married at 16: Scars that bloomed into strength.

episode one(1) "Too late for trouble"

Zahra's Pov

The bell rang and guess what??

It was Jamila, my favorite cousin. She's way too serious about school.
Ugh, she can be so annoying.
I can't give up my sleep. I really can't.

"Cuzzo, wake up! It's almost eight o'clock we're gonna be late for school!" Jamila shouted.

Well, goodbye sweet dream. Reality had slapped me in the face. I had no choice but to get up and fake it.

"Eight o'clock? Mom's going to kill me," I pretended to be shocked.
"I haven't even done my assignment," I added, trying to sound pitiful.

"What? Madam Faal is going to suspend you for sure! What's wrong with you, Zahra? Why do you always risk getting kicked out of school? Get up, for goodness' sake!" Jamila barked.

"You've changed a lot. I don't even know you anymore," she huffed.
"Anyway, just hurry up I'm waiting in the car." And she left.

Thank God she did. I nearly died from her bossy attitude. She thinks she's Miss Know It All.
Sometimes I wonder why I'm even related to her. If we weren't cousins, I'd have scolded her into next week.

"Oh no... Mom is calling!"
And yep, you know what that means she's about to yell. Terrified of what she'd say, I started plotting my escape.

"Zahra!! Zahraaa!! What are you still doing in that room? Jamila's waiting for you!"

Mom was doing her usual routine making sure I left the house sad. And knowing her, she'd scold me to death. So, I had to think fast.

"Oh my gosh, she's coming!" I mumbled to myself, grabbing my bag and rushing to the window.
I opened it... and jumped.

I landed hard, twisting my ankle. But honestly, hurting myself was better than listening to another lecture from Mom. I couldn't bear it. I'd either cry or carry the sadness with me all day.

Jamila's POV

I was ready for school, all packed up.
"Mom, have you seen my socks?" I asked.

"I put them in your wardrobe yesterday. Have you checked?" she replied.

"Nope, Mommy. I thought I left them outside. Thanks."
I just said that to keep Mom from getting all emotional like she did last year... thinking about that still makes me feel bad.

"Mom, please call the driver! I'm getting late and I need to pick Zahra. I promised her, and I can't let her down."
I put on my most innocent baby voice, hoping it would speed things up.

"I told him to come early since yesterday, but I don't know why he isn't here yet," Mom sighed.
So we waited... and waited... for ten whole minutes.

"Jamila, the driver is here!" Mom finally called.

"Finally!" I shouted, hugged her goodbye, and rushed to the car.

When we arrived at Zahra's place, I rang the bell tring tring!
No answer.

I rang again. Still nothing. Just when I was about to give up, Zahra's mom opened the door.

"Jami" she began.

"Asalamu Alaikum, Aunty," I quickly greeted.

"Wa alaikum salam, dear. Your cousin is in her room. Come in," she said with her usual kind smile.

I paused for a second, wondering why she didn't say Zahra had already left. Something felt off.

I knocked on Zahra's doorit wasn't even locked. The room was a complete mess, and there she was... Sleeping Beauty herself!

"Cuzzo, wake up! It's almost eight o'clock we'll be late!"
She was snoring like a tired goat. I tried everything to wake her up, but nothing worked.

Zahra's POV

"Aahh! My ankle... Jamila, help!" I cried.

Blood started dripping suddenly. Jamila rushed over, panicking, and helped me hobble to the car.

"Zahra, what happened? You were fine just now!" she asked, her face twisted in worry.

"Mila, can't you see I'm hurt?" I snapped.

"What??"

I wanted to explain but was scared the driver would hear and tell Aunty Zainab. So I stayed quiet.

"Girl, what happened?" she pressed again.

I motioned that I couldn't talk in front of the driver. Thankfully, she got the message.

"Zahra, let's go to the hospital instead of school. I'll tell Mom later," she said gently.

"Wait—what? No way! I'm absolutely fine, darling. You worry too much. Besides, we're almost at school."

"Fine then," she said, clearly unconvinced.

The driver dropped us off and drove away.

I struggled to walk to the gate. Jamila tried to help, but I faked being okay.

"Are you sure you're alright?" she asked.

"Can we change the topic, please? You're always concerned about me. Let's talk about you now," I said, trying to change the mood.

"You're a funny little girl. Of course I care you're like my little sister. But my life is so boring. There's nothing to talk about," she replied.

"Boring, huh? That's what you always say. But I'm not a kid, so stop treating me like one."

Cling Cling! The school bell rang, and we headed to class.

As I walked in, I saw her Mrs. Faal.
"Damn! Jamila, I have to go back. If she sees me, I'm going to detention I forgot we have math first period!"

I started blinking rapidly, almost in tears.

Mrs. Faal stared at us with her big, stern face. I thought she was mad about the assignment... but what came next was worse.

We entered and greeted the class. I sat behind Jamila, trembling like a leaf.

"Zahra bint Abdullah," she called,
"Can I have a word with you, please?"

The class went dead silent.

I stood up slowly and walked to her.

She asked for my homework. I had nothing to say. She searched my bag herself only to find the last classwork.

"I'm very disappointed in you, Zahra. You used to be one of the best students. What's going on?"
I was so ashamed. I promised to do better.

Just then, her phone rang.

"Zahra, there's a call for you," she said, handing it to me.

Jamila looked at me, confused.
I took the phone, wondering who could possibly be calling me at school.

And then my mother's voice.

My tears fell before I could even speak.

"Zahra, I'm on campus. Come to the principal's office. And let me not call you again because if I do, it's going to be a different case."

She yelled the whole thing in my ear.
Everyone stared. I felt like they heard every single word.

I left the classroom quietly and walked to the office. I knocked.

Mom opened the door.

"Zahra, come in."
She looked disappointed. I walked in silently, not even daring to speak.

Please learn, enjoy yourself, and don't forget to vote 😉
Haddy Nyang ✍