RUNNING

Chapter Three

10 years later.

“The world is sweet in the heart and green to the eyes; and verily God has brought you after those that went before you, then look to your actions, and abstain from the world and its wickedness.”Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.)

“Hi girlfriend, how are you today?” Usman said as he took the seat beside Maraya. Usman has been Maraya’s seatmate since their first senior year and they started dating in their year two, being the most sought after boy in the school Maraya always feels proud of having him as her boyfriend and she never cease to utilize every little opportunity to show off about their relationship especially when she noticed other girls seeking his attention. Maraya’s group which composes of three (Maraya, Zainab and Beatrice) are the most admired group in the school and usually referred to as B3: beautiful, bold and brilliant because that is exactly their description, Maraya is the leader of the group as she is the most brilliant, extravagant and most beautiful. She is very beautiful that she has always being selected as “Miss Premier: (a beauty contest the school usually organized annually)” since her senior year one. Needless to say that she is every boys’ dreams and she always enjoy the attention they usually give her.

“I’m cool.” Maraya smiles back at him. The class is still scanty and there are just few of them around even though it was time for their first class on Wednesday. One, Mr. Macaulay is a perpetual late comer and second, his chemistry lecture is the most boring period in the senior year three. If only they have a choice many of their class member would have gladly drop the subject but as science students, chemistry is not a choice.

“Hey!” Beatrice greeted as she took her seat which is at the back of Maraya’s seat. “God! Let Avogadro(Mr Macaulay’s nickname) miss the road to school or forget today is Wednesday, I hate starting my precious day with chemistry.” She prayed loudly and the students close by laughed at her.

“You know it’s annoying?” she directed towards Maraya.

“It’s not so bad you know?”Maraya smiles as she brings out her note.

“Says the only girl who is always happy to see Mr. Macaulay.” Beatrice teased rolling her eyes, she knows that Maraya also complain about their chemistry class even though she is very good in the subject and she is always the one that teaches her chemistry.

“Seriously betty, you know I complain because Mr. Macaulay is boring and he always stays beyond his time. But I still love chemistry as a subject.” Maraya said.

“That’s because you have a brother who is great in chemistry.” Zainab said as she joins the group.

They all smiles at her little comment because it was obvious that Maraya is hyper serious and brilliant that she will excel her studies even without Habeeb’s help. “Just tell me you are proud to have a genius as a boyfriend.” Maraya teased Zainab causing her to blush as the mention of “boyfriend”.

“He is not my boyfriend.” Zainab argued. Zainab’s friends know of her crush for Habeeb but she always denies it because Hassan never shows interest in her despite some of her advances to him. Only Maraya knows of her brother’s secret admiration for her friend but she always warns her brother off because she knows he is a playboy, Habeeb like hanging out with girls and he is also good in heartbreaking so Maraya will not allow her brother to mess with any of her friends and that is why Hassan stayed cleared.

“Guess what today is?” Usman asked interrupting their little jokes.

“Today is Wednesday, Mr. Macaulay torturing day of the week.” Beatrice answered making them all to burst into aloud laugh.

“Well, there is more to it.” Usman said as he brings out a small white teddy that has a bold written of ‘Be mine’ written boldly on it and hand it over to Maraya. “Be my Val sweetheart.”

“O my God!” Maraya whispers looking at the doll. “It’s so beautiful.” She blushes as she collects the teddy from Usman and kiss the doll.

“I’m jealous.” Beatrice smiles as she looks at the doll.

“So what did you say to val’s get-together on Saturday?”Usman asked holding her hand.

Mr. Macaulay clear his throat as he made his way into class making all of them to disperse to their various seats and settles for the lecture.

“I’m sorry for coming late and now we are going to start with today's’ business” Mr. Macaulay said and he starts writing on the board.

*************************

        Dressing up for party is one of the most difficult things for Maraya, not that she is not fashionable but maybe because she is too fashionable for her own good. She has a wardrobe filled with many clothes, nice clothes to be precise but each time she is going for special events no cloth seems to be good enough.

Its Friday already but Maraya could not find any dress suitable enough to wear for her Valentines party so she asked Betty to escort her to a mall where she intends to get a dress for the party.

Maraya already told her parents that she will be attending a friends’ birthday on Saturday, of course she can’t tell her parent that she is going for a valentine party unless she want to be denied of the beautiful moment to make out with her friends. All her friends already have a date except among and Maraya can’t wait to join them for the party.

“I hope we are not going to spend the whole evening here. I need to get home early you know?” Betty said as they enter the mall. She knows Maraya is indecisive when it comes to shopping, she hardly get any cloth that suit her taste in single collection so each time they went for shopping they parade almost all the clothes collections before she will select any cloth. That is Maraya, she don’t settle for less and her friends knows her for her uniqueness.

“You don’t have to worry, I promise I won’t waste your time much.” Maraya said smiling at her as she walks further to check the new collections in stall. Being a regular customer, she knows where the best collections are usually arranged so she walks to the area to select her choice.

After spending almost an hour patronizing the mall buying some random accessories, Maraya finally see the dress that serves her need.

“I think this will do.” She said as she assessed the clothes closely.

“Thank God!” Betty sigh in relief.

“Wow! It’s ZARA.” Maraya beams as she walks towards the cashier to pay for her goods. Her best clothing collection has always been Zara but she wears other brands too. For her, a clothing is not worthy unless it has a good brand name and of course good quality after all she has enough money to buy as many collections as she wants.

“Tomorrow is going to be fun.” She smiles as she walks towards the exit with Beatrice.

“Can’t wait for tomorrow to come.” Beatrice smiles back as they walk out of the mall to get a cab.

--------------------------------------------

Please feel free to vote and comment. Jazakallahu khairan.