"How can you do this to me Zahra'u. I feel so betrayed. Why didn't you tell me Ya Adnan was back." I said frustrated.

We just finished our first lecture and were sitting in the school cafeteria.

"Hah! I'm sorry. I just wanted to surprise you."

When I first met Zahra,she told me all about her brother. He was schooling in the UK. When I first saw his picture, I had a die hard crush on him. And the way he treated me today, I don't think he feels the same way. Urgh who am I kidding? I'm just plain old me.

I ignored her and asked my next question. "When did he come back?"

"The day before yesterday."

I gasped. I knew I was over reacting but hey he was my crush.

"And I'm just knowing?" I cast her an annoyed look.

"How many times do you want me to apologize? Just fashi it girl. Let's talk business. Did you see the way he looked at you?" She wiggled her eyebrows at me.

"Nah..don't play jokes with me. He was even kind of rude. Left without saying goodbye." I said.

"Don't mind him,that's how he is. But you have to bear with him. He's not used to interacting much with the opposite sex because of....."
She quickly clamped her mouth shut as if she said too much. Now that piqued my curiosity.

"Because of what?"
 
She shook her head. "Not my story to tell."

"What happened to us being best friends and never hiding anything from each other?" I raised a brow at her.

She sighed. "Sorry best friend. I can tell you everything but this."

I noticed the atmosphere was tense so I decided to divert the topic.

"No problem Zahra'u." I then stretched and said. "And to think ya Ahmad asked about you today." I sighed and was painting my nails with an invisible nail polish.

That got her attention straight up. She had a huge crush on ya Ahmad just like I had on ya Adnan. We always joked on how we were gonna be in laws and marry each other's brother.

"Oh tell me, tell me. What did he say?"

I smirked at her and replied. "Not my story to tell."

"My words right back at me,huh?" She smiled.

I nodded and stuck my tongue out childishly. Being the disturber that she was. She kept insisting and I had no choice but to tell her.

"Oh my Allah." She exclaimed after I finished telling her. She looked like someone who just won a lottery.

I laughed. "Sis in-law speechless much?"

A wide grin spread on her face. Even though it wasn't much she saw it as some kind of progress.

"For this great news. I must do everything in my power to make sure ya Adnan notices you."

Now it was my turn to smile widely.

"Oh thank you thank you Zahra'u,what would  I do without you." I said and hugged her.

Yes we were childish like that.

She laughed and hugged me back. We continued talking about random things before it was time for our next lecture. We were having Field Archaeology I . One of my best courses.

After an hour, the lecturer dismissed us. But not without an assignment. I loved the course but damn I hate assignments.

We gathered our books and went to the parking lot to wait for Adnan.

"I can't wait to see ya Ahmad when he comes to pick you." She said excitedly.

"Oops,I forgot to mention that he isn't coming. You guys are taking me home."

"Awww." She pouted. But then she immediately plastered a smile.

"At least ,you'll spend some time at my house bah?  And then I'll begin 'operation get Adnan to fall for Ikram'. " She sighed dreamily.

I laughed. "Where did that come from? But sha I won't stay long,you know I have chores to do."

She wanted to protest but decided against it. Good. Just on cue, A shiny black BMW parked in front of us. The window was rolled down and surprise surprise it was Adnan. He was wearing a black polo shirt with a face cap. He looked handsome. He caught me staring and I lowered my gaze, blushing slightly.

Zahra made me sit in the front seat and and she sat at the back. Singing loudly to Alessia cara's scars to your beautiful. I mentally groaned. She was too loud and had a terrible singing voice. I mentally cringed.

"Zahra, please keep quiet or lower your voice." Adnan spoke. Turned out I wasn't  the only one cringing at her horrible voice.

Of course she didn't listen and even raised her voice higher.Typical Zahra.So we both decided to ignore her.

I was uncomfortable with the silence so I decided to make small talk with Adnan.

"So..you're finally done with your studies?" I asked. Then realized what a stupid question that was. Of course was done. My subconscious rolled her eyes at me.

He just nodded without bothering to look at me. How rude. I wanted to talk more but decided it was best I keep my mouth shut.

"Where do you live?" He asked without even sparing me a glance.

"Uhm..I'm actually going to your house to spend some time with Zahra." I replied.

He gave me a curt nod and continued driving. What's with him and nods?

We arrived at the Mammanur's mansion. Yeah it was literally a mansion. I never got used to gaping at the house. It had that simple yet stylish look with modern decor. I was lost in my thoughts admiring the mansion when Zahra'u knocked on my window. Turned out Adnan had even left the car without me noticing.

"You're always in a trance every single time you come over,which is most of the time and you are yet to get used to it?" She shook her head and opened the door for me.

"Hey,it's not my fault you have such a beautiful home."

She didn't even bother to reply me.

