HER CRUSH

Chapter53

Zarah...
We were raised with love and pampered by the family. Everyone adored us, especially me. Ummi was Abba's fourth wife, whom he met in Bahrain during a business trip. Despite already having three wives, they fell in love and started a new life together. Since I was born, I've been showered with love from the entire family, and Abba loves me dearly. I can confidently say I'm his favorite among all his children. The love and affection Abba showed us sparked jealousy in some family members.

"One day, everything turned upside down. Anty Rukky and I returned from Islamiya, and she had just graduated. We walked into a shocking scene: Abba was insulting Ummi. Even at my young age, I tried to intervene, but he turned on me..."

"It didn't take me long to realize who was behind the turmoil. That woman had used black magic on Abba, causing him to divorce Ummi and treat us cruelly. After Ummi left the house, we were treated like trash. Our life became a living hell, and we were denied our basic rights in our own father's house.

"Mami Sadeeq's mother was the only one who showed us kindness and support. We were barred from seeing or talking to Ummi, and that woman even tried to use black magic on everyone in the house. We were isolated from our siblings, and they were forbidden from interacting with us.

"That's why I'm grateful to Ya Sadeeq; he and his mother were our only source of hope. I was just 13 when I was sent to a boarding school in an attempt to separate me from my sister."

"I begged Abba, on my knees, holding his leg, pleading with him to let me stay with my sister. But he refused. That day, he ordered his men to beat me mercilessly, locking me in a dark room for almost two days without food or water. I was left in the dark, unaware of my sister's fate, and the uncertainty of Ummi's well-being weighed heavily on my mind.

Even after my release, Abba's resolve remained unshaken, and I continued to beg him, 'Please don't send me to boarding school, Abba. Who will take care of my sister? Abba, please!' I cried, tears streaming down my face, but my pleas fell on deaf ears."

"Mami tried to comfort me, promising to take care of my sister and reunite me with Ummi before I left. Her soothing words eventually calmed me down, and I fell asleep. But in the middle of the night, I woke up in a strange state, unlike myself. I was behaving erratically, and Mami and Hanan's mother found it alarming. They took me to the hospital, where I was diagnosed with a mental illness.

Mami tried to reason with Abba about my condition, but he refused to listen. When I was told to pack my belongings, I refused, due to my illness. I had become stubborn and headstrong, and small things would trigger my anger, leading me to act impulsively. Mami eventually packed my clothes, while Ya Sadeeq continued searching for Ummi.

Our family was a large household, and Abba had already married off some of his children. The situation was complex, and my mental health struggles only added to the challenges."

"Just a day before I was to be sent away to boarding school, Ya Sadeeq arrived with surprising news - he had discovered Ummi's whereabouts! Ummi's family was wealthy and influential, far more so than Abba. If not for fate, what would Ummi be doing in that man's house?

"We managed to speak with Ummi over the phone that day, and Ya Sadeeq cleverly smuggled us out without anyone noticing. As we escaped, I silently wiped away my tears while Ya Sadeeq squeezed my hand in reassurance. That's when I met Sufyan - he flashed a bright smile, revealing his pearly white teeth.

"We made our way to Ummi's house in Asokoro, the very house we're in now. I met Sufyan at the entrance, and we locked eyes as if we knew each other. He walked towards me with a warm smile and extended his hand for a handshake. I thought to myself, 'He seems nice,' and reciprocated the gesture, shaking his hand."