I finally got to class and was surrounded by my five friends, all throwing questions at me about what happened with Paul. "What did he say? What did you do? Did you guys hug?" Temi asked impatiently.
"We did none of that," I replied. "I just told him he was a bad person, that's all."
They all grumbled in disappointment. Emily stared at her phone. "I really don't have time for this; we have TikToks to make."
Yassy said, "I'm not in the mood for any videos." I seconded.
"Me too," I added.
"Your loss; let's go," Priscilla said, as Emily, Saima, and Temi walked out with her.
I usually don't spend time with Yassy, but whenever I did, I always enjoyed it. "Why aren't you in the mood?" I inquired.
"I have no idea, just not in it," Yassy replied. "Give me your tab."
Without hesitation, I handed it over. She unlocked it, typed something for a few minutes, and then said, "You're welcome," giggling as she handed it back.
I looked at my tab's screen and my eyes widened. Yassy had sent a shocking message to our Grade Girls WhatsApp group.
"David asked Ella and Olivia out for Val's Day and tried to ask me too. I don't know his aim, but y'all gotta be careful."
I thought to myself, What the hell did Yassy send to my group?
I looked around; all eyes were on me. Whatever happens next will definitely be a distraction from my Paul problem.
February 14th, a day I planned to have go like every other normal day. I hope my wish is granted.
As I checked myself out in the mirror, I admired my red jumpsuit, a gift from my dad. I paired it with a red jersey scarf.
But flashbacks from last year's Valentine's Day haunted me.
"Airah!!!" My dad's voice snapped me back to reality.
"Sir," I responded, stepping outside my room with my Seth Rollins themed backpack.
"I'm ready, daddy."
"Let's go," he said, hurrying downstairs.
Thank God he agreed to take my sister and me to school every day; I was tired of Olivia.
"Daddy, please, let's go now," Farida complained, relaxing on the couch in her yellow and pink floral patterned dress.
Daddy smiled and scoffed at his daughter's statement while Mom came downstairs dressed for work.
We all rode in Dad's brand-new Toyota Grand Highlander, a gift from his boss for being the most outstanding employee.
Apart from this gift, he owned a BMW M760ix drive, while Mom owned a blue Kia Forte. Yes, we were living a good life financially, Alhamdulillah.
I finally arrived at school, and my sister and I parted ways as she headed to her SS1 class.
The environment felt lovey-dovey. Astaghfirullah.
I entered my class, and everyone wore outfits with touches of red, white, or pink. Some boys gave presents to their girls.
I felt single.
~I have never felt as single as I feel right now~
I buried my head in my desk, fighting tears. Not because of the love around me, but because of last year's trauma.
Last Valentine's Day, I wore a black jean jumpsuit, almost ready for school. I made tea in the kitchen when the knife fell and went through my leg. I felt intense pain, passed out, and woke up in a hospital bed.
The doctor told Mom that if the knife had gone deeper, they would have amputated my leg. I cried uncontrollably.
Days later, I returned to school with a bandage on my leg, a cane in my hand, and an excruciating period cramp.
Everyone visited me, even those I didn't get along with, but Olivia didn't.
Her absence shattered me for months; I felt betrayed and alone.
I managed to lift my head off the table, wiping away tears.
"Airah, happy Valentine's Day!" someone said.
I saw David holding a gift bag.
The playboy still got me a gift after everything?
In awe, I collected the cute red bag. It smelled pleasant.
"Thank you," I managed to say.
David smiled briefly and walked away.
Valentine's Day isn't my holiday as a Muslim, but I guess I'm just lucky.
