HER CRUSH

Chapter18

Abdullah
Where the hell are you going at this midnight?" Sufyan's voice boomed from the doorway, startling me enough to almost drop my car keys.

I spun around, finger to my lips. "Shhh! Hey, don't shout, please. I don't want Ummi to know I'm sneaking out. Please don't tell her..."

He folded his arms, tilting his head. That smug expression of his always meant trouble. "Then you better explain. Where exactly are you going?"

I hesitated, then blurted out, "I'm going to Zarah's place."

His eyes nearly popped out. "What?" He blinked rapidly,"Yeah, I definitely know you're crazy. No need to prove it."

I huffed. "I'm not going all the way to Kaduna, calm down. She's here in Abuja, leaving tomorrow morning. I just need to see her."

His jaw slackened. "Did she follow you here?"

"Fi bed al ahyan la yealma eaqalak bishakl sahih," I muttered under my breath. (Sometimes your brain isn't working properly.)

"You're just realizing that now?" he shot back, lips twitching.

I rolled my eyes. "Her sister got married. They brought her here for the wedding. End of story."

Sufyan narrowed his eyes at me, then asked in that infuriatingly casual tone, "Tell me the truth, Abdul. Are you in love with her?"

"How many times will I tell you, no, I'm not...

He raised a hand dramatically. "Wallahi, you won't step out of this house unless you admit it!"

I clenched my fists. "Sufyan, move out of my way, time is running out!"

But instead of moving, he closed the door and leaned against it like a prison guard, smirk plastered across his face. "I... I..." he mocked, raising an eyebrow. "Go on. Spit it out."

I glared at him, then muttered, "Okay, I think I like her..."

He snorted. "That's not a proper answer, man. I need a straight answer."

I tried to divert him. "When are you going back to Lagos? I'm tired of seeing your ugly face every morning."

He chuckled, clearly enjoying this. "Nice try.

Wallahi, Abdul, you're not going anywhere unless you admit your love for her. Loud and clear."

Grinding my teeth, I finally exploded. "Fine! Yes, yes, I love her!"

Sufyan burst out laughing so hard he bent double, clutching his stomach. "What? Sorry, I didn't hear you correctly!"

I punched his arm, snatched the keys from the table, and yanked the door open. "Go to hell."

Still laughing, he called after me, "Send my greetings to your girlfriend!"

I slammed the door and stormed to the parking lot, heart hammering like I'd just confessed to the police. Sliding into my car, I muttered, "Ya Allah, save me from this boy," and started the engine.

The 20-minute drive blurred past. All I could think about was her....her smile, her stubborn frown, the way she fiddled with her fingers when nervous.
At her aunt's house, I parked across the street and dialed her.