Wear Your Crown Proudly

3. Tyrese

Tyrese POV

*Receives a text from Mika, reading it with annoyance, I storm over to Tri's room. I grab Tri by the ear, forcefully demanding an explanation while revealing the phone.*
She's my number neighbor and sometimes our numbers get mixed up.

"You must have lost your damn mind messing with someone like him," I growl, frustration evident in my voice. Tri always seems to throw away her future for someone unworthy.

She pushes me away, tossing the phone onto the couch and bursting into laughter.
"He doesn't love me. He's only interested in the idea of having a girl. He asked Zoya for her number. I guess she found it amusing to give him yours instead."
Why would he text that to Zoya?
"Whatever."

I step outside, needing a smoke. Smoking inside has never been my thing. I walk over to the Ismails' house and find myself outside Zoya's window. I throw a couple of pebbles, hoping she'll come out. It's been a while since I last visited. I watch the curtains form around her head, resembling a hijab, before motioning for her to open the window.

She shoos me away, and a few moments later, Adam appears downstairs in front of the door.

"Don't do that again. Just text me if you have a last-minute delivery," Adam says, annoyance evident in his voice.
"Um, this isn't work-related. It's more like a talk and chill."

I had hoped Zoya would come out, but it seems she didn't get the message. After all, boys don't usually throw pebbles at her window. I take a seat on the stool, observing Adam lazily sitting beside me.
"Just out of curiosity, do you remember Mika?" I blurt out. I want to know what Adam knows before I break the news that his religious sister is in love with a white, non-Muslim boy. I don't know much about their religion, but I'm always willing to learn. Zoya has been a calm and positive influence on my sister, and that gives me some reassurance.
"Yeah, the rich kid on steroids from the private school," Adam replies, reminding me. "Didn't you give him the head injury that made him quit the football team?"
"He's on steroids?" I question, surprised by the revelation.
"At least he was. I used to supply him after the head injury he wouldn't reach you, so he came to me. I've been to his place a few times. His parents didn't like me, but then again, the whole world doesn't like people like me."

"We're in the same boat, brother," I respond, adding to his statement before getting up.
"What's up with you, you good?" I ask he always looked exhausted.
"Nah, Zoya and my dad got into a fight. They can't see eye to eye. I tried to calm them down, but now she doesn't like me anymore. I can't even remember what I did."
"I mean, he did choose to marry over your mother. I understand they can have multiple wives, and the moms are happy with your father, but it must be difficult for you as your mother's daughter. To see the man you love sharing his love with someone else, as if your love isn't enough."
"Sharing should never be a problem; it's caring," Zoya's words echo in my mind.
"She doesn't even want to know why our father remarried." Adam said as he gets up from the stool.
I notice that he's practically on his knees, begging to go back inside. I nod and walk back home.
I haven't really caught up with Adam lately. I miss him and his family, but things have been strange since the new wife moved in. She has no appreciation for someone who isn't a member of the family, except when her husband is home. I decide not to mention anything about Zoya's love interest, considering the tension in the air.

As I make my way back, thoughts and emotions swirl inside me. Tri's reckless choices frustrate me, and I worry about the consequences she'll face. Zoya's strained relationship with her father weighs heavily on my mind, she's acting selfish I mean at least she has a dad in her life. She needs to grow up.