HER CRUSH

Chapter36

Zarah,..
I woke up to the sound of birds chirping outside the wide windows, the Abuja sun already pouring into the room. For a moment, I forgot where I was. My first thought was, Why is this mattress so soft? Did Ammi change my bed?

Then I turned my head and almost screamed.
Abdul. Sleeping right there. His arm casually draped over me like I was his personal pillow.

I froze. SubhanAllah, ya Allah, is this my life now? Am I... officially somebody's pillow?

He stirred slightly, his lashes fluttering. Ya salam, even his eyelashes have confidence.

I carefully tried to move his hand off me. His grip tightened.

"A'a," he mumbled, still half-asleep. "Stop trying to escape. You're not going anywhere, Mrs. Abdullah."

I gasped. "How did you even know I was moving?"

His lips curved in a lazy smile without opening his eyes. "Wife radar."

I rolled my eyes so hard I thought they'd get stuck.

"So you're already becoming annoying this early in the marriage."

He cracked one eye open, smirking. "And yet, you still like me."

"Who told you?" I shot back quickly. "Maybe I married you by mistake."

He sat up, pretending to look offended. "Mistake? Zarah, you cried enough tears yesterday to fill River Niger, and now you're saying mistake?"

Heat rushed to my cheeks. "That was because I'll miss my family!"

"Hmm," he leaned closer, his voice dropping. "Don't worry. You'll forget them when you're busy following me around the house."

I swatted his arm, laughing nervously. "Please! I'll be busy with myself. You'll be the one following me."

"Challenge accepted," he said, grabbing his phone. "But first....breakfast."

He stretched, running a hand through his hair. I stared for a second before quickly looking away. Focus, Zarah. You're a married woman now, not a hopeless fangirl.

"Do you want tea or coffee?" he asked casually.

"Tea," I muttered. Then added cheekily, "But only if you'll make it. I'm still a guest here."

He raised a brow. "Guest? In your own house?"

"Yes," I replied firmly, crossing my arms. "Until my Ammi visits, I'm still a guest."

He laughed so loudly I had to cover his mouth.

"Shhh, don't let the neighbors know you married a joker."

We ended up in the kitchen together, and I realized how strange and sweet it felt....me, standing in our kitchen, watching him boil water like it was some grand accomplishment.

"You look too happy making tea," I teased.

"Of course," he said, flashing a grin. "First breakfast with my wife. Historic moment. Should I call NTA to come and cover it?"

I nearly choked on my laughter. "You're ridiculous."

When we finally sat down, sipping hot tea and nibbling on bread, silence fell for a moment. He looked at me across the table, softer now

"This is it, Zarah," he said quietly. "Our beginning."

I blinked, my throat tight. Then, to save myself from crying again, I forced a grin.

"Our beginning, yes. But please, don't ever cook. I don't want to die early."

He laughed, shaking his head. "Troublemaker."
And just like that, the heaviness broke into something light again.....something ours.