HER CRUSH

Chapter23

Abdullah
"I won't call her, just get out of here, bro!" I shouted angrily at Sufyan, my voice echoing against the walls. "You can have her if you want."

"Wallahi, I won't leave without you calling her," Sufyan snapped back, his tone sharper than usual. "This isn't fair, bro . That girl has suffered a lot. Please forgive her. I know you want to, but your ego...your damn ego....isn't letting you do the right thing."

My jaw clenched. "And who are you to tell me that I can have her? I'm not interested in her anymore,
Sufyan! So, don't sit there acting like some love counselor. I'm done. Finished. She means nothing to me."

But the way my voice shook betrayed me.

He  narrowed his eyes. "Liar. I can see it in your eyes. You still love her."

"Shut up," I hissed, standing abruptly. I buttoned my shirt with deliberate force and walked to the vanity, spraying perfume as though it could drown the memories clinging to me. His voice followed, softer now, almost pleading.

"Why are you doing this, bro?"

I paused, my back stiff. I hated that he could read me like an open book.

"I promised her I'd make you call her," Sufyan finally admitted.

I spun around, disbelief etched on my face. "You what? You promised her? Since when do you make promises to her on my behalf? Do you even realize what you've done?"

He  raised his palms in defense. "Don't twist this, Abdul. I only promised because I know you. You'll regret this stubbornness one day. And deep down, you want to forgive her...you just won't admit it."

I pinched the bridge of my nose, frustration eating at me. "Fine. I'll call her. But know this.....she hurt me more than anyone ever has. She cut deep, Sufyan. She talked about my sickness like it was a joke. Do you know what that feels like?" My voice cracked at the end, and I quickly looked away.

"No one is above mistakes," he  replied quietly. "She regrets it. She apologized. Why not give her a chance? Love doesn't come easy, bro. Don't throw it away because of pride."

I exhaled heavily. "Okay, I'll call her.

"Swear and promise," he pushed.

"I promise!"

"Swear."

"I swear!" I barked, then  punched him in the shoulder, He laughed, and I joined in halfheartedly.

"So, when are you calling her?"

I glared. "Please don't start again. I said I will. Don't make me change my mind. I've got Abba to face, and that's enough headache already."

My shoulders sagged. "I really don't know what to do. Abba will never accept Zarah. I can sense it. And then there's this thought I keep fighting...I want to marry them both on the same day. But Ummi hasn't agreed, and she never will. She says I can't handle two women. She's probably right... but what do I do when I love them both?"

Sufyan leaned forward. "If you don't marry Zarah, she'll think you cheated her. Let's go ask Ummi. Maybe she'll surprise you."

Ummi was on the phone, her voice brisk as always.

She sat regally on the couch, her scarf pinned neatly, a bowl of fruits on the table beside her. Sufyan slid onto the cushion beside her, while I lowered myself into the opposite seat, restless.

When she ended the call, her sharp eyes landed on me. "Any problem?"

I swallowed hard. "Ummi, I... I need to talk to you about my marriage."

Her brow lifted, What about your marriage?"

I hesitated, searching for words. "I want to meet Abba and tell him about Zarah."

Her face hardened instantly. "What about Asma'u?"

The silence stretched as I scratched the back of my neck. "Ummi, Asma'u... I was thinking...

"Don't even start!" she cut me off, you will not marry two girls at the same time, Abdullah! What kind of madness is this? You are only 28. You can barely
handle yourself, and you want to handle two wives?"

Ummi, I can," I muttered, though even I wasn't sure.

"Go to your father," she said, her tone brooking no argument. "Talk to him about Asma'u. Leave this Zarah matter alone."

"But Ummi...

"Enough!" she thundered, her hand slapping the arm of the couch. "If you love her, then let her go. Love isn't everything. Marriage needs wisdom, not just heart. You cannot marry them both."

My chest ached. "But Ummi, I love Zarah too. If I walk away now, she'll think I used her. She'll never forgive me."

"Get out, Abdullah," she said, her voice icy. "I don't want to hear another word. Get out."

I looked at Sufyan, hoping he'd say something, but he only gave me a small, helpless shrug. My heart felt like it was being squeezed.

The Next Day ...
At exactly 2:30 pm, I hit the road. The drive to Kaduna was long and heavy, each kilometer filled with thoughts of Zarah. I replayed every fight, every apology, every smile. My hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, my chest rising and falling with anxious breaths.

By the time I pulled up outside her parents' house, the sun was lowering, painting the sky gold. My pulse raced as I stepped out, my legs heavy like I was walking to judgment.

I knocked.

"Coming!" her voice rang out, light and familiar, sending a shiver down my spine.

The door creaked open. Zarah stood there, her mouth hanging open in shock. Her eyes widened, and for a second, we just stared.

"Flies," I muttered softly, watching as she quickly closed her mouth, cheeks flushing.

She was beautiful. Always had been. Her hair was tied back, her modest dress flowing gracefully. No makeup, no effort...yet she glowed. My throat tightened.

Still... she wasn't Asma'u. Asma'u's beauty was something ethereal, unexplainable. Yet here stood Zarah, grounded and radiant in her own way. Two women, two different kinds of love, tearing me apart.

I stepped past her into the sitting room, She trailed behind me quietly, like she didn't believe I was real. I sat on the couch, running a hand over my beard.

"Call Ammi," I said gently, glancing at her. "Let me greet her first."

She nodded silently, her eyes still wide, her heart clearly racing just like mine....

Ummeetarh05