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"And of His signs is that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquillity in them; and He placed between you affection and mercy. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought" [Quran 30:21]
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July, 2021.
Venice, Italy.
"I have a shift at the café today so I might be late" Kamilah said, coming out of her small room. She and her mother weren't well off. In fact, they have debts that they still need to pay off. So, that means they work all the time to pay the rent and the debts.
Her mother didn't like her working, but she knew she had to do it else they would barely have money to afford what to eat. And that includes Kamilah taking as much shifts as she can in the café she works in. She couldn't find a job anywhere else, her mother wouldn't let her so the café is the only option she has.
Hasmerh, her mother, who had come out of her room, all dressed up in the janitor's outfit of the school where she works in, smiled at her only daughter. "How many shifts do you have today?" She knows her daughter; the girl always takes more than necessary.
"Two"
Hasmerh nodded, "Come back as soon as you're done, okay?" She repeated the same sentence that she had been repeating to Kamilah every single day she leaves for work.
Kamilah chuckled. She had heard the sentence so many times that she's sure its engraved in her head somewhere. "Alright Maa" She leaned down and pecked her mother's forehead before she stepped out, fixing her hijab in the process. "I will be back soon so stop worrying! You're getting wrinkles that make you look old" She teased.
Hasmerh shook her head, swatting the girl's arm lightly. "I'm younger than you"
"Oh really?" Kamilah rose a brow, then nodded, "I see, that must be why you have more grey hair than I do. At this rate, you'll die before I do"
Hasmerh playfully glared at her daughter, "If I die now, I guarantee you'll cry more than anyone" She left put the part that her daughter is all she has. Bringing that up will only sadden Kamilah, and that isn't her intention in the slightest.
Albeit they are poor, but they are happy and that's all that matters. Hasmerh would chose being poor, and happy with her daughter than being rich, unhappy, and alone.
Kamilah was quick to shook her head, wanting to stop her mother from her endless rants about death, she seems to be doing that a lot recently, and Kamilah does not like it one bit. "Alright alright!" She rose her hands up, "I give up. My mother would forever remain the youngest and stunning svelte around"
Hamserh grinned, "That's more like it. Now hurry up and leave before you're late" She made the shoo gesture with her hand.
Kamilah nodded, pecking her forehead one last time before she turned around, and rushed out whilst slinging her bag over her shoulder.
Stepping out of the rusty small apartment, she was met with the scorching sun which accompanied the start of the day. Normally, she doesn't have to leave this early since she doesn't have to attend school whatsoever. She's already 25. The only reason she goes out is either to buy groceries, help her mother where she works, get new books or go for work. Other than that, she barely goes out.
Getting a job wasn't such an easy task either, considering she didn't meet the requirements of most of the jobs she applied for. She doesn't have a degree from a prestigious college or come from the wealthiest family. She doesn't even have a degree to begin with. Truth be told, she has zero idea which kindergarten, middle school, or high school she attended.
So, a rundown café with barely about 20 customers a day was the only place that hired someone like her-even then, she gets called out by her boss for being 'slow' and 'not quick-witted'. Anyone who works at the café knows that Kamilah is anything but. Sure enough, at times, she finds it hard enough to do certain tasks but she's not slow. She's the best worker they have there.
She's the only worker that takes two shifts a day. They all could barely go through one shift since they couldn't handle the boss's attitude. So far, since Kamilah started working there, seven people had quit. Therefore, it's still a mystery how she is able to handle two shifts and not give any hint of wanting to give up or quit.
Maybe it's because the job is all she has. And she along with her mother need money, desperately.
Slipping her hand into her bag, she thought over reading a book as she makes her way over to the café but decided against it. For some reason, she loved walking in silence whilst paying attention to her surroundings. It makes her appreciate her surrounding and be thankful. For one, she knows that despite how bad her situation is, there's someone living a far worse situation.
Soon enough, she arrived at the café. Glancing at the building, she inhaled a low breath and then exhaled. Pushing herself forward, she walked into the place prepared to face whatever will be thrown her way. Or at least, as much as she can take.
