Page 36 - The Muse 2019-20 Issue

Noor burst awake and cried out, “What in the world is going on!” Noor ran into her house and saw Rinko, their home robot, speaking to an older police officer. Rinko, who was programmed for empathy and super-intelligence, glanced at Noor with a deeply pained look. The officer whose name tag said Detective Banner turned to Noor and said:
“Ms. Khan, Noor Khan?”
Noor nodded and said, “Yes, Officer, that is me.”
“Honey...I have to share that your parents Hasan and Aliyah died earlier today in a car accident
on the I-75.” Noor felt the room spinning, and before she could hit the ground, Rinko and Kat broke her fall.
All that was left in the weeks following the funerals of Dr. Aliyah and Hasan Khan was an empty house. Noor had endured the weeklong procession of random family members, friends, and fellow congregants from Masjid Iman. Between Noor, their home robot Rinko, and her Aunty Jehan, the entertaining was a busy distraction from the deep sorrow of the loss of her parents. She still vividly remembered her last interaction with them. Whenever a conversation ended, there was always an “I love you,” and then a “Salaams.” This was a common happening among many families like Noor’s, but Noor’s parents always added a special line for Noor to remember.
They would always say, “Remember Noor, you are the light of our lives. Always be that light for the people around you.” As Noor recalled this memory, she began to cry quietly, so as not to upset her understanding Aunt, and soon fell asleep.
The sunlight was slowly dripping into Noor’s bedroom as the timed curtains slowly opened. Wafting up from downstairs was
the distinct smell of tea. Noor got
up and freshened up in the
bathroom. Before she headed
downstairs, she took a good look at
herself in the mirror. At the age of
16, Noor stood somewhere close to
5 feet and 6 inches with a long
brownish-black hair that
accentuated her looks, which were
a function of her family’s origin
from India. Noor’s long hair caused
her best friends to jokingly call her
Jasmine from Aladdin. Even more
striking than the universal appeal of
Noor’s beauty was her intelligence
and kind heart. The dash
downstairs was quick and standing
in the kitchen looking out at the
Gulf of Mexico was her Aunt
Jehan. Jehan did not see Noor
walking into the kitchen and was
caught off guard when Noor rushed
up and gave her a big bear hug
from behind.
Noor declared, “Aunty Jehan, you are back! I missed you so much.”
Aunty Jehan whipped around and said snappily yet
jokingly, “Seriously Noor, I was gone for an hour to my yoga class,
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Rania Ishoof, Grade 8