HUSNA

Chapter35

You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams." – Dr. Seuss

*********

Faiza's voice came through the phone,Hussy, get ready ASAP! I'm coming to pick you up right now so we can go to the makeup artist and book an appointment for Aunty Khady. We also need to collect our clothes from the tailor."Should I call and remind Aunty?"

"No, don't bother. I'll ask her myself."

"Alright, see you soon," Faiza exclaimed before hanging up.

Husna picked up her phone again and started scrolling through Instagram. Her eyes widened when she saw a new post from him after ages. The picture showed him looking effortlessly handsome, flashing that captivating smile. She found herself murmuring under her breath:

"Masha Allah... he does look handsome."

She read the caption
It's colder than my soul out here!" 🥶

But curiosity dragged her to the comments. A flood of girls were there, writing things like "You look so fine", "Marry me already", "Why are you so perfect?"
What made her frown deepen was that he was actually replying some of them  comfortably, casually, like he knew them.

A small pang hit her chest.

She didn't bother reading further. Instead, before she could even rationalize it, she found herself dialing his number. One ring. Two rings. Three.
No answer.

Her eyes narrowed.

He knew exactly what he posted. He knew exactly why she would call  and he was ignoring her.
Pressing her lips tightly, she stood up from the bed and walked outside to check on her mother. The house was quiet; her siblings had left for Islamiya. But her mind was anything but quiet  racing with irritation, jealousy, and the familiar ache that came whenever it involved him and other girls.

Adda, I'm going out with Faiza later," she mumbled, squatting beside her mother.

Her mother nodded. "Where are you going?"

"Faiza said I'm escorting her to the makeup studio, and we also need to collect our clothes from the tailor."

"Don't stay out too long," her mother warned. Then casually, she added, "And by the way, Captain just called me now."

A sharp glint of surprise flashed in Husna's eyes.
"Adda, are you serious? He called you? That means he saw my call and refused to pick up because he knows exactly what he did!"

Her mother looked at her sternly. "Husna, why are you behaving like this toward him? Just because you know he loves you, you're using it against him. Stop that."

"What did I do? Why do you always side with him, Adda? He's flirting with random girls online!"

"What's wrong with him talking to other girls? Did Allah create him only for you? You're being unreasonable, Husna."

She groaned in frustration and snatched her mother's phone, stomping toward her room. She dialed him using her own phone first  ignored. Without hesitation, she dialed again using her mother's phone. This time, he answered on the first ring.