Our Friendship

22

Ayatullah failed to fall asleep; he was having a restless night, always thinking about what he had discussed with Fatahurrahman. His heart was slowly finding its peace, but it kept pounding whenever he thought about Amatullah being with another man.

He felt like flying into tomorrow, so he decided to visit Khadija and ask for her opinion, just as Fatahurrahman had advised.

The following day, he called Khadija and asked for her address.

Khadija was so happy to receive his call; she had actually missed him and wanted to see him badly.

He brought along the clothes and watch he had kept for them from the things he brought from Saudi Arabia. She was thrilled to see him. He was surprised by how her family knew about him.

He stayed at her place for a long time, chatting with her before he gathered the courage to explain himself.

She burst into laughter, saying, "You finally gathered your courage and became a man," she said, still laughing.

He looked at her doubtfully.

"I had been noticing you for a long time. I am aware of your feelings. I wanted to watch you to the end, but you finally gathered the courage. Congratulations for stepping away from the coward's world, though you are late, she has another man," she said in a serious voice now, no longer laughing.

His intestines suddenly twisted, his heart surged, and he was dazed. "Please, is that true?" he asked languidly.

She laughed, "Your problem is that you are a coward. What's the matter if she has another man? What matters is to believe in yourself; that's how you can beat him. Please, be a man, though I am only kidding."

He expelled a heavy sigh; he was relieved...

Khadija looked at him, and she felt like teasing him more.

She sniffed and made a little sound. He looked at her, signing, "What's wrong?"

She raised her eyebrows before she said, "Still, there is a problem."

He actually didn't like that word 'problem,' maybe this is why his heart kept pounding.

She burst into laughter, pointing her finger at him and clapping her hands. "Why is it that you are not brave at all?"

He actually didn't find it funny. How could she say there's a problem and still laugh? He felt like grabbing her neck and forcing her to tell him what the problem was, but he just couldn't.

He pushed away the bad feeling. "Please tell me," he sniffed a little, hoping his voice sounded more serious.

She cleared her throat, maybe wanting to sound serious too. "If not because you are our friend, I wouldn't allow her to date a coward. How can you be shocked like this by a simple word, 'problem'?"

"Khadija, please tell me," this time his voice sounded like a person begging to know the truth.

"Well, the problem is that you are our student. Teachers should not fall in love with their students," and she started laughing.

He shook his head after hissing. Khadija was just like Fatahurrahman and Balkisa. Maybe that's why he liked being her friend.

Ummi felt bad after receiving Khadija's call that Ayatullah had visited her. "Had I also lived in Kaduna, he might have visited my place," she said disappointedly.

Khadija kept laughing at her. "Sorry, dear. Schools will resume soon. Be patient." She did not tell her what they discussed with Ayatullah; she wanted him to say it himself.