MY RESOLVE

EPISODE TEN

MY RESOLVE EPISODE TEN

AJMAL
What does she mean by sheep in wolves skin like me? And her heart being dead? This girl is sure a tough one. Other girls would have fallen like a pack of cards just by my acknowledgement but she! Awwwh! How do I go about this project with her? I might be the campus bad boy and well known cassanova but my study is so precious to me and getting an A in this course is all I want but I wished I'd been paired with someone simpler.
"Ajmal!" I looked up and saw Mr Ayman close to his car. I walked down
"Good day sir"
"Same here chap. Have you seen the list?"
"If you mean for the pairing,then yes sir but then I wonder...."
"Why I would pair you up with her,right?" He asked knowingly
"Yes sir. That lady is all fangs!"
Mr. Ayman laughed heartily and that just got me madder
"Now what sir?"
"I'm sorry AJ but you know you're my cousin and I know you well. Knowing your escapades so far,I wanted to pair you with someone you can learn from and who can learn from you not someone who'd worsen your case"
"Uncle,I don't understand"
"Aj, you'd eventually. Trust me. Have you spoken to your dad yet?"
"No sir. He's on his yet another trip but I spoke with Mom and sister"
"That's good but I called him and he should be back by tomorrow"
"Really! I miss him though he'd give trouble"
"That's why he's my twin,isn't he?"
I huffed "I just hope he won't nag me to get a wife still. He's better at that than mom,you know?"
"If course I do. Sincerely AJ,your father's right. You're few months to your graduation. You'd be taking over his company plus you're not getting young. At your age...."
I cut in "I know,you already got married and had two kids. But there's no wife material out there uncle!" I sighed exasperated
"True maybe,but you're not being a husband material too,jumping from one willing skirt to the other!" He looked at me disappointedly. It hurts to see him that way because while everyone lost hope in me, he'd my back then and now.
"They can't get enough of me though" I tried once more
"Keep all you for that special woman AJ"
"Would I ever find one?"
"Of course you'd! Trust in Allah. Devout your time to His worship and He'd pave your way"
"Alright.....fatawalkaalalallahi fa huwa hasbu"
"That's the spirit"  We shook hands and then I saw him look behind me and I followed his gaze. Walking towards us was Rihannah with her head phone and eyes closed while her lips moved along with whatever she was listening to. I looked on fascinated. This girl creates a peaceful world of her own.
Out of the corner of my eyes,I saw a bike coming. She's so oblivious of her environment. I did the only thing that came to mind,seeing that the bike man was in full speed,I ran quickly to pull her away from the road and got hit on the side by the bike. I found myself face down and it hurts. She looked at me shocked and quickly knelt down removing her head phone then she opened her brimstone "are you dumb or what! What if the bike man had run you down? Do you want to get yourself killed?!" I looked at her face and man does she look more beautiful while angry! I just kept staring and lost for words. She said something but I didn't hear her. She hit me hard with the strap of her sling and that got me unaware "hey! Could you stop hitting me with that?! Is that what I get for saving you while getting hurt in turn?!" This girl is crazier than I thought. She stopped suddenly and looked shocked.
"Save me,how?" She asked.
"Shows how responsible you're! Hasn't someone ever told you not to listen to music while on the road especially one this busy!?"
"I don't listen to music! And I'm responsible. That doesn't answer my question still!?"
"If I hadn't darted like I did,the bike would have hit you. I did the only thing I thought best!"
She sobered and then dropped her hands holding the bag. Alhamdulilahi! I took that time to stand up while wincing at the pain on my side. I heard a sob and looked at her stunned
"Now what!? Cry baby"
"Why'd you foolishly want to risk your life for me?!"
"I don't know. I have an A to make in our paired course and I can't have that without you,so?"
"That's it then! Go take care of yourself when you get to your room or better still get Molly to. I'd have loved to.be of help but I can't touch you,so take care!"
"Why can't you?"
She looked at me like I was the most foolish being having asked the question
"I can't because you're not permissible for me to touch." She responded gently and explained a little who a woman's mahram are and those who're non-mahrams.
"So you mean,before I can touch you, I've to be married to you,right?"
"In your dreams but then yes" she responded with an eye roll.
Marriage! That word sounds strange. I've never considered it even though my dad have been giving trouble on it. Settle down with just one woman? Where's the fun? Won't it be boring?
"AJ,are you fine?" My uncle asked and then I realized Ry and I have been so indulged in our banter that we didn't notice his presence. I guess he used the opportunity of the silence to speak up.
"Yes sir,I am but I'd need help"
"As salaamu'alaykum sir" Ry greeted taken unaware too
"Wa'alaykumusalam miss Yusuf. Please be careful as a pedestrian and a road user next time hence you get hurt"
"Na'am. Thank you very much sir. I really appreciate your concern"
"Have a nice day miss while I take my nephew to his room"
"Your nephew?Ajmal?" She asked surprised
"Yes he's. You seemed shocked,didn't you know his surname is Ayman-that actually is his grandfather's name so my brother,his father decided to keep our father's name.
"I didn't know. I'd take my leave now" she made to go but I'd to stop her
"Would you come over for the project later?"
"To where?"
"My room or yours? She looked at me with distaste as soon as I said that.
"Now look here egocentric,handsome hunk Ajmal,you and I cannot be in seclusion at all. We're not permissible to each other. There's limit to our conversation,no long staring, touching and if we'll meet at all, it's to be in an open space,got that!" She finished in one breathe
"You're no fun. Or you think I'd rape you or what's the measure for?"
"Not on your life! You wouldn't dare!" She shouted and turned on her heels.
What have I done wrong again! I looked to my uncle who only shook his head at me disappointingly.
"I should be the one angry not you uncle"
"Why's that nephew?"
"You paired me with her! She keeps me on the edge. It's like I don't know what I'm doing. She confuses me even more."
"Or because for once,a lady doesn't fancy your look,body and money" he teased
"That too!" I was coming down with a headache so I'd to beg to be taken to the school clinic and hostel afterwards,priviledge of having an uncle around.