| By fatema,
on 18-11-2003 22:46
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Published in : , Stories |
The sisters’ side of the Masjid was suddenly empty. Sabeerah was the only one left inside of it. She apparently dozed off after the last prayer during the Imam's lecture. Embarrassed and disappointed in herself, Sabeerah stood up to offer the last extra prayer of the night. Facing east, she raised both of her hands up to her shoulders and audibly praised God, the great. Saabeerah took her time and really prayed this prayer. She concentrated on every Arabic word she uttered and tried to beautify it the best she knew how. Arabic wasn’t her first language. In fact she really couldn't claim it as a language she knew at all. Outside of the 10 or so short prayers from the Qur'an that she had memorized when she became Muslim years ago and the customary Islamic phrases that are common to most Muslims, Saabeerah knowledge of the language was bleak...
Turning her head right and then left, Sabeerah finished praying. She sat comfortably on the backs of her feet on the thick pale green carpeted floor and remembered her Creator with her fingers and mouth softly. One by one Sabeerah recited a different supplication and glorified God even more. At the ripened age of thirty seven Sabeerah knew she had experienced and been blessed with more than enough to justify her dedication to prayer. Rising to her feet, Saabeerah gathered her things. She walked out of the Masjid’s praying area in a calm and serene state of mind. Sabeerah felt good and at ease with herself. Although she had slept through the lecture that had prompted her to come out to the Masjid in the first place, it still pleased her to have been able to see her Muslim sisters. Walking into the women’s restroom Sabeerah relieved herself, washed up and put her black fleece jacket on. The clock hanging outside the restroom read seven fifteen. Throwing her pocketbook over her shoulder, Sabeerah left out of the Masjid and started walking towards the main street.
The evening air felt crisp as it stirred the brightly colored fall leaves in its mix. Sabeerah inhaled deeply as she walked and digested the nights chill. It was a beautiful night for a walk as not too many people were outside. The sky was clear, not a cloud could Sabeerah see from her steel framed designer glasses. But for some reason Sabeerah just didn’t feel like climbing the steep hill that awaited her knees after the main intersection. No, she couldnt hike the small hill tonight. Sabeerah was still sleepy and longed to lay her head on her pillow and close her eyes again. Having decided not to continue walking, Sabeerah, now at the intersection crossed the deserted street and walked over to a familiar store and entered.
Walking inside the empty Stop N Go store Sabeerah greeted the store’s clerk.
“Wa ‘alaikum as salaam sister! Need help with anything this evening?” The Muslim store clerk asked Sabeerah from behind the glass counter.
“Yes. Do you have phone? I need to call a cab Insha’Allah.”
“Yeah, there is a pay phone in the back corner of the last aisle by the chips. But, I believe a sister just called a cab from here. It probably would be a good idea for the two of you to ride together.”
“Oh really? Alhamdulilah. That is a good idea. Is the sister here in the store? I didn’t see any sister outside when I came in.”
Just as the store clerk was going to tell Sabeerah where the Muslim sister was that called the cab not long ago, a Muslim woman walked out of the store’s back area where its restrooms were located. As she walked closer Sabeerah’s sight engulfed her. The tall peach skinned woman wearing a dark blue circular scarf pinned under her chin covering her ears, a long stiff blue denim over garment, clear rimmed glasses over hazel brown eyes, a mid length leather jacket and black designer boots was none other than her used to be “around the way sista friend”, Aminah Ahmed. Yes, that was definitely Aminah. Sabeerah could spot her old home gurl in a crowd of thousands, she knew her that well. She also knew they hadn’t talked in months and both were pretty bitter about it.
A couple of months ago Aminah and Saabeera had gone together to a friend’s house for tea and conversation. A disagreement aroused between the two as it often did when they were in a heated conversation, but this time was different. Sabeerah felt hurt by her long time friend and insulted. Sabeerah was two years younger than her friend but often felt as if Aminah used it as leverage over her through out the years. Not this time though. Saabeerah got up, emptied her tea cup, gathered her things, offered the Islaamic greeting and left the small apartment with her two friends staring in astonishment. She went home and eagerly retold the story of the event to her husband but he insisted the spat between the two women was foolish. Sabeerah’s husband only advice was to call Aminah and explain why her feelings were hurt. Of course that was entirely out of the question. Saabeerah knew Aminah knew why her feelings were hurt! Aminah was the one who hurt them, how could she not know what the problem was? What Sabeerah wanted and felt entitled to was for her “around the way sista friend” to acknowledge to her that she had hurt her and apologize. That just never happened though. Time went by, day after day and soon Saabeerah had even forgotten about the silly incident. That was until word reached her that her used to be “around the way sista friend” was engaged to be married in a week. The hurt came back and Sabeerah’s anger was reignited. How could Aminah not at least call to tell her she was to wed? Needless to say Sabeerah didn’t attend the wedding, although she did send plenty of wedding gifts with a mutual friend. Now several weeks later here Aminah is, standing in her face and about to share a cab with her.
