Clueless Love

I wake up to the sound of my phone ringing. I wonder who is calling me this beautiful Saturday morning. I don’t open my eyes, and answer the call, not caring to check who is calling.

“Umit, where are you?” the voice belonging to Fatima asks.

“Why are you looking for me this early in the morning?”

“Why am I looking for you? Umit, have you forgotten we have a dress appointment this morning?” Fatima says, sounding furious over the phone.

Oh, my God! Subhan Allah (Glory be to Allah), I can’t believe I forgot. I didn’t forget, really. I knew Fatima had a dress appointment on the 22nd, but I hadn’t realized that was today.

“Fatima, I swear I didn’t forget. I just did not know today is the 22nd. I will quickly shower and be on my way.” I say getting out of my bed.

“Alright, be fast because I don’t want to try on a dress when you are not here.”

“I will be quick, bye,” I say hanging up while I rush to the bathroom.

I brush my teeth and take a quick shower. I wear a blue dress with flower prints, a jeans jacket, a brown handbag, brown wedge heels, sunglasses, and a blue hajib. I don’t even eat breakfast before I leave the house. I will just buy something on my way or when I get there.

I arrive in good time because it looks like Fatima just tried on her first dress. I walk in and take a seat on the couch.

“As salamu alaykum, I am here,” I greet while taking my seat.

“Wa alaykumu salaam. Finally, you are here. And what do you think?” Fatima is wearing a luxury gold sequins ball wedding gown with sleeves.

“It’s ok, but I would like to see more,” I say.

“Yeah, me too, but Emma what do you think?” Fatima asks.

“It’s ok for me, but seeing another one won’t hurt,” Emma replies.

“Alright, let me try another one,” Fatima says walking back into the changing room.

“How are you doing, Emma?” I ask.

“I am fine Umit, what about you?”

“I am good too, and I am so happy to see a new change around you,” I say noticing something has changed in the past week.

“I am sure you are probably talking about how now I don’t need a bodyguard anymore,” Emma says, clearly understanding what I am talking about. Since Anna was arrested that day, Emma does not have any use of a bodyguard anymore, and I am more than happy about it.

“Yes, you are right. I am so happy to see you and Fatima without a shadow behind your backs, which does not belong to you guys.”

“Me too, and Umit, I don’t know how much I should thank you for saving my life that day. If not for you I don’t think I would be talking to you right now. I am so thankful for what you did that day.” Emma says tearing up a bit.

“Emma, like I said that day, you don’t have to thank me. I only did what any friend would do to help, and please don’t cry. I will start crying too, to think we almost lost you that day,” I say wiping the few drops of tears that escaped my eyes.

“You guys are going to make me cry too. Let’s not talk about such sad things, rather let’s talk about how grateful we are to Allah that we have you here with us.” Fatima says, tearing up also.

“Yeah, you are right Fatima. Let’s do that,” Emma says smiling a little.

“Yes, we should, and we can start by talking about this dress you tried on,” I say taking a good look at the second gown Fatima tried. It’s a ball gown, champagne tulle, gold lace appliqués, ruff sleeve, wedding dress.

“Yeah, we should and what do you guys think?” Fatima asks expectantly.

“No,” Emma and I say at the same time and end up laughing at how we both disagreed at the same time.

“Dress number three coming right up,” Fatima says, walking back into the changing room.

An hour later Fatima has tried five dresses but was not able to decide which one to wear for her wedding. Her mother was meant to come but had something important to do. So, next time Fatima is bringing her along to help her choose the perfect dress.

We are at Fatima’s house helping her pick colors for the wedding and other things she wants our opinion on. I prayed Dhuhr (Afternoon) prayer when I arrived at her house. Fatima is trying to decide between the colors green, white, gold, red and pink for the wedding.

“Fatima is Udar not meant to help you pick colors for the wedding?” I ask, recalling this is not just the bride’s job.

“He is, but he said he would just go with anything I decide.”

Their wedding is set for the 30th, only three weeks away. I can tell she can’t wait to get married, and I am so happy for her, but three weeks does not leave her much time to organize everything.

“How are your dresses coming along for the award show on Monday?” Fatima asks, changing the subject.

“My dress should be arriving this evening. I can’t wait to try it on,” Emma says.

“Mine came in yesterday,” I tell them.

“Mine got in this morning. I can’t wait to wear my dress; it’s so beautiful,” Fatima says.

“I was thinking we could go to that new salon that just opened, and have our hair and nails done,” Emma says.

“That’s not a bad idea. I will fix us an appointment right away,” I say, picking up my phone and call the salon and make an appointment for us.

“What colors do you guys think would look better for the bridesmaids? Pink or grey?” Fatima asks.

“Pink,” Emma says.

“Same goes for me, and our appointment is at 12, you guys should not be late,” I say after finishing my call with the salon.

“Yes ma’am,” Fatima and Emma both say.

“I have to get going, Fatima. I need to visit the mall. I have not found the right high heels to wear for Monday,” I say

“What if you just wear one of the ones you bought during the trip?” Fatima asks.

