HER CRUSH

Chapter24

Zarah
Yaa Allah, am I dreaming or what? He actually came! My heart skipped. I rubbed my eyes like some Nollywood actress trying to make sure it wasn't a hallucination. Abdullah... in my house... after one whole month of ghosting me like I was bad network.

For a second, my excitement threatened to explode into squeals, but then my brain reminded me: Relax, Zarah, what if he only came to greet Ammi? My smile faltered. Still, deep down, I'm happy. Wallahi, I'm hell happy to see him.

After calling Ammi for him, I scurried off to my room, pretending to be busy folding clothes so I wouldn't look desperate.

"Ammi, wallahi, I didn't know he was coming," I blurted quickly when Ammi's eyes narrowed at me like I was the mastermind behind his visit.

She arched a brow. "Did I say anything?"

"No, Ammi, but...

"Go!" she snapped.

I pressed my lips together, chuckling softly. That was Ammi: sharp tongue, soft heart. Her scolding was never without a hidden smile. I caught that smile before she turned away, and my own grin widened.

I tiptoed to the kitchen, arranged some snacks on a tray like the perfect hostess, and carried it out. My pulse hammered in my ears as I placed it before him.
"Abdul," I greeted, trying to sound normal.

He stood abruptly, adjusting his shirt. "I'll go to the masjid. I haven't prayed."

My brows knitted. Seriously? He just came back after a month and the first thing is....prayer? Not that I could argue, though. I nodded in understanding, hiding my disappointment behind a smile.

When he returned, smelling faintly of masjid air and musk, he took a sip of water. I sat there nervously, nibbling at my bottom lip. Should I talk? Should I stay quiet? Should I faint dramatically so he'd at least look at me?

Finally, I cleared my throat loud enough to shake the furniture.

"Ina yini," I greeted, a little too brightly.

He looked up, eyes softening. "How are you doing? How's your studies?"

"I'm fine, Alhamdulillah," I replied quickly, eager for him to keep talking. "What about you? How have you been? And Ummi....our Ummi?"

"She's doing great, Alhamdulillah."

Silence. Heavy, suffocating silence.

The words bubbled in my throat, fighting to come out. Finally, I blurted, "Abdul, I'm sorry. I didn't intend to hurt you. I didn't mean what I said....

He raised a hand, slicing my apology mid-air. "What happened has already happened. I don't want to talk about it again. But you... you hurt me deeply, Zarah. Even if Asma told you something about me, you should've come to me first. Instead, you judged, acted rashly... and worse, you used my sickness against me."

His words hit me like cold water. My chest ached.
"I think I should be going," he said suddenly, rising.

Panic spurred me. "Wait. Would you mind dropping me at Ama's house? I need to collect a book. It's already five o'clock."