My Crush

Chapter 3

Yushraf's POV

"Alhamdulilah I was able to sell a lot today." I heaved a sigh. Though it was hectic, I was very grateful to have sold a lot.

I rushed back home to meet my twin sister, Reedah and to fill her in on the good news. At least the money I earned would be used to pay some of our bills for the main time.

Immediately I got to the front of our house, my lips curved into a smile. I knocked on the door and almost immediately, the door flung open and she hugged me tightly.

I slowly wrapped my arms around her as well - Reedah was the only family Ammi and baba had left for me, after being killed in a fatal accident. It had been three long years, but the memory was still fresh in my mind. I had a hard time moving on, but because I had Reedah to take care of, I suppressed my feelings and pretended to be happy. Ever since their departure, things had been really difficult for both of us. We barely had food to eat once a day. I wasn't bothered about myself, but my sister. She was all I had left and I vowed to protect her with all of my beings.

We both were given scholarships by a kind-hearted, rich woman, hearing the news of our parent's death. I was really thankful to her because we didn't have to drop out of the school we were already used to. Our parents weren't poor. On the contrary, they were well to do. We used to have everything we wanted. All we had to do was ask, but life had taken an abrupt turn, making our lives miserable.

Our dad was a chief executive officer of a petroleum company. He did not allow mum work, because he always provided everything she needed and more.

Reedah was so fond of dad. She was the typical example of a daddy's girl. Due to how he always provided money whenever she wanted, she didn't know the value of it. She would go to the shopping mall and return with many unnecessary things - stuff she already had in excess and mum will complain of how dad has spoiled her severally.

"Yushraf!" Reedah's voice snapped me out of my trance. I wiped the tears away from my cheeks, just before she walked into the room. She seemed to have understood my emotional state, so instead of asking, she moved closer to me and engulfed me in a side hug.

"Food is ready." She informed.

Wordlessly, I stood up and sauntered to the dining section, with Reedah trailing behind me. We took our seats and ate in complete silence.

Sometimes, I couldn't help, but imagine how life would have been if baba and Ammi were still alive. Indisputably we wouldn't have been in this terrible situation - we wouldn't have had to live in a small house, which contains just two bedrooms, a bathroom and a kitchen. My room alone in our former mansion used to be bigger than the house at large.

"Yushraf." Reedah suddenly called, pulling me out of my trance again. "Since you were able to sell a lot today, shouldn't we go shopping? You know we will be resuming final year soon."

"Okay, no problem, since you're a lady and love to shop, I will divide the money into three and give you two parts," I remarked.

She smiled and came over to hug and kiss me on my cheek. "Thank you so much, Yushraf. I love you because you are always so considerate towards me."

I stood up and smiled reassuringly at her, making it known to her that I would always put her first, before anyone else. Because she is the only one I have to look after.

"You've always been there for me. I'm grateful."

"It's nothing. I have to go in and rest because today was very hectic for me." I voiced.

She nodded in understanding and never said a word again. My twin sister always understands my mood.

I went into Reedah's room because I didn't have enough money to pay for a two-bedroom apartment with a living room, so we looked for one with a lower rent.

I entered the bathroom, took a quick shower, ablution, and changed into light clothing. When I finished the asr prayer, I lay down on the prayer mat and fell asleep without even realizing it.

It was late at night when I awoke; I couldn't believe I'd slept that long; I was exhausted and needed that rest. When I realized Reedah would be sleeping in the living room, I abruptly stood up. She needed to go to bed and sleep well, while I rest in the living room.

"Reedah," I call and tap her lightly to go to bed. She immediately wakes up and raise to her feet.

"Yushraf, you finally wake up," She asked, as she yawns tirelessly.

"Sorry, I slept long"

"You had me worry, cause I was left alone here" she explain.

"It's okay, you should go and rest," I said.

"Sure, just make sure you eat before going back to sleep," she reminded, and I smiled before nodding.

Reedah has always been the caring one since we lost our parents; she always makes sure I don't go to bed hungry. Even at school, she will repeatedly call and ask if I have anything to eat. My life would not have been complete without her; she was always the backbone and shoulder to cry on, and with whom I shared my worries.

I believe that one day, everything will become a story to tell, and we will no longer have to hawk every day to have something on the table. Right now, my heart was filled with a lot of pain, and I wished the clock could intertwine back to the old-time, when our parents were still alive, everything was always available even before we asked for it.