When we first met (A Zatima Story)

Fine

As Zac drove away from the clinic, the silence in the car was heavy. He glanced over at Fatima, who was staring out of the window, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. Zac shifted in his seat, feeling the tension growing between them.

"You okay, Ti?" Zac asked, trying to break the silence.

Fatima didn't respond immediately. She kept her gaze fixed on the passing scenery outside, lost in thought.

"Ti?" Zac pressed, his voice a little louder this time.

"Huh?" Fatima blinked, snapping out of her trance.

"I said, are you good?" Zac repeated, his concern evident in his tone.

Fatima shifted in her seat, finally turning to face him. "Yeah, I'm fine," she said quietly.

Zac wasn't convinced. "Are you sure? Maya had no right talking to you like that, and I know it must've bothered you."

Fatima sighed, her fingers tapping lightly on her arm. "She was just emotional, Zac. It's fine."

"Ti, talk to me," Zac urged. "How do you really feel? Don't just brush it off."

"I told you, Zac, I'm fine," Fatima said, her voice firm but distant.

Zac frowned, keeping his eyes on the road. "Well, I'm just happy you were with me today. You stayed calm—way more than I expected. You know how you usually are."

Fatima nodded slightly. "Mhmm."

Zac glanced at her again, still not satisfied. "You're positive you're fine?"

Fatima's patience wore thin, and she turned to him with a sharp look. "Yes, Zac. Don't ask me that no more, nigga."

Zac raised his hands in mock surrender, trying to lighten the mood. "Well damn, okay then!"

Fatima smirked just a little, though her mood remained somber. "Thank you."

Zac smiled, relieved to see even a hint of her usual self returning. "So, what do you want to do now? You wanna grab something to eat? You haven't eaten all day."

Fatima shook her head. "Just take me home, Zac. I'm tired. I wanna go to sleep."

Zac nodded, though he wasn't ready to end the night just yet. "Alright, Ti. If that's what you want."

They rode in silence the rest of the way to Fatima's house. When they arrived, Zac parked in the driveway and turned off the engine. Fatima unbuckled her seatbelt and gave him a brief, appreciative nod.

"Thanks for the ride," she said quietly.

"You're welcome," Zac replied, his eyes studying her. "You sure you don't want me to come in? We could talk or just chill."

Fatima shook her head, her expression tired. "No, I just want to be alone for a bit. I'll talk to you later, okay?"

Zac frowned but nodded. "Alright, Ti. If you need anything, just let me know."

Fatima gave him a small smile before getting out of the car and heading toward the house. She could feel Zac's eyes on her as she unlocked the door, but she didn't turn around. She just needed space, time to think.

Once inside, she was greeted by her mother, Mrs. Wilson, who was sitting in the living room watching TV. Mrs. Wilson took one look at her daughter's face and knew something was wrong.

"Baby, you okay?" Mrs. Wilson asked, turning the volume down.

Fatima dropped her purse on the floor and flopped onto the couch beside her mother. "It's not Zac's baby, Mama."

Mrs. Wilson raised an eyebrow. "Well, that's good news, isn't it? Why you sitting here looking so sad then?"

Fatima stared at the ceiling, her mind swirling with uncertainty. "I don't know, Mama. What if it had been his baby? What would that have meant for us? For me? What if I have to deal with something like this again, but next time, it's a different female?"

Mrs. Wilson reached out and rubbed Fatima's arm gently. "Baby, you can't go living your life thinking about 'what ifs.' That's not healthy."

"I know, Mama," Fatima said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "But it's hard not to think about it. What if I'm always gonna have to deal with stuff like this?"

Mrs. Wilson gave her daughter a stern look. "Don't be thinking negative, Fatima. I didn't raise you to be like that. You're stronger than that. You got a good man, don't you? If something like this happens again, you two will deal with it together. Stop worrying."

Fatima nodded, though her doubts still lingered in the back of her mind. "Yeah, Mama. I'm just gonna go upstairs, take a shower, and get some sleep."

Mrs. Wilson smiled, giving her a quick pat on the back. "Alright then. But remember, think positive, okay? You'll be fine."

"Yes, ma'am," Fatima replied, standing up and heading toward the stairs.

Once she was upstairs, Fatima headed straight for the bathroom. She stripped out of her clothes and stepped into the shower, letting the hot water pour over her as she tried to clear her mind. She felt her muscles relax, but her thoughts were still racing.

Just as she stepped out of the shower, her phone started buzzing on the bathroom counter. It was Zac. She stared at the screen for a moment before answering.

"Yeah, Zachary?" she said, her voice neutral.

"I'm just checking on you," Zac said. "I wanna make sure you're okay."

Fatima sighed, towel-drying her hair. "Zac, I told you before I got out of the car that I'm fine."

"I know, Ti," Zac said, his voice soft but persistent. "But I can tell something's bothering you. Just talk to me, okay? Tell me what's really going on."

Fatima closed her eyes, her patience wearing thin again. "Zachary, I don't want to talk right now. I just need some space. Can you respect that?"

Zac hesitated on the other end of the line. "Tima—"

"Zac," Fatima cut him off, her voice firmer now. "I'm going to hang up. I literally just said I don't want to talk to you right now."

There was a brief silence before Zac replied, sounding resigned. "Fine, Ti. I'll leave you alone."

"Thank you," Fatima said before hanging up.

As soon as the call ended, Fatima sighed deeply, tossing the phone onto her bed. "Ohhhh, that nigga is working my nerves," she muttered to herself as she climbed into bed, pulling the covers over her head, hoping for some peace from her thoughts.

Literally just a filler till Zatima comes out

Not updating anymore till Zatima

BYEEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRR