HER CRUSH

Chapter13

Abdullah
I came back from school yesterday exhausted, and by the time I got home, my throat was scratchy. Great, a cold on top of everything. Still, one thing kept me warm..my chats with Zarah. Day by day, our bond was growing stronger.

She wasn't like most girls I knew...she had this friendliness that felt real, no pretense. She'd make fun of me and still check up on me in the same breath.

Asma, on the other hand, had traveled with her family to Dubai. I'd just called her earlier to tell her that I was going to Kaduna tomorrow. She wasn't pleased. "So you're going to see someone?" she had said, her voice sharp.

I tried to calm her, but in the end I told her the truth...or at least part of it. She's just a friend, Asma. Nothing more.

The silence that followed was heavy.

We ended the call after hours, and I felt drained.

Sufyan and I had returned together from school, but typical of him, he disappeared minutes later. Probably chasing another girl. We'd argued again...nothing serious, but enough to get under each other's skin. He hated when I called Zarah my best friend. He'd scowl and sulk, and I knew exactly how to push his buttons.

"Best friend Zarah this, best friend Zarah that," he had mimicked me earlier.

I only smirked. "Jealousy doesn't look good on you, bro."

He rolled his eyes. "You think I care?"

"Oh, I know you care."

Truth be told, I'd probably react the same way if the tables were turned. That's how we were....mirrors of each other, stubborn and territorial.

By the time I stretched out on my bed, exhaustion finally swallowed me whole.

The shrill ringing of my phone dragged me back from sleep. I groaned, face buried in the pillow.

Whoever it was, they could wait. But when I finally sat up, stretching, the screen mocked me with multiple missed calls:
Abba (1)
Asma (3)
Bro (6)
Ukhti (1)

And one new message from Zarah

"Ya Allah, did I oversleep?" I muttered.

The clock read 2:30 pm. My stomach growled in protest....no wonder.

Bro's name flashed again, so I answered lazily.

"Hey, bro..."

Silence. I frowned. "Why do you keep calling me, Sufyan? We literally sleep under the same roof."

"I just.... he began, but I ended the call. I wasn't in the mood for his dramatics.

I called Asma back out of obligation. The conversation was short, stiff. My sister too. But Abba? No. Not yet.

Finally, I opened Zarah's message: "Hey, how's your health? I hope you're feeling much better now."

I smiled  replying: "Alhamdulillah, I'm much better. Thank you."

I freshened up, slipped into black jeans, a white shirt, and pulled on my hoodie. My phone tucked in my pocket, I headed to Ummi's part of the house.

She was with my sister, both watching TV.
They greeted me warmly, asked about my health, and I reassured them. But then I dropped the bomb.
"Ummi, I'm going to Kaduna tomorrow."

My sister's eyes lit up. "Ahh, tell us, who's the girl?"

I sighed. "It's not like that. Just a friend."

She smirked. "Girlfriend, right?"

"Wallahi, no. Stop it. Even if I did, is it haram? Men are allowed four wives." I regretted the words as soon as they left my mouth.

Ummi shot me a look sharper than a blade. "Have you even called your father since you came back to Nigeria?"

I scratched my head, avoiding her eyes. "Ummi... I... I tried, but..."

"Abdullah." Her voice hardened. "Don't lie."

"Ummi, I don't lie!" I protested. "I just... I couldn't reach him." My voice faltered.

Her face turned stormy. "Get out. Always excuses! You want people to insult me, ba? Always protecting your pride instead of your family."

Her words cut deeper than a knife. "Ummi, please..."

"No! Wallahi, if you don't call him, I won't forgive you."

The room tilted. I felt my chest tighten, but I swallowed the lump in my throat. When she shouted again, I stormed out, slamming the door. In my room, I threw my phone on the bed and paced like a trapped animal.

"Why does she defend him?" I whispered bitterly.

"The man abandoned us, hurt us, and yet..."
After minutes of wrestling with myself, I finally dialed his number. The call rang and rang. On the fourth try, he answered.

"Assalamu alaikum, Abba," I said, forcing calm.

"Abdullah, grown now, but no manners," he snapped. "Your wicked mother has poisoned you against me, ba?!"

Each word was like a stone hurled at my chest. He kept speaking, half Hausa, half curses, and though I didn't catch everything, one phrase froze me: "I'm looking for you."

My fingers clenched. I hit record before he hung up.
Afterwards, I sat staring at the screen. Who could I trust with this? Sufyan didn't know Hausa, neither did my sister. Ummi? Out of the question...she'd only scold me. Then Zarah's name flashed in my mind.

"Zarah will understand."

I called her. She picked after three rings.

"Assalamu alaikum, Zarah. How are you?"

"I'm fine, Alhamdulillah," she replied.

"Zarah, I need your help," I said quickly, rubbing my temple.

"Sure. What's wrong?"

"I'll send you an audio clip. Please, just translate. Tell me what he said."

She hesitated. "Abdul , I'm a bit busy. Can we do it tomorrow?"

For a moment, disappointment sank in. But I forced a smile into my voice. "It's fine. Tomorrow, insha Allah. Thanks."

After we hung up, I paced again, then collapsed on the bed, face buried in my hands.

I couldn't face Ummi yet, so I called my sister.
"Please... just tell Ummi I called him. Don't let her stay angry."

The next day, I gathered the courage to face Ummi. I apologized, she scolded, then softened, and just like that, we were back to normal. That's how it always was.

After Zuhr, I took a long shower, ironed my crisp white FilTex kaftan, and slipped it on. My sister smirked, arms folded.

"Ah, Kaduna boy is ready o. Who's the lucky girl?"

I ignored her, adjusting my cufflinks. "I'm off to Kaduna."

Her laughter followed me as I walked out, heart pounding., Zarah. I'll see you....

So Abdul and his dad have some issues?
I hope everything gets better
Like his father mentioned Hajiya rabi his second wife I guess she's behind all this...
Abdul is very broken inside

Let's go and see what zarah is going through will she eat the chili's like she promised or not 😂

They're gonna meet up with each other for the second time now."

Ummeetarh05 ❤️