CHAPTER FIVE

Let's do this. You start off by going to the cereals side, and we meet back here in...ten minutes."

I can do this. I kept chanting in my mind.

"Okay."

"Be safe, okay?"

I took a deep needed breath and started off to my right. I've been here a lot of times that i knew almost everywhere in the huge store. I counted till ten and took a left turn. I let my hands touch the racks and i felt cartons the size of the cereals we normally take.

I moved to the far end of the rack and felt for a shopping cart. I found one and i pushed it towards the rack. It took me a minute each to find the right cereals i was looking for.

When i was done, i sighed in relief and made my way to where we were supposed to meet.

Taking two steps forward, i bumped into someone.

"Oh Allah! I'm so sorry." I quickly apologised knowing that it might have been my fault.

"Why don't you watch where you're going? Are you blind?" It was a woman's voice.

"I'm sorry." I replied, not taking to heart what she had just said. I was used to hearing that back in school.

I listened for her footsteps to indicate that she had left before i started walking again.

By the time i reached our meeting site "Finally." I heard Norah sighed in relief.

"Are you okay? I was just about to come look for you. Why did you come 30 seconds late? Did you get lost?"

I smiled "Why were you keeping count? I'm here now, aren't i?"

She chuckled "What next? I've gotten flour, spaghetti, macaroni, eggs, milk and, sugar." She listed out.

"I have the cereals."

"Okay. Let's go get vegetables first."

An hour later, we were done and the stuffs had been loaded in the boot of the car.

"Let's go get meat and chicken in Aunt Billy's. I've called her to let her know we are on our way."

I nodded my reply. Aunt Billy is a family friend who sells halal meat for us Muslims. She has been in the business for quite long.

When we got home, Norah and i arranged everything where it belongs. Dad was in his room, obviously working on his laptop.

"Assalamu alaikum Dad!" I greeted as i walked in.

"Wa alaikumus salaam Bint! How was your night?"

"Alhamdulillah!"

I took a seat on the sofa "Did you just return from the store?"

I nodded "Yeah! And i bought your favorite ice cream."

He chuckled "That's my girl. I would have loved to take it now but i'm working, just keep it in the freezer for me."

"Okay Dad. I will bake some cookies then for lunch."

"Sounds yummy."

"It would be. Let me leave you to your work then."

"Thanks Darling." I stood up and left.

Heading to the kitchen, i started bringing out ingredients for the chocolate cookie.

A few minutes later "What are you making, Sis?"

Norah almost scared me "Cookies?" She asked enthusiastically.

"Have you gone to greet Dad?"

"Yup. The old man is busy, i didn't stay long."

I laughed when she called him 'the old man'.

"He is your old man, right?"

She chuckled "I love my old man."

"Help me turn on the oven." I instructed.

"It's time for Zhur!" She said.

"After praying, we would have our lunch."

.......

Many days passed by and it was soon Norah's wedding day. I couldn't stop the tears that was threatening to fall from my eyes when we were informed that the groom had said 'yes' to the marriage.

"Don't cry too much, dear, spare some for when she would have to leave to her new home." My sister's mother-in-law said in a teasing tone.

I smiled brightly, my waterfall still pouring "I won't."

When it was time for her to go, i tried my best not to cry in front of her cause she was already crying.

"I will miss you." She cried.

"I will miss you more."

"No. I will miss you many more."

I shook my head laughing "I will miss you much more."

"You win. I love you, Sis."

"I love you."

"I promise to come visit you always." She hugged me tightly.

"Do that please." I tightened the hug.

"It's time." Aunt Aisha whispered to us.

We let each other go and i placed a kiss on her forehead.

Na'ima and Iman were going with her to her new home. It was a thirty minutes drive from my place. I didn't want to go with her for so many reasons, one of which was that i wanted to cry...alone.

"Are you sure you don't want to come with us?" Iman inquired.

"You more than anyone should understand that i can't."

She sighed "I do understand...see you soon then."

I nodded "Inshaa Allah!"

I went into the house when they left. The event took place in the groom's house, although i couldn't see any of the decorations, i knew it would be befitting for a princess like my Sister.

Taking a seat on her bed, my waterfall started coming down hard. I cried for minutes, it was tears of joy and sorrow cause my one only sister was leaving me.

........

The next day had been a little tough, i was all alone. Dad and Noor had to go to work leaving me with the new maid that was to help me out.

I went into the kitchen ready to make dinner for Dad and Noor as Norah and i normally did.

"What are you doing in here, Madame? Do you want me to serve your dinner now? Or should i bring it to your room?"

I shook my head "No thanks. But what did you make for dinner?"

"Friend rice, salad and peppered chicken for the main course. Then chocolate cake and yogurt for desert."

I smiled "Thank you. You may leave if you're done for the day. I will serve the food once..."

"I'm very sorry Madame." She interrupted. "But your Dad told me not to leave you alone or let you do anything yourself."

I sighed "Did he?"

"Yes Madame."

I nodded "At least, can you stop calling me 'Madame'?"

"No, Madame."

I sighed heavily "I'm not ready to have dinner, thank you."

I walked back to my room, a frown masking my face. I hated it when i am being treated that way. Because of this, i was very happy when we left our old house. It was a very huge mansion which made life difficult for me for a year after my accident.

Dad hated that i was always struggling and made us move to this house. This one only had a ground floor which made movement easy for me. I could still remember falling down the stairs once in our old house.

I sighed as i laid on Norah's bed. Though i was a year and a half older than her, we were very close. We talked twice today, in the morning and afternoon. I was still missing her.

At dinner, i ate quietly, not talking to anyone. Dad knew i was upset so he didn't say much.

"I'm sorry." He finally said as i stood up after eating.

I didn't reply.

"I know how much you hate this but it's for the best."

Silence.

"With Norah gone now, my mind can't be at rest knowing you are alone at home."

"Good night Dad!" With that said, i went into my bedroom and locked the door. I changed into my night dress and slept off.