Our Fates: Book III of the Fate Trilogy

Nine: Whether Aliyah Likes It Or Not

Since I came to school, I have been on the lookout, from the assembly ground, to the class, and even the main gate where latecomers huddle under the mango tree to collect cutlasses for clearing the grass, but I don't see Aliyah anywhere.

As I return to my class, I try to control my heart from beating too much. Is it fear? I hope not. Besides, the day has just begun, so there's still time.

***

"Oh God," Brianna moans as the bell rings for lunch break. "I don't feel like going out today."

I turn to her, "Why? Are you not hungry?"

She hisses and rests her head on the desk. "Eat later."

I shrug, "Rxcuse." I say to her. She sits up and frowns.

"Why is your face like that? No, wait, why has your face been like that?"

"How?" Although I know exactly what she means.

"Like..." She pulls her eyebrows together and puckers her lips. I laugh, even though I don't feel like it.

"I'm okay." I say, waiting for her lean backward so I could pass. Aliyah should be in her class by now.

She watches me, then shakes her head, "Whatever it is, take it easy. You're too young to be so serious."

I blink. I'm not too serious. That's Aliyah, not me.

Even before I get to the class, I've already peek through the window, and I know who I didn't see. But I enter anyway and go straight to the one person Aliyah is friendly with.

"Hey, Joe." I greet the lanky boy who's busy stuffing his face with agege bread and hot akara in its center.

He turns, mumbles a reply, and rubs his oily hands on the sides of his black trouser.

Wow.

"Have you seen Aliyah today?"

He immediately turns to her seat at the end of the last row and shakes his head.

"Like she didn't come at all?"

He frowns, still chewing, and glances at her seat again, then wags his finger.

"What about the shop?" I ask, knowing that Joe's mom was aunty Rose's boss.

Swallowing, he says, "I only saw her yesterday evening, abi day before yesterday..." He looks up in thought.

I roll my eyes and thank him. Although he didn't help much.

I enter my class and plop down on my seat, which is now empty. I shake my head. Of course Brianna will never miss lunch.

Yawning, I also rest my head on the desk. Unlike my seat partner, I really don't feel like eating.

When the bell rings for the last time, something heavy drops into my stomach. Aliyah really didn't come to school.

As we march out of the gate, I can't help but glance at the spot where her uncle parked yesterday, wishing I will just see him, and her too. Even if she calls me 'stupid', I don't mind.

"Hey," Brianna slaps my bag. Seeing my face, she shakes her head, "Take it easy, okay?" Without waiting for my reply, she waves, "See you tomorrow."

I wave back, watching her make her way out of the barracks. Should I just follow her? But how will I find the house? I hiss. I should have asked Joe for the address, just in case.

I sighed. I will just have to wait till tomorrow then. But what if she doesn't show up? What then?

"Praising the lord, always. Praising the lord, always, Praising the lord with all my heart, Praising the lord with all my heart, always."

I stand between Brianna and Sarah as they clap loudly to the music club students in front of us. My eyes keep opening and closing since I didn't sleep well last night. And it isn't because of Aliyah. Hoor has been getting low marks in her homework due to her love for playing. So mommy made me sit her down to supervise her last night. Unfortunately, the naughty girl forgot her Verbal Reasoning text book in school, so mommy had to call the headmaster and beg her to allow me go to the school and get the book.

"Hey," Brianna nudges my side, then tilts her head toward the row of students marching to their classes. As I follow her, she grabs my hand. "Come and follow me to the toilet."

I eye her, "Must I follow you all the time?"

"Ahn ahn na, you know why."

I roll my eyes, "Yes, you're still sure that the snake they caught since last year will come back for you." I nod, smiling.

We enter the toilet, where the Dettol and the smell of urine are competing with each other. Scrunching my face, I stand against the wall in the middle with a row of five toilets at one side and a row of five taps and porcelain sinks at the other.

As Brianna is flushing, two girls join us, heading for the tap. I recognize one of them as Aliyah's classmates.

"If she fought with someone, I won't even be surprised." One said, grabbing a roll of tissue paper.

"No na, she's no-" the other one says, turning around. On seeing me, she stops. I wave. She smiles, then glances at her friend who also turns around.

"Hey, Barakat." She says with a serious expression.

"Hey," I wave, trying to recall her name. "Umm, are you guys coming from class?" I wince at the stupid question. "I mean, did you see Aliyah this morning?"

"You didn't see her?" The serious girl asks.

I shake my head. "I was looking for her yesterday."

"She's in the clinic." The other girl says. My eyes widen.

"Yeah, she came with this massi-"

"Brianna, let's go." I shout, then run out. What must have happened? I wonder as I head toward the clinic.

Finally, I have evidence.

"What are you doing here?" Aliyah asks as I sit on the chair beside her bed, breathing hard.

"Don't ask me stupid questions." I say, glaring at her. "Why didn't you come to school yesterday?"

She turns away so I don't see the purplish bruise around her left eye.

I stand and lean toward her. "It was him, right?"

She turns sharply, then hisses. Sitting up, she folds her arms, "None of your business."

"Big lie." I say. "He hurt you, right?"

"Go away. Barakah." She snaps.

"No. I'm your friend. Let me..." I reach out to touch the bruise, but she slaps my hand away.

"I don't need you! Go away!"

I shrink back.

"What's going on over there?" The nurse's voice booms from her small office at the corner.

I stare at Aliyah, no longer worried, but angry. She needs help but she will never admit it. And I won't force her anymore. Even if I offer to follow her home, she probably won't let me. So I won't bother telling her my plan.

I leave the clinic just as the bell rings to mark the end of the first period and make my way back to class. I hope her uncle will come today because I will definitely follow them home, whether Aliyah likes it or not.

•••
Hey guys, hope you had a fun reading time.

Although this story has three main characters, only one is actually leading. Can you guess who it is?

Whoever gets it right will be tagged on the character's chapter next week.

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Till next week, in sha Allah.

Love,
Zah Storyteller HQ.