I got up, early, to finish for school. I got up early because I knew I was going to see Dario today but I thought that maybe it was not such a good idea to go alone. I’ll have to ask one of my friends again, I thought. Who else to ask but Sydney? She was one of my best friends and we went through a lot together. I just hoped she was at school because she changed her mind quick in the morning to just stay at home, for no real reason.

I ate breakfast and as I wanted to leave my mother called me.

“Bishni, kanallah come here quick…” She’s probably calling me for another one of her lectures, I thought to myself. I went to her room and stood by the door.

“Bish, come home early today. We must do Salaah together kanallah. Zaahir can’t do it every day alone,”

Me? Doing Salaah? After so long! Allah must have told my mom to tell me that we must pray with Zaahir.

“Mom, I don’t… maybe I’ll… I won’t be able to make it,”

“Bishni, insha’allah you will!” I didn’t want to say anything so I just left and went to school.

When I got at school, Sydney was absent. I was sad but I had to see Dario, even if it meant that I will have to go alone. I just hoped the boss wasn’t there because he scares me. I had Maths and gave the same excuse. This time I just said that my nephew passed away and I have to be with the family. The teacher just said it was fine; I can go.

As I walked through the park, I saw Dario in the distance. He was talking to another girl. I thought it was his girlfriend so I turned around. But to my surprise, he saw me and he called me back. What gang member couldn’t spot a sneaky person!

“Bish, sneaking up on me I see…” he said and he giggled. Such a gentle laugh.

“Ag no! Dario. I was just… looking around,”

“Where’s my manners… Sammi this is Bish. Bish meet Sammi. She’s my cousin,”

Excellent! They are cousins, I thought, so I still had a try to get his number.

“Pleased to meet you, Sammi!” Sammi looked beautiful, with long hair and green eyes.

“Salaam Bish, same to you,”

“Dario, you didn’t tell me you’re Muslim?” I said and Dario just smiled at me.

“Maaf sweetheart. I sometimes forget to mention that,”

Sammi then left and it was just me and Dario.

“Dario, can I ask you something?”

“Of course Bish,”

“Do you have Whatsapp? I’d love to get to know you better… if you’d like,”

“Angel, do you think your brother would like that?”

I thought, can’t you see, I like you! What do you care about my brother? I wanted to say that but instead I said, “You’re probably right.”

“But here’s my Whatsapp number… feel free to add,” he said with a smile.

As I walked home I thought how could a gang member be so sweet to me. Does he like me also? Maybe… I hoped so…

I got home and I saw my aunt sitting in the living room, looking sad.

“Salaam aunty Kiyah,” I greeted.

“Assalaam Alaiykum Bishni,”

“Why does aunty look so sad?”

“Bishni, my child. It’s your sister, Rushdiya. She’s in a coma!”

“What?!”

“Kanala, don’t cry kanala… your mom went to Durban to go see her in hospital… I am staying here with you until your mom gets back. And Rushdiya is okay insha’allah my dear child,”

“Where’s Zaahir?”

“I really don’t know Bishni. Go look for him kanallah. It’s late already.”

Now things got more hectic for me. First this murder thing with Zaahir and now Rushdiya who was in hospital. What next?

***

Tell us what you think: Could Bishni’s lying about death have caused her sister’s illness? Are you superstitious? What are you beliefs?