DUA

“Amma lunch is ready.” I yelled from the kitchen to let my mom know who was stitching a suit.

Yeah that's how she manages to run our day to day errands.

The knock on the main door shook me out of my train of thoughts. “Dua check who is knocking.” mom shouted from the living room.

I quickly dried off my wet hands from my dupatta and ran towards the door. A mailman was on the porch, “Miss Dua Siddique?” he asked as he shuffled through the envelopes he had in his hand.

“Yes, I'm Dua.”

“This is for you.” he said while he handed me an envelope. “Thank you.” After closing the door I walked back to where amma was sitting.

“Who was it?” she asked, looking up from the chore she was doing.

“Amma, this letter has arrived.” I replied while tearing the envelope open.As I proceed to read what's in it my heart stops for a second.

“What’s wrong?” I heard my mom calling out to me.

“AMMA I GOT ADMISSION IN AMITY!!” I practically shouted out of excitement.

“Congratulations.” she smiled up at me, I was jumping around the living room in excitement.

“But um what about the fees-” she didn’t finish her sentence. I knew what she was going to say.

Since my father died 4 years ago it was hard to earn. We had enough for our needs, a roof on head, food to eat but not enough money to fulfill our wishes.

“Amma don't worry about it, it's full scholarship.” I replied with the biggest smile on my face.

I had been studying so hard to crack this scholarship.

Because getting a good education and then a high paying job is the only way I will be able to help my mom. She sacrificed almost everything to give me the best life after dad’s demise so it's my duty and only dream to do everything for my mom that she had to let go for my sake.

-Night time-

“Billu, you know I got the admission?” I sat there talking to my cat.

One day he came to our house in search of food and since then he never left.

He meows in response of course he doesn’t understand but he's the only real friend I have.

Sometimes I wish I had a sibling but I guess Allah has a plan for everything.

College will start in less than a week.

I am all prepared for college. I am nervous about campus life.

I have heard horrible things seniors do to freshers so I just pray that i don’t fall into a senior’s bad book.

As days passed by, the first day of college was approaching.

I was here in the market to buy stationary that might be needed in the semester.

“Yes, that will be it.”

“Your total is 550.” The shopkeeper said while packing the things I just purchased.

“550??? Is your shop included with it?” Gosh, the prices these days are so damn expensive.

“If they don’t have money why do such people even come?” I heard a voice behind me.

This guy is so dead was the first thought in my mind before turning to face him.

“Here’s the thing-” my words got stuck in my throat when I saw him.

He looked about 6’2 or something brown skin and a body that could throw me across the room easily.

“What are you staring at?” he said in his low pitched voice and every fantasy that I had created in my brain I shoved them aside and replied.

“I do have money but not so much that I'd waste it for no reason.”

“Whatsoever” he mocked making me scoff internally “Here you go i won’t even give a dime more than 500” i told the shopkeeper while offering him the money. Thankfully he agreed without creating a fuss so I took my items and left.

-2 DAYS LATER-

As i was getting ready for my very first day i saw billu staring outside the window that's when i noticed another cat outside.

“I will only let you approach her if you go with a proper marriage proposal otherwise you’re not even allowed to wave at her from here’’ i told billu sternly even though my voice was laced with suppressed laughter.

As I got dressed in the beautiful suit my mom made for me, took my bag,phone and headed towards the main door.

“MashaAllah.’’ I heard my mom say, looking at me in awe.

“Thank You amma. I should head out now, I don't want to be late on my first day.”

I hugged her goodbye and headed out the door “Ya Allah please let my first day be good.” I prayed on my way.

Not long after, I was standing at the main gate of my dream university.

Thankfully I made it to my first class without getting bullied.