The Muslim store clerk pointed at Aminah and confirmed for Sabeerah that indeed Aminah was the sister that called the cab. Aminah walked up to the stores counter with a bottle of juice in her hand and passed by Sabeerah. Without making eye contact Aminah slipped the Islamic greeting off her tongue to Sabeerah as if she was uncertain if she should be giving it to her. Sabeerah in turn gave Aminah her full attention by looking directly into her face and replied with a forced cheerfulness. As Aminah paid for her juice the store clerk made her aware of the situation with Sabeerah. Just as he advised Sabeerah to share the cab, he also advised Aminah.
"Oh, um ... yeah,ok. Sure, InshaAllah. What a um ... thoughtful idea brother. May Allah reward you!"
"Alhamdulilah sister. I think I see the cab coming up. Let me go flag him down for the two of you. Ill be right back sisters."
The store clerk walked from behind the old scuffed glass counter that was topped with candy, chapsticks and driving directions and went out the small stores front door. The opening of the stores door blew in a gush of chilly fall air. Saabeerah was standing close to the door and shivered from the unexpected contact. Looking over at Aminah, Sabeerah didnt know what to say or do even. Aminah and she were acting almost like strangers to one another, but Sabeerah knew that they were really closer than blood, united in their hearts forever through their undying allegiance to Allah and Islam. Sabeerah turned away from Aminah and gazed out of the stores window. The cab that Aminah had called was outside of the store and the clerk was walking back inside now to get the two women.
"Sisters, your cab is here. I let the driver know that the two of you need to be dropped off at different locations and he said that would be fine."
"Shukran." The two women said in unison.
Saabeerah walked out the door first and got into the back seat of the cab. Aminah followed behind Sabeerah and closed the cabs door. The driver turned around from the front seat and asked for the location he would be driving to. Sabeerah spoke up before Aminah and called out her address. Recognizing the address given to him immediately, the driver turned forward and pulled out into the traffic. Both women sat quietly on their own end of the seat. The space separating them wasntbig and nor was neither of theirs courage to confront the other. Sabeerah glanced over at her old sista friend buddy sitting across from her and desired to say something... anything that would be enough to sweeten their sour patch, but it just wouldnt come out. She turned away and silently called on the only one who she knew who could change their hearts and begged for His forgiveness and strength to over come her inner self.
Turning yet again to face her friend with unforeseen determination, Sabeerah opened her mouth and called out her friends name for the first time in months. Aminah turned towards her and answered.
" I... Im sorry! I am really sorry. This has gone way too far, Amina and we need to cut it out. If I have knowingly or unknowingly hurt you in any way, please forgive me." Fully facing her "around the way sista friend" Sabeerah continued talking to her honestly.
"Sabeerah,Im sorry too. Your right, this mess has gone on way too long. I should have called you and talked things out long time ago. I know how sensitive you can be and may have over looked your feelings... unknowingly. The more I thought about things between us the less I wanted to confront them. I just had no reason to be upset with you, except that you were upset with me ... Astaghfirullah (O Allah forgive me)!But I wont accept your apology. That is... unless you accept mine?" Amina extended her hand out and Sabeerah accepted it. The two old friends shook hands and then embraced one another in the back seat of the cab.
"You know I accept your apology girl. Thats all I started off wanting in the first place. But your right, I may have let my sensitivity get in the way of a good discussion instead of finding an excuse why I shouldnt have gotten upset with you. I overreacted Amina!"
"Yeah and you know I run my mouthtoo much Saab. I should of thought about the effect of my comments before I said it out loud." A lucid smile covered Aminas face as she spoke to Saabeerah. Finally the two "around the way sista friends" had settled their foolish spat and were making plans for the following week to have tea and a good talk over at Aminahs home when the driver turned around and announced that he was at Sabeerahs house.
"Well, Aminah you have my number. InshaAllah call me about next weeks tea."
"Alright, Ill do just that. InshaAllah, Ill give you a call tomorrow ... some time in the afternoon. Oh and Shukran (Thank you)!"
"Shukran? For what?"
"For having the strength and courage to speak first. I wanted to too, I just ... well, JazakeeAllahu Khair (May Allah reward you)!"
"Wa eeyaaki (and you too) sista friend! As salaamu alaikum."
"Wa alaikum as salaam sista friend."
Sabeerah opened the door of the cab, tightened her coat and walked up the old gray wooden steps on her front porch that lead to her two story home. Knowing her husband was at work by now, Sabeerah pulled out her silver house key and opened the door. As Sabeereah stepped inside the house and turned on the hall light, she noticed the cab slowly pulling off into the street and driving away. Finally home, Sabeerah exhaled and praised the only one she knew was worthy of praise and headed up the stairs to her bed to sleep.
© Copyright 2003 Veiledwriter
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Last update : 18-11-2003 22:46
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