HER CRUSH

Chapter11

Abdullah..
After chatting with Zarah, I freshened up, grabbed my wallet, and headed to the restaurant. My stomach was practically singing an anthem. Food keeps a person healthy, I reminded myself, mostly as an excuse to order more than necessary.

I was halfway through demolishing my burger  when Sufyan suddenly slapped the table.

"OMG! Shit!"

I nearly choked. "Are you mad? What's wrong with you?"

His eyes,, weren't on me....they were glued to two girls laughing at a nearby table.

I shook my head. "Ladies' man has spotted prey. What catches your eye this time? Eyelashes? Lipgloss? Or just the fact that they're breathing?"

"Many things," he muttered, still captivated.

I chuckled. "You're not serious."

"I'm dead serious," he said, adjusting his shirt like he was about to walk into an audition. "Should I approach her?"

I shrugged. "Did I stop you? Go ahead, Casanova."

He pushed back his chair, muttering, "Piece of shit..."

I grinned. Watching Sufyan was like watching reality TV. Since childhood, the guy had never committed to anything female-related. He'd date four girls at once, ghost them all, and move on like it was recycling day. Maryam was the only one he ever really loved, and she'd toyed with him until he finally got over her. Thank God for small mercies.

I glanced at my watch. Almost 6:00 pm. I flagged the waiter, paid the bill, and leaned back, waiting for him to return.

When he finally came back, he didn't even sit. "Come, please!" he mumbled, almost dragging me.
Not wanting to embarrass him, I followed. He stood nervously near the girls' table. "Feena, meet my brother Abdullah," he said, trying to sound casual but failing spectacularly.

I gave the girls a polite smile, exchanged salaams, and after a few minutes excused myself. "I'll get going. Sufyan, don't take too long...you'll scare them away with your fake British accent."

Back at the apartment, I collapsed on the bed. My phone buzzed with a missed call from Asma. I stared at the screen, guilt poking me. Later. I'll call later. Right now, I had someone else in mind.

I dialed Zarah. After three rings, she picked up.
"Hey, beautiful Zarah. How are you? Did you forget about me?"

Her laugh was soft, like a secret. I could almost see her smiling. "You're the one who forgot about me, Abdul."

I chuckled, rubbing my beard. "Forget you?

Impossible. How can anyone forget this beautiful girl?"

She tried to hide her laugh. "Hmm, smooth talker."

"So," I leaned back, getting comfortable. "How's Kaduna? How's everything?"

"Alhamdulillah," she replied simply.

"So you're over that crying stuff? I still can't believe you cried over a coward."

"Abdul, I told you it was a one-time thing," she protested. "It really hurt, though."

"I know. I'm sorry. I felt your pain that day."