"Look here Zee, I still wonder why you decided to keep quite. It's been years now. Five long years of enduring this kind of pain and torture... How long are you going to keep quite? Even if you're forced to... Why don't you inform Humaira about this at least?"

"What's your business?" She hissed at him and swallowed hard.

"Why don't you just face your happy, luxurious life and leave me to mine? What do you care about exactly? Tell me!" Tears kept welling out of her eyes at every word she said. Her heart boiled at his concern.

"Don't act as if you're strong enough Zee. I know you're not. I know you have a very strong heart, but somewhere deep inside, you're weak. You're bleeding inside and you want to keep it to yourself? This would affect you, Zainab. I need you to pour out your anger on those that hurt you. Those that made you cry because they don't deserve this kind of silence." Idris watched Zainab's upper lip, stiffened.

"Leave me alone, Idris." She rolled her eyes at him and hissed.

In a snap, Idris held Zainab back, by her wrist. Her eyes startled at his. She knew how much his mother hates to see him in her room. And despite knowing this, he came. Zainab pulled her hand away from Idris. Yet, he grabbed her so tight- he won't let go.

"What do you want from me, Idris? Haven't you made my life miserable enough? Just leave me alone and stop pretending as if you care!" She jerked off one more time and walked away.

Idris quickly held her back, pushing her to the wall, right next to the kitchen's door. He placed his arm inches above her, acute-angled. Idris was taller. Zainab could just reach a bit above his shoulders, so she stared at him. He was staring earnestly at her,  as if it amused him.

"And why are you staring at me like this?" She muttered. Zainab could feel the heat burning in her chest.

He persistently gazed into her brown, chestnut that was filled with fear, but a girl as strong as Zainab won't ever show it. She looked back at him with fire burning in her eyes.

Startled, he tilted forward as if he was about to kiss her lips but she pushed him away. Again, he blocked her from moving, with his left hand blocking her way.

She rolled her eyes at him in anger and fraustration 'What's wrong with you idiot? What gas gotten over you?'
Her teeth gnashed out the words.
"I hate you!" She rolled her eyes at him and stamped on his feet, but Idris held in the pain without any reation.

"What have I done wrong, Zee? I'm trying to help you out here and you're just being so ungrateful!"

Despite the anger, he stared at her intently and moved his lips to hers, but she stopped him in between. They kept on staring into each other's eyes with that same feeling. Hatred, passion, anger and love.... All at once until Isah Interrupted.

"Hello love birds..."

They turned to him as Zainab immediately pulled away from Idris.

"What! You've been here catching romance while I've been starving and waiting in hunger?" Isah bursted at Zainab, his synthetic smile formed a glare.

Zainab moved Idris arm away from her front and went to get Isah's food for him.

"I'm sorry." she muttered.

Idris held her back and they stared at each other once more.

"Just go and find something else doing. I'll serve the food." He said.

Idris hated the fact that she's already a slave for not just his parents but also his elder brothers.

Although, Zainab didn't want to go, she just left the two brothers in kitchen. There's one thing she hate, bring commanded by Idris because all his decisions leads her to trouble. She'd rather obey any other person in the house.

Idris rolled his eyes at Isah. Knowing, he could simply take his food or better still, go to school without eating that morning, but he'd rather disturb Zainab for unnecessary reasons.

Idris walked and handed Isah his food from the worktop. Then he took the cooler and other plates to the dinning table where everyone could serve themself.

Mr. Abdullahi had gone to school early that morning. Isah and Ibrahim were preparing for school too and Mrs. Amina was also getting ready to go to her work place- at the bank.

So, only Idris and Zainab would be left at home; probably studying, gisting or doing anything they normally do.

Zainab went to her room, thinking about what just happened. She held her hands to her chest and closed her eyes, hoping its not what she think. Why is Idris behaving this way? I really need to leave here immediately. I can't wait till Humaira's return." She cried mentally, scratching her head and facing the window when she head a knock on the door.

Knock! knock!

Her heart skipped as the knock on the door brought her into reality.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

The tap at the door was abrupt and loud.

"Yes, who's that?"

Silence.

The person was silent but Zainab knew she had to open the door.

"A minute please..." She muttered and quickly tied her scarf.

