15

*Flashback

"She is a nobody, a bloody loser, what do you think you'll get if you study French." A teenage guy, probably eighteen said to a girl also in her teenage—young Zarah glued her head on the desk as she wallow in excruciating pain.

"Let's go brother, she is not worth your love." The same guy adds.

"I love you Zarah, just look at me. I forgive you for insulting me at the gym yesterday, just be my girlfriend— I have a big future for you, my parents are rich, they'll send you to a better college. You won't have to worry about scholarships." Young Uthman said,

"Uthman I can't be your girlfriend; I'll love you in your dreams. You are self delusional, you are arrogant, you are proud, you'll make the worst husband!" Zarah shot back in a shaky voice.

"Let's go bro, she still think she is a prom queen, or something!" The guy said.

"Let me tell you the fact, you don't have a future with Yusuf!" Uthman concluded and walked out of the classroom.

A guy with gray hairs walked inside the classroom in a fast motion. He wore a nerdy spectacles on his barely opened eyes. His white skin can easily make people conclude he was from Asia. "Zarah, I am so sorry I came late. Forgive me, I wasn't there to fight for you." He said.

Young Zarah raised her head up. "Yusuf, I am so scared I thought I'll die!" Zarah whined. "—Do you think I don't have a future if I study French, I know with my grades I should be planning on studying robotics, but I don't want that." Zarah added in tears.
"Zarah, I believe you'll make it and I'll be by your side when you do, my love. I will never stop loving you!" Yusuf assured.

"I can't believe that; why don't you marry me!" Zarah blurted out.

"But Zarah you're just sixteen, we aren't stable!" Yusuf exclaimed in horror. Probably scared of young marriage. Based on Islamic rules; if sixteen-year-old Zarah get married at such young age, it's not a sin and it's even considered best if she do—to avoid illicit relationships.

"Uthman was right, we don't have a future together!" Zarah said as she bit her lower lips to prevent her from crying out but her whimpers were still audible.

"Zarah will you marry me?" Yusuf asked as he was on his knee already. Young Zarah jumped in joy.

"Yes!"

*Flashback

Young Zarah walked inside the house— the house was so dark, the atmosphere was cold. She hung her backpack and coat on the coat rack at the foyer. "Ummi?" she called but there was no response, she walked down to her ummi's room and she opened the door. There she found her ummi laying on the bed, emotionless.

"Ummi wake up, I have been accepted. I will study French!" Zarah said, but her mother just stared emotionless at the ceiling, her eyes wide open.

"Ummi?" Zarah said in an anxious manner as she walked closely to her and noticed her face was pale as white sheet—her body shuddered, adrenaline coursed through her vain as her neck hair stood up. She knew what happened but don't wants to believe it.

She found her mother holding her right chest, "Ummi wake up! Ummi I'm here, Zarah your daughter is here, I have got your bills for your drugs, please mum." Zarah cried out." Mum!!!!!!" Zarah yelled as her laughter turned upside down, tears were rushing out of her tender eyes as she held her dead mother.

 *Flashback

A grumpy and grouchy old woman tossed Zarah's suitcases down the stairs. "Get out, you loser. I thought you'll make me proud and clear your late mother's debts; but you just worsen it, why can't you study a better course—I sent you to Harvard for nothing, do you know how much it cost?" The grumpy old lady said to pregnant Zarah.

"Aunty.... I'll pay, I swear with my mother's grave, just give Yusuf one year. He is in his final years!" Zarah pleaded with who seems to be her aunt.

"Ye say it like it is a better major, he is studying food, will he be cooking for you? Oh i know; you wish to open a fast food conner and feed your unborn baby burgers." She snickered. "Get out of my house, you can't ruin me;  you are bad luck—look, since when I've accepted to take you in; my store went bankrupt."

"But aunt, it wasn't my fault... I worked extra everyday."

"Keep quiet and lemme talk. My husband lost her job Zarah. Just go away please; I promise to pay your mother's debt—move to the shelter home or something." The grumpy old lady said to pregnant Zarah.

"I'm sorry Aunty, I promise to give you my first paycheck." Zarah pleaded.

"Okay.. Maybe five years later when I'm in the grave. Get out of my house burden. You're just an useless orphan!" Zarah's Aunt pushed her away.

* * * *

The door bell was ringing violently. Safeenah staggered to the door, she twisted the door knob and she saw who she didn't expect. it was the earl of Dubai—Uthman.

"Where is your Ummi?" Uthman asked as soon as she opened the door. Zarah heard Uthman's voice and wiped away her tears, she had been crying since all the bad incidents in her life went rushing back into her brain like river current. Remembering all those incident took away her smile.

