HER CRUSH

Chapter50

Zarah...

The next day
Yesterday, as soon as they left, Abdul suggested we head back to our house, but Ummi refused, insisting we stay for a few more days," Abdul agreed, and even his sister ended up sleeping over. I really enjoyed it - we stayed up late into the night, chatting and laughing until around 12 am. Ummi then told Abdul and Sufyan to head back to their part of the house, while Ummi retired to her room. Anty Rukky followed, and I went to the room next to Ummi's, closing the door behind me and falling into a deep sleep."

*****

I was lying in bed, covering my face with a pillow to block out the blinding sunlight streaming in from the balcony. The birds chirping outside seemed to be mocking me, like they'd held a concert just to drag me out of sleep.

I groaned. "Wallahi, this sun has personal beef with me."

But then... I noticed it. Someone was standing by the vanity. My heart stopped.

"A kidnapper!" my mind screamed.

I froze, whispering shakily under the pillow, "Your end has come, Zarah. Just pray your janaza is fine."

The figure stayed silent, menacing, and my body broke into sweat. I covered myself with the blanket, gripping it like an inheritance paper. "Please, I don't have money," I begged.

The "kidnapper" finally spoke, sounding way too amused. "Money? Who even has money in this country?"

I panicked. "Anty Ramla has money, I swear! Take her!"

"And who's she?"

"My... uh... my rich aunt. She stays in Kano."

"Rich aunt? Funny, I heard she's your sister."

I gasped. "No, no! I don't have siblings. My parents died in a car accident."

"And your husband?"

I swallowed. "Uh... my husband is a beggar. His parents died three years ago. We're... suffering."

"What brought you to this house then?"

I stammered, "This house? I don't even know where I am! Mister, I'm blind! I can't see!"

Before I could continue my Oscar-worthy acting, the blanket was yanked away, and I screamed like a dying goat. My "captor" pounced and clamped a hand over my mouth.

"Shhh," he whispered, laughing against my ear. "You'll wake the whole street."

It was Abdul. Of course.

"Abdul, you wicked boy!" I cried, smacking his arm. "You almost killed me!"

He laughed so hard he fell beside me. "A beggar husband? Rich aunt in Kano? You're a comedian, wallahi."

I glared, arms crossed. "You're lucky I didn't bite your tongue off."

He pinned me down again, smirking. "Scaredy-cat. At this rate, one lizard will chase you and you'll faint."

"Get off me, wallahi!" I tried wriggling. "You're wicked, Abdul. I hate you!"

He grinned. "Hate me but kiss me. Fair trade."

"You're impossible," I hissed.

"And you love me," he whispered back smugly.

Eventually, he let me go and dragged me up from bed. "Okay, hospital can wait till after school, but first, you need to freshen up."

I raised a brow. "And what makes you think I'll let you wait around here?"

He shrugged casually. "Because I know you secretly want me here. In case you slip in the tub, I'll come save you, super-hero style."

I rolled my eyes. "Ya Allah, this man. Go away, I'm bathing in peace."

"Peace? Impossible. I'll give you five minutes," he said, settling onto the bed like a king.

"Five minutes?" I scoffed, grabbing my towel. "What am I, a speed washer?"

He smirked. "Yes. You're Zarah the Scaredy-cat, fastest bather in the West."

I slammed the bathroom door but couldn't stop laughing. As I turned on the shower, I heard him yell: "Don't forget behind your ears! And if you drown, shout my name!"

I peeked my head out, water dripping. "Abdul, if you don't shut up, wallahi I'll pour this bucket on you!"

He grinned. "Pour it, and I'll join you in there."

"Idiot!" I slammed the door again, laughing so hard my stomach hurt.

By the time I came out, wrapped in a fresh towel , he was still lounging, scrolling through his phone.

"Took you long enough," he said. "The whole five minutes expired ten times."

"Next time, you bathe in five minutes," I snapped, toweling my hair.

He smirked, looking me up and down. "Hmm. Worth the wait, though."

I blushed instantly. "Stop it, Abdul!"

Breakfast was already set in the dining room, courtesy of Anty Rukky. I practically skipped to the table, and Abdul followed, grinning at my excitement.

"Wallahi, you're too food....driven," he teased, pulling out a chair for me.

"Better food-driven than stress-driven," I retorted, grabbing pancakes like treasure.

He sat beside me, shaking his head. "If I leave you one week, you'll marry pancakes."

I stuffed one into my mouth. "At least they won't argue with me."

He laughed, handing me coffee. "Fine. But don't complain when you turn into one. A big, fluffy pancake."

I smacked his arm. "At least I'll be sweet."

He leaned close, whispering in my ear. "And I'll still eat you."

I choked on my coffee. "Abdul!"

"What?" he laughed loudly. "I meant the pancake!"

"Liar." I tried to glare, but my cheeks burned hot.

He kissed my knuckles, smiling softly. "You know I only mean you."

I looked away, pretending to be annoyed, but inside I was melting like butter.

As we ate, we laughed about everything....his terrible snoring, my sleep talking, Ummi's sharp eyes, Anty Rukky's muttering. It felt like the world was on pause, like we could stay there forever, teasing and loving in equal measure.

And for the first time in a while, I thought: maybe everything will really be okay, as long as Abdul is by my side.

Ummeetarh05❤️