| By fatema,
on 04-11-2003 04:40
|
Views : 1932  |
Favoured : 82 |
Published in : , Stories |
Just like everyday after school, I make my way over to Blunt park's track. Coach Ali yells for 45 minutes at all 12 of the guys on our team. The harder I push, the louder he yells. The fire inside me is real, I will make it across the finish line first. I'm always first. I'm the fastest on this team. I gonna make it out of high school with a track scholarship Insha'Allah. I just don’t know what else I'm going to be taking.
"Yo, Jay! What are you doing man? Get out ya' head boy and go give me another lap! Mooove it!" Coach Ali yelled.
"Alright coach, I got it. No sweat."
Around the track I go. Every day it's the same thing. This is easy. I feel comfortable and safe out here. It's what goes on off the track that seriously worries me. Time to go home.
"Sup Jay! How you doing today?" asked Jada.
"Sup Jada. What you doing out here on the field?"
"What? I thought you said you was going to wait for me in the back of school so we could walk here together?"
"Nah, thats not what I said."
"Uh huh."
"Nah, Jada, I didnt. Dang."
"Well, what did you say?"
"Look, I said...I said maybe. Maybe we could walk. I didnt say we would."
"Jamal, your lying to my face. I know what you said."
"Whatever man. Go head wit that Jada. I’m not in the mood for all that. I gotta get home."
"So, what is that suppose to mean?"
"It means Im walking home now. So you walking home now or ...?"
"Yeah, well I guess so."
Its always like this with Jada. I dont even know why I started hanging out with her anyway. I met her in gym class back in the beginning of the school year. A whole crew of freshmen girls were just scoping out a couple of my boys and I while we were doing some relay sets. She was bold and came right up to me and asked for my name. She was cute, but I knew not to mess with her. But my boys were right there and I didnt want to look soft in front of all them. I should never have told her my name. I should have never took her number. I most definitely shouldnt have told her we were cool! Shes always up in my face, trying to make plans and what not. Man, I just want to run! I aint got time for all of this. Week after week, even when I intentionally treat her mean, she comes right back! I never should have started hanging out with her.
"So, can I come in your house?"
"This house right here? Nah, you crazy? My mother is here!"
"Ok, so I can finally meet her today."
"Nah, she dont want to meet you."
"Why not Jay? You know this is getting real old, real quick. You are always saying the same thing."
"Yeah, well why havent you caught on to it yet? Look, I gotta go in side Jada."
"I cant get a hug Jay?"
"Jada, go home!"
"Whatever."
******
Home is pretty easy too. Yeah home is good! My Umm is real cool. Supportive, even. She works hard by herself to take care of my two little brothers and I. Man, she does stuff, stuff I would never think to do for someone else. She puts herself last for us all the time. Thats crazy! I love my Umm to death.
" As salaamu alaikum Jamal! (Peace be upon you) I didnt hear you come in sweety."
"Wa alaikum as salaam Ummi (my mother). Yeah, I just got here. I was at practice tonight. "
"Alright, baby. Well, wash up quickly and make the adhan (prayer call). Dinner is just about done. I want to make salat (prayer) before we eat. I have to be to work early tonight."
"Ok. But Ummi, you know your working too much! You need a day off."
" Thats sweet Jamal. I certainly wish I could get one off. Oh Jamal..."
"Yeah Ummi?"
"Go tell Musa and Dawood to turn that TV off and go get ready to pray."
"Alright."
Everyday its basically the same. Go to school, run track, argue with Jada, come home, pray, eat dinner, pray again, do my home work, pray some more and go to bed. A lot of praying. Actually, I dont think praying 5 times a day is enough for me. If it was, I probably wouldnt be distracted so easily. May be not. I do know that for 17 years, my whole life, Ive been taught to be a Muslim. Through out the years, I didnt always know who I was. Many days, it felt as if I was being pulled in different directions. The weight of knowing the right way and being allured in the wrong way was more than I could handle. Usually, it was just easier to go left. But now I know and I want to do it. Thats a good feeling to have finally.
*******
"Alright class, times up. Put your pencils down and pass your test to the left! I hope you all did the best you could. Congratulate yourselves! This was most of you seniors last test in high school. I wish you all the best and have a good summer."
Applause - Applause
"Yo Jay man! Yo Jay! Hold on man!"
"Oh. Ay yo Bruce-bruce! Sup man?"
"Nuttin big man! I’m glad to be out. This year was a trip."
"Who you telling? Thats fo sure."
"Look, I’m about to be out, give me some dap! Ill call you in a few. There’s gonna be some banging parties this week. You gonna come through Jay?"
"Nah, probably not kid."
"What?? Cmon jay! Whats the deal? You aint been hangin with your boys no more? Look, you gotta come through to at least one."
"Nah, man. I’m not going to be able to make it. I’m leaving Saturday."
"Yeah, oh my bad. Where to big man?"
"I’m going out the country. I’m going to go visit my dad in Egypt for the summer."
"Cool! Thats real! Well, good luck over there. Give me a call when you get back...aight?
"Aight then bruce. Be cool!"
After school I walked past the park even though its not really on my way home. Nobody was on the track. I was going to turn around and just go on home. Instead, I threw my book bag down and tightened my laces and hit the track. Two, four, six, eight, ten laps. I wasnt tired. I just kept on running. I ran until I felt free and relieved. I lost track of the laps. I just felt good. I felt good to be out of school and without any major mistakes. I felt good not to be hanging out with my crew. I felt good because I knew I never would hang out with them again. I know I’m on a different path. Man, I just want to be a good Muslim, make my mom proud and run. Going to Egypt to be with my dad will be good too. My mom raised me for 15 years the best she could. I need to see what he has to offer me. I need not to be afraid to see what he has to offer me.
"Sup Jay?" asked Jada as she approached the track field.
"Nothing."
"Congratulations."
"Thanks."
"Can I get a hug today or are you gonna give me the run around forever?"
"Nah, not today Jada. I’m tired of running away from you. Look, I’m not about to give you a hug today or any other day. I’m a Muslim. I dont want or need you as my girl friend. I just want to run. I just want to run on this field today... one more time."
"Well... I can respect that Jamal. I’m sorry if I got on your nerves, you know. You’re a real nice guy, your different than Bruce-Bruce, Manny and Pow. You treat me like a girl...like a nice girl most days. Ya know, I always knew something about you was unusual. I guess thats why I was trying to push myself on you so much when I knew... deep down, nothing was really there. I just look up to you so much. Youre a cool cat, Jay!"
"Yeah? I appreciate that Jada."
"Yeah, just keep on running Jamal. I know youll eventually make it to where ever it is you really want to be!"
"Im already here Jada... I’m already right here. Im me. Im just running for me Alhamdulilah."
© Copyright 2003 Veiledwriter
Last update : 04-11-2003 04:40
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