over every little thing. Aunty Amina quickly rushed to her daughter and helped her zip the back of her wedding dress while Aliyah, Samantha, and I continued to do her makeup.

To say she looks beautiful would be an understatement. Mashallah, she's always been beautiful but something about today makes her look even more beautiful. As we continued to help her get ready the guests were starting to shuffle in. Among those guests were Baba, Abdi, Ihsan, Isa, and Amir. We finally finished her makeup and Aunty zipped the back of her dress. Fatima then let out a breath of air.

"Thank you." She said gratefully.

Soon enough we were told to come out. I turned to both Sam and Aliyah. They both looked beautiful with their hair up in ponytails. Samantha wore a black jumpsuit, black heels, and jewelry on both arms. Aliyah wore the dress she picked out the day we went shopping which was a dark brown long-sleeved dress with little gems on the arms with black heels and earrings.

Aliyah, Samantha, and I quickly walked outside of the room and went to our tables while Aunty Amina stayed back with Fatima. Just as we sat down Yahya came to our table much to my dismay. "Of course a pretty girl has pretty friends as well." He winked at Sam as he sat down at our table.

I groaned. "Can you just leave us alone?" I said with an exasperated sigh.

"I think I want to stay."

"Who the hell are you?" Samantha eyed him.

"Who's asking?" He replied with a smirk.

"He's Fatima's brother-in-law." I answered.

"Yahya leave these girls alone." A guy who looked like him said as he rested a hand on his shoulders. Yahya rolled his eyes at him instead of getting up and walking away. He's really starting to annoy the hell out of me. "Why?" He scoffed as he shoved the guys' hands off of him. "Because I said so." The guy responded.

"Who says I have to listen to you? I'm so sick and tired of you always telling me what to do as if you're my God damn father!"

"Yahya do you seriously want to do this here." The man said as he gestured to us.

"I don't care."

"Well you should, no wonder Hoyo didn't want you to live with us anymore. You're such a pain in the-" Before he could say anything Yahya grabbed him by the collar. "Don't you dare mention her, Ali." He then shoved him and walked away. Okay, what just happened!?

After composing himself, the guy who's name I'm guessing is Ali turned to the three of us with an apologetic look in his eyes. "I'm sorry about my brother. He's just going through a phase." He then walked away.

"What just happened?!" Aliyah exclaimed in shock. I shrugged in response as I got up to go to the bathroom so I could fix my hijab. On the way there I ended up bumping into someone. "Seriously you need to stop running into me." Adam said jokingly.

"What're you doing here?" I asked curiously. I mean I never thought I'd see him at an Indian/Somali wedding. But here he was in a suit and tie which might I add looks good on him. "Isa invited me." He responded. His eyes widened once he looked at me which I don't understand why. I mean I look the most plain out of every other girl here.

"You look pretty." He said awkwardly.

"Uh, thanks."

"That's the only compliment I'll give you today."

"How generous?" He's too full of himself for his own good. "Anyways Casanova can you move aside? I have to fix my scarf." I tried to move past him but he kept on getting in my way. I moved left, he moved right, I moved right, he moved left. "Seriously move aside, Mathews!" I was getting annoyed at this point.

"Make me, Amin." He replied with a smirk.

Why is he so annoying!?

OKAY, THIS IS PART ONE!! PART TWO WILL BE OUT SOON AND IT'S GOING TO BE THE MOST EVENTFUL CHAPTER YET! SO UNTIL THEN;)!

Hoyo- Mom in Somali

STAY

QURUX

MY

QURUXLEYS

MWAH!!:)😘