"Okay did I just step into a parallel universe?" -Alex Bryant, IASWAD.
CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT: Dreams, Perfect Dresses And Awkward Encounters

Zamzam Amin

I pressed my ear against the door to hear them better. Am I seriously imagining this? Never did I ever think Adam would be interested in learning about Islam. "Are you interested?" Isa asked, sounding just as surprised as me. "I-uh, I don't know...sorry bro, it was a stupid question." Adam mumbled.

"No it isn't. Dude I'd be happy to teach you about it. Come inside my room." Isa responded. I continued to stand there in total and utter shock. I then approached my bed and laid down with a heavy mind.

I let out a sigh as I opened my eyes slowly, the first thing I saw was the incredible view of New York City through the window in our room. Sometimes I still can't believe that I live in a pent house like this and get to wake up to this view everyday. I then tossed to my side and saw Adam sprawled out on his side of the bed, sleeping peacefully. Sometimes, I also can't believe I married him, the kind of man that I never imagined that I would marry. I mean this guy literally completely changed everything about him and became the person he is today. I'm always in awe of him. Snap out of it Zam, it's too early in the morning to be this cheesy, I thought to myself. My eyes began to trail his whole entire face, from his perfectly tousled hair, his long eyelashes, his nose, and his lips. "Am I that good looking?" Adam asked with a smirk making it's way across his features. I quickly snorted and replied with the best nonchalant remark I could think of on the spot.

"You wish baby, you wish."

"Oh really?" He propped himself on his elbow as he turned to me, giving me a daring look.

"Yeah, really."

"Then why were you staring at me? Darling." He taunted, his smirk growing wider and wider by the second. "It's okay cause I was staring at you as well." He added as he winked at me playfully. I couldn't help but smile as I sat up and tried to get off of the bed but Adam managed to yank me back, causing me to land on top of him. "What're you doing?" I asked, feigning annoyance. "I just want to admire my wife, is there something wrong with that?" He asked with a raised eyebrow clearly not making a move to get up and ready for the day. I playfully hit him on his chest and pulled both of us out of bed.

I quickly sat up and started to panic about the dream. What the heck? What is wrong with me? Getting up, I go to the bathroom and made wudu. I need Allah right now. As I started praying my salat a sense of peace ran throughout my body.

A couple of hours later Aliyah and I decided to go to the mall together. "It was so weird." I told her as we walked around the mall. She squealed once I finished explaining my dream. "Yay! I knew you liked him." She exclaimed loudly, making people look our way. I quickly covered her mouth with my hand. "First, be quiet you're too loud. And second I don't like him. Okay? It was just a bizarre dream."

"Hey, I'm your bestie remember? I know you and I know how you think. You keep telling yourself that you don't like him but in the end you're just lying to yourself. I get why though, you're Muslim and he's not. But who knows? Maybe one day he'll convert? Just stop saying you don't like him." I sighed in defeat. She's right... Oh god how I wish she wasn't.

* * *

"Grams I'm home!" I shouted as both Aliyah and I walked in with heavy bags. Grams was in the living room with Aunty Amina, my mom's sister. The moment I saw her I enveloped her in a huge hug. "Zaza!" She wrapped her arms around me. Zaza was her nickname for me ever since I was little.

"I've missed you, Aunty." I smiled widely at her once we let go of each other. Since Aunty Amina and her daughter Fatima live in Minnesota, it's hard for us to see each other. The only times we do is either on Eid or another special occasion.

"I've missed you too! That's why I came here to tell you guys that Fatima is getting married next week and I want you guys to be a part of the wedding." She said excitedly.

"Really? That's great news!" Grams clapped in joy. I turned to Aliyah and we both started jumping up and down. I love weddings! I love decorating, dressing up, putting on makeup and accessories etc. It makes me excited for my wedding day.

"Fatima is landing tomorrow morning so you guys can come with me to the airport to pick her up. Then later on we could go dress shopping." Aunty Amina told us the schedule. It's been years since I've seen Fatima. I wonder how much she's changed. We've always had a strong bond with each other ever since we were little.