Six hours ago

Zarah p.o.v

As I finished the poem, I cried because it reminded me of my past—my caring and loving mother, I never had a good past. It has always being me and Yusuf, but now he is out of my life too. My mother left me when I needed her the most.

 I don't know when tears started rolling down my cheeks as the audience clapped for me. I was so thrilled—I've always wanna be in front of people and be applauded just as they've done for me now. Yusuf taught me that poem, he sang it to me every time I remembered my mother—to console me, to soothe my wounds.

But he is kinda gone now.

"Do you care for a napkin?" Prince Abubakar asked me, really? Was he making fun of me?

"Thank you!"

I walked away in tears and anger. I could sense someone behind me as I walked away from the arena. Whenever I pause, the stalker also stop walking. I wasn't ready for a stalker yet, besides, my fox repellant wasn't with me. I turned in horror ready to face the devil-sent gift and I saw the Prince.

Yeah, he was sure a devil-sent gift.

"Prince Abubakar, we are done for today!" I said making my self clearer enough. Explaining through my voice I needed to be alone.

"I know." He said firmly. "I am not here for business, I am....Here....for-" he muttered, like he don't want to say what he was about to. I realize he was trying to say something.

"What? Your royal ness!" I said using the honorifics properly for once.

"I..Am.... Sorry... Zarah," he said in whispers, and I could swore I heard him, but I still asked "what?"

" I am sorry!"

" I didn't get it." I teased again.

" I AM SO SORRY ZARAH!"

He yelled, I was so happy; the Prince is apologizing to me? Classic.

"I know I was a jerk, forgive me. You should also try to be punctual and be responsible Zarah. Forgive me, I shouldn't have treated you that way!" he added in the most cheesiest way ever as he blinked after uttering each words with that accent I couldn't tell where he got. I was petrified, I was pale as sheet; the icy cold Prince is a sweetheart after all, I remembered the dream I had—the Eiffel tower nightmare. My heart was beating fast.

"Don't be, I'm sorry for being less professional!" I whined as we both started walking towards the desolated part of the organization.

He should turn now. Right?

"You're an orphan right?" He asked,how did he know? I never tell anybody.

"I am," I forced out.

Wait I kinda feel secure talking to him.

"That poem touched me. I know what its like to be hiding one's tears, Zarah if you ever need a friend to talk things to; please don't hesitate to call me!" He said and walked away with a smile.

What's happening, I was dumbfounded with his words, this man is damn confusing.

Present hour

As soon as Safeenah opened the door, Uthman made way inside after removing his loafers before entering. He said his salaam and was lucky to see Zarah on the sofa; crying for sure. Because her eyes were swollen.

"I'm sorry Zarah.. I'm a fool. Forgive me. I'm so sorry for saying that. I didn't meant for it to sound hurting." He instantly apologized as he saw Zarah. Zarah quickly covered her head with a head scarf—its prohibited for a Muslim woman to allow another person's spouse see her hair and figures but most vital hair in this case.

"It's okay Uthman, don't be sorry. It's the truth anyways, Yusuf was not a perfect husband for me!" Zarah corrected.

"No Zarah, even if it was true. I have no right to say that, I'm sorry." Uthman apologized again. He knelt down on the marble tiled floor, staining his long pant.

"Stand up please, you're embarrassing me. Safeenah is watching us!" Zarah blushed lightly out of embarrassment and Safeenah was watching the whole drama. Dumbfounded for sure.

"Yes, Safeenah. Please plead on my behalf!" He said in a sweet manner.

"Not buying it." Safeenah scoffed as held her Teddy bear tightly.

"You can't be nice all of a sudden, but I'll only apologize because of one thing!" Safeenah said.

"What is that?" Zarah and Uthman asked in unison.

"You guys are annoying," Safeenah said. "Ummi forgive this geezer so Allah will forgive you; beside this man is boring!" Safeenah added with a frown, Zarah smiled in return.

"Oh-Kay, I forgive you Uthman; let's start from the beginning." Zarah said and Uthman jumped up as he carried Safeenah.

 "Masha Allah princess, would you love to eat pizza?" Uthman bribed.

"No, Mr. Earl, get out!" Safeenah said as she pushed Uthman out.

"Thank you Zarah, you won't regret this," Uthman said as he smiled and Safeenah shut the door right in his face.

"Ummi, I am so sorry for all the pain the world caused you. I promise to be a good and God fearing child, I will protect you and follow your footsteps." Safeenah assured Zarah in a cute way.

"Oh baby, that was so cute. I love you so much!" Zarah said and tears rolled down her cheeks while Safeenah wiped it off.

Author's note

Amazing, I mean this chapter was emotional. Did I literally made you cry?

I can't believe Uthman was Zarah's classmate.

Keep the vote and the comment coming.