HUSNA

Chapter34

"The big lesson in life, baby, is never be scared of anyone or anything."– Frank Sinatra

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Faiza, would you mind holding my bag for a moment?" Husna asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "I need to rush to the café to photocopy these papers before the lecturer arrives."

Faiza nodded silently, watching Husna hurry out. No sooner had she left than Husna's phone began to ring loudly from inside the bag. A sly smile curled on Faiza's lips as she unzipped it and pulled the phone out.

Captain.

Her grin widened. Got you two now, she thought before answering with a bright, "Hello?"

"Babe..." a deep, husky  voice murmured from the other end. Faiza's eyes lit with mischief. She didn't say a word...she simply hung up.

Wow. Husna and Ya Hameed, and she didn't even tell me, Faiza scoffed internally. Still, a small smile softened her features. This is actually good.

Alhamdulillah...Husna finally found real love.

Husna returned a few minutes later, placing the photocopied sheets on the desk with quiet satisfaction. Before she could sit properly, Faiza stood up abruptly and slung her bag over her shoulder.

"I'm going home," she announced flatly.

"H-home? Why now?" Husna blinked, confused.

Faiza didn't answer. She just stared past Husna and muttered, "Someone called you," before walking out.

It took Husna only a second to understand. Cold embarrassment washed over her. Her phone lay on the table, screen still lit:

Captain.

She grabbed it and stepped out of class immediately, dialing back with shaking fingers. The moment he answered, she erupted:

"What did you just do?!"

"Assalamu alaikum... what did I do?" he asked, genuinely confused.

"Wa'alaikumus salam," she said sharply, still seething. "Faiza is mad at me right now  all because of you! I told you I wanted to tell her myself, but you insisted our families shouldn't know first. What are you hiding?"

"God, babe, just calm down," he pleaded. "I'll explain everything

"Explain what? The damage is already done! Don't 'calm down' me fix it. Or I'm done talking to you."

She ended the call without waiting for his response and returned to class, heart pounding. After lectures ended, she headed straight to Faiza's house.

"Ina wuni," she greeted Faiza's mother, who teased This is the second time you've come to our house without Faiza."

Faiza was sitting on the living room couch, scrolling on her phone with a tight, unreadable expression. She didn't greet. She didn't look up.

Husna sat opposite her, placing her handbag gently on the center table.

"Faiza," she started quietly.

Faiza's eyes remained fixed on her phone. "You should have told me," she said flatly. No accusation in her tone just disappointment.

Husna swallowed. "I was going to. I just