"Okay, we will In Shaa Allah." Grams agreed.

"Can I bring Aliyah and Samantha with me to the wedding?" I asked hopefully. "Of course! See you guys tomorrow." She then got up and walked out the front door.

"This must make you excited for your wedding." I wiggled my eyebrows up and down at Aliyah teasingly. "Shut up! You're so annoying." She turned away from me as she tried to hide the blush on her cheeks.

"Aw come on you know you love me... and Amir," I winked at her tauntingly. I know I'm mean but I couldn't help myself from saying that, it's fun messing with her about Amir. "Seriously Zamzam I will kill you!" She threatened as she punched my shoulder. I continued to tease her. "Aliyah and Amir sitting in a tre- Ahh Grams help me!" I quickly hid behind my Grandmother before she could get to me.

Aliyah crossed her arms in defeat knowing she can't do anything now. "What's all this noise about?" Grams asked with an amused look on her face.

"Oh it's about-"

"Nothing!" Aliyah cut me off as she glared at me big time. "Alright then, I'm heading upstairs." Grams said as she walked up the steps and into her room. "Hey are you sleeping over?" I asked as I took off my scarf.

"Yup." She replied. We then went upstairs to my room and started to talk about anything and everything until we both fell asleep.

* * *

It was 7am when Grams rushed in my room to wake both Aliyah and I up. We're supposed to pick up Fatima from the airport with Aunty Amina in an hour. Stepping into the bathroom, I washed my face with cold water to help wake me up. As I looked into the mirror, I understood why people always said I'm the spitting image of my mother when she was my age. We look exactly alike, we have the same brown hair, same dark chocolate eyes, same everything. I let out a sigh as I continued to look at myself. I had bags underneath my eyes from the lack of sleep I've been getting ever since I was kidnapped.

As I stepped into my room, I saw Aliyah laying down on my bed scrolling through her phone. I jumped on the bed and laid beside her. "Whatcha doin'?" I asked as I peered over her shoulder. "I'm looking at hijabs, I think I want to start wearing them." She said casually as she continued to scroll some more on her phone.

To say I was surprised would be an understatement!

"Get out! Seriously?" I exclaimed, not hiding my excitement. Ever since we were little Aliyah has been a little uncomfortable with wearing the hijab and I didn't blame her. "Yeah I'm kind of thinking about it." She replied.

Just then Isa knocked on my door, making both Aliyah and I turn his way. "Hey Grams said for both of you to come downstairs." He then closed the door and walked away.

"Well," I turned to Aliyah. "Let's go!"

Adam Mathews

"I brought you some Subway." I walked into Alex's room only to find him dead asleep. I shook my head as I turned off the TV that he left on and set the food down. Sitting in the chair next to him, I take out the book Isa gave me yesterday. Miracles Of The Quran In Modern Science I don't know why I suddenly wanted to read it.

I don't know what got me interested in Islam. Maybe it's because of the way Zamzam carries herself? She's not afraid to wear a hijab, to stand up for what she believes in and to finally say what this playboy needed to hear. "What is wrong with me!?" I snapped out of what ever trance I was in. I was never like this before and I don't want to be like this now. I hate cheesy stuff!

What are you doing to me Zamzam Amin? Letting out a deep breath, I opened the first page of the book and started to read it. "Oh, you're here?" Alex said as he leaned his back against the head of his bed. "Thanks for the food." He grabbed the bag eagerly.

"No problem dude." I tried to put the book away before he could see it but sadly he did. "Miracles Of The Quran In Modern Science?.." He read the title with creased eyebrows. "Ya it looked interesting so I decided to read it." I responded as cool as I could. "Are you thinking of..? It's fine if you're interested in becoming a Muslim." He stumbled over his words as if he didn't know what to say. "Whoa there, I'm just reading a book dude." I can't imagine becoming a Muslim.

"Are you sure? Because I'm cool if you are. I don't ever want to stop being friends again." There was a brief pause after he said that. Getting up, I put him a headlock and rubbed my knuckles against his skull. "You're such a dork, you know that?" I couldn't help but let out a small laugh. "Aye watch the hair!" He exclaimed.