We walked in to their house and went straight to the kitchen. I saw umma,her mum cooking. Yum! smells delicious.

"Zahra'u kun dawo ne?"(you are already back?) Ha'a who am I seeing? Ikram how are you. It's been long that you visited."

"Umma good evening. I'm fine Alhamdullilah. Umma it's not like that. You know mama is not feeling too well that's why I rarely come."

"Ayya. No problem. How is her health?"

"She's getting much better Alhamdullilah."

"Okay greet her for me when you get back kin ji?"

"In sha Allah Umma."

That's when Zahra decided to butt in the conversation. This girl sef. She could  be talkative but she could also be invisible that you wouldn't even know she was there.

Is my best friend bipolar or something? I always teased her about it.

"Umma what's cooking?" She asked.

"Your favourite. Tuwon shinkafa with miyan yakuwa."

"Aww Umma. I'm so hungry."

"Where's Adnan?I didn't see him come in." Umma asked.

The way my heart raced when I heard his name. This thing I felt was escalating quite rapidly.  Seeing him in person and not in a picture sprung out feelings I've never felt. Like something out of the world. If only he'd give me a second glance. If only...

Umma told the maid to serve us our food. We sat on the dining table waiting for her. Adnan walked in and sat down on the chair facing mine. My heart skipped a beat. He changed to a grey sweatpants and a white t-shirt that hugged his chest. I was busy checking him out that I didn't notice the food was served. When I raised my head,our eyes met. I quickly put my head down and blushed.Throughout the meal I could feel his gaze on me. Though it was uncomfortable, I felt like I was finally making some progress with him. At least he was looking at me. I comforted myself.

After the meal, Zahra and I went to her room. We did our assignments and when we were done, we decided to chat a little before I go home.

"Did you see the way my brother was looking at you at the dining table?" She squealed. Not again. I groaned mentally.

"I don't think so. Don't give me false hope." I pretended not to have noticed.

"You sef. Instead of you to be happy that he's shown a some interest in you. You are busy telling me you don't think so. I just don't understand you." She said rolling her eyes at me.

I sighed."I'm trying not to get my hopes up."

"Get all your hopes up young lady because I'll make sure you and my brother end up together just as I'll end up with Ahmad." She sighed dreamily.

"Oh, so this is what it's about ? You're only helping so I could help you with Ya Ahmad. I feel so heartbroken." I fake hurt as I clutched my hand over my heart.

She laughed. "You know it's not like that. Besides we are doing each other a favor, don't you think?" She winked or rather tried to.

I laughed with her. "Sha it's true. I hope we both get what we want. And let what we want be what's best for us."

"Ameen."

We made small talk before I realized it was getting really late. And I was scared of walking home alone.

"Zahra,let me start going home. It's getting late."

"Haba mana. So soon?" She pouted.

"Yeah."

She sighed. "Now I'm gonna be so bored. And I know ya Adnan won't even keep me company."

As Zahra was the last born,she always felt alone and I always felt bad for her. I wish we could trade places so she could have my annoying siblings.

"Don't worry,we'll meet up in school tomorrow in sha Allah."

She smiled."Can't wait."

I went to the living room where I saw Umma and Adnan watching TV. I bade Umma farewell when she stopped me.

"Are you going back alone?"

"Yes Umma. The house is not far."

"No haba. It's already late. Adnan tashi ka kaita gida da mota."(Stand up and take her home with the car)

"Umma I'm tired." Adnan complained. I could hear the displeasure in his voice.

"No it's okay Umma. I can go by myself. No need to bother ya Adnan." I said timidly.

But Umma was not having any of it.

"No,you can't go home alone by this time. It's too dangerous. Adnan ba magana na ke maka ba?(Am I not talking to you)

He begrudgingly stood up,carried the car keys and went outside.

I thanked Umma and Zahra escorted me outside. Not before giving me her famous wink and knowing smile.

I just shrugged because I knew he wouldn't even look at me.

She just smirked and left. I entered the car and we got on our way. The silence was so awkward I decided once more to break the silence.

"Thanks for..uh..giving me a ride." I managed to stutter.

Silence. Silence. And more silence.

I decided to let it go. Everything needed time I tried to reassure myself but deep down I was actually hurt. I was only human after all.

We arrived at my place and I muttered a thank you and bye before exiting the car and without waiting for a response I knew I'd never get.

I went inside and went straight to greet mama. I was really tired but I had to cook. I went to the kitchen and started preparing Jollof rice.

When I was done, I called Najmin to take the coolers to the dining table. Surprisingly, she did without nagging.  I wasn't really hungry so I prayed maghrib and Isha then just went straight to bed. Immediately my head touchedthe pillow, I went to dream land. Dreaming of a certain some one.

Hey fams.💕
Third chappie up.
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          Siyyamah💫