HER CRUSH

Chapter4

Abdullah
One month later.
Back at school for a month now, I was sprawled on my bed, phone in hand. I had just tried calling Asma, but she hadn't picked. I didn't feel like going out either. Today feels like the day, I thought. Yesterday, I finally downloaded Instagram....keeping my promise. And today, I'll make my first post.

I hit upload.

@AbdullahM
Don't talk, just act. Don't say, just show. Don't promise, just prove. 📌

~~~~~~~~~~~

Liked by @sufyanA and 1,061 others

The notifications rolled in almost immediately.

@zarahUTukur: Tukin man crush alert! Someone get this man a fan club 😍

@diqsa: Bro, your caption is fire, but your photo is just... meh 📸

@AbdullahM: @diqsa working on my selfie game.

@fatima05: Welcome! Can't believe you finally opened Insta. Your caption is true....you just proved it.

@sufyanA: Finally, you're on Instagram! Now, where's the proof of your awesomeness?

@AbdullahM: @sufyanA coming soon, bro 😉

@RukkyM: Ummi boy's slaying the gram.

@AbdullahM: @RukkyM trying my best, sis 😅

@Asma'u: Mine, all mine! Don't even think about it ❤️❤️

@AbdullahM: @Asma'u don't worry, you're the only one ❤️

View all' 86 comments
^^^^^^^^^^

Eighty-six comments in less than ten minutes. My phone was buzzing like a beehive. I rubbed my eyes, scrolling through replies, answering some, ignoring others. It was... exhausting. But a part of me smiled.

Now, I was counting down to my trip to Nigeria. Three days left, Insha'Allah. Kamal's wedding in Kaduna.

I wasn't exactly thrilled....weddings could be noisy, dramatic.....but Kamal was family, and I wouldn't miss it for anything. I'd spend three, maybe four days, then fly back to my routine. Finish school. Graduate. Finally breathe.

The door banged open, and my cousin Sufyan bounced in, grinning like always.

"Yo, bro, what's up?" he asked, flopping onto my bed without invitation.

"Nothing much. You guys back already?"

He flopped onto the bed dramatically. "Nope. But I was thinking... I might follow you back to Nigeria."

I blinked. "Follow me? For what?"

He gave me the are-you-dumb look. "To return home, obviously. What kind of stupid question is that?"

I shook my head, laughing. That was Sufyan....plans always half-made, but somehow set in stone.

We'd been like this since childhood. Sufyan....my mom's sister's son.....was more like my brother than a cousin. My partner in crime. My sounding board. We grew up sharing secrets, dreams, ridiculous schemes... celebrating each other's wins, lifting each other through the hard days. We fought, sure, but the fights never lasted. Forgiveness came fast, laughter came faster. He knew me inside out, and I knew him just as well. We didn't need words....our bond was unspoken, unbreakable.

I sighed. "So what's really dragging you back?"

His face tightened. "Did I ask you the fuck what would take me back?"

I raised an eyebrow. "I'm going for Kamal's wedding in Kaduna. Don't tell me this is about that girl. If it is, you're not going anywhere."

His grin slipped, voice dropping. "I want to see her, Abdul. You won't get it. I love Maryam... I can't breathe without her. She's all I think about. I've never felt like this before."

I stared, processing the weight in his words. "You're really serious about her? Bro, listen....you need to learn to move on. There are plenty of other girls out there. Someone who won't toy with your feelings."

He chuckled, tilting his head. "You love me that much, bro?"

I rolled my eyes. "I'm not gay! Wallahi, I hate you sometimes. Stop calling her. Let her be the one to call you. Maybe then you'll realize life is bigger than chasing some girl who plays games."

His face stayed thoughtful, shadows in his eyes. Maryam clearly had him twisted in knots. I wasn't sure my words would sink in.

"Fine," I sighed, trying another angle. "Let me help you find someone new."

He smirked. "Why don't I find you another girlfriend too? Maybe two girls at once?"

I burst out laughing. "Lai....lai. I'll tell Asma this nonsense came from you. One girl is enough."

He grinned. "Honestly, Abdul... you want one girl or two?"

I shrugged. "I don't know. I'm not promising anything. Yeah, I notice other girls, but that doesn't mean I'll act on it."

He leaned back, watching me. "You really love Asma?"

"Of course I do," I said without hesitation. "But that doesn't mean she can wrap me around her finger the way Maryam does with you."

That got him laughing. Finally, he nodded. "You're right. Maybe it's time I moved on."

"That's my boy!" I clapped his back.

He suddenly jumped on me, laughing like a madman. "Say it again!"

"Get off me, idiot!" I shoved him, cracking up. "I said nothing. Now order food before I faint. I'm starving."

He let go, still chuckling. "Wallahi, Abdul, I pity Asma'u. She'll have to cook five pots of food daily to keep you alive."

I grinned. "Who doesn't love food?"

"What should I order?"

"Burger with a milkshake, please," I said instantly, my stomach growling.

We ordered. We devoured. We prayed. Then we crashed, full and content, the room echoing with our laughter before sleep pulled us under.

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