"When did you start becoming like me?" I held my hand against my heart, pretending to get emotional. "I'm so proud." I added, wiping off an imaginary tear. He pushed me away from him playfully.

"Who's being the dork now?"

Suddenly the door to his room flew open and in came Amir and Isa. Without knowing, I felt my heart drop. I guess part of me was hoping Zamzam would walk through that door. Stop thinking of her, my mind commanded. I'm seriously losing my mind, aren't I? I bet she doesn't think of me half as much as I do of her so why bother? I seriously need to freaking man up.

"We heard you're getting discharged later." Amir said as he clapped Alex on his back. Alex let out a dramatic sigh, "Thank the lord. I'm getting so sick of being cooped up in here. It just sucks that since I missed so much of school that I have to do summer school."

"It's okay bro, it's only a couple of weeks." I tried to cheer him up.

"I guess you're right. Thanks for being here." He looked at all three of us. "All of you guys. Adam, thanks for always being an amazing friend. Thanks Isa and Amir for coming here everyday for the past month even though you guys barely even knew me. I guess it's at times like this that you know who your true friends are."

"And you say you're not a dork," I punched him lightly on his shoulder. "You're welcome though."

"Don't mention it." Isa added.

"Let's go get some food, I'm hungry." Amir rubbed his stomach. I couldn't help but let out a chuckle. "Dude you're always hungry." The other boys nodded their heads in agreement.

"That's why I want some food so these doctors need to hurry up and discharge you so we could go eat." He whined like a baby.

"Is this guy always like this?" Alex questioned with an amused grin.

"Dude you don't know the half of it."

* * *

We ended up going to Stake & Shake to get some food after Alex was officially discharged. "Hi guys I'm Emily and I will be your waitress today." A pretty brunette who looked like she was our age said as she brought out a pen and pad. The old me would've flirted with her and ended up getting her number by the time I walked out of the door but now I'm just not interested. She gave me a flirtatious look then turned to the other boys.

"We'll order in a minute."

"Are you sure?" She came up close to me, too close.

"Yes I am. Now can you go?" I dismissed her coldly. She had a surprised look on her face as she walked away from us. "Dude what was that about? She was totally in to you." Alex stated, looking at me as if I was insane. "I don't know I'm just not interested in her I guess."

"Okay did I just step into a parallel universe?" He joked.

I guess I really have changed. Who would've known that I Adam Mathews would turn down a pretty girl? "Zamzam would've been proud to see you do that." Isa stated. "I guess this dare is really working."

"Wait what dare?"

"He dared my sister to change his ways before school ends in a couple of months and it seems to be working." Isa answered. Is it that obvious that it's working? "If she wins he'll change his ways and if she loses then she'll become his slave for a whole year. Thank god it's working."Amir added as he looked through the menu in front of him.

"Wow those are high stakes. She's pretty brave."

She's the definition of brave.

Zamzam Amin

"Oh my gosh this dress would be perfect on you Zamzam!" Fatima gushed as she held out a beautiful long sleeved beige gown with a belt in the middle. Since I was the only person who didn't find anything to wear everyone was helping me find something that was my style. And this definitely was my style. I gawked at the gown in pure awe. "I love it!" I exclaimed, grasping it in my hands.

Of course Fatima would find the perfect gown, I seriously love my cousin. "Go try it on!" Both her and Aliyah pushed me into the fitting room. I quickly put it on and came out.

No one said anything, not even Grams and God knows she always has something to say. "What?" Now I was beginning to worry. "Does it look that bad?" I turned the mirror, I still look the same but the gown did look beautiful. "No it's just... You look so beautiful." Grams gushed as she put her hand up to her mouth.

"Damn my bestie is hot!" Aliyah exclaimed, winking at me. "Mashallah my baby cuzzo is all grown up." Fatima pretended to wipe a tear.

"You look amazing!" Aunty Aminah added.

"Thanks but Fatima is by far the most beautiful bride I've seen!" I walked up to my cousin and gave her a hug. "Muhsin better treat you good or else he'll have me to answer to." I somewhat joked. Fatima was always the closest thing I had to an older sister. Even though she's the same age as Abdi, it always felt like she was much older. I guess it's because she's a very mature person and always has been and I admire her for that.