Finger wrapping around the doorknob, she pushed it and stepped in. Immediately, the bell above the door chimed, announcing her entrance. As usual. There were only a couple of people in the café.
"...I'm telling you Vi, he's here. I'm sure of that. I just need to figure out his exact location since that's the only choice I'm left with"
Kamilah passed by a table, where two ladies were occupying facing each other. Sighing, she dismissed the conversation that she has nothing to do with, and headed to the back room where she would change.
Stepping into the room where all the workers step in during their lunch break, or where she heads to first when they arrive, she met her Boss there-yelling at one of the workers. "No surprise here" She muttered, keeping her bag in the usual position.
"Kamilah!" Her boss exclaimed, once he's done yelling God knows what at the other employee that looks pissed.
Kamilah turned around, tying the knot of her apron. Her lips stretched into a fake smile, "Yes, sir?" She didn't care if the man could tell that her smile is fake. At least, she fakes the smile. The others don't bother to do that.
"You're late!" He exclaimed, hands akimbo.
Her eyes glanced at the worn out wrist watch strapped around her wrist, "I'm not" She moved her gaze back to him, her smile dropping.
She had faked it for as long as she could.
His mouth hung open, as if he couldn't believe what she just uttered. "Are you implying that I'm lying?!" He had always been one to get offended easily, even if he is wrong.
She blinked, face neutral. "I'm saying you're mistaken" She could've outright told him that, but it would only lead to a long conversation she's not in the mood for. She didn't want anything to ruin her good mood.
He narrowed his eyes at her, but didn't say a word more. There's a reason as to why she's yet to quit. He doesn't push her as much as he does to the others. Unlike them, she always has this fiery look in her eyes whenever she's annoyed which they all know not to mess with.
So, every time he pushes her about something, the minute he sees the look in her eyes, he seals his lips shut. No one wants to mess with a woman scorned. Things don't end well for anyone---especially the one on the receiving end.
The corners of Kamilah's lips tugged into a small smirk once she realized that he won't say a thing more. Turning around on her heels, she walked out to get to work. She flashed a co-worker of hers a smile since she gets along with all of them.
"Waiter!" Someone called out.
Kamilah looked up, her gaze falling on the table she passed by when she walked in where the two women were sitting. Sighing, she strolled over to the table, making sure to plaster a fake smile on her face. "Would you like to order something?" She asked, once she had taken note on how their table is empty. Clearly, they're yet to order.
One of the women nodded, offering her a smile. "Yes, macchiato for me please"
Kamilah nodded, writing the order down. She then turned around to look at the other woman, "What about you Ma'am?"
"Just water for me" The woman dismissively said-seemingly more interested in her conversation with her friend than in Kamilah.
Kamilah nodded, before making her way to get their orders. She told her colleague behind the counter to make the macchiato while she got the glass of water. Once she got both orders, she placed them on a tray and headed back to the two. She then placed the glass of water in front of the first woman, the macchiato for the other.
Taking the tray to step back, she stopped in her tracks when the first woman drank the water, then spit it out, on Kamilah.
Kamilah's mouth hung open, as she blinked letting what just happened sink in. Glancing at her now ruined outfit, thankfully, the apron covered it but still. She moved her gaze to the woman who had her eyes narrowed at Kamilah.
"What is this?!" The woman yelled, slamming the glass cup on the table.
Kamilah clenched her teeth, "Your water" She replied, resisting the urge to yell at the woman for spitting out water on her. What irked her more is the fact that the woman doesn't seem remorseful one bit.
What kind of person does that?
"I didn't ask you for cold water!" The woman yelled, gaining the attention of everyone in the café.
The woman that came along with her looked around, noting how everyone has their eyes on them. She then placed a hand on the woman's arm, "Aisha, let it go. It's nothing"
Aisha shrugged her friend's hand off her arm, her narrowed eyes still fixated on Kamilah. "No Vivian! This woman needs to apologize"
Biting her lips hard, Kamilah blew out a long breath to calm herself down. "I'm sorry" She said through gritted teeth, "You should've specified what type of water you want" If her apologizing would end this madness then she's willing to do it. She was never a fan of too much drama such as this one.