“None seem like the right one for the award show to me. So, I want to check the mall and see if I can find something I like.”

“Alright if you say so, see you on Monday. Bye.”

“Bye, Umit,” Emma says.

“Bye,” I say and walk out of Fatima’s house.

I am back home after spending half of my day at the mall. I think I went to more than 20 shoe stores today, looking for the right high heels. I don’t know why I don’t seem to be able to find the right pair of shoes. I just pray before Monday I will decide or find a pair to wear with my dress. While walking into the house, I see someone I was not expecting to see, but am more than happy to see.

“As salamu alaykum, I did not know you were around,” I greet with a smile, happy to see Ismail.

“Wa alaykumu salam, I wanted to surprise you when you come back home and see me around,” Ismail says smiling back at me.

“Oh, that’s nice of you. So, how are you?”

“I am fine and you?”

“I’m good.”

“Are you sure? Because a second ago you looked like something was bothering you,” Ismail says having noticed my dull mood when I walked into the house.

“It’s just the fact that I can’t find the right shoes to wear for the award show,” I tell him, feeling very comfortable sharing such little problems with Ismail.

“Umit, I saw you buy more than 20 pairs of high heels when we travelled. So, I don’t think you should have a problem finding the right pair of shoes in your closet.”

“I did not say I don’t have high heels but rather, I don’t feel like any I have are the right one for the dress I am wearing.”

“Oh, sorry for misunderstanding you, but anyway do you have a particular type you are looking for?”

“Not really, but when I see it, I just know.”

“Hmm, there is not a particular color, style or anything you are looking for?”

“No…, and the way you are asking makes me suspect you want to buy some for me, or already have,” I say finding it a bit funny he is so interested in helping me find the right pair of high heels.

“You never know, I might already have some in my closet waiting for you,” Ismail smirks.

“Really? So, when are you going to give them to me?” I ask smiling.

“Don’t worry, when the time is right I will,” Ismail grins as he winks at me. I don’t say anything but chuckle in response.

“Umit, I have been meaning to ask you…”

“I am listening.”

“Have you noticed anything suspicious lately? Like someone following you or trying to get too close to you?”

“No, why do you ask? Did something happen?” I say curious to know why he is asking.

“Nothing, I just wanted to find out something,” Ismail says sounding like he is clearly hiding something.

“Ismail, what are you hiding from me?” I ask knowing full well there is something that happened, or he knows, and he does not want to tell me about it.

“Nothing, I am not hiding anything from you.”

“Ismail, I know you well enough to know you are hiding something from me. So, either you tell me, or I make you talk,” I say crossing my arms over my chest. I am determined to make him talk, and I already have an idea how make him if he disagrees.

“Fine, I will talk. I don’t know how you get under my skin, but you do. Someone tried to break into my house last night.”Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“What! Are you okay? Did they hurt you in any way?” I say feeling very worried something might have happened to Ismail.

“No, Alhamdulillah (Praise be to Allah) they could not get in, so I am fine,” Ismail says smiling like he likes the fact that I am worried.

“Alhamdulillah (Praise be to Allah) and I am sure Mr. Alberto is the one who sent them.”

“Yes, I think he is and that’s why, Umit, I need you to be more careful these days. If you see anything suspicious, don’t hesitate to tell me,” Ismail stresses sounding very serious.

“I won’t, and you too be careful. Were you able to get any evidence against him so far?”

“Good, and I will be more careful too. And no, I have not, but In Shaa Allah, I will soon.”

“Ameen to that.”

Monday came faster than I wanted it to because I still had not found the right heels according to me. I woke up this morning for Fajr (Morning) prayer making sure to pray hard to find the right shoes to wear tonight.

I am on my way to the office as I have a meeting this morning before our appointment at the salon. I am wearing a white blouse, white wide leg pants, a brown coat, nude heels, a brown hajib, and my black handbag.

I arrive at the office and take the elevator up to the floor my supervisor’s office is. I am having my last meeting with my supervisor today. I feel sad to be leaving the company, but I also know it’s for the best.

I step out of the elevator and walk to the meeting room. A few other interns are seated, waiting for the supervisor to come in. I take a seat and I say hi to a few others I recognize from when I first started here. The supervisor arrives after a few minutes of waiting.

“Good morning, ma’am,” everyone says getting up from their seat to greet her.

“Good morning to you all, please be seated. Today’s meeting is going to be short and your last one in this company. I have worked with various people over the years, and I am very grateful to have worked with such wonderful people like yourselves. The company is sad to see some of you leave due to the wonderful contributions you have made to help this company grow. A chart will go around explaining your last assignment before you leave the company. Please have it done before the end of this month. Thank you all.” Mrs. Khloe says.

“Yes ma’am,” we all say in chorus.

“Alright then, have a nice day,” Mrs. Khloe says and walks out.

I collect the chart and see what I have to do, and it’s not much. I will be done with it in no time. I was asked to fix glitches in some software and to read this months’ feedback. If any feedback is going to help improve a game, I should notify the programmer of the game before the end of the month. I go to my office to begin the assignment, as I plan to leave early to get to the salon on time.