"I'm so excited for the wedding! I've never been to a half Indian, half Somali wedding before." Aliyah looked really excited. The guy Fatima is marrying is Somali so they settled for a mixed cultures wedding. A lot of people may think that being mixed is cool but what it really is, is confusing. Since I'm half Yemeni and half Indian it's always been difficult figuring out where I belong, you know? I mean I guess it's cool because I can speak 3 languages but that's the only cool part.

"Let's just say Somalis can really turn up!" Fatima exclaimed. Suddenly Grams got up, staring at her phone. "I forgot that I need to do inventory at the shop today! Sorry guys I have to go. Zamzam give me your keys." Grams demanded. I quickly handed them to her then said goodbye.

"So who wants to get food?"

"I'm down for food."

"Let's go."

"You guys go without me, okay? These shoes are killing me. I think I'm just going to go home," Aunty Amina kissed us all goodbye before leaving the store. After I paid for my dress we all decided to go to Stake & Shake to eat. When Aliyah parked her car I noticed both Isa's and Adam's car were parked in front of the restaurant.

We walked inside and sat at a booth. Maybe those aren't their cars...I thought to myself. That thought was short lived because surely they were sitting right across from us along with Amir and Alex. They seemed to be laughing at something Amir said which is a first.

"Is that Isa, Amir and Adam?" Aliyah hissed, looking directly at them.

"Aliyah, stop staring! They might come over here." I really don't want Adam to come over here. After that dream I had yesterday I'd rather not face him. I still don't even know what it meant. Surely I don't have feelings for the ultimate playboy. I mean he's everything I hate in a guy. He's cocky, an airhead, he says stuff before thinking. How could I like him? "Does someone have a crush?" Fatima smirked at me.

"No!"

"Yes!" Aliyah shot back.

"No!"

"Yes!" They both said this time.

"You guys are so annoying wallahi!" I feel like hiding in a hole and never coming out at this point. "I'm going to the restroom." I got up and turned around. The moment I did I bumped into someone and made them smear ice cream all over themselves. "I'm so sorry!" I panicked.

I then looked up and noticed the person I bumped into was the one person I was avoiding, Adam.

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THIS IS THE LONGEST CHAPTER I WROTE AND SO FAR MY FAVORITE! WHAT DID YOU GUYS THINK? THE ZADAM FEELZZZZZ ARE SO STRONG!!! WHAT DO YOU THINK OF HOW MUCH ADAM HAS CHANGED!? GASP! HE TURNED DOWN A PRETTY GIRL!

QURUXLEY: *Hugs Adam* I'm so proud of you boo!

ADAM: *tries to get out of my grip* Come on!

QURUXLEY: Aye I'm doing this for all of the female readers that want to hug you at this moment so suck it up playboy!

ADAM: *sighs* Fine!

LOL BUT SERIOUSLY Y'ALL WHO FEELS LIKE HUGGING ADAM? I KNOW I DO HAHA. ANYWAYS I HOPE YOU GUYS ENJOYED THIS CHAPTER!! AND PLEASE DO COMMENT BECAUSE I SPENT HOURS WRITING THIS LONG LONG LONG CHAPTER FOR Y'ALL SO THE LEAST YOU COULD DO IS SHOW SOME APPRECIATION. I MEAN SERIOUSLY YOU GUYS THIS CHAPTER IS OVER 3000 WORDS! CAN I GET A ROUND OF APPLAUSE? I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU GUYS BUT I FOR ONE FEEL VERY ACCOMPLISHED! OKAY THIS IS TURNING INTO AN ESSAY LOL! DROP A LIKE, COMMENT, TELL YOUR FRIENDS BLUH BLUH BLUH. Y'All KNOW THE DRILL BY NOW:)

P.S IT'S TRUE US SOMALI'S KNOW HOW TO TURN UPPPP!!!

STAY

QURUX

MY

QURUXLEYS

MWAH!!:)😘