She chose to be the better person as usual. Or at least, for as long as she can take it.
Aisha scoffed as if she had been offended by Kamilah's words. "Is it my fault that you ungrateful lowlife does not know the right thing to do?" She asked, her voice low and brow raised.
Kamilah bit her tongue to stop herself from saying what's at the tip of her tongue. If she does speak out, it won't end well for anyone.
Just when she thought the situation is bad enough, the last person she wants to face at the moment showed up-her boss. "What's going on here?!" Her boss yelled, staring between her and Aisha.
Aisha maintained her gaze on Kamilah for a while longer, before she moved her gaze to the man. "This employee of yours got my order messed up"
His eyes flew over to Kamilah, narrowed in slits. "Kamilah, apologize now!"
This time around Kamilah didn't hold back the scoff. The man truly is something. He didn't even bother to ask the whole story yet he's pinning the blame on her. After she scoffed, much to his shock, she swiveled around to look at him, "You don't even know what happened" She stated.
"I don't care, the customer is always right!"
Kamilah huffed lowly, glancing at Aisha whose lips were curled into a smirk.
"-Now apologize!" He yelled at her.
Kamilah's hands curled into a tight fist. Returning the glare, he's flashing her, she rose a brow. "What if I don't?" Her voice came out low.
The man's eyes widened when she noticed that fiery look in her eyes. He swallowed and pushed back the voice in his head advising him to just drop it. "Then...I-I'll fire you!" He threatened, hoping that would subdue Kamilah.
But he was wrong, big time. It didn't subdue her anger, it infuriated her more. She didn't let it show on her face though, she simply nodded, tongue darting out to wet her lips. She maintained eye contact with him as she spoke her next words, "Then I quit" She stated calmly, her hand reaching out to untie her apron.
His eyes widened as saucers. He did not expect that. He knew how that job is all she has, hence why he taunts her with it every chance he gets because he's sure she won't ever quit. Turns out he's wrong. "W-what?!" His mouth hung open.
He failed to realize that there's only so much level of disrespect Kamilah can take. And this time around, they had both crossed that line.
Kamilah rolled her eyes, then moved her gaze to Aisha. She offered her a fake smile, "Oh and, I owe you this" She picked up the glass of water she brought to her and threw the water on her, soaking her. "I hope that cleanse your disgusting attitude"
Aisha gasped, pushing her chair back as she stood up, eyes narrowed at Kamilah as her slender nose flared, eyes red. "What the..."
Kamilah untied the apron, then took it off. She threw the apron at her former boss who stood stunned by her attitude. "Clean the place up with that" She said to him, face stoic. "I hope you know how to actually work and not just sit there like a buffoon ordering people around"
She could hear gasps from the people that were watching them, but that was the least of her concerns. She's too offended and angry to care.
Without sparing either of them a glance, she side stepped the man and stormed to the back room to pick her bag. Once she has it with her, she walked out and stormed out of the café, slamming the door behind her ignoring the shouts coming from inside.
They all should've thought twice before messing with her. Just because a person is patient doesn't mean anyone has the right to push the person. We all have our limits, and they've exceeded hers.
~*~
Kamilah stayed out instead of returning home. She went to the library and sat there reading the book she got from the bookstore. As she had thought, the book did take her mind off everything that had happened. She couldn't get herself to stop reading the books by that author. Every line has her hooked.
"I'm only human. I make mistakes, and I learn from it. I fall, but I get back up on my feet. You know why? It's because if I don't, no one else would do it for me" She read out one of her favorite lines from the book. She had only started reading it yet that particular line, it got to her on a deeper level.
Closing the book shut, she ran her fingers across the name of the author. "Nour" She mumbled the pen name out.
The anonymous writer only goes by that pen name. No one knows who the person is. No one knows whether it's a man or a woman. There was nothing about the author aside from the pen name. He or she doesn't do book signing events or book launches for reasons no one is aware of.
Kamilah for some reason strongly believes that Nour is a woman. She has no concrete reason to back up her belief but she just...feels it. She knows how ridiculous it sounds but she'll hold onto that belief until someone convinces her otherwise.
