"Samira!" I ran after my two year old niece.

Ugh why was she so hyper today? She's literally been running around the house for thirty minutes straight. I wish I had that much energy. I barely have enough energy to get out of bed lately. School and work have been giving me a huge head ache.

Just 3 more years then you'll graduate, I reminded myself.

"Look what I do Aunty Zam!" Samira shouted excitedly as she did a cartwheel. That actually is pretty impressive that she could do that at two years old. I didn't learn how to do a cartwheel until I was nine. "Wow that was really good!" I gushed as I finally got a hold of her. I told Abdirahman that I'd babysit her today because he was at work and so was Ihsan.

I actually don't mind babysitting Mira, I love spending time with her. She's like the baby sister I've always wanted but never got. "Aunty, I miss Uncle Isa." She stated as she took a sip of her juice box.

I brushed her hair back with a smile.

"Me too, In Shaa Allah he'll come back soon."

Honestly I haven't talked to Isa for months but I do hear his name a lot. He finally accomplished his dream and is now one of the most known Muslim male boxers. So many people come up to me and ask if he's my brother on a daily basis. He's also been featured on ESPN a couple of times. I'm so proud of him for finally accomplishing his dreams, Mashallah.

The door bell rang and in came Samantha. Sorry, I mean Samiyah. Samantha actually got very interested in Islam about a year ago and converted a few months after. Mrs. Mitchel, her mother, was surprised at first but then she quickly supported her daughter and that's one of the many reasons I admire her. She's always so supportive. At first it was hard to get used to calling her Samiyah but now it's really grown on me.

I engulfed Samiyah in a hug then closed the door behind her. It was just me and Samira at the house at the moment. Baba was at work and Grams was still at the shop. She's actually thinking of selling the shop and retiring this year which is a good thing. I know my Grandma looks young and everything Mashallah but she's almost 62. She's needs a break from working and everything. "Hey so I found this picture at my house." She brought out the Polaroid photo she took of Aliyah and I on Aliyah's engagement day.

I held the photo in my hands and let out a small smile. Every time I think of this day, I think of how Adam left and still hasn't came back. I don't know why but one of Taylor Swift's lyrics popped into my head.

You told me you loved me. So why did you go away?

Okay I seriously need to stop this. It's been two years since we've last spoken. I've changed so much since then and I'm sure he has as well. Who knows if he still feels the same about me? Hell if he did then he would've came back long ago. I need to move on. The smile that was on my face disappeared and I handed the photo back to her. I don't want to think of him ever again. I know he said he'd be gone a long time but why didn't he even call? Every time I tried to get in touch with him he wouldn't pick up his phone or reply to my messages. After a couple of months I gave up on trying to keep in touch and swore that I'd never bring his name up again.

Samira tugged at the end of my hijab, I crouched down to her height.

"I have to pee pee!" She put down the juice box and started running to the rest room. "She's so adorable Mashallah." Samiyah said as she sat down on the couch. "Yeah. Okay I'm going to come back in a second." I followed Samira to the bathroom. After Samira used the restroom and washed her hands I took her to my room so she could take a nap.

Closing the door, I walked back downstairs to where Samiyah is.

"So," I plopped myself on the couch beside her. "What's up?"

"Nothing much. I just wanted to let you know that I want to start wearing the hijab. I think I'm finally ready for it." She said uncertainly. "Really?" I tried to hide my excitement but I was failing horribly. Getting up, I did a little happy dance. I know, I'm weird but we already established that a long time ago.

"Are you sure?" I asked as I calmed myself down.

"Yeah, I am."

"Okay we can go shopping after work. Or do you want to go upstairs and borrow some of mine for the time being?" I offered. We went upstairs to my room and opened my closet. There were a bunch of hijabs laying around on the floor. "What about this one?" She asked. Turning around, I saw that she had the scarf Adam gave me as a good bye present. "Not that one. You could choose anything else."

"Wait... Is this the scarf he gave you!?" She quickly put it back. I've only told her and Aliyah about the gift he gave me before he left. I just needed to get what happened off of my chest and so who's better to tell than my best friends? "Yeah it is. Could you believe I've never worn it before?"

It's true, I haven't even touched it ever since he gave it to me. I'd just find myself staring at it whenever I missed him. "Let's do something to get your mind off of him. After Samira wakes up we could grab some food and go to Aliyah's house." She suggested.

"Sure."

* * *

"Daddy!" Samira exclaimed as she ran to Abdi and hugged him around his legs. It's amazing how much she looks like him. They have the same eyes, nose and smile, she also has mom's long Indian jet black hair. "Did you have fun with Aunty Zamzam?" He asked as he ruffled her hair lovingly.

"Yes! We play dress up, watch Sophia The First, also had Ice Cweam!" She jumped up and down happily. "Thanks." Abdi mouthed as he helped Samira put on her shoes. I mouthed back no problem, then walked back to where Samiyah was sitting. I'm still not used to addressing her as Samiyah but she keeps insisting that everyone calls her that. She even legally changed her name to it so that's good.

"Let's go!" She grabbed her bag off of the table. "Yes ma'am." I pretended to salute her as I wrapped a scarf around my head and grabbed my phone. After locking the house, we walked into her car and drove out of my driveway.

* * *

Remember when I used to complain about High School being a big pain in the behind? Scratch that. The real pain in the butt is college! Sure it's nice picking whenever you want to go to class and everything but the work load is way more than any regular high school class. Plus the exams are a million times harder!

I walked into English and sat at the front of the classroom. I woke up early today so I could come to class before everyone else but there was someone already here before me and it was Yahya. After what happened that night he apologized to me and started to change his attitude towards everyone. Even though he did change, I still don't like him all that much.

The moment he saw me he flashed a smile. "Hey Zamzam." He sat down next to me.

"Bye Yahya." I replied, opening up my English text book. Finally the students started shuffling in along with the Professor. I couldn't be more happy about class actually starting and I never thought I'd say that.

* * *

When class was over I walked inside my car and turned on the engine. Today I decided to wear the scarf he gave me for the first time, it's pretty weird. I'm so used to just staring at it and now I'm wearing it. Suddenly my phone started ringing so I picked it up.

It was Isa.

"Hey bro, what's up?" I'm actually shocked that he called me right now. Usually around this time he'd be practicing for a match. "Nothing much sis. I just wanted to check up on you." He said on the other line.

"Oh and I also wanted to tell you guys that I'm coming back next month. My coach just told me that I could take a long break." He added. To say I was shocked would be an understatement. I can't believe he's actually coming back. "That's awesome! Do Grams and Baba know?" I asked, driving out of the parking lot.

"I actually want to surprise them." He responded with a happy sigh. "I gotta go but I'll see you soon In Shaa Allah."

"In Shaa Allah." I replied before hanging up.

* * *

"Hi can I get a vinti Caramel Frappecino?" I said to the cashier as I brought out my debit card. I've been obsessed with Starbucks a lot lately because I'd have to stay up many nights doing class work. "Sure thing." The cashier said as she swiped my card. After a ten minute wait I finally was able to grab my much needed drink.

"Watch out!"

Someone yelled but it was too late, the drink that I had in my hands already spilt all over them. "Oh my God I am so sorry!" I grabbed a bunch of tissues in a hurry. "You've got to stop spilling things on me." A familiar voice said, I know that voice. Turning around, I saw none other than the guy I tried to spend the last two years forgetting.

"It's nice to see you again, Scarfy."

😘