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Salaam!

Pray and finish all your duties before you settle to read this, please. :)

Without further ado, here is the first chapter.

***

#1 The Transfer

"Mom. You cannot do this to me! You cannot uproot me and take me back to that stupid place!"

As if yelling would make any difference. Once my mom made up her mind, she would never look back. Doesn't mean I would stop fighting for my cause. This one decision of hers would change my life. For. Ever. Period.

"Junaina, there is no point in arguing. You are going to Ashiana and you are going to live with your Daadi until I see it fit for your return. This matter is not open for discussion."

Saying that she left the room, leaving me alone. All my world was shattering around me and I couldn't do anything to stop it. If only Mom had not returned home early from her conference. If only Sam had left before Mom came. I wish she hadn't caught us together. I wish she hadn't seen us together, making out right in front of her as she stepped in.

It is not like she's ever home at that time or any time for that matter. She was always going for medical conferences around the globe or performing yet another surgery. She just had to come back from Canada when I was having some fun.

Dad was the more lenient parent. Usually he helped get me off the hook when I got into trouble with Mom. But this time he just supported her. I felt betrayed. What happened to staying together through thick and thin?

Truth be told, I was scared when I saw Dad's face after he heard the news. I had never seen him angry and he looked like he was ready to kill someone. I couldn't look up into his eyes even though I felt the need to defend my actions.

Mom on the other hand, scolded me until she saw it was pointless and confined me to my room. She also confiscated my phone and other devices. I was growing bored by the minute when Dad came in.

For the first time since the whole thing happened, I was nervous. I didn't feel guilty about anything before. But, I was starting to feel dread in my heart. My gut was screaming at me that I'm done for.

And I was.

"You're sixteen years old Juni. Forgive me for thinking that you'd be responsible with the freedom I gave you."

Those were the very first words he spoke to me after hours of silence.

I felt a little bad, but then, what did being sixteen have to do with responsibility? I'm still young!

"I don't need to remind you that you cannot touch boys who are not mehram."

Uh oh. I was hoping he wouldn't spew the religious crap, but I could see a lecture coming.

"It is not like we have forced you into wearing purdah and hijab and niqab and asked you to sit at home. We let you be with your appearance and with your life. And this is how you have repaid us."

I looked down and kept wringing my hands. I hated when Dad gave this kind of talks. It made me feel all squirmy and wrong. I didn't like it.

"We are already sinning alot child. Shouldn't we try to lessen them? Your mother and I are not the greatest examples, but we want our children to rise up and above us. Is that asking for too much?"

I stayed nonresponsive. Seeing that it was of no use, my Dad got up and walked to the door. He paused, held the doorknob and said, "You're lucky that your Mom hasn't dealt you a stricter punishment than confiscating your devices. We are sending you back to Salimabad though. You're going to continue your high school there."

And ever since he said so, I've been screaming and fighting and rebelling in every possible way just to stay here in Dubai.

The life I have here... it is simply amazing. In part, it is made possible because of my parents being filthy rich. And I get a huge allowance. Then, there's my friends. They are the bestfriends I could ever ask for. We have some of the most awesome memories together.

We go crazy sometimes with our antics. There is Jenifer, who is so down to earth and honest. There is Amna, who is the craziest person I've ever met. There is Priya, who has made more boys turn their heads than me. Then there is my bestest friend ever, Zidan.

Zidan is the first boy whom I'd befriended. He's the only person who knows me better than anybody else, even my parents. When my first crush broke my heart, it was Zidan who comforted me and reassured me that I deserve way better.

Ever since that stupid guy, it was always me doing the dumping. Life lesson learnt. Don't wait for boys to do the heartbreaking.

I was grumbling and contemplating breaking something after Mom left. In walked my favorite brother Samir, right on time. He's older than me by four years but he does not boss me about or make me do his chores. He is the coolest big brother ever. Samir is going to be a chartered accountant and work with Dad as part of the family business. He is serious, hard working, responsible.

Everything Mom wants me to be. Sometimes, I hated how she compared me to him. But I never blamed Samir for it because he just couldn't help being good. Even his moral compass was closer to North than mine. Way closer.

As soon as I see Samir I'm reminded that I'll be sent away and I won't get to spend much time with him again. And that was all it took for me to start crying and launch myself at him.

He held me and comforted me as I cried my eyes out and complained about Mom and how irrational she was being. I also ranted about Dadi. Truth be told, I was really scared of going back to Ashiana, my Dad's home.

Samir listened patiently and waited until I was somewhat composed and ready to do the listening.

"Juni, you know that you did something really wrong right? It is not just hanging out with non mehram boys. You were actually caught kissing someone."

He shuddered lightly while speaking the last few words. As if the very thought disturbed him.

"But Samir! I was just kissing that guy. And we're not even in an exclusive relationship. I just wanted to have fun. All the other girls do it too. You don't see their parents combusting on them!"

I just couldn't grasp what the big deal was.

"Juni. Those other friends of yours are either non Muslims or from families that don't actually practise Islam. You are not. And I'm not saying it is okay for them to go about doing with whatever they like because they don't fear Allah. I'm saying that our parents fear Allah and the judgement that will come upon you. Sure, we are not super high up there with our religion and all, but we do practise. However minimally."

I waited for him to finish speaking. I didn't expect Samir to understand that I had little to no concern about being accountable for my actions. I cannot understand how blindly people believe. It intrigues me and makes me feel annoyed.

You want me to believe, give me some proper answers first.

"Look. I get it. I hurt Mom and Dad and I promise not to do it again. Can't they just let me stay here? Why do they have to ship me away?!"

Samir sighed.

"Juni. If I were you, I'd just do what they want right now. Maybe they'll let you come back after sometime if you stay good and do what they want."

I let that settle into my mind. If I show proper approval worthy behavior, they could let me come back. Samir could convince them. Mom would definitely listen to him.

"Alright. I'll pack up. But you gotta promise that by next year I could return if I stick to their conditions."

Samir nodded in agreement and gave me a small smile. I hugged him once more knowing fully well that I'm going to miss it more than anything. He held me close for a few moments too. I knew his thoughts were the same as mine.

When his deep brown eyes met my hazel ones, they conveyed the words he couldn't speak: I will miss you.

Samir got up and left me to get started on my packing. I wasn't going to go down without a fight. I gave it my best, which clearly wasn't enough.

But I am not going to give them the satisfaction of having me firmly under control. Yes, I'll be on my best behavior. But no, no one can stop me from having fun.

I'm not sure if Salimabad is ready for this girl's awesomeness.

***

Alhamdulilah!

So how was it?

I'm sure most of you hate Junaina and the immature way of hers. ;)

Just deal with her though.