HER CRUSH

Chapter12

Zarah...
Zarah, wake up!" Aunty Ramla's voice pierced through my sleep like a siren.

"It's already 11:15 am! Aren't you the one who said you have a test at 11:40?"

I groaned, pulling the pillow over my head. "Why should I wake up?" I mumbled. In my dream, I was peacefully married to a faceless man feeding me shawarma. Real life had no right to interrupt.

But the word test shot me awake.

"Ya Allah!" I scrambled off the bed like someone had set it on fire. Mr. Kashim's test! The one I swore to Ammi that I had prepared for... instead I spent half the night daydreaming about Abdul's voice.

I darted into the bathroom, brushed my teeth at lightning speed, splashed water on my face, and glared at the mirror. My scarf was lopsided, my eyes puffy. Zarah, you're a walking disaster, I
yanking a hijab over my pajamas. Bath can wait. Makeup? Forget it. Powder? I'm already late!

"Perfume saves lives," I muttered, grabbing my spray and drowning myself in it. Then...idea. I tiptoed into Aunty Ramla's room and sprayed her imported perfume too. Uncle Isma'il bought it for her; she guards it like gold. If she smells it on me, my funeral will be at Asr.

I dashed out. "Ammi, I'm late, I'll be back early!" I yelled, not waiting for her response. Outside, Ya Hafiz was just leaving, and he mercifully dropped me at school.

By the time I finished the test (easy questions, Alhamdulillah), I was starving. Ama and Farida dragged me home, bubbling with gossip.

"Zarah, tell us everything about Abdul yesterday!"

"Ya Allah, let me breathe first!" I complained, holding my stomach.

They blocked the door like bodyguards. "No story, no food!"

I glared at them. "You'll both dehydrate before I say anything."

They dragged me to the couch, practically pinning me down.

"Ammi, wallahi these girls want to kill me!" I shouted.

"Confess!" Ama said dramatically.

I sighed. "Fine, fine. But let me eat first. My stomach is writing exam questions of its own."

We ended up laughing as I told them how Abdul teased me. They kept interrupting...

"Aha! So your dream is coming true!"

"Dream ko, nightmare ni," I rolled my eyes. "He has a girlfriend, abeg."

Ama nudged me. "Relax. Sometimes friends turn into more. You'll see."

I pressed my lips together. If only.

In the kitchen, I found Ammi and Aunty Ramla cooking.

"Ammi, what's happening here today?" I asked, lifting every pot lid like a hungry detective.

"Aunty and Mardiya are coming," Aunty Ramla replied.

"From Lagos?!" My jaw dropped. "And you didn't tell me?"

Ammi arched a brow. "Did you forget? Next week is Ramla's betrothal ceremony."

"Ohhh, right." I grinned and leaned toward the food. "So, Aunty Ramla, abeg, gimme three pieces of chicken."

"Out of my sight, Zarah," she snapped.

I clasped my hands in mock prayer. "Please, Aunty, Ama and Farida are here. Just two pieces for peacekeeping."

"Ammi, please tell her," I added dramatically.

Finally, I got three pieces and skipped away like I'd won the lottery. We ate in my room, giggling like conspirators.

***

Two Weeks Later
Life sped up. Aunty Ramla's wedding prep was in full swing, and Abdul? He was calling twice a week now. Sometimes we even FaceTimed. My heart betrayed me every time his name lit up my phone.

I got home from school, opened the food warmers, and found them empty.

"Ya Allah! Who empties warmers and doesn't refill?!" I grumbled.

Then Chuchu bounced in from Islamiya, holding cake.

"Aunty Zarah, here is yours yaya hafiz bought it?"

I grabbed it like treasure. "Thank you, Ya Hafiz, wherever you are!"

In my room, I sipped Fanta and munched cake, while Chuchu watched cartoons on my laptop. My phone rang. Without checking, I answered, "Sorry, Farouq, I was in class when you called."

Silence. Then a familiar deep chuckle.
"Masha Allah. So there's a new boyfriend now?"

My eyes widened. "Ya Allah, Abdul!" I almost dropped the cake.

"So you didn't tell me? You've moved on?"

"Wallahi, it's not like that," I panicked.

"Relax, Zarah. I'm joking. But seriously, tell him not to break your heart. He'll have to fight me first."

I burst into laughter. "Oh really, bodyguard Abdul?"

"Yes. And I don't charge. My only fee is... your smile."

I went silent, cheeks heating.

"Zarah? Did I make you blush?"

"Abeg shift! Who's blushing? Maybe it's your network," I retorted.

We talked about school, life, random things. Then he dropped the bomb.

"Guess what? I just landed in Nigeria today. Insha Allah, Kaduna soon. I'll see you."

I almost screamed, but I managed a calm,
"Alhamdulillah. How's your health?"

"Better. Ummi says I should sleep."

"Good. Sleep well then."

After hanging up, I stared at my phone, heart racing. He's really coming. Then I remembered my silly promise: eat four chilies anytime I got too excited about Abdul.

"Ya Allah help me...

Ammi and Aunty Ramla later came back discussing wedding utensils, while I pretended to sleep on the couch. But in my mind, all I saw was Abdul's smile."

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