HUSNA

Chapter18

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. _Melody Beattie

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For the umpteenth time, Husna's phone vibrated across the small wooden table.

Her mother looked up from where she was peeling yam . "Pick up the call, Husna. It might be important."

She  forced a smile. "It's just MTN, Adda. Probably bonus or data wahala again."

But the truth sat quietly in her chest ...it wasn't MTN. It was Hameed. Again.

Since the semester break began, Hameed had somehow become a regular visitor...showing up at least three times a week, laughing with her mother, teasing her siblings, and acting like part of the family. And despite all her efforts to avoid him, he called every single day. Sometimes she'd answer just to shout at him; other times, she ignored him completely. But he never stopped.

When she complained to Faiza, she simply laughed and said, "Wallahi, Husna, just take him as a friend. He's harmless."

Harmless, she'd said. Easy for her to talk.
Now, the phone buzzed again. Her mother raised an eyebrow.

She  sighed and picked up.

"Assalamu alaikum," she said flatly.

"Wa'alaikumus salam," came the familiar deep voice. "Is that you, Asma?"

Her lips twitched. Asma again? "Who else will it be?" she said, getting up to escape her mother's watchful eyes. She slipped into her room.

"I'm surprised you picked up," Hameed said, half amused. "Considering how many times you've ignored me."

"You know I won't pick up, so why keep calling?"

He chuckled softly. "I don't know. Wallahi, sometimes I just find myself dialing your number.
Maybe your silence is what's interesting about you."

"Now that I've answered, what do you want?"

"Nothing serious," he said, his tone dropping lower. "Just wanted to check up on you. See how you're doing."

"I'm fine," she replied quickly. "Now you've seen I'm alive. Goodbye."

"Asma, wait... can't you talk nicely just once?" His voice sounded almost sincere. "You hurt me, wallahi. I'm only trying to be your friend. If that's too much, take me as your brother."

She raised an eyebrow even though he couldn't see it. "Brother? You sure that's all?"

He exhaled, defeated. "I swear. No hidden motives. Just friendship."

She sighed. "Fine. But don't expect me to start liking you."

"Alhamdulillah! At least you didn't block me. "So, how do we make this friendship work?"

"By not calling me every hour."

He laughed. "No promises. Anyway, I'm leaving tomorrow, insha Allah. Can I come by to greet you before I travel? Maybe take you out ?"