Khadija was casually leaning out of her windowsill, her dark eyes staring at the abnormally clear, crystal blue of the sky. Her thick hair, unbound, was crowding her face in fluffy waves. She was bored out of her mind. Watching the sky was like watching a pot boil. The sky would just not darken quick enough for Khadija.
Khadija was incredibly eager for the clock to strike ten. She was so impatient that she was repeatedly spinning a mechanical pencil around in her quick, nimble fingers.
She glanced at her watch. 8:00 and as bright as day. Khadija gave a hefty sigh. At that moment, she decided to loathe summer. That was a completely false statement. Khadija loved the warm weather. One would think so if they had lived in a place as cold and rainy as the place Khadija lived in.
Khadija glanced longingly at her twin bed next to the windowsill. She thought for a moment if she could just close her eyes, just for a second. She quickly braided her hair and slowly crawled under her sheets. Khadija brought the blanket up to her nose and her eyes fluttered closed.
* * *
HONK HONK HONK.
The horn outside the house gave a deafening blare, waking up Khadija from her slumber. She jumped and bumped her head against the headboard of her bed. She checked her watch. 10:02 and it was pitch black outside. Khadija groaned as she heaved herself out of her bed. She couldn't believe that she had missed ten o'clock. She sprinted down the staircase and almost tripped over her dress.
Khadija took a second glance at her attire. Unfortunately, her dress was slightly crinkled. Otherwise, it was a charming dress. Its hue was a navy blue that gleamed in the light. The fabric for the lower part of the dress shimmered and the torso of her dress had vibrant embroidery that glittered. Khadija straightened out her dress and made her way towards the door.
Suddenly, the door swung open, almost scaring the life out of her. A woman with butter blonde hair tightly bound in a bun was standing on the porch. She had a light complexion with light grey eyes that were examining Khadija. The woman was also wearing a formal sheath dress and a hand band was hanging daintily on her shoulder.
"Oh, sorry did I scare you?" the woman apologized kindly. Khadija lied and politely shook her head.
"Do you just happen to be—" the woman glanced down at her phone and gaped at the name, "—um, K-had-i-ja... kw-ah-s-ee-m?" Khadija winced at the horrific mispronunciation of her name. The woman gave an apologetic look.
"Yes, I am Khadija Qasim," Khadija carefully enunciating each syllable, so it would be impossible to misunderstand. "And you are?"
"I am your guide," the woman said flatly. Khadija wondered why the woman was being so secretive, but she dismissed the thought as they stepped off the porch.
Outside had a sleek, black limousine that shined in the moonlight. Khadija's eyes widened, surprised at the mode of transportation. The woman led the way to the car door. A man in tuxedo, the driver, opened the door for the two. Khadija stepped in and observed the inside of the limousine. The lights were blue tinted, so the inside looked blue. The couches were a textile that Khadija had never seen before. The woman observed her as she surveyed the car.
"Is this your first time going in a limo?" the woman asked as she got herself comfortable in her seat.
Khadija leaned forward to encourage conversation between them, "Yes, this is my first time. What time to do we need to be there?"
"In a few hours, I suppose," the woman pulled out her laptop and crossed her legs, making it clear that the conversation had ended.
Khadija interrupted the silence with, "Where exactly are we going?"
"Why ask me when you can wait and see," the woman answered curtly and continued her work. Khadija wondered why the woman was being so discreet, but Khadija did not question further. Khadija, instead, got comfortable and closed her eyes, not knowing where she was heading. The only thing she was sure of was the fact that something was going to happen that night, she just knew it.