Our Space

Chapter 18

Back in London, Sami was now searching for a place for his mother and sister. He'd offered for them to stay at his flat but he only had one spare room and they weren't keen on sharing. Besides, Manahil refused to live off any more of their father's money. She had her own savings which she intended on using for their new house.

Their mother wasn't keen on moving but Manahil assured Sami that she'd convince her. She said it would be good for her to come to a new place and have a fresh start. Sami agreed.

Manahil had given him a rough idea of what sort of place she wanted and what prices she could afford. Sami had visited many places and jotted down a few numbers and addresses. Manahil was going to be visiting on the weekend to check the places out. Sami texted the numbers and addresses to her and wondered whether she'd ask for him to go to see the places with her.

When the weekend came, Sami occupied himself with chores while trying to ignore the feeling of expecting a phone call from Manahil. Every time his phone would make a sound, he'd get his hopes up. Unfortunately, it was just messages from the group chats he was in. Soon, his phone wouldn't stop beeping while the people on the group chats got into full discussions. He put his phone on silent in annoyance.

While Sami was folding the dry clothes he had put in the washing in the morning, the doorbell rang. Suspiciously, Sami dropped his clothes on the bed and made his way to the door, going through the possibilities of who it could be.

He opened the door to see a hijabi standing there.

"Asalamu'alaykum," She said,

"Wa'alaykumusalaam," Sami replied, shocked.

"I know what you're thinking," Manahil said, rolling her eyes as she tucked in a loose strand into her hijab. "Are you going to let me inside?" Sami stepped aside and his sister walked through.

"Sorry about the mess," Sami murmured.

"Typical man," Manahil responded teasingly and Sami smiled. "Why aren't you answering your phone? I called like ten times."

"Sorry. It's... it's on silent."

"Oh. I made my way here so never mind. Anyways, I found a place I liked. It was the one near the high street and it has a masjid near it which has a women's side too. And I mean an active women's side. I went there to check it out and they have talks and classes and all sorts. Looks good." Again, Sami stared at his sister in shock.

"Wha... how... huh?"

"I know you think I'm bad like everyone else. But I'm not like that anymore. Everyone knows me as this promiscuous party girl but I'm not like that! I never was. Okay, maybe I made mistakes. Loads of mistakes! I wasn't a good girl but I got sick of that lifestyle. Nothing made me happy. I tried to find happiness on so many things and the moment I try to be good, I get mocked."

"By who?"

"Everyone!" Manahil shouted and Sami jumped. "One day I wore hijab. Never wore it again. Everyone was calling me a hypocrite. People were backbiting and slandering. I knew they gossiped and I knew there were ridiculous rumours about but... but I thought when I wore the hijab that that they'd say, oh look, Manahil's gone good because she's wearing a hijab. But nope, instead they said I don't deserve to wear this and I'm offending Islam by doing so, not giving a single thought to the fact that I might want to change."

"Did... did something happen?"

"Yes. You're judging me. I know that look; I see it in everyone's faces. But not to worry. No one knows me here and no one knows my past. I can settle down and maybe even meet someone," Manahil said, longingly.