Glancing at the time on her wrist watch, she realized how late it is. So, she picked her bag up, slipped the book into it and headed back home. She hastened her pace, knowing her mother must be worried sick about her; especially since she's not one to stay out this late.
Sighing, she wrapped her arms around herself and focused on returning home safely, at least, her being safe would lessen her mother's worries.
Speaking of her mother, she's sure the minute her gaze lands on her, all her worries of the day would disappear. She wants nothing more than to forget what happened at the café. She doesn't regret it though; she would do it a thousand times if it means to stand up for herself. '
Just as she took a turn down the lane of her apartment, she spotted a crowd of people gathered afar. Her brows furrowed, her mind racing with so many possibilities as to why they're gathered there.
Blinking, she made her way over to them.
"Cosa le e successo? (What happened to her?)"
"Someone call 113"
"...waiting for someone"
Kamilah glanced at the person they're all crowded around, her eyes widening immediately. She pushed the people in front of her and made a dash towards the person that writhing amidst the circle. Her hand flew to cover her mouth as her eyes stung with tears at the sight her mother is in. The woman is clearly having a seizure by the looks of it. "Maa!"
"Someone help!" She yelled, her eyes not once moving away from the woman in front of her.
A man who was just passing by and happens to spot the people walked towards them to see what's happening. His eyes widened as he froze in his tracks once his gaze fell on the people amidst the circle. He staggered back slightly. However, someone yelling for help snapped him out of his trance.
Throwing away all the thoughts clouding his mind, he rushed over to the woman having seizure. He carefully untied the scarf around her neck knowing it will only block her airway and used it as a cushion under her head. He quickly glanced at the time on his wrist watch, taking note of the time.
"Someone should call and ambulance" He yelled to the people who quickly pulled out their phone and did as he said. "Move back please, give her some space" He added. Yet again, no one protested because he looked like he knows what he's doing.
When the seizure stopped, he tried to speak to the woman, "Ma'am...can you hear me?" He asked, "Ma'am...." He repeated, but he didn't get any response from her. He blew out a low breath, hoping it's not what he's thinking. For all he knows, there are various reasons as to why she had a seizure. So, he turned to the woman seated beside her, "Are you related to her?"
Kamilah nodded, eyes not once moving away from her mother as tears stream down her face. "She's my mother" Her voice came out low and shaky.
"Did she have any persistent headaches recently or was she feeling nauseous?"
Kamilah thought about it. Now that he had mentioned it, her mother does complain of having headaches a lot recently. But the woman always dismiss it and tell Kamilah not to worry. "Yes" She nodded, "She had been heaving headaches recently..."
Before he could say a word more, the ambulance arrived. The paramedics quickly stepped out and rush towards them. He stepped away to let them lift her up.
"She had a seizure and she has recent history of persistent headaches and nausea I suspect. Right now she has lost her hearing and vision lost. She can't hear or see anything though she's conscious. I suspect meningioma. But you'll need a CT and MRI can asap to confirm it. The neurology department should handle this" He stated to the paramedic that stood beside him.
The paramedic stared at him with eyes widened, "Are you a doctor?" He asked.
The man stared at the paramedic for a second, before his quickly shook his head, "No. I'm not" He glanced at the ambulance where Kamilah had gotten in, holding her mother's hand completely unaware of the conversation going on. "I'll come with you"
The paramedic blinked, "What's your name sir and are you related to the patient?"
"My name is Aman Idris Wambai and yes, I'm related to the patient"
~*~
And we've met Aman!!! Is he really a doctor or not? Because guy seems like he knows what he's doing.
Guy I love Kamilah😂😂😂I've been meaning to write that scene sinceeee
Late night update! Wait, it's not that late seff😏😅
Anyways, hope you like the chapter.
Aman and Kamilah finally met, well, somehow. aishatu_xx
your people😂 Plus, Aisha has graced us with her presence😂lemme run before Aishatu catches me🏃 If yall need me, I'll be running away from this twin of mine🏃😂😂
Goodnight ladies and gentlemen.
Share, vote and comment!! Please🤗🙏
Love, Jannah❤️.