She adjusted her face and went to check who it was.

"Idris..."

It was Idris.

"Yes." He replied. "Why are you looking surprised to see me. We live in the same house anyways."

"What do you want?" She turned to him but he pushed the door and let himself in, closing the door after entering.

"I just wanted to have a heart to heart talk with you."

"Heart to heart talk? What does that even mean?" She faced him.

"Umm... There something I've wanted to tell you. It's been a while now actually. I don't know how you'll take it."

"Take what?" Zainab wore a frown."I don't get you?"

He took out a deep breath, flipping through a biology textbook on her table.

"When you love someone, it’s important to tell them. To give them the words and let them know just how important they are to you."

"Okay..." She muttered. "But seriously, I don't still get you. What are you saying exactly?"

Idris closed the book and walked towards her. He stared into her eyes again, moving closer as she moved back; till she finally touched the wall.

Idris bite his lower lip and brushed his hands through his clean shaved head. Thinking of how to express his feelings was difficult but he knew he had to do this. He had to tell her before she leaves at least.

"Ummm.. what I want to say is...
Zainab, you’re my best friend. The person I can tell all my secrets to, the first person I want to talk to when I wake up, and last person I want to talk to before I drift off to sleep. When something good happens to me, you’re the first person I want to tell. When I’m troubled by something or if I get bad news, you’re the one I go to for comfort and support. But you’re so much more to me than a friend, or someone who helps me through tough times, you’re the someone I love and cherish, Zee. You’re not just my sister; You're my friend, my comfort, and my strength. I am so lucky to have you Zainab, you've been a big blessing to my life. I love you Zainab. I love you so much and I want you to understand stand thi-"

"Y... you're joking right?" She stammered, looking at him intensely.

"No... I'm not joking, Zee. I love you so much and I'm wishing we would share a beautiful future together."

Idris moved a step closer that, there wasn't any space left between them. He placed his hand on her neck and cupping he chin, holding her face closer to his.
"Away from all these troubles. I want to give you happiness, Zainab. I want to give you a reason to smile..."

"You must be out of your mind, Idris. How can you ever think of me this way? I'm your sister an-"

The next thing she noticed was his lips on hers. His eyes were closed and his soft, kissable lips were right next to hers. Zainab couldn't believe her eyes as she stared at him flabbergasted. It was as if her heart was slowly melting away as her breath deepened.

She quickly pulled away. In the state of confusion and shock and gave him a hot slap across his face.

Thawwwk!

Idris held his face to the pain of it as tears gathered in Zainab's eyes. It's as if everything around him spined a bit, he wasn't sure but his vision turned blurry just that moment.

Yes, Idris was her friend but she felt heartbroken. She just couldn't understand why. It was as if her hatred for him was building in her heart. It wasn't hatred exactly, she always feel annoyed with this presence and how this?

"How dare you walk into my room and kiss me? What kind of devil has possessed you, Idris, tell me!" She cried.

Idris couldn't utter a word. He just stared to the ground as if it should take him in. It looked as if he'd recognized his mistakes.

Tears started dripping from his eyes too. He knew she would never love him. What was he thinking? Now, he has lose his trust in her. He just hoped she would recognize his feelings for her. Just how much he loves her and probably give him a chance in her life too. To be part of her story at least...

"I'm so sorry, Zee. I just wanted you to know." He muttered, more tears flowing down his pretty face.

Deep inside was a shattered girl. Broken and tortured. Unable to find true happiness. Especially from a person like him. Idris was just 18 while she's 15 years old. There could be a apart of love or a deep connection towards them but all Zainab feel for him is nothing but friendship. That's if there's something to feel. Living with the Bala's was already hell for her and now, having this kind of relationship with Idris would just make things worse.

"Get out of my room." Zainab lips like the edge of a tiny leaf, shivered.

Idris felt really heartbroken and disappointed but he had no choice. Even if she was residing in his house.

"But-"

"I don't want to here anything from you Idris. Just get out of my room. I want to be alone."

"Okay... Fine." Idris wiped out the tears from his face and went out of her room. He got to his room, looking so emotional.

Zainab locked her room and started crying. She just couldn't understand why but, she sat on the floor, leaning towards her head on the bed and breaking down into uncontrollable tears.