HER CRUSH

Chapter34

Abdullah
"Amina, let it go," Sufyan's mother advised, adjusting her veil. "What if Abdullah doesn't marry their daughter? Will he perish? Thankfully, she's not his only bride."

I sat silently on the edge of the couch, fingers drumming on my knees. The scent of fried meat from the kitchen mixed with the faint smell of perfume from the women in the sitting room. I couldn't speak. The resentment I'd tried to bury rose up again....resentment toward Asma and her family.

My mother, Sufyan's mother, and Sadeeq's mother continued their hushed discussion about the cancelled marriage, their voices tinged with disappointment and judgment. Asma, now in England, felt like a ghost haunting every conversation.

"People can't be trusted," the bitterness welled up in me like bile. I had loved Asma with all my heart, but she had betrayed that love.

"You know, it pierces my heart,"  she was my first love, the first person I ever loved. Wallahi tallahi, I loved her more than I love Zarah; it's incomparable. We shared years together, but she betrayed me. It feels like scalding hot water."

Sufyan's angry voice cut through my thoughts. "How could she, bro? She's a hypocrite!"

I nodded, a weak smile tugging at my lips. "What can I say? Everything happens for good."

"Does it hurt?" Sufyan asked gently.

I nodded, fighting back tears as I got into the car. "It hurts a lot, bro, it hurts deep inside. First love is different," I admitted, voice cracking. "Asma'u and I fought often, but... I loved her."

His expression softened. "Are you okay, bro?" he asked again.

I raised my face. "You love me that much?"

He chuckled. "I'm not gay, stupid! Can we burn her memories?" he asked, trying to lighten the mood.

"Not now," I replied. "Asma and Zarah are worlds apart. Asma kept my secret, never once using my sickness against me. Zarah's different; that girl can say anything from her mouth."

He hummed as we drove out of the noisy house bustling with wedding preparations. Children ran across the compound carrying trays of food, the sound of women's laughter spilling out from the kitchen.

"Where are we heading?" Sufyan questioned, glancing at me.

"Ya Sadeeq's office," I answered.

We arrived at the office and knocked on the door. "Come in," Ya Sadeeq replied.

We entered and sat down. He looked up sharply from his desk. "Hey, hey, what did I tell you?" he snapped at me.

I raised an eyebrow and smiled sheepishly.

Sufyan greeted Ya Sadeeq while I scratched my hair.

"Am I your playing mate?" Ya Sadeeq asked

"Yaya..." I started.

"Shut up, okay? You have no more excuses. Don't make me angry right now."

He was talking about Abba, but I couldn't forgive him yet.