HER CRUSH

Chapter12

Zarah...
"Zarah, wake up!" Aunty Ramla's voice pierced through my sleep. "It's already 11:15 am, Zarah. Aren't you the one who said you have a test at 11:40?" I groggily opened my eyes, still trying to shake off the sleep. "Why should I wake up?" I mumbled, not fully registering what she said.

"Zarah, do you forget about the test?" She asked, making my eyes flutter open. "Holy moly!" I exclaimed, immediately getting down from the bed. I have completely forgotten about Mr. Kashim's test today. I slept late yesterday, and all thanks to Abdul, I have been thinking about him the whole night.

I rushed to the bathroom, brushed my teeth, and washed my face. "I'll take my bath after I get back, slipping on my hijab over my pajamas. Who cares about dressing up, anyway? No one can see me, and I don't have time for powder or extra grooming. I just prayed I would get to school on time. I quickly grabbed my perfume and gave myself a quick spray before heading out.

I grabbed my school bag and rushed towards the parlor, but no one is there. I hear their voices in the kitchen, so I ran to Aunty Ramla's room and quickly sprayed her perfume on myself. I loved the scent of her perfume, which Uncle Isma'il had brought for her - her soon-to-be husband. If she noticed the scent on me, I'd be in trouble, so for my own good, I made a quick exit.

When I came out, they are both in the kitchen. I rushed to grab my phone and shouted loudly, "Ammi, I'm going! I'm running late, but I'll be back early. Don't worry, I have some money with me." I didn't wait for her response and hurried out the door. To my surprise, I saw Ya Hafiz about to leave, and he offered to drop me off. "Alhamdulillah, we've finished writing the test, and the questions were very easy, not as difficult as we thought.

Since there is no more lectures for the day, I headed back home with Ama and Farida. Those kids have been disturbing me all morning, I have to tell them about how we ended up with Abdul yesterday. Ama has already filled Farida in on all the details.

As soon as we got back home, they bombarded me with questions. "Ya Allah, guys, give me a break! I haven't had breakfast yet, and I'm starving!" I pleaded, trying to stall for time. They wouldn't budge, insisting I spill the details.

"Kinsan Allah, you'll dehydrate before you tell us anything.

I shot back, "You guys can keep swearing, because I won't say a word until I feed my growling stomach."

They pulled me back onto the couch, eager to hear the story.

"Ammi, these kids are going to be the death of me!" I exclaimed, laughing. Eventually, I relented. "Okay, fine. I'll tell you," I said, starting to narrate the events.

As I spoke, they teased me mercilessly. "Ah ah! Looks like your dream is coming true, !" they chimed in, chuckling.

I rolled my eyes. "I don't think so. Abdul is head over heels for his girlfriend."

Ama chimed in, "Just have faith, Zarah. Sometimes relationships start with friendship, and with time, he'll fall for you. I promise."

I pressed my lips together, secretly hoping Ama was right.

"Let me eat my breakfast, wallah, I'm famished!" I muttered, getting up to head to the kitchen.

I headed straight to the kitchen, where I saw Ammi and Anty Ramla cooking. "Ammi, what's going on in this house today?" I asked, opening the warmers on the counter. "

Aunty and Mardiya are coming," Aunty Ramla replied. Well, Anty Sadiya is Ammi's immediate sister, while Anty Mardiya is my father's sister; they both live in Lagos."