HER CRUSH

Chapter57

Abdul..
"I don't know why," but I just can't seem to stay mad at this girl, no matter what she does to me. Wallahi, if it was Asma, we'd have fought by now. Serious fight."

Zarah blinked at me from the passenger seat, her lashes fluttering like she was feigning innocence. That blink. Always that blink. I bit my lip, exhaling. "Stubborn set of people," I grumbled, "childish."

She tilted her head at me. "Shall we?"

I nodded and slid behind the wheel. The car purred to life.

She shot me a sharp glance, lips twisting like she was fighting a scowl. "Aren't you going to apologize?"

I raised a brow, eyes still on the road. "Apologize? Really? For what exactly?"

"For talking to that girl," she scoffed, her voice climbing. "Abdul, I'm not understanding anything anymore!" She half-yelled, cheeks flushing red. "She left you a few days before your marriage, and now she's back....and you treat her like royalty!"

I almost laughed. Her anger was... weirdly endearing. I scratched my brow with my thumb, biting back a smile.

"She's just a friend," I said quietly, eyes on the road. "That's all."

"Oh, really?" she snapped, arms crossing. "I've never read a book that says you can be good friends with your ex after a breakup." Her voice rose another octave. "And you have a wife, for God's sake!"

I risked a quick glance at her, smirk tugging at my lips. "But have you read the book that says first love never dies?"

Her jaw dropped. "Abdul!"

I eased the car into the parking space at the school, my smirk turning into a full grin. "Conversation's not over," I muttered.

She yanked the door open, eyes blazing. "Abdul, I'll kill you!"

"Oh, please do," I called after her with a lopsided smile. "So they'll bury us together."

Her deadly glare nearly set me on fire. She banged the door shut, twisting her lips in disgust.

"Troublesome," I muttered under my breath, shaking my head as I drove off.

By the time I reached the office, Sufyan was slumped in his chair, phone glued to his ear. He chuckled at something on the other end, a boyish grin lighting his face.

"Cut the call," I said, dropping into the chair opposite him. "We need to talk."

He ended the call reluctantly, eyes glinting with mischief. "If you were a girl," he winked, "I'd definitely fall for you."

I hissed. "Then you must be stupid if you think I'd fall for someone like you."

I raised an eyebrow. " New girlfriend?" Who was that?"

"It's Hanan," he said simply.

I chuckled, Thank God you're serious with someone for once in your life."

He smiled faintly at the jab. "Touché. So what's so important you wanted to discuss? Can't it wait till we get home?"

I stood, grabbing my phone. "Okay then."

By 3:00 p.m., my phone buzzed. A text from Zarah: Done with lectures. Come pick me.

Despite her anger, she couldn't bring herself to call. Text only. I shook my head, a small smile tugging at my lips.

During the ride to Ummi's house, she scolded me again, her words sharp but her voice soft beneath it.

I ignored her, thinking, Girls and their jealous ways.
But beneath her scolding, a deeper pain flickered. I saw it when she thought I wasn't looking...the tremble in her fingers, the way she stared out of the window, lost.

"I'm tired of staying at Ummi's house," "But she won't let us leave because of my health."

When it comes to him Abba , I really want to forgive him, but I don't know how." Every time I think about the way we've been treated, I feel the pain and torture all over again," We didn't do anything wrong. But the hatred towards our mother was directed at us. Why were we being punished?"

No one understands our pain," we were never allowed to talk to them. They can't fathom our suffering. That's why everyone wants Ummi to return to Abba's house...because they're not the ones who suffered like we did."

I  think he's worthy of forgiveness,"even  though he did everything while not in his right mind, the pain still lingers. The child inside me is still screaming to be loved, screaming to be mended. People see me smiling, but I'm hurting inside. Always hurting inside."

Later at  night,  10:30 p.m., I lay in bed, my phone glued to my ear. Asma was on the line, telling me to apologize to Zarah.

I sighed. "Something's definitely off with Zarah's brain lately."

"I'm serious, Abdul," Asma said. "Apologize on my behalf too."

I muttered my agreement, but mid-conversation, I noticed something....a shadow at the window. My heart skipped.

I sat up immediately. Sufyan was snoring lightly on his side of the room. Who could this be?

I ended the call quickly. "I'll call you later," I whispered, sliding out of bed. My slippers scuffed against the floor as I stepped into the hallway.

"You!" I hissed, eyes locking on the figure.
Zarah.

She was about to walk away, but I grabbed her arm and spun her back. "What are you doing here?" I demanded.

She stared at me, lips parted like she was caught stealing. "I... I was just...

"What?" I stepped closer, my voice low. "Spying on me now?"

Her chin lifted defiantly. "Who were you talking to?"

I blinked, surprised by her boldness even now. "You're the one sneaking around my window at night, and you're asking me questions?"

"Answer me, Abdul," she shot back, her eyes flashing.

I released her arm slowly, stepping back, the night air thick around us.

For the first time, I wasn't sure who was interrogating who....

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