HER CRUSH

Chapter28

Zarah
One week later
The Ice Cream Palace was buzzing that evening, kids running around with sprinkles smeared across their faces, couples tucked into corners pretending they weren't being obvious, and students like us occupying the middle tables, turning the whole place into a gossip headquarters.

We were on our second round of ice cream when Farida dropped the bomb. I still can't believe he cheated on her."

I almost choked on my vanilla. "Wallahi, some men are truly useless," I said, shaking my head like I was personally offended. "Like, she gave him her heart, her time, her data subscription, and this is what he does?"

Ama snorted, covering her mouth. "Not the data subscription."

Farida leaned forward, her voice loud enough that the auntie at the next table gave us a side-eye. "Just look at how much Rabi'a loved him! And yet he betrayed her like that."

I licked my spoon slowly, dramatic. "You see why I say some of these boys need deliverance? One strong ruqya session and all their lies will vanish."

Ama laughed so hard her cone tilted dangerously. "Please, before you ruin my appetite."

Farida rolled her eyes and switched topics like only she could. "So, Zarah, when did Abdul say parents are arriving?"

Ah. The magic word. Abdul.

I smile . "He's still waiting for his father's approval. But insha'Allah, soon. I'm sure his father will come around."

The girls nodded like they were already planning the asoebi colors.

I added casually, "By the way, he told me he and Sufyan might come today... though he hasn't called yet."

"Wait...you mean to say both of them might join us here?" Ama and Farida exclaimed in unison, their voices loud enough to draw stares from every direction.

I covered my face. "Great. Thank you for announcing it to the entire Ice Cream Palace."

They giggled.

""What if they really walk in?

We'll ask them about the wedding directly."

"You people are crazy. I'm not even comfortable around him like before. Wallahi, I feel shy now," I admitted, poking my ice cream.

Ama leaned in. "Did you even tell him you're here?"

I glanced at my phone for the hundredth time. "No. He hasn't called yet."

"Then give me that phone," Ama demanded, snatching it before I could argue. Her fingers flew over the screen. She handed it back with a smug grin.

Suspicious. Very suspicious.

Before I could interrogate her, Farida's ice cream caught my attention. "Are you going to eat that? Because wallahi, my spoon is ready."

Farida hugged her cone like it was gold. "Touch this ice cream and you'll meet your grave today."

I laughed, pulling out my backup spoon anyway. "Please, somebody check if people are watching me. This is a crime scene."