Za'toot

“Ughhhh” Omar let out a long, reluctant groan. He could feel the light pressing against his closed eyelids. His aunt had already knocked once, she usually made three rounds, so he still had a bit of time.

His mind slipped away again, dreams tugging at him, the warmth of his bed cradling him back to sleep.

A small thud landed on his legs. Four little paws strode along his side, climbing up the curve of his hips.

Omar barely stirred.

It proceeded gracefully on the side of his chest, leaned in close to his face, and let out a soft ‘prrrr’ against his warm, sleeping skin.

“Ughhhh” Omar stirred. Something tickled.

He turned onto his back and felt Za’toot give a slight start before settling on his chest. The cat nestled its head into the crook of Omar’s neck, nudging him gently awake.

Still half asleep, Omar lifted his hand and began to pat Za’toot’s small, furry head. It had become second nature. A year ago, a pale sandy-white striped cat had followed him home. His aunt Rania had tried everything to chase it away, running after it, shouting, even throwing her sandals at its ninja-like moves, but nothing had worked. One way or another, the cat had found its way back. His aunt reluctantly agreed to the adoption when Omar named her ‘tiny troublemaker’, Za’toot.   

Slits of brown irises appeared through long black eyelashes as Omar opened his eyes and looked at his companion. “Sabah al-khayr” he whispered, cradling his arms around Za’toot. He kissed the top of her head. Za’toot responded to his morning greeting by lifting her front paws towards his head and pressing her cold nose against him, giving him a gentle lick or two. The familiar, raspy sensation, tickled him.

A second knock sounded at the door.

Za’toot in one hand, Omar pushed himself up and looked across the room. His cousin Zayd was still firmly asleep. Forcing his heavy eyelids open, he set Za’toot into the warm bed with one final tap on her head before crossing the room. “Zayd, wake up!” The kid did not move. He shook his cousin a bit more firmly this time. “Your mom has already knocked on twice.” They both knew it was best to avoid the final, third knock.

A low mumble, barely audible, came from the bed. “Ok, I’m getting up…”

Nothing stirred. Omar lifted his eyebrow in doubt. “Don’t tell me I didn’t warn you…” He moved towards the armoire by the door and pulled out his freshly pressed school uniform. His aunt Rania had washed and ironed everything yesterday. Grabbing the garments in one hand, he opened the door with the other and left it slightly ajar, hoping the morning noises would rouse Zayd. He walked down the white corridor, silently wishing his cousins were done in bathroom. They took forever. To be fair, little Nunu was not too bad, but Haïfa... May Allah give him patience! He had not seen her yet, but his eyes were already rolling.

The bathroom door was open, his steps quickened. He did not want risk it, in case Haïfa was nearby. He rushed through the doorway and slammed the door shut behind him.

Satisfied with himself, he emerged a bit later in his black and white uniform, his hair neatly combed to the side. He almost smiled as Zayd’s body hurtled out of their room, panic written across his face, limbs flailing as he tried not to trip whilst fleeing from his aunt Rania. Her voice following him as he rushed past Omar. “This child will be the death of me! He never listens!”

Omar stopped in the corridor to give her plenty of room in case she wanted to make her point any clearer. She emerged out of their rooms with exasperated eyes. No sandal in her hand. Zayd had escaped.

“Sabah al-full Omar dear, did you sleep well?”

“Sabah al-nur, khalti Rania” He had struggled to fall asleep after the Fajr prayer at dawn and was still tired, but he tilted his head to the side and lifted his hands slightly, not wanting her to worry. “Alhamdulillah, it was ok.”

“That’s good, that’s good!” She padded his arm as she pulled a few rial notes from her dress pocket. “Omar dear, please go and get us some bread. The girls are still getting ready.”

Omar resisted the urge to roll his eyes as he opened his palm and took the cash. “Yes, khalti. I’ll go get some.”

Za’toot poked her head out of his bedroom to see if the coast was clear just as his aunt Rania scurried off towards the kitchen. “You little coward.” He whispered, dropping his clothes inside. Za’toot followed.